Westgate Lakes???

[Robinette]

I just booked a 4 night stay at Westgate Lakes for this April. It was a really good price ($355 total for a 3 bedroom) but we do have to do a tour on a Sunday at 11 am for 90 minutes.

How bad or not so bad are the tours? I'm a little nervous but my Mom found this deal and thinks it will be worth it to give up 90 minutes of our vacation time. I have never stayed at a timeshare, only rented points from a DVC member.

I normally stay on Disney property when I go but I had to consider other people and the amount of money they are willing to spend for a hotel.

Anyone here stay at Westgate?! I would love to hear your opinion on it!!

 

[CarolA]

I have read that these are the WORST tours. Make sure your guide knows that ALL he gets is 90 minutes and then be prepared to be treated like dirt when you want to leave.

I decided that it was not worth it to me.

 

[LMC]

We visited Westgate a couple of years ago and my advice is that if you have young children don't take them on the tour. We went w/ our then 7 yo and 4 yo and we were very clear that we would only commit to a 90 minute tour and we were there for close to 3 hours. I had to finally get rather rude and tell them we were leaving. The complex is HUGE so you are somewhat at their mercy in getting out of there when you are ready to leave. Since we did not buy a time share (the place was beautiful but not in our budget!) we were basically shunned at that point. The man working w/ us pointed to a door and said that's the way out. Well we found our way out of the building and then we were no where near where we had parked! I was appalled that they would treat people this way especially w/ young children. I thought that we had put up with enough of their crap and my children were VERY good until the end and then they started complaining and when I realized it was about 10:30 to 11:00 (a.m.) I said it's time to go to the parks! If you are considering a timeshare then this is a very nice place. If you are truly not interested and are taking small children then don't tour on a park day or see if you can cancel your ressie. Just MHO (and after that experience, I will NEVER EVER do another time share no matter what!)

 

[Robinette]

This whole thing just frustrates me.

I would rather not give up valuable vacation time for this tour. I don't even have to stay on Disney property, I was thinking Radisson Parkway or Hotel Royal Plaza, they have some good rates. But the other people I'm going with (my sister, my Mom) think this is such a great deal.

We won't have any children with us. Someone told us to bring a book or magazine and read until it's over.

Well, I can cancel within 14 days of booking it for a full refund, so I'll think about it a little longer. If we do go through with it, I'll let you know how it was.

Thanks for your thoughts on this.

 

[DISNEYMOMx5]

Just my $.02....DON'T DO IT!!! A few years back we stayed off-site for the first time at Westgate Villas for a "good deal" (these are the same people that own Westgate Lakes). First off, they will show you deluxe accomodations when you tour, but the ones we stayed in were gross. Second, the tour was a nightmare. The pressure & rudeness when they realized we weren't interested was unbelievable. I finally got fed up & said we needed to go get our children, which brings me to my third issue: The "childcare" was horrific, & I feel guilty to this day for leaving my children in that place. It was like classic "Little Orphan Annie"...very grouchy woman, way too many kids, etc.

The best thing to come out of this was we had previously toured DVC twice, so we promptly went back again & purchased & have been very happy. The experience is totally different...they don't pressure you, the children are well taken care of, plenty of "pixie dust"! I hope maybe your family will reconsider. Like you said, there are plenty of other neat places to stay off-site. Best wishes to you!

 

[CarolA]

Can you leave your name of the reservation?

That way if Mom and Sis think this is such a great idea let them go and you do something else!

They will not let you read that book or magazine, trust me!

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Originally posted by Robinette
Well, I can cancel within 14 days of booking it for a full refund, so I'll think about it a little longer. If we do go through with it, I'll let you know how it was.

Thanks for your thoughts on this.

I would cancel if you don't want to give up vacation time to go to the presentation. Or, leave your name off the reservation.

 

[djm99]

I have visited and toured with Westgate twice. The first experience was something, but I learned from that experience. I will share with you ways to keep your presentation at 90 minutes.


1. DO NOT EAT BREAKFAST. Your time does not start until you FINISH breakfast, so if you are sitting their eating and they are talking to you your 90 minutes has not begun. So go to the presentation FULL!!!! Let them know you already ate, you don't want to go in the Cafeteria area and you'd like to begin - if the presenter gets up from the table - Let him know that time is ticking because you have somewhere to go (like meet friends, etc - or pick up someone from the airport). If you don't eat your 90 minutes begins when they shake your hand!!!!!

2. Unlike some of previous post, BRING YOUR CHILDREN. They are wonderful distractions. Children’s destructiveness is more of reasons to protest the “rush” of the presentation.

3. Bring prices from other websites of GREAT prices for their same timeshare. For the end of the presentation and the negotiations take place. Ask them to meet the ridiculously low $2000 - $3000 for the Westgate Towers and $5000 for Westgate Lakes. If they can meet that price (and they will not) – Say NO with force – not timidity.

4. BE RUDE!!! Those presenters have not problems being rude to you, so don't feel shame in being rude right back!!!!

5. My favorite - FALL ASLEEP!!!!!! – Look tired and completely uninterested. If they ask questions – say I’m sorry what did you say!!! I bought something to read – and my husband sat their - stern faced only shaking his head periodically.

6. Tell them you'd buy a timeshare under one condition - you don't have to put down a dime. You have to put something down at least $100 or so dollars. Tell them your Credit Cards are MAXXED OUT, and this vacation has put you back.

7. Threatened to leave after 90 HONEST Minutes - Trust me it works. They can't hold you legally more than 90 minutes. You signed a "contract" for that time ONLY. NOT A MINUTE MORE!!! HOLD THEM TO THEIR WORD!!!!! But they will argue that the presentation does not begin until after you eat!!!! Bring your own juice (for children too). And don't drink coffee if you can help it!!!! Don't let them get personal about what you do or suck you into a conversation. Let them know that you have an agenda for the day and you are going to keep it - so begin talking. Time is ticking!!!!!

Some would argue that if all of this has to be done why bother, but I'd argue that for an inexpensive nice stay - it was worth it. Our first presentation was almost 4 1/2 hours - our second visit - we were in and out in 90 minutes and smiling. The second time was worth it big time. The third time (at Wyndham Palms was under 1 hour)!!!!! This year we did some better planning and we are renting a house – NO TIMESHARE FOR US THIS TIME – BUT I’D DO IT AGAIN FOR THE SAKE OF “GETTING SOMETHING” FOR very little!!!!! We are staying 10 days so we have the time!!!!