I got a call offering me 7 nights in Westgate Palace for $159

[djm99]

I am so amazed with Westgate Properties negative reviews. I've stayed at Westgate Lakes twice and loved it!!! IMO, the only negative I can say about Westgate Lakes was the parking after dark was not as convenient as I'd like (ie I had to park a little bit away from our building on one of our nights stay – out of 7 nights) and check in at 4pm was a mess (everyone and their grandmother were checking in) - but had the same experience when we checked in at around 5pm when we stayed at Pop Century. Both times at Westgate Lakes our rooms were clean, spacious, and really nice (not Marriott Timeshare nice, but none the less nice).

Yeah went thru the high pressure presentations - husband said flat out no!!! We didn't eat at the breakfast they offered and made it VERY CLEAR during the presentation that we were timing them. I bought a book with me to read, and basically my husband "gave" every reason not to buy - (19% interest being the biggest reason) and my husband is not the kind to get upset. He's 6'6" tall black man - works out daily and it shows (big arms) - mostly quiet as a mouse (he's a thinker) and can be as gentle a piece of cotton - but don't get him upset (he can be a "hurricane")!!! The presenter saw the disinterest in our faces - bagged down very quickly, after they started that, well you know you guys can afford it, belittling almost - my husband said, looking dead in his eyes, "your 90 minutes are over - get your manager so he can sign us off" - firm - almost emotionless - daring - about 10 minutes later we were out the door. It was a free opportunity for our DD to play in a play area!!! She had fun - and I was able to read a few chapters in a book I was reading at that time.

We would not dare allow that situation to ruin our vacation. High pressure or not - my issues with a property is the accommodations not the annoying salespersons. Is the property clean, up to date, etc? Those are the things I'm most worried about. On tripadvisors.com, Westgate Palace has good reviews since it has been remodeled. Before it was remodeled and during the construction seems to be its most negative reviews. I'm not really concerned about amenities on that property either, I have 7 day US/IOA/Wet N Wild passes and 2 day Disney hoppers (on a 10 day vacation) so enjoying the amenities on a timeshare property is the far from my mind. The two times I've stayed at Westgate Lakes, or once at Silver Lakes, or even the time I rented a house in Windsor Palms – We never used the amenities - we didn't even swim in the pool in the house we rented. We didn't even swim or fully see the resort we stayed in when we stayed onsite (at Pop Century). Our accommodations are just a place to lay our heads - being clean is our only concern for my family of 3 (myself, DH, and DD5). I'll take a chance for $159.

 

[spiceycat]

Yeah went thru the high pressure presentations - husband said flat out no!!! We didn't eat at the breakfast they offered and made it VERY CLEAR during the presentation that we were timing them. I bought a book with me to read, and basically my husband "gave" every reason not to buy - (19% interest being the biggest reason) and my husband is not the kind to get upset. He's 6'6" tall black man - works out daily and it shows (big arms) - mostly quiet as a mouse (he's a thinker) and can be as gentle a piece of cotton - but don't get him upset (he can be a "hurricane")!!! The presenter saw the disinterest in our faces - bagged down very quickly, after they started that, well you know you guys can afford it, belittling almost - my husband said, looking dead in his eyes, "your 90 minutes are over - get your manager so he can sign us off" - firm - almost emotionless - daring - about 10 minutes later we were out the door. It was a free opportunity for our DD to play in a play area!!! She had fun - and I was able to read a few chapters in a book I was reading at that time.

- my issues with a property is the accommodations not the annoying salespersons. Is the property clean, up to date, etc? Those are the things I'm most worried about. ..... I'll take a chance for $159.

you go girl!!!

Westgate does have nice resorts. It won't be a 100% perfect - but it should be 90%.

just remember MaMa3Princess experiences tell the front desk that you don't want anything removed from your room. better yet have your husband tell them!!!

most people can't intimidate the sales people. so the sales people who won't leave you alone on Westgate property are a BIG problem!!!!

 

[MaMa3Princess]

I never once Knocked the properties. My major concern was with the fact that our stuff was tossed out stolen or call what you want. I explained that the palace was SMALL compared to the Lakes. THere is no dining room table all high bar chairs. Yes it is clean it is under construction so I would advice getting a room facing the lake that you can see wet n wild. The twin beds are small. We own at the Wyndam Palms and we took at chance with these dirt bags, we were in and out on our timeshares BUT my main beef is to warn people of their incompetence. Yes are they clean and adequate I explained that in my original post. But we travel to Orlando about 3 x's a year with one being our owner week. From now on we well stop taking the vacation package and just fork over the dough in a pool home to save with the aggrevation. I am upset because things like my kids lanyards were stolen, nice disney souvenirs were taken. Not to mention nice running shoes. Cell phone chargers, My girls charm bracelets. I could go on and on and then they tell you that you are lying and none of those things were in the room. SO if I can influence one person to change their mind about staying at this establishment then my experience have served its purpose.

