Westgate vacation villas

[Leleluvsdis]

We just booked a 2 bedroom here May 9-16th. Does anyone have any info on the resort?
We have stayed at multiple RCI resorts b/c my parents have 2 timeshares through them, but never this one. We typically do Orange grove.
Any pictures would be great and tips and tricks!

 

[Melknor]

We are staying there 4/25 - 5/2. I would be interested in seeing pictures as well. The only ones I've seen so far are off the travel review sites (trip advisor).

 

[spiceycat]

own there - getting rid of it.

do not go to their sales pitchs - also called maintence meeting - or any 'meeting'

did have pictures but mind are out of date.

here is there website
http://www.wgvacationvillas.com/


this is newer but no pictures
http://www.wgvacationvillas.com/

 

[Leleluvsdis]

own there - getting rid of it.

do not go to their sales pitchs - also called maintence meeting - or any 'meeting'

did have pictures but mind are out of date.

here is there website
http://www.wgvacationvillas.com/


this is newer but no pictures
http://www.wgvacationvillas.com/

If you don't mind me asking why are you getting rid of it? My parents have a timeshare with RCI in North Myrtle Beach, SC, and are trading a banked week from there.

 

[spiceycat]

westgate - another owner calls it wastegate.

they say one thing and do the other.

now they are refusing to allow me to exchange my week with them.

so they are getting me for the first time since 1999 and boy will I be as mean as possible to them.

they kept coming up with extra charges.

they want us to exchange thru them instead of II - problem is they want money lots and lots of money. some of THEIR exchanges they want $500 for - an exchange.....

so from my experience with them - they are crooks.

plus they will demand that you go to their sales pitch - which is to be avoided at all costs.

they use every trick in book and make up some to get you to buy. they will lie, cheat and say anything.

think one of the guys that use to post here - was a sales person. He would get very upset with my feeling about Westgate. So my comeback was - fine tell me one lie that I have say about them.

don't judge other timeshares by Westgate - Westgate treat their owners as pests.
DVC treats me as well if not better than cash paying guests. Westgate is out for Westgate and westgate only.

now this week is during food/wine festavial and it NJ week - so it is a nice week - I just hate Westgate.

oh in the process of giving it away - tried to sell it - it is not sellable. so a non-profit will get some time next year.

 

[4kids]

Stayed twice, first time a dream, second not so much. Agree to ABSOLUTELY avoid any type of "meeting" they set up. We were told there was quick paperwork that needed signed because we weren't the owners, we were staying as a guest in a friends timeshare. Ended up wasting an entire morning in a sales pitch experience, tour and all with our 4 kids waiting to go to disney. HORRIBLE experience. Rude, dishonest, people. Amenities and location are fine if you can avoid the sales pitch! Good Luck.

 

[bearzabout]

I have stayed twice recently and am convinced that owners are treated a lot worse than "potential owners". I do have some tips:

1. Never agree to a free breakfast / timeshare presentation.

2. Be prepared to switch rooms if they give you a bad one. Before the person that escorts you to your room leave, make sure the door locks work and check the AC. Last time I checked in, I just asked the desk person nicely to please save us all a lot of trouble and try to find a recently renovated unit in good working order. The unit I received was really nice.

3. Be careful on the roads and drive slowly. The carts zip around and people get confused trying to find their units.

4. Enter Disney through the back entrance on Sherberth Rd. There is a lot less traffic than using I92 to access World Drive.

5. Never even think about buying into Westgate and let timeshare shark know you would not ever be interested at any price.

6. I tend to check in late (9pm) so there is seldom anyone in line in front of me. Still, check in can take 1/2 hour. Expect a slowwwww process, especially if you check in around 4pm.


I would stay at this resort again for a very low cost but accept that the check in process will likely be a pain.

Don't sweat the small stuff and enjoy the great location to close to Disney World.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

We picked this one b/c according to mapquest it's the closest to TTC. My mom and dad already have 2 time shares through RCI which they've had for 25+ years. They know all about the sales pitches, and never go to them.

Have all the units been renovated, or just some of them?

Also we have a 2 bedroom, what are they like?

 

[TotoToo]

We picked this one b/c according to mapquest it's the closest to TTC. My mom and dad already have 2 time shares through RCI which they've had for 25+ years. They know all about the sales pitches, and never go to them.

Have all the units been renovated, or just some of them?

Also we have a 2 bedroom, what are they like?

Every negative above is true times 2 or more. Renovations? Forget it. They spend no money - the fact that it's owners money makes no difference to this corrupt group - if it isn't sales.

On the other hand IF you avoid the sales weasels and don't mind gaudy, so-so accommodations the location is good, the on site features are good and the price can be right as a guest. Again AVOID sales at all costs. That will ruin your vacation and you have NO obligation to attend anything to do with sales. And anything they offer that sounds good is sales. Anything they threaten you with (fees, charges, etc) unless you attend a meeting will be sales. The cart ride to the unit is SALES. Use all methods necessary to avoid them.

