Westgate vacation villas

[welovedisneyx4]

Does anyone know how much it is to join RCI? Can anyone join? We have always used II.

 

[PoohsFan1]

We used to be an owner there as well and got rid of it over the summer. Granted we upgraded and purchased a Westgate over in Gatlinburg Tenn. but I am hoping that my DH would look into the DVC program so we can give up on the whole Westgate altogether. We don't care for WVV because first off they are going downhill very fast. They say they are doing remodeling but I am not quite sure what they meant by it when the last time we were there it was only to change the color of the paint on the exterior of the building. And like PPs have said the sales area are really big pains, luckily since we were owners we really did not get bothered by them, but since we brought my ILs with us, we told them to specifically not bother them because they are our guests, but of course they did not listen. Also, if we wanted to try to trade our week for a week into one of Disney's DVC resorts, we could not because Westgate puts a block on trading anywhere within the Central Fl. area (unless it is to another Westgate resort). In order to trade into DVC your home resort has to be out of the state of Florida...that is one reason why we purchased in Tenn.

To the OP, if you are just going there for a week, it should be fine, just remember to do as the others have mentioned and DO NOT go to any of the sales meetings....they are leeches and will take away valuable vacation time just so they can lure you into a sale.

 

[Hasil72]

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.

If it's any consolation, you'll be missing Jersey Week. It's early this year; Nov 1-7. One less thing to worry about!

 

[swilshire]

Does anyone know how much it is to join RCI? Can anyone join? We have always used II.

You must own at an RCI affliliated resort to join. After you join, you can stay a member even if you sell your unit.

It is close to $100 a year for membership. Maybe $89? I'm not sure because I'm a Points member, so my Weeks membership is free. They have some sort of multi-year special on their homepage now. Haven't bothered to read it.

Sheila

 

[spiceycat]

If it's any consolation, you'll be missing Jersey Week. It's early this year; Nov 1-7. One less thing to worry about!

thanks!

but this year the food wine festavial is over Nov 9 - so only get 2 days of it...

that say will be wdw and can made the best of a very, very bad place.

 

[spiceycat]

We used to be an owner there as well and got rid of it over the summer. Granted we upgraded and purchased a Westgate over in Gatlinburg Tenn. but I am hoping that my DH would look into the DVC program so we can give up on the whole Westgate altogether. We don't care for WVV because first off they are going downhill very fast. They say they are doing remodeling but I am not quite sure what they meant by it when the last time we were there it was only to change the color of the paint on the exterior of the building. And like PPs have said the sales area are really big pains, luckily since we were owners we really did not get bothered by them, but since we brought my ILs with us, we told them to specifically not bother them because they are our guests, but of course they did not listen. Also, if we wanted to try to trade our week for a week into one of Disney's DVC resorts, we could not because Westgate puts a block on trading anywhere within the Central Fl. area (unless it is to another Westgate resort). In order to trade into DVC your home resort has to be out of the state of Florida...that is one reason why we purchased in Tenn.

To the OP, if you are just going there for a week, it should be fine, just remember to do as the others have mentioned and DO NOT go to any of the sales meetings....they are leeches and will take away valuable vacation time just so they can lure you into a sale.

DVC is now part of RCI not II>

so unless your Westgate trades thru RCI - you still can't get a DVC.

so the CR in your signature. You realize that the new DVC BLT is next to the CR (it took the place of the north wing of the CR).

love my DVC - and hate Westgate.

 

[MineeBaby]

My parents are owners at Westgate Town Center and have been for a little over 10 years. My husband and I are owners at DVC, which we adore. Here are my thoughts on Westgate---

I have stayed with Westgate many many times, including just getting back from a Christmas stay at Westgate Lakes. I second and third the check in process taking a bit of time and the golf cart escort to the room. I also second unplugging the phone if you want to sleep in--they call with the daily activity schedule around 8am. I have been to multiple "maintenance" meetings, during which they do try and sell you more timeshare. But, you can decline the meeting or you can just show up, get your free breakfast and tasty drinks and tell the sales person that you are not intersted and thank you for their time. So, the sales team is a pain and pales in complete comparison to DVC.

