Westgate Lakes anyone?

[RussellDisney]

We just were offered a week at Westgate Lakes for our upcoming December trip. I've read lots of bad stuff on here about them, so I have a few questions:

Is the sales pitch still as bad as it was?

We are getting the week from an owner, so I assume we don't have to go to a sales meeting - correct?

Is the place as nice as it looks on their website?

How far/long to Disney?

Do we get daily housekeeping?

Thanks.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Is the sales pitch still as bad as it was?

Probably. I only go if I want to be entertained by it. Last time my "guide" told me I could see Blizzard Beach from my balcony...funny!!! I made my reservation for the condo eval for the day after I went home.

We are getting the week from an owner, so I assume we don't have to go to a sales meeting - correct?

You are correct! However they will try to get around it by telling you you have to go to a condo evaluation meeting with breakfast (there is no sales meetings for current owners). Just smile and nod and schedule it for your last day. A smart guide will pressure you to schedule it early. Just tell them you don't want to make it any earlier.

Is the place as nice as it looks on their website?

I think so but others here will tell you otherwise. One negative is that it is pretty high density so its possible to have a view of another tower in a couple buildings here and there. Only one I noticed that's all your view is.

How far/long to Disney?

This resort has an ideal location. Halfway between Disney and Universal and right at Sea World. It'll take about ten minutes to get to downtown disney turning right on the road directly in front of the hotel (not I-4). You'll reach a very main road with the Olive Garden on your left. You have to turn left then make the right turn in front of the Cross Roads to enter Disney property. This is one of the things I really love about this location. From DTD its probably another 10 minutes to a themepark.

Do we get daily housekeeping?

No! It's a timeshare.

 

[RussellDisney]

Thanks so much doubletrouble_vb!!!

Is the condo eval breakfast something we could schedule, then conveniently "forget" to attend and high-tail it out of town? I certainly don't mind blowing-off salemen, but I also don't want to get the owner in trouble. He's being incredibly gracious with his offer of the condo.

Glad I asked about the housekeeping - never stayed in a timeshare before!

 

[swilshire]

We stayed there for Spring break. It was nice enough. No complaints.

We even went to the sales pitch, which was quite low key. I think we just got lucky because we've heard all the horror stories. It probably also helped that I told the girl right up front that we owned six timeshare weeks, which is a couple more than we really have time to use.

Sheila

 

[TotoToo]

We just were offered a week at Westgate Lakes for our upcoming December trip. I've read lots of bad stuff on here about them, so I have a few questions:

Is the sales pitch still as bad as it was?

Twice as bad. They are bloodsuckers. Avoid them at all costs.

We are getting the week from an owner, so I assume we don't have to go to a sales meeting - correct?

Correct. But they will still try. From the time you arrive they will start haranguing ou to go to an "owners update" or maintenance meeeting. They will suggest that you or the owner will be charged for damage of you don't. They will attempt to get you to ride to the unit with a sales weasel to schedule a meeting.

As suggested above go ahead and schedule but for the day you leave (or the day after. These are weasels - they are not very smart with numbers or dates). Then skip it of course. Also unplug the unit phones. They will bug you early & late - don't put up with it.

Is the place as nice as it looks on their website?

How far/long to Disney?

It is very pedestrian. Nothing special at all. But nice enough as a home base and if the price is right. About 15min to Disney if you use the back route listed above. You can walk to absolutely nothing from there.

If you avoid the weasels it's OK although there are about 50 better timeshares in Orlando.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Westgate Lakes is supposed to be getting some updates...a waterpark, a refurbished beach (I don't know why they didn't maintain the one they had). An "upscale" resort is supposed to be going in the same watershed...Westgate Reserves.

One of the owners has (thus far) successfully fought westgate and got an owner board over there. Please take some time to leave some feedback on your trip, www.timeshareowners.info, over there as well as here...especially if you enjoy yourself (people so frequently publish when they hate it). The reason he had to fight was because it was originally called www.westgateresort.biz and got coverage in the Orlando Sentinel.

Generally speaking I love Westgate Lakes. Depending on where you stay its either like staying in a city or has great water views. Parking, however, can be a beast. Its got a spa and as far as I can tell the only active construction is in the old section where the water park is supposed to go.

 

[sticker231]

We own at Westgate Lakes. We ask for a lakeview and are able to see the fireworks when we leave the parks early. The rooms are very big and the balcony is great to relax on at night.

You shouldn't have a problem with the sales people since you are getting the week from an owner.

 

[swilshire]

We stayed there for Spring break. It was nice enough. No complaints.

We even went to the sales pitch, which was quite low key. I think we just got lucky because we've heard all the horror stories. It probably also helped that I told the girl right up front that we owned six timeshare weeks, which is a couple more than we really have time to use.

Sheila

On second thought, it wasn't the Lakes that we were at. There are too darn many Westgates in Orlando. I can't remember which is which.

Sorry.

Sheila

 

[mommymcqueenof3]

My dad owns a week at westgate lakes. We really like it. We have went there for the past 3 years. It's not really that far from Disney and there are a lot of shopping places nearby. We really enjoy all of the activities that they offer. They have a putt putt golf course, swimming pools, tennis courts, shuffle board, and paddle boats. They also have a playground if you have younger children. Last year we arrived several hours earlier than our check in time and they had no problem getting us checked in early!!

 

[RussellDisney]

The condo we had was very nice, nothing special, but nice. As I mentioned before, we got it free and hence I'm not going to bash on it! It needed some TLC, but no gripes, just a few issues, as follows:

I wouldn't have the master bath open to the bedroom. There is a private toilet closet, but the sinks, tub and shower are in the bedroom. Impossible to not disturb a late sleeper or early-to-bed.

We had pool view on the 4th floor, which was noisey. Quiet time is not 'til 11 on weekends - beware!

Our "greeter" (for lack of a better word) was helpful, but later in the week got annoying about the maintenance meeting. She finally quit calling!

The location was fantastic. 15 minutes at most from condo parking to Disney parking! LOVED IT!!

We had to, unfortuately, visit the hospital ER with my DS-4. It was literally next door and a great staff. Nothing serious, just some asthma issues and the ER doc and staff were very nice and helpful.

Overall a very good week!