 

[AJKMOM]

Every negative above is true times 2 or more. Renovations? Forget it. They spend no money - the fact that it's owners money makes no difference to this corrupt group - if it isn't sales.

On the other hand IF you avoid the sales weasels and don't mind gaudy, so-so accommodations the location is good, the on site features are good and the price can be right as a guest. Again AVOID sales at all costs. That will ruin your vacation and you have NO obligation to attend anything to do with sales. And anything they offer that sounds good is sales. Anything they threaten you with (fees, charges, etc) unless you attend a meeting will be sales. The cart ride to the unit is SALES. Use all methods necessary to avoid them.

I have read that people who book Westgate thru a search engine such at HotelKingdom.com are required to attend the meeting if they want the discounted price. Just a heads up to read the fine print.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

I did not book through a search engine. We have a RCI timeshare and exchanged our week from Myrtle Beach, SC to Kissimmee

 

[TotoToo]

I did not book through a search engine. We have a RCI timeshare and exchanged our week from Myrtle Beach, SC to Kissimmee

So do not be bamboozled into a sales pitch as you have NO obligation to attend. None. You paid for your week, you made an exchange and they have no right to bother you about buying.

They will try and it's up to you to resist and insist they stop bothering you right from the get go. That isn't likely to stop them - they will esculate into thinly veiled threats ("You must attend an owners / guest update or you will be charged for any damage in the unit" is a very popular one.) which you can safely ignore. They will want you to be guided to your unit with a cart ride or lead guide - then they will ask you to sign up for a meeting. If you don't want to fight the ride/guide just accept the meeting - always for your LAST day of the stay - at 10AM. Then simply check out prior to 10Am and laugh as you think about them desperately calling your now empty unit to find out where you are. Oh, upon arrival, disconnect all unit phones. If you don't you will be disturbed in early morning or late night with escalating demands that you attend a meeting. Plug them in before you leave & give a listen to the humorous messages you are almost bound to hear as they try to reach you all week.

Sales are insistent, obnoxious and won't give up. Avoid them and your stay can be OK. Remember it's your vacation ad they have no right to intrude on any of it.

 

[grammynelliebelle]

We stayed there in Nov using a skyauction $200 voucher. We said no thanks to the meeting and did not get pressure. The unit was fine. Pretty good sized 2 bedroom, washer and dryer and good kitchen facilities. Pool outside our little complex was clean and warm. I did think the staff was pretty impersonal and you better watch out for those golf carts! For what we paid we got a good deal. Grammy

 

[ibcrazie4dizney]

we have stayed at a few different westgate properties over the last ten years and are going again next week to westgate town center. we actually like the places, it is the sales that are the problem. we got stuck in a sales meeting the first time and they didnt want to let me and my husb leave. was kinda scary and annoying. my husband doesnt always travel with me, so i learned that i check in by myself and make them very aware that he isnt there. they was both spouses there for the sales meeting, so they left me alone after that. we exchange in through interval international, they have pics on their site but i am not sure if you can see them without logging in. the site is intervalworld.com They are pretty roomy and i love having a washer and dryer in the room. hope you like it there, just dont accept a free breakfast or having your pic taken for free and then make an appt to pick it up.

 

[swilshire]

We stayed at the Vacation Villas a couple of years ago and it was fine. It's about your average Orlando resort. Much closer to the action than Orange Lake if that's what you meant (I've never heard of Orange Grove).

We actually volunteered for their sales pitch. I had said no so strongly when they ask (after our 13 hour drive down) that they never ask again. We had time to kill, so I went and ask them. It was very painless, but I'm good at saying no.

Sheila

 

[Leleluvsdis]

We stayed at the Vacation Villas a couple of years ago and it was fine. It's about your average Orlando resort. Much closer to the action than Orange Lake if that's what you meant (I've never heard of Orange Grove).

We actually volunteered for their sales pitch. I had said no so strongly when they ask (after our 13 hour drive down) that they never ask again. We had time to kill, so I went and ask them. It was very painless, but I'm good at saying no.

Sheila

Yes it is Orange lake haha I guess i'm wanting to be in FL SOOOO badly, I was thinking about the orange grove orange juice commercial haha

 

[Hasil72]

AMEN to everything Spiceycat said.

It's been a few years so things may have changed but it doesn't sound like it. We were given a week at Westgate Vacation Villas as a very late wedding gift from a relative. They have been RCI members for as long as I can remember and exchanged a week in our name. Got there at midnight as our flight was delayed in bad weather but the place was packed. Had to wait about 45 minutes to check in. Placed in the oldest, and consequently run down, section of the resort. We were told that's where all RCI exchanges are booked since the units in the newer sections were "sold" through a different company. Received calls everyday about attending this or that. We declined each time and asked not to be disturbed as this was a delayed honeymoon of sorts. Calls kept on coming anyway.

