Does anyone have any experience with Westgate Town Center? My mom just booked our February trip there in a 3 bedroom villa. I don't know anything about this one! We stayed at the Vistana last last year, how does it compare with that?
dw and I have stayed there twice (Jan. 2001 and Nov. 2005) on a guest ticket through a friend who is a part of Interval International. Never been to Vistana, so I can't compare.
You are maybe a mile from main WDW entrance off 192. Also very close to resteraunts and shopping centers to pick up groceries.
Resort is very nice. Huge whirlpool tub in master br. Big screen tv. Full kitchen with great layout. In '05, our room had washer and drier as well. Plenty of pools. You will more than likely have one very close to your room.
BIG WARNING...
Westgate is all about the high-pressure timeshare sales pitch. At check-in, you will be connected with a rep who will take you out to your room, walk you through, and answer your questions about the area... basically make you feel like a king.
They will also try to set up an appointment to fill out a "maintenance survey" (not sure if that's exactly what they call it, but something like that).
You'll be offered free breakfast and it will be presented as a basic requirement for your stay. This is all a trick to get you in a room for 2 hours and convince you to buy in.
The first time we went, we didn't know this was going to happen, and we lost our best morning of sunny pool time. The rep was 45 minutes late coming to get us. She was incredibly rude. She stomped away when we gave our 40th NO, and it took us the rest of the day to relax from the tense experience.
The second time, when the rep tried to set the appointment, I told her our plans for the week were too up in the air to set up an appointment (which was true). She told me she'd call later and seemed to indicate she'd have me do the "maintenance survey" over the phone. Not the case. When she called three days later, she wanted us to come in the next day. I made it very clear I was not interested in a timeshare. She told I NEEDED to come in to fill out the form.
So, although annoyed, I went in the next day while dw stayed at the pool.
She was very annoyed I was by myself. I made it clear that I was very annoyed to be there. I think she caught on quickly that I was not a potential buyer. I was out in 20 minutes.
While at the pool that afternoon, I talked to another family about this whole thing. They had stayed there several times. That family said they stand firm that they are not goin to come in. The "required form" could be left at the room. Interestingly enough, no form iss ever dropped off.
Another family at the pool was checking out the next morning, and had not been asked to come in at all.
Maybe we were unlucky in our two visits, but the second time around was enough to make me decide I will be staying at one of the MANY other options.
All that said, It's an AWESOME facility with incredible rooms. If the sales pitch can be avoided, I highly recommend it.
