We have stayed at WG Lakes 3 times and WG Towne Center once.
Our Villas have always been spotless. The last stay at the Lakes, in one of the older buildings, it was looking a little worn, but it wasn't bad.
The few maintenance issues we had (leaking coffee maker, oven that wouldn't broil) were rectified immediately by bringing in brand-new, still in the box appliances.
The common areas are so-so. Nothing to really complain about, but nothing to rave about either. Pools are decent. Mini-golf is ok, but they don't do a good job of keeping debris off the green. The paddle boats are a little worn, but they work.
The elevators and outdoor breezeways could use a good cleaning and re-fresh.
IMO, the big problem with WG is that the sales people will pester the life out of you trying to get you to come to a presentation. Some of what you are reading could be that people are so darned angry about the sales staff that the whole resort is tainted.
If you want to try it, my suggestion would be don't go to a presentation, no matter what they offer you. Do not go to the free breakfast. Do not go up to the second floor of the main bldg, anyone trying to get you up there is trying to trap you into a hard-core sales presentation. Only show your ID when you check-in or at Bell Services if you need to use their service to store your luggage. The Sales Weasels sometimes disguise themselves as Concierge (not the same as the people at the VIP desk where you can buy event/park tickets), one of the tactics is asking to see your ID, then they hold onto it. It's like they are holding it hostage so you have to listen to them. They are very sneaky, the best way I have found to spot them when they are trying a Plan B approach is they want your ID, and they want to take you upstairs.
Bell Services will take you to your room and explain where the pools, etc are. Anything you need to know about the resort, ask Bell Services, they are very helpful and all they want is a tip.
Our last stay at the Lakes, they weren't nearly so bad. Not sure why it was different this time. I still don't trust them.
(ETA: WG Towne Center is newer and the unit was nicer. The one stay in the new section of WG Lakes the unit was very nice. The 2 stays in the older section of WG Lakes, the Villas were fine, just not as nice as the others. The repeat stays at WG Lakes were because of the Convenience to SeaWorld and Universal)