Westgate lakes questions

[heymom3]

We got a great deal at westgate lakes: 4days 3nights, family pass to watermania, 2 adult passes to USO, coupon book, 1 adult cruise pass, then 3days 2nights at river ranch resorts all for $149!

So we are heading to Orlando and River Ranch April 8-13.

My question is..... What activities are there for families at Westgate Lakes? I know that we will want something to do on the 8th when we get in as well as on the 9th after we return from USO. We don't have lots of $$ to go do other things.

Also..... How high pressured are the presentations at Westgate Lakes? I thought about telling them that my dh may be called up to active duty and if this happens our income will drastically be cut so we don't have extra $$ at this time to purchase. Do you think this would be a good way to get through it quickly without pressure? It is a true statement so we wouldn't be lieing to them.

Thanks for your help

 

[Golter]

I always start any sales presentation by saying, "before we start, I want to be up front with you, There is zero and I mean zero chance of me buying your product" That is usually the only thing needed. If they ask if it is about the money, I say no I have plenty of money (not true) but it prevents them from lowering the price and counter offering.

As far as the Lakes, we stayed there in Oct. I noticed a lot going on, and a lot being offered, but we usually just swim if we have time to burn at resort (which isn't to much)

Resort was nice, clean, but nothing spectacular.

 

[Robinrs]

I had a great guy on my presentation. I just told him I worked for a radio station that gives me my accommodations, all top of the line, for free. I took this deal because I decided to stay longer and these days were not available.... Worked like a CHARM!

We ended up talking the whole time about our families and Orlando, no pressure at ALL. In fact, we became good friends!

I agree with Golter, it's nice but not spectacular. Did you get the studio, the two or three bedroom? The jacuzzi was the kicker for me, I could've LIVED in it!

Don't talk much and be up front with them, they're trained to subterfuge whatEVER you say so expect it. You'll survive, and what a DEAL! The whole package costs as much as the tickets alone.

 

[heymom3]

Thanks for your help. Yes, we have the 2 bedroom suite with a full kitchen and jaccuzzi tub in the master bedroom! I can't wait!

Michelle

 

[Metallicat]

I have been a timeshare owner for over 10 years and just got back from an exchange into Westgate Lakes. All I can say about it is, it was the vacation from heck. They forced me against my will to go to a "maintenance report" which means you have to take time out of your vacation to go to a meeting of theirs to answer questions regarding the condition of your unit you are staying in. in all reality, its just another attempt to do a sales talk. I told these people that I didn't have time and couldn't they just leave me a survey to fill out and I will leave it upon departure. the lady told me that if I didn't go to the meeting that anything found damaged in the unit, I could be billed for! and believe me, those units are not in perfect condition. I saw holes in the leather sofa, a big burn in the countertops and stained carpets. She also told me that I couldn't " make clearance" to leave on my check out day and then proceded to ask me what flight I leaving on! ok, the first morning we had NO HOT WATER in the building and we had to pack up every thing plus a kitchen full of groceries and MOVE. that in itself wasted an entire morning I could have been at disney world. after I thought about all the trouble I had been through so far, I called guest services and told them I had no intentions of going to their meeting. the next morning which was my birthday, they were there knocking on my door telling me I have to go to their meeting. so, I said lets get this thing over with. I went with a very bad attitude since I had had plans to be at MGM early that day for my birthday. I told the lady "thanks for spoiling my birthday forcing me to attend this meeting" well, she flipped out. I thought she was going to cuss me out or hit me or something. She jumped up out of her chair and told me I had ruined my own birthday, I shouldn't stay there anymore, and please do not refer any of my friends to ever stay there! her hands were trembling and shaking and I was wondering, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS WOMAN? YOU PEOPLE MADE ME COME TO THIS SILLY MEETING AND I'm not very happy about it. I left and called interval international (exchange co.) and told them everything. they advised me to contact my lawyer because what they did (forcing me to attend maintenance meeting) was ILLEGAL and they were harrassing and bullying me. they took a note of my complaints. I was really upset. it was just my daughter and myself traveling. I called back home (Alabama) and told my husband what happened. he called Westgate Lakes and told them to leave me alone. you know what they did? they sent a man to my room at 9pm at night who couldnt speak english who kept knocking on my door mumbling something about "disturb" then he kicked my door and left after putting a do not disturb sign on my door knob. I was terrified and more than that, I am mad as heck at Westgate Lakes for harrassing me and my daughter to death. I wouldn't stay at that timeshare trap if you paid my trip down there and put me in their nicest unit for a month! I cannot believe they have got to the point of forcing and threatening their guests into doing a maintenance/sales meeting. everybody knows that meeting is just an excuse to try and sell another week. I HATE WESTGATE LAKES RESORT! and you can tell Marlene and Maria I said that!

 

[CarolA]

I stayed there on a straight rental. No timeshare involvment at all. I was actually surprised that no one even attempted to contact me. My studio unit was very nice.

I had always heard that the Lakes were much easier to deal with then the other Westgate proporties in terms of the "timeshare push". Maybe that has changed.