Here's where you need to watch out as pp's have said...they will try to tell you that you NEED to fill out some paperwork on the condition of your unit before you can check out. That is where we were badgered for over an hour about buying into the newer units. When my husband told them ok we're leaving now, get the supervisor (who has to sign off apparently before you leave), they proceeded to tell me to "have a great marriage because you'll be a widow by the time your 40 because your new husband will be overworked and have a heart attack." Nice! The whole mess ended up eating about 3 hours of our last day.

Thought we would never stay off-site again. Tried Orange Lake and it was much nicer and no high pressure sales. Definitely won't do timeshare again, but have had great success renting vacation homes.

Have a great vacation anyway. Maybe you'll be lucky!

 

[welovedisneyx4]

I was getting ready to post a new thread about how much I hate Westgate, but I found this one and thought I would join in.

We are going to DW on Spring Break. Busy time, I know, but DH is a teacher, so that limits us and I figure we will do better w/ the crowds and the less humid weather, rather than go in the summer w/ 100 degree temps and 100% humidity. So I call Westgate to exchange our 2008 week for Easter week. I am hoping they have something available, feeling pretty good that they do b/c it is available on the rental inquiry on the website. Well, it is available and I am getting prepared to pay the appox. $130.00 exchange fee (no big deal) and then I am informed that I own a "low" week (last week in October) and am exchanging for a "high" week, so there will be an additional $750.00 upgrade fee!!!!!!!!! GIVE ME A FRICKIN' BREAK!!!!!

I have never heard of this before and have rented weeks such as Thanksgiving and 4th of July.

There is no way they are getting an additional $750.00 from us just b/c we want a holiday week at our home resort!! They also informed me that the end of Feb. thru November is all high season at Myrtle Beach. Other than Easter and Thanksgiving and excluding summer, I'd like to know how they consider those times high season???!!!

When I get home tonight, I will be getting the paper work ready to send to the charity I have been talking with. I hope everything goes o.k. w/ that. I don't care if I don't get any money for it, as long as I don't have to give David Segal any more of it, I will be happy.

Sorry this was so long...I was just really looking forward to staying there over Spring Break and am very disappointed.

Does anyone know of any nice condos near DW to stay for cheap?? LOL!!!

 

[TotoToo]

I have never heard of this before and have rented weeks such as Thanksgiving and 4th of July.

This is merely the latest in the seemingly never ending affronts that Wastegate deals to "valued owners". They are a ripoff organization from top to bottom IMO and the fact that the head honcho has been convicted in various courts for multiple things just fits the overall corporate operation.

Again if you can avoid all sales and don't mind the rather dated and usually not best kept units in any given area then Wastegate can be an OK place to stay obtained cheaply enough. But never buy there or you are in for a lifetime of headaches or worse.

 

[spiceycat]

I was getting ready to post a new thread about how much I hate Westgate, but I found this one and thought I would join in.

We are going to DW on Spring Break. Busy time, I know, but DH is a teacher, so that limits us and I figure we will do better w/ the crowds and the less humid weather, rather than go in the summer w/ 100 degree temps and 100% humidity. So I call Westgate to exchange our 2008 week for Easter week. I am hoping they have something available, feeling pretty good that they do b/c it is available on the rental inquiry on the website. Well, it is available and I am getting prepared to pay the appox. $130.00 exchange fee (no big deal) and then I am informed that I own a "low" week (last week in October) and am exchanging for a "high" week, so there will be an additional $750.00 upgrade fee!!!!!!!!! GIVE ME A FRICKIN' BREAK!!!!!

I have never heard of this before and have rented weeks such as Thanksgiving and 4th of July.

There is no way they are getting an additional $750.00 from us just b/c we want a holiday week at our home resort!! They also informed me that the end of Feb. thru November is all high season at Myrtle Beach. Other than Easter and Thanksgiving and excluding summer, I'd like to know how they consider those times high season???!!!

When I get home tonight, I will be getting the paper work ready to send to the charity I have been talking with. I hope everything goes o.k. w/ that. I don't care if I don't get any money for it, as long as I don't have to give David Segal any more of it, I will be happy.

Sorry this was so long...I was just really looking forward to staying there over Spring Break and am very disappointed.

Does anyone know of any nice condos near DW to stay for cheap?? LOL!!!

look on the II sites in the getaways.

or rci in the last call.

I really, really, really Hate westgate.

you seem to realize that in the resale market our very expensive timeshare are worth zero. Because Westgate is such a ripe off and hopefully on the internet everyone know it these days.

last time I was there in 1999 I think and laughed when they wanted me to buy some more...

they actually cancelled my exchange with II - and told me had to go through Westgate - when every other year since 1999 exchanged thru II with no problems.

Westgate really hates it owners. of course since I hate Westgate even more that might be fair. Never even consider a westgate.

the sales force will lie, cheat, anything to get you to buy. If dvc guides did any of these things they would be fired.

so feel sorry for me - will be at Westgate this Nov 8 - 15 - think it is New Jersey week - so will definitely be telling everyone at westgate at the time how horrible westgate is. only good thing is the food/wine festavial over at Epcot - thank goodness have BWV to go to on those nights want to party.