Westgate Resort

[Jailen's Gma]

Has anyone stayed there lately? We will be going down in August, after my son gets back from overseas. It will be a large group of us, anywhere from 12 - 16 people. I know they have 4br units that would work well for us. I'm also looking at resorts that have 2br units that sleep 6-8, then we can get 2 units.
Any help would be welcomed.

Also does anyone know the web site for government workers discount travel? I already have the one for armed forces.

 

[Lisa P.]

We haven't stayed recently at any of the Westgates. You may want to identify which Westgate you mean. There are several:

Westgate Lakes Resort
Westgate Vacation Villas
Westgate Town Center
Westgate Towers

 

[Jailen's Gma]

Lisa P.,

I'm looking at either Westgate Town Center or Vacation Villas.

Thanks,
Mary

 

[carol & jim]

I would also apprieciate info on Westgate. We are staying at Westgate Lakes Resort on January 26 for 6 nights. We are a family of 4, mom, dad, daughter age 13, son age 11. This resort is a complete unknown to us. I didn't even ever hear of it untill I bid 60.00 per night on Hotwire for 4 star accomodations. We are in a studio, 450 sq feet in size, I believe. I have a couple of questions: 1.) For people who have experience with this resort, do you feel it is 4 star? What do you like/dislike about this place? 2.) I noticed there are 1 bedroom units available. I am thinking of possibly upgrading, but unsure how to go about it since I have reservations with Hotwire. The studio has 1 king bed and 1 queen pull-out sofa. The seperate sleeping space sounds nice. I've read alot of really negative reviews of this place, and I'm really worried about staying here. I tried to get out of my reservation with Hotwire, but I cant. I was so excited about our Disney trip before we booked our Hotwire reservation. Now I'm stressed out and dissapointed. Any advice would be greatly welcomed!

 

[gallaj0]

I stayed at Westgate Town Cenetr in 2002, and it was very nice; a couple of 5 story buildings, the rooms were among the best timeshare types I've stayed at. We had a 2 bedroom, full kitchen, washer dryer, 2 baths, one with a jacuzzi.
The Vacation Villas were on the same site, you have to drive plast them to get to the Town Center; they are townhouse types; 2 story side by side units. They are older than the Town Center; and some reports from people who have stayed there said they were shwoing their age.
Hope that helps.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

We were there before Thanksgiving and had a great time. I would recommend the upstairs 2br or 3 br villas in the triple digit section, i.e., ZZZ, XXX, VVV etc.

Our 2 br unit was well maintained and had ammenities for 6 comfortably and 8 if you stretch it. We did not get the timeshare presentation rate but used the skyauction option.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

The Westgate Lakes is closer to USO/IOA than to WDW.
$60 per night is a good rate for a studio.
Let me try to answer your questions specifically.
1. It is probably a 3 star resort, but I wouldn't stress over the difference between a 3 star and 4 star resort. We haven't stayed at that resort but I have been there just to look.
2. For a family of 4 with kids your age, I would certainly try to upgrade to the 1 br unit if it didn't cost a great differential to the studio.
Forget the negative reviews in general, they will just ruin your stay before you even leave home. One poster gave a whole bunch of negative thoughts about the Vacation Villas, primarily because they tried to get out of their reservation before they arrived and were unable to do so. There were not any substantive complaints, but the resort was going to be bad before that poster left home. So, I would not allow those negative type thoughts to enter in before you start for WDW or USO/IOA.

I would try to see what you could do about upgrading to a 1BR unit. But, if you can't you can't, I would call Hotwire and check the availability and cost of an upgrade. The Hotwire rules say, "Hotel room assignments are determined at check-in and upgrades are not available". If Hotwire doesn't accept upgrades, then I would call the Westgate Lakes directly and tell them the situation and ask if they could upgrade to a 1 BR at check-in.
Just so that you understand how this works, Hotwire contracts with Westgate to supply overstock to customers. I am going to make a wild guess that Hotwire will not help you, but I hope I am wrong. If they won't, then try Westgate reservations directly. Make sure that you talk directly with the Westgate Lakes reservations staff and not the general Westgate reservations office. For example, I made sure that I talked directly with the Westgate Vacation Villas reservations office when I had a question. Don't get discouraged if you have to spend some time now to try to resolve this, if you want to get the 1BR unit now.

The studio would work fine for your family, if you don't want to upgrade.

