Westgate Resort

[MilitaryMouse]

Has anyone stayed at any of the Westgate Resorts in Orlando? We normally stay onsite, but they're offering a free three day two night stay for military personnel, so we're considering a quick trip Can anyone share their experience with any of the Westgate Resorts? Thanks!!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We stayed at Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa on Turkey Lake Road from August 26th to September 2nd, and really like it. The villa was spacious, clean and well equipped, location was fantastic, onsite amenities were great. We had read a ton of negative reviews and Westgate horror stories before we left, and were super worried about whether or not we would be able to enjoy ourselves, but we were really, really pleased.

I wrote a review on the Accomodations sub-board upon our return:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2992617

Unfortunately, my photos in that review are mostly gone due to some changes to my Photobucket account but I can repost pictures of almost anything that you might want to see (rooms, pools, mini golf, paddle boats, building exteriors, etc.). Or if there's anything specific you might want to know, feel free to ask.

We had a two bedroom, two bathroom villa with a full kitchen and full sized laundry facilities. No problems with parking.

 

[STILLWISHING]

I have stayed at two Westgate Properties. Turkey Lake is better. There is a big one
In Kissimee that was ok to look at but it was big and overcrowded. It is much closer to wdw though. Turkey Lake one is good if you also want to visit Sea World and Universal.

 

[Brook1099]

We are owners @ Westgate Resorts and Spa, and are here now. We have been owners since 2005. We stay for a week every year, and have never had a problem. I love the lake view, try to get building 500 or 1300 our fav's. You can see Wishes and Illuminations from our room. Pool, and mini golf right next door to 1300 and 500 has main pool w/ bar open( they only open this one during winter months)


Friends of ours have the lock out to ours and they have really enjoyed there time here.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We are owners @ Westgate Resorts and Spa, and are here now. We have been owners since 2005. We stay for a week every year, and have never had a problem. I love the lake view, try to get building 500 or 1300 our fav's. You can see Wishes and Illuminations from our room. Pool, and mini golf right next door to 1300 and 500 has main pool w/ bar open( they only open this one during winter months)


Friends of ours have the lock out to ours and they have really enjoyed there time here.

I second the recommendation of building 500. EXCELLENT location (that's where we were assigned to). All the good stuff (pool, activity center, basketball court, paddle boats, tennis court, mini golf, etc.) are all right by the building.

 

[spiceycat]

stay at Westgate after years of saying never again - I hated them

but now they allow pets.

i like the westgate villa because they are closer to WDW.

lakes is nice but closer to SW than WDW.

now beaware - for a timeshare it is not that great. make sure you don't have to go to any of their sales pitches (also called maintence meetings, management decision, etc)

don't agree to do anything that you would have to spend time doing - 90 minutes is not 90 but more like 3 hours. some places are being more honest - but westgate was never one for honesty.

also look on
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...estgate_Lakes_Resort_Spa-Orlando_Florida.html

you need to look at the negative as well positive review - look for poster who have more than 20 posts on HOTELS - not restuarants. yea this does require work.

 

[MilitaryMouse]

Awesome, thank you all so much for all the information! I'll take a look at the reviews and links posted. I'm thinking we will give them a try!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Just be sure your free stay doesn't force you into one of their timeshare presentations.

On such a short visit, you don't want to eat up 3+ hours of your day with a sales pitch. They may tell you its "90 minutes" but they go well beyond that.

 

[MilitaryMouse]

Good point, I didn't even know they did timeshare presentation until you and spiceycat mentioned it. Two free nights in Orlando would be awesome, especially if you can see Wishes and Illuminations from the resort! But 90+ minutes is a pretty long time to sit through a timeshare presentation...there's always a catch! Haha. And I always end up feeling guilty if we don't buy

 

[thumbalyna]

I've stayed at westgate and you can't see wishes or illuminations. You can see some of the higher bursts but that's the same with most properties out on 192.

 

[spiceycat]

I've stayed at westgate and you can't see wishes or illuminations. You can see some of the higher bursts but that's the same with most properties out on 192.

I agree - the only place that i have even seem fireworks is over the lake along US192 - next to Maingate Lakeside Resort

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Good point, I didn't even know they did timeshare presentation until you and spiceycat mentioned it. Two free nights in Orlando would be awesome, especially if you can see Wishes and Illuminations from the resort! But 90+ minutes is a pretty long time to sit through a timeshare presentation...there's always a catch! Haha. And I always end up feeling guilty if we don't buy

Trust me.....if you sit through one of those presentations, you feel anything but guilty when you leave .

If the offer is free of a timeshare presentation, then by all means jump on it!! Westgate is a great property and I think you'd have a wonderful little getaway there. Just be sure, with whoever you confirm the details of whether or not a sales pitch is required, you get their name and position (or extension number) in the event that someone tries to argue the point at check-in. Not saying it "will" happen, but its always good to be prepared so they don't try to bamboozle you into something once you arrive. Their sales team can be VERY aggressive .

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Just found the details online........it says no resort preview is required. So go for it!

http://www.westgatedestinations.com/thankyoumilitary/

 

[MilitaryMouse]

Just found the details online........it says no resort preview is required. So go for it!

http://www.westgatedestinations.com/thankyoumilitary/

Thanks! Maybe I'll print that page out and bring it with me...just in case

 

[4kids4karen]

Has anyone stayed at any of the Westgate Resorts in Orlando? We normally stay onsite, but they're offering a free three day two night stay for military personnel, so we're considering a quick trip Can anyone share their experience with any of the Westgate Resorts? Thanks!!

We are a military family that stays at Westgate Lakes and Gaylord Palms with military discounts. Only positive reviews. As a competitive cheerleading family, we get the 3 bedroom villa and invite several other cheer moms/daughter and all stay together. The dads and brothers usually stay behind. They do try to push you with the sales pitch and to take the time share tour but just give them a firm NO.

 

[aleksandr]

Thanks! Maybe I'll print that page out and bring it with me...just in case

A presentation may not be required, but that won't stop them from trying to get you to sign up for one.

Right after you check in, you'll get shuffled off to the VIP desk or some such. They will begin putting the pressure on to attend a "breakfast" (AKA sales pitch). They will even go so far as to demand a $20 deposit for the honor of attending their sales pitch so don't agree to go with the thought that you'll just skip out on it later. Its a pain to get your $20 deposit back

Decline any invitation to be shown to your room. This is just another excuse for them to try to sell you on attending a presentation. The signage, at least at Lakes is not that bad so you shouldn't have trouble finding your own room.

Lastly, unplug the room phones. They will call you to try to get you to attend the sales pitch. And they like to start early.

One thing to keep in mind through this--no presentation required means only that--you are not *required to attend* to get the special price (or free). They will still push and hound and harass to get you to attend. The only time you are obligated to attend is if you are getting a special deal which notes that the pitch is required (otherwise they'll just upcharge your CC the full amount of the room). So don't feel guilty about saying no at check-in and disconnecting your phone.