My family (5 of us, parents, 2 boys in their early 20's , and grandmother) recently stayed at the Westgate Vacation Villas for 6 days, 5 nights, the end of July. The best I can say tastefully is that Wesgate is a Slumlord of a company. We booked a 2 bedroom villa, and thats what we got. Initally, as in when we walked into the room, it looked nice, somewhat dated however. After our inital impression our vacation went downhill. The room was advertised with a "big screen tv", however it only had a little 21in tv in the living room and even smaller older ones in the bedrooms. TV aside, more thne 1/2 the lights were burnt out in the unit, the slider blinds on the glass door leading to the porch were broken and would not open at all. The room was infested with FIRE ANTS, the shower know broke off in our hand, and the screen door outside would not open (the stone step was wedged under the door), and the door handel was broken off so that their was only the button and a sharp jagged edge under it. We called the front desk, and matience about the problems. While an exterminator did come out to "spray" for ants, it was only a "band aid" for the problem. My mother and myself receved numverous fire andt bites throughout the night. All the while matience never came to fix any of the lights, doors, or knobs. It wasnt until Friday before 2 men came to address the problems (neither spoke a word of english). They replaced the lights, re-attached the knob, and partally fixed the blinds, but did nothing about the door handle. By this time we had contacted the fornt desk 20 times, speeking to different people and got the run arround. Finally the supervisor promised we would be moved soon, however it wasnt until i had called another 5 times, and went to the fornt office before they accually came to move us. (they never did come re-spray for the ants or fix the door). We were moved to the other side of the resort of building NN, previously we were in building TTT. It was an upstairs unit this time (yea no ants), but that was about it. The AC did not work, and the lights in the 2nd bathroom had a "strobe effect", in other words they did not work. We called the front yet agan, and it took 2 hrs for someone to come fix the AC, which at that time we found out the compressor was shut off (meaning no one had used the unit in quite some time), and it would take virturally all night for the AC to cool the unit. All this happened on Friday mind you, 3 days into our stay and 3 days after we initally called about the problems in the first room. Living in Florida, we know and understand what a thunderstorm will do to a sat signal (the hotel uses satelight not cable for tv signals) and their was no television during a rather long tunderstorm. So we decided to use the DVD player or even the VCR provided in the unit, only to discover the wires provided were not only the wrong ones, but they were broken to being with. Yet another call to the front desk insued, and we were infored someone would be out to fix the cables after the storm had passed. We asked if we could simply come down and get the correct cables and the matience staff refused. It was another hour before someone came out, and he didnt have the correct cables, and when he did come back with them, I had to show him how to hook them up becasue he coudnt figure it out. Insite of all these problems Westgate requires you to load and run the dishwasher before you check out, well we coud not do that becasue the dishwasher was not attached in way way to the wall and came out when it was oppened. Needless to say the room was terrible, both rooms were terrible. Their was no upkeep anywhere in the resort, and while on the outside looked nice, a college frat house is kept up better then the units. On sunday we were eating brekfast only to be intruppeted at 8:00am (checkout is at 10) by the housekeeping staff who wanted to come get the room ready form someone else and were mad we hadent left yet. They sat in a golfcart in the parking lot infront of our unit wating for us to leave. We are not the only people with complaints, nearly ever person we spoke to at the pool, or in the office, or arround the resort had similar complaints. Westgate either needs to hire new management or shut down but I will never stay in any of their resorts agan, nor would i reccomend anyone else to.

Last year my family spend our summer vacation at Westgate villas Orlando, as a referral guest. We were treated with full accomadations. The villas we stayed in were nice, but not as nice as the newer ones. Our vacation was great until the timeshare presentation. My husband and I did not do our homework and we were not informed about the high pressure salesperson.
We loved our vacation their, it was our first time at Disney. We attempted to purchased a 1 bedroom timeshare after sitting and being persuaded for 3 hours. The timeshare was extremely over priced. During the whole purchasing process we were lied to over and over again. The sales reps consistantly kept saying "Once a West gate owner there no turning back"
trying to make us think this was a final decision. Well as they say my mother did not raise no fool. Do not trust anything these people tell you investigate for yourself. Get everything in writing because if it's not on paper it didn't happen or do not exist. If you did make the mistake of purchasing a timeshare you have a 3 day cool off period additional to the 10 day cancellation period. Read your contract it will provide with information and instructions needed for cancellation. If you decide to cancel the free breakfast will be charge to your account. Make sure you sent your cancellation letter certified along with the other required papers that are necessary for a full refund. Other than the mistake of attempting to purchase a timeshare my stay a Westgate villa was very pleasant, but listen to the owners they all have similar complaints If you plan to purchase a timeshare do your homework first, many other states do not recognize timeshare. so don't let the salesperson rob you. Oh, yeah I did receive a full refund and had to pay for the breakfast, Since this cancellation we are no longer welcome at Westgate.
I hope this information help someone, it helped me
Good Luck

Before going on vacation I read several pamphlets and books concerning timeshares. Also I read reviews in various sites such as Trip Advisor. I did this just to inform myself on issues relating to timeshares and resorts, since I presently own two timeshares, one in my local area and the other in Disney. In one of my readings Westgate Resorts was mentioned, which in my two week stay in Orlando I would be staying in two of their resorts. First week in Westgate Vacation Villas and the second week in Westgate Lake Resort.

In my readings it was mentioned that in Westgate Resorts they had an aggressive timesharing selling program. I read that a representative would take you to the room after check in and then would mention that he would call during the week to meet with guests to make a maintenance inventory review and to make sure all was well. This reading also stated that when the day did come up, the form that was filled out would be used as an excuse for a timeshare sales pitch which would take four hours of your time.