On the flip side, the units are great! Now, they usually have owners units and then units they rent out on the net for cheap. I made the mistake of staying in one of these units and it was in disrepair. The owners units, though, which I have said in multiple multiple times are very very large and the newest units (building 100, where I stayed a few weeks ago) are beautiful with earthy tones and pendent lighting in the kitchen and a rain shower head in the shower--just amazing. We loved it! I am not sure if I have photos--I will have to look through my Christmas stash to see if there are any of the room. My vote is YES to the rooms--very nice and large. YUCK to the sales team. If you can avoid them, it is a great vacation.

 

[sympatico]

DVC is now part of RCI not II>

so unless your Westgate trades thru RCI - you still can't get a DVC.

so the CR in your signature. You realize that the new DVC BLT is next to the CR (it took the place of the north wing of the CR).

love my DVC - and hate Westgate.

Gee Spicey, no one would never have known that you hate Westgate.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

My parents are owners at Westgate Town Center and have been for a little over 10 years. My husband and I are owners at DVC, which we adore. Here are my thoughts on Westgate---

I have stayed with Westgate many many times, including just getting back from a Christmas stay at Westgate Lakes. I second and third the check in process taking a bit of time and the golf cart escort to the room. I also second unplugging the phone if you want to sleep in--they call with the daily activity schedule around 8am. I have been to multiple "maintenance" meetings, during which they do try and sell you more timeshare. But, you can decline the meeting or you can just show up, get your free breakfast and tasty drinks and tell the sales person that you are not intersted and thank you for their time. So, the sales team is a pain and pales in complete comparison to DVC.

On the flip side, the units are great! Now, they usually have owners units and then units they rent out on the net for cheap. I made the mistake of staying in one of these units and it was in disrepair. The owners units, though, which I have said in multiple multiple times are very very large and the newest units (building 100, where I stayed a few weeks ago) are beautiful with earthy tones and pendent lighting in the kitchen and a rain shower head in the shower--just amazing. We loved it! I am not sure if I have photos--I will have to look through my Christmas stash to see if there are any of the room. My vote is YES to the rooms--very nice and large. YUCK to the sales team. If you can avoid them, it is a great vacation.

We are not owners at Westgate, but RCI owners, can we request a certain building?

 

[live4christp1]

We have stayed at Westgate 4 times and all 4 times have been great! We are not owners. I usually rent a week from an owner on redweek.com. Have gotten great deals ($500 for a week in a unit that slept 10) in March. We have taken advantage of the owners priviledges such as the poolside breakfast (no sales pitch), the pool side BBQ (no sales pitch), the mini golf. We love have the big room and the accomodations have always been well maintained and attended. The Town Center rooms are our favorite, big screen TV, etc. They will tell you upon check in that they need to schedule a meeting......I usually tell them that we will be in the parks ALL DAY, EVERY DAY (not much of an under statment). They generally go ahead and put us down for one, we don't go. They will call and leave messags on your machine. And one year the guy even showed up at our door on check out day when we were loading luggage "just to see if we were still alive and okay since he hadn't been able to touch base with us". Never had any problem with check out, etc. Usually can just walk in and hand your cards off to the person at the desk if you don't need a receipt, etc.

I have some good pictures from our 2008 trip. I will try to post them when I get home.

The location is really convenient to the parks entrance.

Our cousin who is a CM for Disney came over to our Villa one year and said, "wow, yes you guys did really good, I couldn't have gotten you anything close to this for the price you paid."

Cristy

 

[live4christp1]

We are not owners at Westgate, but RCI owners, can we request a certain building?

The owner I have dealt with for two years said that you can request a certain building upon check in but it will depend upon the availability as they have staggered in/out days.