DMJJ,

You have made up your mind that is great I am just offering my experience with these incompetent idiots. This might not help you but I hope that it give an experience on to someone else. I am not taking the fact that our stuff was removed from our room very lightly. Have a great vacation but I am still going to continue to "TRASH" this hotel because they did not give a lick about they ruined our vacation.

Anyone who stays here make sure that you tell Mr. Ivan Flores the manager that I sais HI!! because he thought it to be funny that I was going to post about this on the LARGEST Vacation information board and people would actually listen

 

[littleshamrock]

OMG!! I can't even imagine. I am so sorry that this happened to you, and thank you for sharing this with us, so that we may avoid this horrible place.

 

[disneysteve]

we can help find you a 2 bedroom on Skyauction, with full kitchen, at a much nicer place, for around $260 and it won't require any timeshare meeting.

My advice exactly. We just checked out on Saturday from a week at Orbit One Villas. This was our 2nd year staying there and we love the place. We paid $260 for the week in a spacious and modern 2-bed, 2-bath unit with full kitchen and jacuzzi tub in the master bath, a screened-in patio/balcony and literally less than 5 minutes from Disney. I timed the drive from AK at 4 minutes.

If you aren't seriously interested in buying a timeshare, there is no reason to take those offers just to get a good deal on your stay.

 

[djm99]

I never once Knocked the properties. My major concern was with the fact that our stuff was tossed out stolen or call what you want.

Oh trust me - I understand - if a hotel tossed my things - I'd be on a personal mission too - trust me - I would. Something really small compared to your issue - The day we checked out of Westgate Lakes (our 2nd stay) I bought some snacks for the road. One of those snacks were Milk Dudds - I personally like them frozen. Well, we were loading the car and had emptied the room when housekeeping came by - I immediately went upstairs to do my final check and get my Milk Dudds - needless to say my Milk Dudds were gone and no one spoke English. Nothing near your belongings - but I learned thought the individuals at Westgate were most likely new to this country (or try to act new) and were possibly getting paid very little - they "feed" off of things left in hotels. We had not checked out and it was like 9 am - check out is at like 10 or 11am.

This happens in Disney too. I've read situations of how mousekeeping opening two doors at a time - and cleaning one! Things mysteriously missing. At least Disney will try to accommadate you - Westgate wouldn't - simply because you probably would not buy into their timeshare.

So I wasn't trying to minimize your post - cause trust me - I would have done the same thing - I probably would have taken many steps further too! Making sure I got a formal police report (some officers don't want to do the paper work - but I would have made them) - took note of the time the police were called and took them to small claims court. Oh I would have gotten my money back one way or the other - report them to the BBB, called the SG, - call, write, email anybody who would listen. Trust me I do understand!!! And thank you for sharing because I will be mindful of that on our check out - I'm sure you were not the first or the last Westgate will try that with! Westgate knows this is my third visit in one of their properties - I'm sure they are going to be hard on us!!

Go to various sites and post your situation around the web!!! Get your money back!!!!

 

[felixdacat]

FYI
States have differences in their laws that effect cancelling a contract. You should never assume that you can cancel. Before you sign, make sure you read what it says about cancellation.
Also, many states treat contracts differently, depending on whether you signed the contract at the company's place of business or at a separate location (Hotel meeting room, your home, restaurant). Usually, if you sign the contract at the companany's location, you have less time to cancel or you may not be able to cancel.
And judges are very harsh in how they deal with these situation. They usually ask one question..."Is this your signature?". If the answer is yes, they will explain that you have to fufill your end. You'll try to explain, and they won't listen once you say its your signature.
Finally, I stayed at the Westgate property that is near Universal, 2 years ago. Got a deal from Hotwire.
I was convinced that I would get a pressure presentation for the timeshare, but it never happened. We checked in, stayed two days, had fun, and left. The room was fine, and the property seemed good.
I would try them again, but I'm always wary about these things.
My wife can deal with time share people. She has gone to many presentations and always gets something out of it. If they tried to get her into a presentation, the first words out of her mouth would be "what are you going to give me?" If its just a breakfast, she'll tell them where to go.

 

[AJKMOM]

After lurking on these boards for years, I would RUN from anything with any combo of the words "West" and "Gate" in them.

 

[djkeenan]

This needs a bump so more people will be aware of he level of service provided at Westgate Palace.

 

[boomhauer]

They call me once every couple of months, and argue with me on the phone.

"Why would you pay to stay at Disney when you can stay here for practically nothing?"

I just laugh at them.