Westgate Vacation Villas

[Disneyfanatic36]

We are going to be staying a week at he Westgate Vacation Villas beginning September 7th. I have only heard terrible things about this place. Is it really that bad? Does anyone have anything good to say. How far is it to magic Kingdom and the other Disney parks? I appreciate any help you can give me.
Thanks,
Marla

 

[TotoToo]

It's close to Disney. It's got a lot of on site features. The units are so-so - most always seem to need upgrades they never fully get.

The REAL problem with Westgate - any Westgate - is the never ending slaes pressure. DO NOT accept an "invitation". Do NOT believe that you must attend or they will chage you more or for damage - it's all pressure to get you into an unbelievably pressure packed sales pitch. DO NOT FALL FOR IT. Unplug the phones. Don't fall for the begging/coercion.

Except for that Westgate is a fair to middle class resort that you cna enjoy often at a great price.

 

[jigali1]

its like a mile from Disney.you can even get a free ride over if you get to the Ramada Gateway they own on 192, which is up the street from them. they have scheduled transportation.
Westgate Vacation Villas is decent, I agree with the avoid the sales pitch altogether. Bu tthey do have lots of pools, a marina, sports stuff and kids activities. There is even a movie theater at the Town Center thats adjacent that plays Disney movies.

 

[lovinpoohbear]

We previewed Westgate Vacation Villas and also the Towncenter that is next door to each other. The grounds were beautiful and the movie theater at the Towncenter, mini golf with Big dinosaurs, and the swan paddle boats all looked like so much fun!! I know when we saw the Vacation Villas, they do have newly reburished models, that is what we were shown. Maybe you can request that on your ressie? They also had a bar b q pit in the little yard behind each unit, that looked nice for eating and relaxing after the parks.

 

[Hasil72]

You should be ok as long as you...

1. Don't do the TS presentation. Once we were "tricked" into the sales pitch. Told us we had to fill out a " satisfaction survey" before we could check out. They told me that I would be a widow by the time I was 40 because my husband would have a heart attack from not taking (aka buying) a vacation each year.

2. Aren't going through RCI. That's how we ended up there, trnasfer week was a gift for our anniversary from a relative. In the beginning, they bought/sold through RCI (from what I was told) and now obviously they are so successful that they have their own TS contract. Anyway, they put RCI in the old buildings surrounding the lake behind the pool. OK, but a little worn. New units are beautiful w/spa tubs, lofts, etc.

Have a great time!

 

[njdc5]

We stayed at the Westgate Town Center in April, and it was okay. It is very close to AK, and convenient from most major highways. Parking at night was a pain in the a**, as there were not enough spots. The rooms were big, really big, and the full size fridge and second bedroom with Jacuzzi were nice. Check in took a little longer than usual, but not too bad. We stayed there for free, usually we stay on property, but the location was the best thing about it. If you're going to be at the parks most of the day, it's a fine place to stay.

 

[Disneyfanatic36]

Thanks everyone for the replies. What restuarants are nearby?

 

[mrsstats]

Almost any restaurant you are looking for. Red Lobster, Cracker Barrel, Golden Coral, Sizzler, Carabas,

 

[TotoToo]

Almost any restaurant you are looking for. Red Lobster, Cracker Barrel, Golden Coral, Sizzler, Carabas,

and one of the great pizza's in the world just outside the western edge of Westgate - Giordano's.

 

[Disneyfanatic36]

Thanks for replies!

 

[Hasil72]

and one of the great pizza's in the world just outside the western edge of Westgate - Giordano's.

Amen!

 

[PoohsFan1]

We owned a unit at the Westgate Vacation Villas and on our last trip (2007) we decided that that was going to be our last time we are going to stay there (we would instead use it to trade to other areas). We were very displeased with the whole unit. As an owner, we had high expectations upon arrival since we pay a yearly maintainence fee, the only thing they did was repaint the outside of the units, however, the inside needed much repairs (mind you that those units are about 25 yrs old and are showing their age). As a guest PLEASE don't let them pressure you into taking one of their sales tours because it is a 4 hour tour with lots of sales reps that act like car sales men, and if you want to leave, they will make sure a manager will come over to try to get you into a foreclosed unit or something similar.

Luckily, this past June we traded our unit and went to Gatlinburg TN, which we really enjoyed and loved the unit and grounds. While there we were offered an upgrade for our unit in Orlando (for little cost) and jumped on it. So for now on when we go to Disney, we are strictly going to stay on Disney property (possibly at one of their villas)