Since I had this information I was prepared and informed my sister which was staying in a different villa which I had reserved for her with a guest certificate via Interval.

Due to flight problems I would not get in to Westgate Vacation Villas until Monday morning, one day late. I called the resort and informed of this situation and the representative courteously stated that there would be no problems and she would make a note in my record so I would have no problems.

When I arrived at Westgate Vacation Villas there were seven persons in front of me waiting to be checked in. One of the persons (female) being already checked in was having problems with the clerk checking her in. His attitude was not courteous at all. The guest then exclaimed that this timeshare deal was a big mistake and that she regreted the day she purchased the timeshare in this plalce. Wow, that caught my attention and when the clerk left the front desk for a moment I asked her what problem was she facing. She stated that she was already standing there for an hour and after having a confirmation with her home resort it turned out that she did not have a room. Then the clerk returned and the guest continued with the check in.

After waiting for approximately 30 minutes my turn came up and low and behold, it turned out that apparently there was no room available. The clerk (female) very courteous started to make calls to different places and checking her computer. After a while I asked her if she was having any problems with my reservation. She stated that she was looking through the different areas to find a room for me. Then 20 minutes later she made another call and was told there was a room available which was AA10. We finally were checked in and told to go to the Guest Relations desk so that a representative can take us to our room. When we arrived to the room there was a maintenance crew painting and doing repairs to the room, also the AC was not working. The guest relations representative looked surprised to find the crew there and so was the maintenance crew to see us walk in. One of the persons from the maintenance crew informed of the problems of the Villas and also stated that the AC was not working, but that it would not take long to finish their work. I stated that I would not stay there since the AC was not working and the strong smell of paint. The guest relations representative called the front desk and informed the problem. After a wait he told us to go to the next building and that he would go make the change of the room and to get the new keys to the villa.

When he returned with the keys he escorted us to the villa, all the time he was very courteous with us. He showed us the room and after a small conversation he then mentioned that he would get in contact with us during the week for a maintenance inventory. He also stated that if we were to buy timeshare not to buy it unless it was a resale so that we could save money. BINGO - what I had read about the resort was unfolding the sales pitch. Two days later a different representative called me when I was walking out of the room, she stated that she was my new guest relations representative and that she would be taking care of my needs and that she needed to set up and appointment for the maintenance inventory and we could eat breakfast at the resort cost. I stated that I was on my way out at this time. She stated that she would get in contact with me again.

I then realized that she was trying to set me up for the timeshare sales pitch, and as I mentioned previously I already have timeshares and I had obtaiend this reservation via an exchange. The sales representative called the next day in the morning and mentioned that she had space available. I informed her that I was not interested at this time and that if she wanted to perform a maintenance inventory I would wait for her so she could perform it. She stated that I needed to go to the Guest House, which I said I had no time at the moment because I was on my way to Animal Kingdom. I also asked her if this was to try and sell me a timeshare, and if it was I was not interested since I already own timeshares, she stated that it was for a mandatory maintenance inventory, I then replied that I was not interested. After this we did not answer the phone anymore since we had our celulars and weren't expecting any calls. Messages were left, but not replied to, after this no more calls.

I had worned my sister but out of curiosity she submitted herself to the sales pitch and she stated that they gave her breakfast and then the sales pitch came. After informing that she was not interested in purchasing she was then referred to two other salespersons. She was held down for four hours, until she finally got tired and got up, excused herself and walked out and stating that she would not buy. Basically what I had read and informed her actually unfolded and happened to her.

When I went to the second resort Westgate Lake Resort I simply went directly to my room without going to the guest relations desk after chek in and did not answer the phone which rang several times and did not reply to the messages. This way I avoided any sales pitch.

As for the accomodations, they were average, nothing spectacular, but comfortable, spacious and clean. Everything was working except for one lamp bulb which was replaced on the second day. No parking problems, there was always a parking close to the villa. The employees that I came in contact were all very courteous and willing to give me an answer.

In all the place is average and would not mind staying there, but if they would just cut the aggressive sales pitch. If a person already has a timeshare they should just lay off him. Save the energy for new customers which do not own timeshare.

This is a very nice resort and very close to Disney. It's a timeshare resort, so if you are not already an owner, at some point you will have to do the presentation. When they say 90 minutes - plan for AT LEAST 3 hours.

They have a kids club - it's a big room with a few staffers there. Mostly, the kids play video games and the little guys watch movies. I wanted something a little more interactive, but that's all there was. The cost is $7 per child, per hour and siblings cost an additional $1 per child, per hour. We paid $27 for 3 hours because we have 3 kids (or $9 per hour). There is an activity buliding with pay-by-the-activity things for the kids to do. Sand art @ 2pm for $3 as an example. Some of the activities are available for free for owners. If you are looking for a place to drop the kids and take some quiet time - the kids club will turn the kids into video zombies, but they will be safe. We used it 1 time in 8 days.

The pools were nice, clean and there is no life guard. Remember, it's a facility based on ownership, so many activities are on your own. It's close to Disney and there is a shuttle available @ $14 per person. It's cheaper to drive yourself and pay to park. Parking cost $8.00 per day at the Disney parks and once you pay at one park, you can use the same parking pass at any of the parks on the same day. If you are going to Disney, invest in rain ponchos (97 cents at Walmart or $7 in Disney). June started the hurricane season in Florida and the resort has a few activies for rainy days. It rained every day we were there at some point for 8 days. My husband and sons went swimming in the rain. You just have to listen for thunder and of course don't swim when there is lightening. They had a great time and the pool was packed - who knew?

We ended up buying a timeshare, but we had been looking for one anyway. It's a nice family place and since we are in Florida at least every 3 years, and on family vacations yearly - we figured we'd invest. All and all, this was a nice resort - really suitable for families.