West Gate Lakes

[aurorasleeping]

Alright, I've never stayed in this resort (actually I lived in Orlando for about 4 years, so I've stayed in very few local hotesl), but have heard conflicting reviews.

On the one hand I love the location, the room (for the most part), and the price I was qouted on their web site.

On the other hand, I have no interest in a time share, or wasting time sitting through the sales pitch.

What is everyone's opinon on this? Is the sales pitch *always* mandatory? (My bf and I are not married which takes us out of the running for most such offers) I saw nothing about this requirement on their website when I checked availablity... Does the pitch just come along with certain rates? Help! Please!
THANKS SO MUCH!

 

[momoftwodisneykids]

If the rate seems really cheap, it probably does require the timeshare pitch. We stayed at Westgate Lakes once about 7 years ago. The villas were beautiful and there are a lot of activities onsite. If you can get a good rate without the sales pitch, I would go for it. We just made sure to unplug our phone in the evening and didn't plug it in until we got up. Eliminated the pesky early morning solicitation calls.

Joanne

 

[PlutoLuvr]

I'm a Westgate owner. My in-laws love staying at WG Lakes on Turkey Lake Road due to its proximity to both WDW and USO. They've always just booked a two-bedroom, paid the full rates, and not had to do any timeshare stuff.

If you're booking a package where you might get free tix for a park, definitely read the fine print, as you will probably have to do the presentation.

As an owner, I can tell you that they still try to get us to do the presentations to upgrade our unit. They lie about it, too. They've told us we have to go to a maintenance meeting or else be charged extra fees if we don't attend. When we arrive to the maintenance meeting, it's more salesmen. I've heard that they also tell owners that there's an owners' meeting about increases in taxes and fees scheduled at "blank" time ... when the owners show up, it's just more sales.

If there's another timeshare type place you can rent/book, I'd recommend staying away from WG. The place is generally okay, but the salespeople and lying and threats can really ruin a vacation.

 

[aurorasleeping]

Thanks you guys!
Wow...West Gate sounds fun....
I was looking at the 2 Bedrooms at the one on Turkey Lake Road...(I like that the rooms have jacuzzi like tubs...)...But thinking maybe I should find something else?
The price I got wasn't for a package, no free tix, or anything like that - (just the room-about $160 a night) so if I were to go with it, you don't think I'd be required to attend the sales meeting do you? (Plutolover - that's what your inlaws do right?)
Still can't make up my mind...but running out of time...lol...I am such a procrastinator!

 

[spiceycat]

who are you making the reservation with?

I think that is high for Westgate - so you should be okay.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Yes, that's what the inlaws do!

The jacuzzi rocks! It's not a tub with jets, either. It's really a nice jacuzzi, very roomy for two.

If you go, get some fizzy balls from that bath store at DTD -- Basin I think it's called. It's perfect for jacuzzis and wonderful for those aching feet

Request a lake view if possible. The pool areas can be very loud. Plus, with the lake view, you can see Illuminations from the balconies.

Just checked with MIL -- they paid $149 per night for a three-bedroom almost two years ago ... off season. This was a full large two-bedroom unit with another tiny unit right off the foyer with its own door. The tiny unit is like a studio, the large unit being massive with the kitchen, dining room, living room, balcony, etc. The children took the smaller bedroom in the larger unit, the parents took the master bedroom w/jacuzzi, and MIL took the studio unit. Plenty of room to spare, too.

 

[aurorasleeping]

I just wanted to say Thanks SO much everyone!!!! (Especially Plutolover ). I think I'm gonna try and book the Westgate... (hopefully my boyfriend will like it...well at least the jacuzzi...he doesn't like the idea of paying anymore than absolutly necessary (He actually wanted to stay in Altamonte and drive in every day [It would save us about $5 a night...lol...didn't really seem worth the extra 30minutes in the car every day...or the extra gas...I love men sometimes].

Plus, his best friend is coming with us, So I'd really love to get the 2 bedroom (which is what my qoute of $160 was from)

And the qoute I got was from their main website, under the rental sections.

 

[allie_to_you]

My DH & I are staying at West Gate Lakes resort in November. Some friends of ours our owners and they are letting us stay for free. Will we be bombarded with the timeshare pitch? Can't you just tell them no from the start or just skip the meeting?

Has anyone ever gotten a handicapped accessible room there before?

 

[momoftwodisneykids]

My DH & I are staying at West Gate Lakes resort in November. Some friends of ours our owners and they are letting us stay for free. Will we be bombarded with the timeshare pitch? Can't you just tell them no from the start or just skip the meeting?

Has anyone ever gotten a handicapped accessible room there before?

Not sure about the handicapped accessible room, but yes you will probably be bombarded with timeshare salespeople. I would suggest unplugging your phone in the the villa if you don't want to be awakened early in the AM. We always have our cell phones with us, so we figure if anyone wants to reach us they can call us on them. If you do opt to go to the presentation (depends on what they are offering ) make sure you keep track of your time and when your 90 minutes are up, tell them you have fulfilled your obligation and want to go. I will tell you that the salespeople are probably some of the rudest I have encountered, but I have a pretty thick skin, so I don't feel bad. I just take my free stuff and go on my merry way.

Have a good time. Westgate Lakes really is a nice resort.

Joanne

 

[sticker231]

We are owners and don't do the meetings. When the person brings us to the room and tries to schedule it, we tell them we bought through resale and aren't interested in anything else. We bought a three and two bedroom for like 9k. The rooms are big and the screened balcony is nice to relax on each night. We ask for lake view and can see fireworks nightly. There are activities throughout the day, we haven't participated since we are at the parks instead.

 

[allie_to_you]

Cool, thanks for all the great advice. We don't plan to attend any of the meetings as we have a full schedule of stuff to do since we arrive and we already have our park tickets. They can talk till they are blue in the face but we still don't plan to attend anything.