Please take my advice and come in a month with a positive outlook. The other poster on another thread let the family's WDW vacation be ruined before they even were within 700 miles of Orlando. Don't let this happen to you.

 

[Jailen's Gma]

Thanks for the input. I've been away for the boards for a few days, down with the flu. Just glad I wasn't at Disney, then I really would have been sick.

Thanks,
Mary

 

[carol & jim]

WDWisTheBest, Thank you so much for your positive comments! You are so right, it would be such a mistake to let this ruin our vacation! This is our budget trip, so I am trying to keep costs down. It's costing us 400.00 for 6 nights for the studio. Hotwire wont help us with upgrading, so I guess I'll go thru westgate directly. If no upgrades are available, I'll be okay with that.Thank you so much for helping me put this in prospective.

 

[DaddyDon]

Carol &jim
Please let us all know how your trip goes! My family will be staying there in aprail ..Dont want to be surprised I threw my self at the timeshare gods lol to get this resort for a great price and yes i can say no!!!! Just ask my 3 Daughters!

 

[iluvflorida]

Hi. We have stayed several years at Westgate Villas/Town Centre/Towers. These three resorts are listed seperate but are all on the same property and you do not see any difference when on property and have use of all amenities. It is a great resort. Lots of activities for kids and adults. Bikes, sports equipment, paddle boats all no charge. 14 pools in total. We went pool hoping one day. I will be at it again in Feb. and have recommended it to many friends and have never had a negative comment from them. The main negative you hear is the high pressure sales pitch you get if you take a tour. It is much higher pressure than others but I still take it (for the tickets) and just say no. You do not have to take it unless you sign up or have booked at a low price with the tour as part of deal. By all means try to get a 2 BR with kids. I do not agree that Westgate Lakes is closer to Disney. It all depends which entrance you use. Westgate Villas is very close to Main entrance off #192

 

[DaddyDon]

Thanks for the info!!!! I heard it was a high pressure sale.But i will be okay!How are the 1 bed room"s ? have you seen them,How long does the sales pitch last?Do you schedule your presentation? at check inn or how is that handled?????How long does it take to get the package from the sales /res dept? I know so many questions....
Thanks Don

 

[crazelion]

here the goverment site you is looking for :

http://www.getravelop.com/html/ge_index2.asp

Also most hotels offer a goverment discount

 

[djm99]

Originally posted by carol & jim
I would also apprieciate info on Westgate. We are staying at Westgate Lakes Resort on January 26 for 6 nights. We are a family of 4, mom, dad, daughter age 13, son age 11. We are in a studio, 450 sq feet in size, I believe.

I've stayed at Westgate Lakes twice. Both times I loved. we stayed in a 2 bedroom both times. A friend of ours stayed in a Studio. Unlike many on this board we thought the rooms were perfectly clean, well equiped, and they look EXACTLY like the pictures!!!

1.) For people who have experience with this resort, do you feel it is 4 star? [/B]

yes!!! Westgate Lakes

What do you like/dislike about this place? [/B]

There timeshare presentation was a VERY HARD SELL!!! Check in can be a hassle. I thought it was convient to everything, and had a great price. They preselect your rooms in most cases (during busy times), so make sure you are in the NEWER BUILDINGS - and NOT the townhouse looking things - I heard complaints in those. I didn't see the outside, but both times we've traveled there we've seen major agruments about those old buildings (i heard they were tearing them down - but I'm not sure so check to make sure!!!!!)

2.) I noticed there are 1 bedroom units available. I am thinking of possibly upgrading, but unsure how to go about it since I have reservations with Hotwire. The studio has 1 king bed and 1 queen pull-out sofa. [/B]

I don't think Westgate Lakes have 1 bedrooms, but Studios (check on that!!) IMO, I'D upgrade, the 2 bedroom is so much bigger. The studio is nice but it is small. Only big enough for maybe 2-3 people, and the hot tub is in the open next to the bed.