 

[djm99]

If you are interested in seeing non-promotional pictures go to tripadvisors.com. They have 'real time' pictures and up to date reviews. Here is a link for Westgate Villas pictures http://www.tripadvisor.com/Location...stgate_Vacation_Villas-Kissimmee_Florida.html

I have visited and toured with Westgate twice. The first experience was something, but I learned from that experience. I will share with you ways to keep your presentation at 90 minutes.

1. DO NOT EAT BREAKFAST. Your time does not start until you FINISH breakfast, so if you are sitting their eating and they are talking to you, your 90 minutes has not begun. So go to the presentation FULL!!!! Let them know you already ate, tell them you don't want to go in the Cafeteria area and you'd like to begin - if the presenter gets up from the table - Let him know that time is ticking because you have somewhere to go (like meet friends in themeparks, or pick up someone from the airport, etc.). If you don't eat your 90 minutes begins when they shake your hand!!!!!

2. Unlike some have previously posted, BRING YOUR CHILDREN. They are wonderful distractions. Children’s destructiveness is more of reason to protest the “rush” of the presentation.

3. Comparison Shop. Bring prices from other websites of GREAT prices for their resort. This is a great negotiation tool. Ask them to meet the ridiculously low $2000 - $3000 for the Westgate Towers and $5000 for Westgate Lakes. If they can meet that price (and they will not) – Say NO with force – not timidity.

4. BE RUDE!!! Those presenters have no problems being rude to you, so don't feel shame in being rude in return.

5. My favorite - FALL ASLEEP!!!!!! – Look tired and completely uninterested. If they ask questions – say I’m sorry what did you say!!! I bought something to read – and my husband sat there - stern faced only shaking his head periodically.

6. Tell them you'd buy a timeshare under one condition - you don't have to put down a dime. You have to put something down at least $100 or so dollars. Tell them your Credit Cards are MAXXED OUT, and this vacation has put you back.

7. Threaten to leave after 90 HONEST Minutes - Trust me it works. They can't hold you legally more than 90 minutes. You signed a "contract" for that time ONLY. NOT A MINUTE MORE!!! HOLD THEM TO THEIR WORD!!!!! But they will argue that the presentation does not begin until after you eat!!!! Bring your own juice (for children too). And don't drink coffee if you can help it!!!! Don't let them get personal about what you do for a living, your family life, hobbies, etc. Don't get sucked into a non-timeshare conversation. Let them know that you have an agenda for the day and you are going to keep it - so begin talking. Time is ticking! Also, some presenters will try to tell you that the presentation is 90 minutes and tour is something separate, but that is not what you either signed or agreed to. You agreed to a 90 minute presentation and tour. All this in 90 minutes. Not a minute more. Be aware that some resorts say 120 minutes.

Some would argue that if all of this has to be done why bother, but I'd argue that for an inexpensive nice stay - it was worth it. Our first presentation was almost 4 1/2 hours - our second visit - we were in and out in 90 minutes and smiling. The second time was worth it big time. The third time (at Wyndham Palms was under 1 hour)!!!!! Westgate (in particular) has a reputation of being notoriously aggressive in those timeshare presentations so be prepared.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

Thanks for the info. Mom has already said they aren't going. We plan on being at the parks at rope drop anyway. Thanks for the info

 

[spiceycat]

Thanks for the info. Mom has already said they aren't going. We plan on being at the parks at rope drop anyway. Thanks for the info

then tell your mother to disconnect the phone.

they will start calling as early at 6:45am and kept doing it the entire trip.

so just disconnect the phone.

remember the short cut -

go straight out of Westgate - to entry way then also the street it becomes Sherbert road - just turn right - AK is the first park this way.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

then tell your mother to disconnect the phone.

they will start calling as early at 6:45am and kept doing it the entire trip.

so just disconnect the phone.

remember the short cut -

go straight out of Westgate - to entry way then also the street it becomes Sherbert road - just turn right - AK is the first park this way.

Thanks for the directions!!!