WESTGATE VILLA WOES (long)

[disneypooh]

Hi. I just returned from a 2 week trip to Disneyworld using my Interval International trade. The first week we stayed at the Marriott Grande Vista which was magnificent. It is such a beautiful place with extremely well kept grounds, a huge pool and spacious and clean units. I can only say great things about this place.

The second week, I was a bit apprehensive because after I had booked my week at Westgate Villas I started to read not some nice things about it on the Internet. However, I went in with an open mind. Check-in was relatively easy except that it was a bit congestive and confusing as they move you from place to place. There was someone to take us to our villa and I received a nice box of cookies. We went to our villa which was OLD but fairly decent. It was a long cry from the Marriott but liveable. Still thinking positive. However, as I was unpacking a HUGE waterbug came crawling across the room. Okay, this is Florida-it happens. However, it happened 2 days in a row. Then I went to take a bath in the so called jacuzzi and saw scum and mildew. Showers from that point on. My husband went to the Gym 3 days in a row and there was no supervision. On two occasions, physical fights almost occurred between rowdy teenagers. Westgate also claims they have about 11 pools. They don't tell you how small they are. Also, pools are open until 2:00 in the morning and there are many people left hanging at the bar who are yelling and screaming to the wee hours of the morning. Not fun when you are trying to sleep after a full day in the parks.

On the last day, we had to go to a Maintenance check that lasted 1 1/2 hours where they tried to sell you time share. The only way that I can describe what took place is how someone in another thread described their presentation-like SHARKS. So unprofessional. They put you in a room with 1,000 people and expect you to be able to think and buy like that. Not that I would have even considered it. What was interesting is that they did show me their new BEAUTIFUL rooms-only owners get those ones, which I guess is fair, but they should take care of their old villas. Then they gave us a price of $32,000. Afterwards, when they saw we were not interested, someone else came and told us we could buy it for $16,000. I hope no one pays full price. Doesn't seem quite fair if you accept at the first offer it is double the price. Then they tell you they give you vouchers to give to everyone and anyone to come spend 4 days there for $159. This will help pay for your timeshare. Unfortunately, by doing this they are allowing their resort to be rundown and have many shady characters lurking there.

Anyone who is thinking of going there, unless you are an owner with a beautiful room PLEASE RECONSIDER. There is a reason why you are getting it at such a cheap price. You are way better off staying in a hotel like the Hampton Inn or the Radisson for quality service.

 

[spiceycat]

believe me I understand where you are coming from - I brought Westgate in the 90's - I just don't understand why the state of Florida lets them kept operating - they lie, cheat and do just about anything - anyway when I visit I just avoid answering the phone - the last time I was there they called every day....

and as I say it was horrible - they have such a bad reputation that there are several out on skyauction right now that no one has placed a bid on.....

If they want people to stay there - they need to fire all the sales people currently - spend the money on maintence (believe me - Westgate owners pay a whole lot in maintence) not use it on salespeople....

I am so sorry that your trip was bad - it is generally the second bathroom that needs the maintence - generally the first bathroom is fine.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Originally posted by spiceycat
believe me I understand where you are coming from - I brought Westgate in the 90's - I just don't understand why the state of Florida lets them kept operating - they lie, cheat and do just about anything - anyway when I visit I just avoid answering the phone - the last time I was there they called every day....

and as I say it was horrible - they have such a bad reputation that there are several out on skyauction right now that no one has placed a bid on.....

If they want people to stay there - they need to fire all the sales people currently - spend the money on maintence (believe me - Westgate owners pay a whole lot in maintence) not use it on salespeople....

I am so sorry that your trip was bad - it is generally the second bathroom that needs the maintence - generally the first bathroom is fine.

********************************************

If yo get this resort thru SkyAuction, you do not have to go to that maintance check meeting.... in fact, you are under no obligation to attend any sales meeting. I won a SkyAuction Bid & chose this resort due to it's proximity to Disney. I had no problems at all. I stayed June 2002, in a very clean 2 bedroom.

 

[spiceycat]

that does not stop them from calling you every morning - and I mean morning - mind was at 7:00 am - much to early some morning - other times it was okay.

I have trained mother a little better - at the time - she was very upset that I just wanted the phone to ring - she is beginning to understand my attitude toward timeshare sell people (not DVC - they are wonderful).

I don't know how often during that week I told that man? not to call - we were not going and I was not interested - but some people have problems with "NO" -

then when I tried to check out we were living early - they lied again and told me I had to go or I couldn't check out - I now know to take the tape recorder out and ask him to say it again - then send the tape to the state of Florida if he is still stupid enough to demand that I attend - but I have learned alot since I join tug. I am sorry folks this is not the way to treat an owner!!!

 

[disneypooh]

At least I didn't get any early phone calls. You would think that they would treat their owners better. It just amazed me that both Westgate and an exclusive place like the Marriott are considered 5 star hotels by Interval International when one is so much better than the others. The only thing that Westgate has going for it is its location. I am not a very picky traveller. I love the idea of a spacious timeshare, as I have 3 sons ranging in age from 8-15. I don't mind taking out the trash or loading the dishwasher as they ask you to. But the place and the people that run it need a bit of class. I learned about TUGS after I switched my weeks, and it is a wonderful site for timeshare owners. I would suggest it for anyone who belongs to clubs like RCI or II.


