Can Westgate Lakes trade into Bonnet Creek?

[LynnTH]

A friend of mine has a timeshare at Westgate Lakes in Orlando. She has about 6 weeks banked. She has offered us a week for $500. I have been reading the reviews and they are not coming up so good as of lately. She is checking into trading into Vistana Resort as that is II but says there have been some changes on trading with Westgate and is checking it out.

Does anyone know if Westgate can be traded in to Bonnet Creek? I know Bonnet Creek is not II but not sure if you can pay to trade into it?

Any other info on the above resorts would be great also. Thanks.

 

[gcarney]

A friend of mine has a timeshare at Westgate Lakes in Orlando. She has about 6 weeks banked. She has offered us a week for $500. I have been reading the reviews and they are not coming up so good as of lately. She is checking into trading into Vistana Resort as that is II but says there have been some changes on trading with Westgate and is checking it out.

Does anyone know if Westgate can be traded in to Bonnet Creek? I know Bonnet Creek is not II but not sure if you can pay to trade into it?

Any other info on the above resorts would be great also. Thanks.

I stayed at a Westgate Resort in 2009, it was HORRIBLE. They charged for WIFI by the day or the week, they charged $5 to play tennis, $5 to use the paddle boats. My father is not able to walk long distances. We got caught in a rain storm and they wouldn't let him get a ride in a cart back to the room. They made a 90 min presentation turn into 3+ hours. If you can trade to anywhere else, I would suggest you do so!

 

[Janet Hill]

I believe that Westgate exchanges II only. So you could exchange into some nice resorts, like the Marriotts.

But after paying your friend for her week and then paying the exchange fee, you could probably rent BC directly from an owner cheaper or for around the same amount.

 

[LynnTH]

Yeah. I don't want to stay here. Seeing what all our options are. Thanks.

I stayed at a Westgate Resort in 2009, it was HORRIBLE. They charged for WIFI by the day or the week, they charged $5 to play tennis, $5 to use the paddle boats. My father is not able to walk long distances. We got caught in a rain storm and they wouldn't let him get a ride in a cart back to the room. They made a 90 min presentation turn into 3+ hours. If you can trade to anywhere else, I would suggest you do so!

 

[LynnTH]

Yeah. It would be close. We would get a 2 bedroom unit. Just trying to help her out if I can. She just lost her job and is looking for money. But am not going to stay somewhere iffy...

I believe that Westgate exchanges II only. So you could exchange into some nice resorts, like the Marriotts.

But after paying your friend for her week and then paying the exchange fee, you could probably rent BC directly from an owner cheaper or for around the same amount.

 

[DawnM]

We stayed at Westgate Lakes once........we got a rate of $149 for the entire week. It was HORRIBLE and I wouldn't stay there for free now.

Thankfully it was a down week, so we were able to move. The people above us were SO LOUD and I am told that it isn't that people are overly loud, it is just that the structure is built to echo everything from upstairs down. Running water upstairs sounds like a very loud pipe squeaking for a long time downstairs. Walking sounds like a heard of elephants pounding.

We got VERY little sleep. They moved us to a 3 bedroom, upstairs unit. That was MUCH better, but I still would not opt to stay there again.

Their 2 bedroom units are all downstairs and their 3 bedroom (or 2br with a loft) are upstairs.

Definitely do not stay there if you can at all avoid it.

 

[LynnTH]

I am hoping to rent DVC Points and stay onsite. My SIL and her 2 kids are joining us and they are up for staying anywhere, so if it is just our 2 families we will stay onsite. Other SIL has not decided if they will be able to afford to go or not. They have 6 in their family so they would need 2 rooms staying onsite so looking into all the off site possibilites. If they do go I know my kids will want to be with their kids so looking at fun resorts that are close to Disney. But want something nice - if I can't stay at Beach Club. Hopefully, they will know this week.

Looks like Westgate is out for sure. Heard good things about Bonnet Creek. How about Vistana Resort is that alot like Bonnet Creek. Important things would be Pools, Kids Activities (Basketball, Volleyball, Arcade) and Food Options.

 

[swilshire]

For activities, Sheraton Vistana has Bonnet Creek beat, in my opinion. I like both, but there is more going on at Vistana and it is a larger resort, so probably easier to get multiple units.

Sheila

 

[TamaraQT]

If you must stay at a Westgate resort I would advise you to consider Westgate Town Center in Kissimmee instead of Westgate Lakes in Orlando. If your friend is an owner at Westgate Lakes, she also has the option of booking into Town Center. The fee is the same whether she books at her home resort or at another Westgate. I have stayed at both the Lakes and Town Center, and I must admit, I would choose Town Center over the Lakes. Also, Town Center is more convenient to Disney parks.