Big Cedar Lodge Branson, MO (Ridgedale)

Johnny Morris and Big Cedar have mastered the art of hospitality. The moment we venture down the scenic drive, I can feel myself starting to relax. Just returned from Big Cedar after my 4th annual visit. This trip was a girls’ trip to celebrate my mom’s 80th birthday. We stayed in a 2 bedroom lakeside cottage and enjoyed not having to drive as the shuttle service took care of all transportation and we ate all meals on property which added to the relaxation. After returning from an incredible meal at Osage, we walked into our cottage to see it tidied and beds made, etc. As a mom, I truly appreciate Big Cedar’s ability to pamper in an unpretentious and seemingly magical way. Our cabin was spotless including even the glass shades on the outdoor light fixtures of our cabin along with the ceiling fan on the cabin porch - no dust, no cobwebs. This incredible attention to detail is seen in the service, design, and overall curation of the entire Big Cedar experience (I wish I could bottle up the smell of the registration building). People talk about their “happy place” and for me as a middle aged mom, Big Cedar is it. I have visited the JW Marriott in Marco Island, Jumby Bay in Antigua, and Tryall in Jamaica…and honestly, Big Cedar’s Midwest friendliness and masterful design outshines them. I fall more in love with Big Cedar each time we visit. Can’t wait to return!

I booked a 2 night stay for my husband's birthday using the winter sale discount/off season stay (as we would not be able to afford the full price stay during more popular dates). We stayed in Falls Lodge, in a Premier King room from Feb. 25-27th. When I booked there were options to add sweets and blankets and gifts to the room but I didn't really see anything that was worth the cost for us. I rec. a welcome call from the concierge prior to our stay and I asked if I could have a small birthday cake delivered to the room, they said that would be no problem and it would be around $35 and the kitchen staff would send me an email with details/receipt. I received no further communications from the concierge or kitchen staff and when I called to see if I could pay ahead of time since my husband was putting the incedentals on his card and I didn't want to ruin the surprise they said they will be discreet at check in but would not let me pre pay. FYI about the incedentals for anyone planning to book, it was a $200/night hold ($400 total) which was more than our room cost, so plan accordingly if you need to use a different card than you booked with as it won't fall off for a few days. (We're not rich, so this trip was a splurge.) Moving on to check in day...I received a call in the morning offering early check in for a fee, we passed as we were going to explore the property first. As we drove in we were greeted by some very friendly deer. We did arrive a few hours early though and went to the front desk just to get some information and they let us check in early without a fee. Once we drove up to the lodge we unpacked the car and headed to our room - 393, the second I opened the door there was a plumber laying on the floor of our room fixing a leak in the jacuzzi. We were both surprised. He told us our room was supposed to be decommissioned and the front desk was aware. So he called the desk and sent us back to check in, meaning we had to repack the car and drive down the hill, they apologized and assured us our room would be ready by 4 and gave us a $25 game voucher for fun mountain. My husband was not happy about this because after driving several hours he wanted to rest in the room but we headed to fun mountin anyway, played bingo for free (we were the youngest couple there) and then ate at fun mountain. The food and service was top notch. We were told we'd get a call from the front desk when our room was ready and never did so I called the desk and they said we could head to our room, (another fail in communication) but the room was cleaned up and ready this time. The cake I ordered was sitting on the desk in the room and looked great, they also added a tiny cake that said best wishes and we had 2 free waters in the fridge and a basket with free cookies, popcorn and gummy worms. The rest of our time we explored the resort, we played mini golf, ate at Devil's Pool/Buzzard Bar twice, listened to great live music, ate breakfast at Truman twice, visited the Marina, and visited with family members in the timeshare condos nearby. We weren't able to use the game voucher as fun mountain was closed when we had free time and it wouldn't have gotten us far anyway, most game cards cost $100 and a game of bowling was over $60. I did book one excursion though and had our photos taken by the resort photographer, its a $75 sitting fee and no obligation to buy, I did however purchase the digital package after which was $315 including taxes and we rec. over 60 beautiful images just days later. We had Tim's partner Shann photograph us and he was very kind and drove us around the property to the best spots for morning light photos. All in all, our experience was wonderful and we needed the time away so bad. The food was amazing, the waiters were kind and quick to refill our drinks. The ammenities you get with your stay, such as the free shuttle that runs from 6am-midnight we used many times to get around, as big cedar is a very large property. The views were amazing even in off season/early spring. We will definitely be back. We enjoyed it not being as busy and can tell in summer with all the pools open it would have been a very active place. Our lodge room was perfect for us with the jacuzzi and balcony and comfy bed. There was a lot of taxidermy though so if it bothers you to have bucky staring at you while you sleep...yah. They provide sleeping masks though which you will want in falls lodge as the top windows aren't covered. The water temp. was a bit cold as well when the nextdoor room was showering at the same time... The best part of the stay was feeling as if we were part of a big family at dinner, we met some lovely senior couples who joked with us and made us feel like we belonged eventhough we were in our 30s. Attire was casual which was nice as well. This is the kind of place where families come for generations. I would say the only negative experience we had was communication with the front desk/concierge, when I rec. my bill at checkout we were charged $55 for the cake and it was listed as in room dining with no breakdown as to why it was more than the $35 I was quoted. They also charged it to my husband's card instead of mine like I asked, which is a little embarassing when it was supposed to be a gift from me. The front desk staff seemed young and might be new but I feel with it being slow during off season, communication should have been much better than it was and a food voucher would have been preferred as to a game voucher we couldn't really use. As for those wondering about affordability if you are like us as well. The food was very fairly priced with large portions, we actually paid more for a meal on The Branson Landing than at the resort. The only things that cost more I would say are the extras such as the SPA. We thought about doing a couple's massage until we found out it would be about $600 for an hour. You can also get married there for a hefty price tag. Not bashing costs at all, it is a resort and a very well done resort at that, I do think there is something for every budget on site, just be sure to read the fine print. If you need family/couples photos taken, its definitely worth it to have those done on site as well.

