Westgate Vacation Villas Question

[Melknor]

For those of you who have stayed at Westgate Vacation Villas, what is a good time to check in that won't take forever? We arrive in Tampa at 4:30, so by the time we get luggage, our rental car, drive to Orlando and grab something to eat, I figure it will be close to 7.

We also need to get to guest relations at DTD to get our tickets purchased (military offer) that evening so we don't have to hassle with it at park opening. In addition to this, we will need to get groceries for the week too. Of course we won't get groceries until after we have checked in. How long do you think the check in process will take if we don't get there until 8ish? I don't want to to be too late of a night since I am hoping for rope drop the next morning.

Any experience with late check in there?

Thanks!

 

[swilshire]

We checked in around 10ish and it was fairly fast.

I think I'd plan to eat a big lunch somewhere (even if it was in an airport en route) and put off another meal until we made it to the resort. I'd grab a few groceries (not a week's worth on a travel day) to have milk for breakfast and something quick to eat in the room for dinner. Maybe sandwiches or a prepared food item from the deli.

Not sure of the mileage, but you could check a map. It might be convenient to exit on Hwy 27 and go up to 192 instead of the shortest route to the resort. You can either pass 192 a mile or so and go to the Super Walmart there or turn onto 192 and stop at the Publix. You pass two before you get to the Westgate.

Or if you want to go to DTD first, do that and go to the Publix on the other side of the interstate or the Super Walmart on 535.

If they insist on escorting you to the room, just start bringing in your perishables and fixing dinner. Make it clear that you're not interested in a long drawn out conversation with them.

JMHO.

Sheila

 

[mommyof3rookies]

How far is Westgate from Disney? We are thinking about staying there also and we have to hit DTD for our tickets also(military, too). Is Westgate a decent place to stay?

 

[Brian Noble]

There are many different Westgate resorts. Vacation Villas is in a big complex north of Windsor Hills---you drive by one of its entrances on the way to the parks, and one way to the Sherbeth Road shortcut takes you through the Westgate complex. (I think Towers and Town Center are in the same complex, but don't quote me.) So, the location is excellent.

The resorts have a reputation for being well-kept and well-furnished, but with a very annoying sales staff. I haven't stayed there yet, but it's on my list of "places I'd be willing to try." I'd recommend unplugging the phone when you get there to avoid being hounded by sales.

 

[mommyof3rookies]

We are looking at Westgate Leisure Resort. Anyone know anything about this one?

 

[Melknor]

Thanks for all the input! I didn't even think about just grabbing a few things for the next day before checking in. I figured frozen items would be thawed by the time we finished with check-in. That may work even better (I hate grocery shopping with the whole family). The next day will be a shorter day, so everyone else can swim/chill and I can grab some more grub for the week. After traveling all day, I can imagine my boys will be cranky and ready for a swim!

 

[swilshire]

How far is Westgate from Disney? We are thinking about staying there also and we have to hit DTD for our tickets also(military, too). Is Westgate a decent place to stay?

Westgate Vacation Villas is very convenient to WDW and is a decent place to stay. We had no major complaints.

Sheila