Anyone stayed at Westgate Lakes?

[dr&momto2boys]

We have a trip planned in February staying at Westgate Lakes. We exchanged a timeshare week for this one. I know to avoid the sales people, but does anyone have any other experiences they can share about this place? How far away from Universal Studios and Sea World is it and what is the best mode of transportation? I'm guessing rental car. What places to eat are nearby?

 

[Robinrs]

I stayed there over New Years a few years back for a timeshare presentation. Westgate is known for being piranha and you have to be tough or resilient, like I am, to deal with them. If you're not, get ready for a bad experience.

Stick to the time, 90mins, tell them you want to leave and get ready for their nasty "managers" to sit down and lower the price. If you are not interested stay firm.

Now for the place.

I liked my room, we stayed in a studio with a HUGE jacuzzi tub. The place if right on Turkey Lakes. You make a left and it takes you straight to Universal. There are PLENTY of restaurants at Sand Lake and Intl Drive, everything you can imagine is on Intl Drive.

I-4 is right off of Turkey and Sand Lakes which can take you straight to WDW. I never went there from Westgate so maybe someone else can help you with that.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I was there in August on an Interval Exchange and have been there a few times before that. We had an occluded view of the WDW fireworks so that was nice. You can ask for this but no guarentee your room will have a good view. Some units will have a view of Sea World fireworks (much closer) and others would have a view of Universal fireworks. Some rooms have a view of various pools and a few rooms have a view of nothing but the parking lot so I would try for a view of fireworks because that also translates into a water view in most instances.

There is a BBQ restaurant on site and a deli. I believe certain restaurants will deliver but if you have a car you can just make the hop skip and jump over to I-drive. If you turn left, drive to Sand Lake and turn left you are very close to a really nice Publix in Doctor Phillips.

Theme Park wise you are close to being directly across the street from Sea World. Turn right on Turkey Lake and the next traffic light turn left to go under I-4...you are right there. Otherwise Universal is a bit closer than WDW but not by much. Universal you turn left on Turkey Lake and keep going, WDW you turn right until you can't go any further, then turn left and make the next right at the light to get to DTD.

If your vacation involves hitting multiple theme parks of varying sizes you can't ask for a better location than Westgate Lakes. If asked to attend make it clear to your room escort you have no interest in purchasing. If told someone has to go agree to send just one member of your party...preferably a married person. Do not take them up on the offer of breakfast for everybody. As an exchange person they dont have leverage on you other than breakfast and they have no leverage on a married person without their partner. Of the trips I've made to the lakes I've been asked to attend a meeting twice. The first time I had laryngitis. The second time I checked out before the day I scheduled the meeting.

Other than that... They have tennis courts, a miniature golf course, boat rentals and other activities. In August they had people who went to various pools to entertain the kids in addition to the usual paid programs.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Thanks. This information is very useful! Just what I was looking for!