This area is a SLICE OF HEAVEN! A stunningly beautiful area and it is our FAVORITE resort area located south of Branson, Missouri. The kids LOVED the "The Timber Ridge Ropes Course" and the "Go Carts!" We suggest taking the "Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail Tour" on an electric cart of the resort too. The only downside is that it is PRICEY so plan accordingly. Also, don't forget to visit the "Top of the Rock" Museum which includes LOTS of great history!

I have travelled the world and have experienced nothing like I did when scheduling at Big Cedar Lodge. My wife and I had planned a winter getaway to Big Cedar from 1/24-1/27/25, but something came up and we were not going to be able to make it. They have a 21 day cancellation policy. No refunds. No credit for future stays. We are just out $500+. Majorly disappointed, We have been traveling to Branson, MO for 25 years. My in-laws lived in Branson, MO those 25 years, so we had always stayed with them. I love all that Johnny Morris has done for Branson and the surrounding area. This was our first attempt to stay at Big Cedar and are majorly disappointed. I believe that any good business should have a reasonable cancellation policy, but 21 days and penalty of 2 nights stay fee with no opportunity to apply to another stay seems excessive and unreasonable. I am not sure we will go back. Big Cedar seems more interested in profits than the common man and the changes that occur when life happens. Humbly, with shared learned lesson, Kent

My family and I have visited and stayed at Big Cedar for years. Celebrating huge events like my in laws anniversary every October and milestone birthdays (both my husband celebrated our fortith there). When I say we say there multiple times we typically stay every fall and Christmas. The prices have gotten out of control. I was disappointed with only being able to drive through the lights once free then having to pay for other times. I was also saddened, that they are charging outsiders money to view the lights. We have made many friends down in that area and watching them get exploited hurts my heart. The room service menus have been cut downed and the Sunday brunch sometimes it's there sometimes it isn't, it is our tradition that we eat brunch prior to departed home at devil's pool. Overall, I have loved this resort, it always transports me back in time when things were nice however, I am seeing changes that break my heart. Resorts like this should be marketted to a destination for family's to make memories not to go bankrupt. If people want that feel go to a place like Las Vegas, Martha's Vineyard, or Naples Florida. Give me back my old Big Cedar feeling where it is about family, about memories, not about breaking the bank.