As an owner, are you allowed to switch to another Westgate location like the Towers or Westgate Lakes? I have heard positive things about these places, although I don't know what their sales department is like. Good luck to you.

 

[spiceycat]

we switch one year to Westgate Lakes - it was the 2-bedroom part of a 3-bedroom - well the second bathroom has a leak in the ceiling - need I go on.

on the charging for switching - the same as what II charges for an exchange - I am never doing that again.

this last May we went to the Marriott Manor Club at Williamsburg, Va of an exchange thru II - very, very nice.

DVC does not charge you to stay at its different resort if you are a member - does not charge you to stay at any of the WDW resorts.

Now there is a $75 charge if you want something in II, the adventures or the concierge collection.

Marriott charges you $69 to switch resorts.

 

[disneypooh]

I'm surprised that the Lakes had its problems too, as it seems so exclusive by looking at it from the outside. I think next time I do any type of trading with II, I will either choose a Marriott or do some serious searching for info at TUGS. Good luck to you on your future trips!

 

[djm99]

I just left the Lakes (Aug 10-17). I had a wonderful time. Beautifully clean rooms, check in and out was unusually smooth. Surprisely the presentation wasn't nearly as bad as I thought was and to be honest I almost bought one. And whoever wrote that the prices went from $27,000 to $6,000 (for a foreclosure) is so right. Well, to be honest I just wanted to buy for the "getaways" package. If they were telling the truth - if you buy a timeshare with Westgate you get unlimited "getaways" and can use your getaways in any 5 star resort (including Disney). This means that I can stay one free week in Westgate and the next week on Disney Properties (for a whole week) and pay anywhere from $109 a week - for Disney All Stars - to $439 a week at one of Disney's Deluxe Resorts. That was really my only reasons for even consider buying. But anyway - My only complaint at Westgate Lakes was the lack of parking.

 

[Belle1962]

Reminds me of my post from Nov 2000 entitled Westgate Woes
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14259&highlight=westgate;)

 

[Lisa P.]

...I almost bought... I just wanted to buy for the "getaways" package. If they were telling the truth - if you buy a timeshare with Westgate you get unlimited "getaways" and can use your getaways in any 5 star resort (including Disney).

If you buy any timeshare resort anywhere in the world, and you then join RCI or II (whichever is affiliated with your resort), the exchange company will allow you to rent "getaways" from them. That's not a Westgate thing, it's an exchange company thing. Getaways are generally only offseason weeks, surplus inventory, developer rentals and last minute exchange cancellations. I once rented a 1BR getaway week at OKW in May for ~$600. But that's very rare. The vast majority are not at Disney resorts. Marriotts and Westgates are there regularly.

This means that I can stay one free week in Westgate and the next week on Disney Properties (for a whole week) and pay anywhere from $109 a week - for Disney All Stars - to $439 a week at one of Disney's Deluxe Resorts.

This is misinformation. None of the getaways are ever at regular Disney hotels. You'd never see an II getaway week at Disney All Stars or a regular Disney deluxe hotel. Only a DVC weekly stay that was deposited with II (no housekeeping) - and the price is not as low as some other timeshare weeks. Remember that the week at Westgate is not really "free" - you still pay annual maint fees.

Annual maint and taxes are rather high at most Florida resorts, compared with nationwide averages for timeshare. Labor & insurance costs are higher there. Unlike most locations, Florida requires that taxes are billed separately, so consider property taxes when comparing annual maint fees between different resorts. Westgate's would be pretty high.

If you enjoyed the timeshare vacation and may consider that style of vacationing in the future, look at TUG - Timeshare Users Group. You'll learn a lot about getting the most from an inexpensive timeshare purchase. We love our family vacations in timeshare condos.

You could spend much less than $6,000 for a timeshare if you only want to visit Orlando with it... unless you really love a particular resort and want it for your "home away from home" annual memories... and/or you want to secure Christmas/New Year or Easter weeks with it most years (the toughest reservations). Offsite timeshare vacations are available at great resorts, at resale, for considerably less than $6K.

Rentals from other owners and programs like SkyAuction will provide non-holiday periods for about the cost of annual maint fees, without the upfront purchase price and commitment. HTH.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Wow, I am so glad I came across this thread. I had gone by both of the Westgate Resorts and they looked nice. I usually try to scope out new places when I am on vacation as a back up if the resort of my choice is not available. Westgate was on my list but I am crossing it off right now. Thanks again.

 

[spiceycat]

just add Hilton Grand Vacation Club at SeaWorld - this is a beautiful resort and Hilton will kept it up.

there is one now on skyauction a 3-bedroom for this Friday.

okay I am probably spoiled - I have owned DVC since 93 and they kept up everything and give their members and guests free transportation.

I would put the DVC, Marriott's and the Hilton's - before anything else - but then I am just starting to explore all the other Orlando timeshares - some are probably just as nice.