I've read alot of really negative reviews of this place, and I'm really worried about staying here. [/B]

I read too, and was shocked when I got there. Here are some pointers, if you don't think you'd mind the noise (possibly at night)ask to be near a pool. I personally like to be near the pool, I don't mind the possible scream of children having fun - it makes me remember that I'm on vacation, so get out and swim. Also I'd request the ground floor, so you'll have a walk out balcony. If you check in on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, please don't be there during 4pm check in (try to get there early, or wait til 6pm, its a nightmare - Again I don't mind - I'm on Vacation. If you get suckered into a timeshare promotions, be like my husband, bring your loud children (for distractions), and a newspaper or a book (completely ignore them) - They'll get the hint - Don't worry about being rude - cause believe me, They have NO PROBLEM being rude to you when their 90 minute presentation turns to 4 hours!!! that's crazy!!!. But all in all, I don't think you'll be disappointed. They are very close to I-Drive, like one road away. They are close to Universal - only 1-2 miles maybe (if the street were clear you could get to Universal in 4 minutes - by the way the streets are NEVER CLEAR!!!! Again, I'm on Vacation so I don't mind!!! And they are right off the highway, so the first Disney exit you'll see as soon as you get on the highway.

Relax, you're going on Vacation!!!!!

 

[iluvflorida]

Originally posted by DaddyDon
Thanks for the info!!!! I heard it was a high pressure sale.But i will be okay!How are the 1 bed room"s ? have you seen them,How long does the sales pitch last?Do you schedule your presentation? at check inn or how is that handled?????How long does it take to get the package from the sales /res dept? I know so many questions....
Thanks Don

Hi Don. I always stay in 2BR so not sure about 1BR but am sure they are nice just smaller. The sales pitch last 90mins after breakfast (a full hot with sausage, eggs, bacon etc). You can schedule at check in with rep that takes you to unit but I usually wait as they will call you in your unit and ask if you wish to go. I find the more times you say not sure or delay it, the better the incentive gets. The tickets or cash are given to you immediately after the presentation and manager signs you out at the "gifting centre"

 

[djm99]

Jailen's Gma,

It looks like you stayed in Wyndham Palms Resorts and Country Club. Both the Wyndham and Westgate Lakes are almost on the exact same floor plan. As a matter of fact, last year I learned the the ex-wife Siegel (the guy who owns Westgate) is the owner of Wyndham. IMO Wyndham is much nicer. Wyndham's grounds can't even compare to Westgate Lakes and I like the Wyndham decorating much better. pLUS Wyndham is newer!! To my understanding the lady that owns it took Westgate lakes in mind and did everything that she thought was wrong in Westgate and "improve" that in Wyndham. What I don't like about Wyndham was that everything is so fair away (you have to ride those little karts). Almost everything is together and in walking distance at Westgate Lakes, but that too poses the problem of congestion, and never being able to find a parking space - if coming in late at night.

All in All, if you're gonna compare the two, and trust me as soon as you walk in you'll notice everything I'm talking about, you may be slightly disappointed, but hopefully not enough to ruin your vacation. I think about it like this - YOUR ON VACATION!!! ENJOY YOURSELF!!!!!! NOTHING WILL MAKE ME RUIN THIS TIME!!!!!

 

[DaddyDon]

Well, i did my home work today! And it was not all comeing up roses.....I called to follow up on the timeshare i was going to rent from west gate/To say there was any truth or honesty in my phone conversation with westgate would be a strrrrrrrrretch.The one bed room with a king bed/queen pull out sofa full kitchen 1 bath dissapeared quicker than you can say shazzzam!!!!Now it has turned into a studio with a queen bed /full pull out sofa,and a mini kitchen...But i can up grade for a mere 138.00...........Well u can figure out the rest of what i told them ,It had to do with kissing the donkey from shrek! I told them them if i could not trust them on a simple tranaction as this i would have a hard time closeing a time share deal with them ! I put them rite up there with a bad used car salesman and told them so!I have beenn to disney /universal so many times we had considered a purchase but they can kiss it in the wind! Oh well i glad i found out now not when i got there and i had no choice but to take what they had to offer.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

Try Cypress pointe Grand villas they have studios,1,2,3 bedrooms.We loved staying there.

My DBIL and SIL went on a timeshare tour with Westgate and said that those people were awful.They said they would never ever do that again.BTW,booking CP through www.hotelkingdom.com you dont have to do a tour.

 

[DaddyDon]

Thanks for the advise! Hooked up with Summer Bay resort! I read allott of good things about this place!!!!! On this board as well as trip advisor,I am going to do the time share tour,so got a great rate on a true 1 bed room (i hope) Heard this before.....lol I will double back on this group as well...But as i said i have read nothing but great things about this place!!!!