Did I make a mistake with Westgate Lakes ?

[MrsPiglet]

Ok, I got a call last Saturday and for $199.00 they were selling 3 nights/ 4 days studio, mini kitchen and 2 seaworld, or disney tickets, and a free family pass to watermania. we will have to attend the presentation< but was told a free meal either breakfast or lunch is given at the presentation.
We have no interest of buying into the timeshare, so we will just tell them NO NO No.

Ok my questioon is I received the reservations today, this does not include transportation to the parks or taxes on the resorts. Does anyone know how much this is going to cost me? It does say that a $200 cash deposit is required at check in or a credit card with a preauthorized $50.

Any help will be appreciated. We probably will not have a car and might use one of the days to use the resort, the other for seaworld. Checkin day who knows and we will check out early and head to disney.
thanks

 

[tink2dw]

Tax are heavy and it depends on which county the resort is in. I think it was 11% in Lake Buena Vista.

 

[travelitis]

Westgate Lakes has very nice accomodations, and we've done the presentation twice. They took, "No" with no resistance, because they know it usually takes multiple visits for people to say yes. We did decide to buy a timeshare there because the accomodations are so much nicer than on-site rooms, but the deals are much better for resales than what they offer on the tour. Keep in mind that everywhere charges hotel taxes, so you're paying them no matter where you stay.

Have you asked them if there's a shuttle to WDW? I'm not aware of one, which would mean taking a cab. If you're doing that, you should price staying on-site at All Stars. You'll give up the microwave, whirlpool tub, luxury, and passes for the transportation, and the frig will cost you $10 per day. I'd rent a car, especially if staying off-site. I can't imagine going off-site without a car.

As far as WG, both times what they said we were getting was what we got. The first time we stayed at WG Villas which made a big error then upgraded us to a 2 bedroom as compensation. I give the deals at WG a thumbs up, the accomodations 2 enthusiastic thumbs up, but staying without a car -- thumbs down!

 

[travelitis]

Let me qualify that post. If your hotel offers shuttle service, while I wouldn't want to be subject to their schedule, that would be much better than being off-site with no car and no shuttle. Keep in mind that I don't even like on-site without my own transportation. btdt - never again!

 

[MrsPiglet]

First we are only three nights. Arrival to orlando, which we don't plan to do a whole bunch, a sea world day, and either a rest day and enjoy the resort pools(the presentation) and free meal or a fishing excursion that picks you up at your hotel anyways. (DH is wanting to try the deep sea fishing). then the last day we will check out early and check into our Disney resort to do disney after we have explored the other things we are wanting to do.
The extra day all depends on when we can do the presentation.
Does any one know if the city busses comes anywhere close to the westgate lakes? that could be another option to explore the city.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

That is going to be some ride to deep sea fish. Either 90 mins to the Tampa area or approx. 2 hours to the east side of FL. There is NO where to deep sea fish in Orlando.

 

[MrsPiglet]

Gail I realize it will be abouta 2 hour ride, but the transportation is included with the price. I think the day tour is about $69 per person. It is an all day trip

 

[BedKnobbery2]

I would consider renting a car if I were you, if only for the flexibility. If it helps any, I rented a car via priceline for $15 a day for 4 days/3 nights...total cost taxes yada yada (but not the insurance, as my credit card covers it) was $65. Well worth it to me; I like to have my own schedule and not rely on public transportation. This was for an economy car via Alamo (so I had to take a shuttle out to the car rental place); it was easy-breezy (no wait....but I have heard they can have looong lines there) and I was upgraded to a mid-size (probably just a fluke; they must have been out of economy cars, I didn't request an upgrade.)

BK

 

[Robinrs]

I did this last year 12/30 to 1/1/02. I stayed there before transferring to my vacation home. I stayed in the studio, also. REALLY nice room. I paid $79, no tickets.

I would definitely have a car to get around. We drove there so it was no problem getting around.

Stick to your no and don't ask any questions and you'll survive the "presentation". And don't expect to get full on the "lunch", I got a hot dog and some chips!