DVC vs Westgate Town Center

[PrincessMom98]

Hi,
I have been watching the resale boards for a long time waiting for the right resale to buy at DVC. Last year we stayed off site at Westgate Town Center in a 2BR and really liked it. The year before we were at Star Island. When we started considering purchasing a timeshare we decided on DVC because it is on-site. I was wonding if anyone here can tell me how these resorts compare to DVC????

 

[RobDoc]

You may want to check out the ratings at www.tug2.net . They are a good resource for non-DVC timeshares.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Time and convenience are valuable on vacations for us. Our last offsite visit gae us a taste of what off-site transportation options were like. They are not nearly as nice as teh Disney buses that take you right up near the MK front gates, etc. There is also the advantage of Disney service and theming. But, it does cost more. You may be very happy with the value for the dollar you get from another timeshare option.

 

[PrincessMom98]

I am most curious about how the rooms compare. The transportation advantage is what made us decide to look at DVC. Has anyone stayed at both?

 

[ClarabelleCow]

We also own offsite at Vistana it can be used every other year, its a wonderful place, you never really need to leave, we stayed once and then did the dialy trips into WDW, never again, one day is fine, but if you goal is to do the parks, then stay on site. Needless to say, I currently have it listed on www.tug2.net for sale!!! I would say buy off-site if you don't plan to do the parks alot, but if you do, stay on site. We have decided the next time we go, we will just do Sea world or Universal, WDW is special, and there is nothing like staying on site.

 

[Lisa P.]

I have not seen the inside of Westgate Town Center. We've stayed at Westgate Vacation Villas and we've toured Westgate Lakes. With those two, the interior of the rooms were very nice, though completely different from any of the DVC rooms. Maintenance is much less consistent at Westgate than at DVC, IMHO.

The Westgate rooms we've seen in the Orlando area have a modern appeal, with leather sectional sofas, more glass & mirrors. They are not themed and don't seem as soothing and homey (to me) as the DVC properties. The quality of the furnishings is pretty good and the larger rooms offer essentially all the same amenities... full, well-stocked kitchen, w/d, oversized jacuzzi tub, plenty of space. Westgate has an advantage in offering more room types & sizes, up to a huge 4BR.

Having stayed in a 3BR at Star Island as well (which you also mentioned), I can say that most of these comments apply there, though I think maintenance is probably better at Star Island than at Westgate. JMHO. Also, I prefer the floral interior decor at Star Island to those at Westgate.

If you enjoyed your stays at these resorts, you will definitely enjoy your stays at DVC. The convenience & themes at DVC resorts are very nice. The OKW room sizes are similar to what you've seen. Other DVC room sizes are a little smaller than these other resorts' rooms. But they are more convenient to some of the Disney parks and offer poolslides at their main pool areas. HTH.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

On a recent trip we stayed at the Vistana. It is a beautiful resort but we love to do the parks. I was ready after a couple of days to bag the whole thing and see if we could get a DVC room. But we held out. It helped us that we had relatives staying in the world so we could get our Disney fix with them. I want to second what ClarabelleCow says. If you want to do the Dsney parks, stay on-site.

HBC

 

[spiceycat]

buy DVC - the others are just almost wasting your money - my Westgate has been on the market for 2 years - had it on tug no response and now it is on redweek (got 2 - but no takers so far) -
In the same time I decided to sale my Disney's Vero Beach - had a buyer almost immediately - now I know I could have gotten a better price - but I priced it to sale immediately it did - Disney brought it back - but could cares it was not on the market for years!

If you decide not to buy DVC buy a Marriott (but not in Orlando). Don't waste your money with these others - if you have a problem they don't sell very easily if at all. One day you will need to sale if not you then your beneficiaries. DVC or Marriott generally will have no problems getting a buyer - other timeshares BIG problem. (don't know about the Hilton or Hyatt - have no experience with them).

the Westgate I have is pretty expensive the maintence fee is $419 plus a $105.00 tax so $524.00 for 7 nights. Now my membership is SUnday to Sunday - so I end up leaving on Saturday - so I only use it 6 days. This is a 2-bedroom with Westgate it has to be. Disney I don't always need a 2-bedroom sometimes a studio or a 1-bedroom will work fine - and there is not problem getting. It is the points that you brought that matters. So at times I can stay at Disney cheaper than the Westgate. Plus all the great Disney transportation - when I stayed at Westgate you had to use public transportation (they might have changed it has been a couple of years since I stayed there).