
Life after the merge on Survivor isn’t all bad—just ask the jury members sequestered at Ponderosa. For many castaways, like Caroline Vidmar from Survivor 47, this tropical retreat becomes an unexpected highlight of their experience. Once voted out, jury members head to Ponderosa, a Fijian resort where they decompress, indulge, and prepare to cast their vote for the Sole Survivor.
What Happens at Ponderosa?
Ponderosa serves as a refuge where jury members can eat to their heart’s content, soak up the sun, and bond with their former tribemates. After weeks of surviving on scraps, the food is often a unanimous favorite. Sierra Wright, the first post-merge boot and self-declared “queen of Ponderosa,” relished the luxury of “waking up, grabbing any breakfast of [her] choice [and] a delicious cappuccino.”
For others, the post-Tribal “info dumps” — where the newly eliminated share game insights — and camaraderie stood out. Gabe Ortis loved hearing fresh game intel, while Sol Yi and Sierra bonded over fitness routines.
Many jury members praised Ponderosa as a place for emotional recovery and building deeper connections.
- Caroline Vidmar reflected on the catharsis of debriefing with her fellow jurors: “It’s easy to be bitter, but this group chose to be thoughtful, lighthearted, and soooooo much fun to be around.”
- Andy Rueda likened Ponderosa to “heaven on the other side” of the game, calling it “a euphoric experience” and a chance to foster lifelong friendships.
- Genevieve Mushaluk appreciated the chance to see her castmates’ true personalities, saying, “We all hide so much of ourselves while playing… Ponderosa gave me a new appreciation for everyone I was playing with.”
While most basked in the respite, Kyle Ostwald admitted to struggling at Ponderosa due to missing his family. Despite the “free vacation,” he felt torn: “If I’m not going to be in the game fighting for the money, I’d rather be home with my family.”
As the jury’s time at Ponderosa nears its end, all eyes turn to the remaining contestants: Teeny Chirichillo, Rachel LaMont, Sam Phalen, and Sue Smey. Who will outwit, outplay, and outlast to become the Sole Survivor? Find out in the second part of Survivor 47’s two-part finale, airing Wednesday, December 18, on CBS, with next-day streaming on Paramount Plus.