Westgate as a AC certificate?

[noreenkate]

Ok so my son is looking to head with friends to Orlando specifically for universal HHN. I have an AC certificate we won’t be using before it expires only thing in the timeframe is Westgate properties….but I am a little nervous based on the tug reputation as i have seen it referred to as Wastegate. Are the properties really bad? I am more concerned about the “waste” reference bugs cleanliness ect or is it just the sales and their treatment of resale owners.

Would you feel comfortable sending a bunch of twenty something guys for a week-

Do I need to skip this a find them a Hampton inn somewhere?

 

[dioxide45]

We have avoided using ACs at Westgate properties because of the fear of fees. Resort fees and WiFi fees. I don't know if there are these fees on exchanges because every report I see seems to not be first hand. I don't want to pay $300 for an AC only to be hammered with another couple hundred bucks in fees at checkin. Reviews on TripAdvisor and such are also poor. Not just about the sales experience but reports of issues with the rooms being old and tired to bed bugs. We might try out one of their 3 night $99 deals that requires a presentation, but until that we won't be putting a lot of money into a stay with an AC. $300 isn't a lot of money, but it could easily double with fees.

 

[cbyrne1174]

Ok so my son is looking to head with friends to Orlando specifically for universal HHN. I have an AC certificate we won’t be using before it expires only thing in the timeframe is Westgate properties….but I am a little nervous based on the tug reputation as i have seen it referred to as Wastegate. Are the properties really bad? I am more concerned about the “waste” reference bugs cleanliness ect or is it just the sales and their treatment of resale owners.

Would you feel comfortable sending a bunch of twenty something guys for a week-

Do I need to skip this a find them a Hampton inn somewhere?

Do you have an RCI account? You can probably find a last call 6 weeks out for the same price.

 

[swditz]

Ok so my son is looking to head with friends to Orlando specifically for universal HHN. I have an AC certificate we won’t be using before it expires only thing in the timeframe is Westgate properties….but I am a little nervous based on the tug reputation as i have seen it referred to as Wastegate. Are the properties really bad? I am more concerned about the “waste” reference bugs cleanliness ect or is it just the sales and their treatment of resale owners.

Would you feel comfortable sending a bunch of twenty something guys for a week-

Do I need to skip this a find them a Hampton inn somewhere?

If universal is their destination then Westgate Palace would be a good choice if available. It is one mile from the gate and odd numbered rooms have a great night time view of the park. All rooms are 2 bedroom and most if not all have recently been renovated. This is our home resort with Westgate and we have never had a bad experience. I'm not aware of extra fees there but as owners we have none. I would call before to ask if there are any. (always very clean and never have seen any bugs.)
It is also just off international drive which offers plenty to do. Our kids are all in their 20'a and I wouldn't hesitate to send them.

 

[noreenkate]

If universal is their destination then Westgate Palace would be a good choice if available. It is one mile from the gate and odd numbered rooms have a great night time view of the park. All rooms are 2 bedroom and most if not all have recently been renovated. This is our home resort with Westgate and we have never had a bad experience. I'm not aware of extra fees there but as owners we have none. I would call before to ask if there are any. (always very clean and never have seen any bugs.)
It is also just off international drive which offers plenty to do. Our kids are all in their 20'a and I wouldn't hesitate to send them.

westgate palace location to universal is exactly why we were considering it-

 

[2rebecca]

I've stayed at 3 different Westgate's (Vacation Villas 2015, Smoky Mtns 2020 & Myrtle Beach 2016) and thought they were fine. Would I choose Marriott over them? Yes, but I wouldn't hesitate to go to a Westgate if Marriott wasn't available. My experience is that there are no mandatory resort fees for exchangers. The fees are for hotel guests. I'm assuming getaway purchases might be considered hotel guests, but I'm not positive. IIRC, there was a fee to use wifi at the time for Vacation Villas in Orlando & Myrtle Beach, but there was great cell coverage so I didn't find wifi necessary. I called the resort directly and asked about fees prior to my arrival. The folks were very helpful. I just double-checked my history and Vacation Villas was on an AC. I think most of the negative talk about Westgate is regarding ownership and the sales presentations. I do not attend the sales presentations.

 

[jwalk03]

I have stayed at Westgate Smoky Mountains and really enjoyed it. The sales weasels are brutal so stay away, but otherwise the service was good and the resort was very nice. No fears at all about cleanliness or the like. I do think there was an added fee for WiFi- but we didn't pay it. No other resort fees or parking fees or anything.

 

[noreenkate]

I have stayed at Westgate Smoky Mountains and really enjoyed it. The sales weasels are brutal so stay away, but otherwise the service was good and the resort was very nice. No fears at all about cleanliness or the like. I do think there was an added fee for WiFi- but we didn't pay it. No other resort fees or parking fees or anything.

ohh I would love to try their Smoky Mountains resort- We are close enough to be pass holders at Dollywood but far enough to need an overnight if we stay…DreamMore pricing is off the hook and some of the area hotels are not quite right for us…

 

[jwalk03]

ohh I would love to try their Smoky Mountains resort- We are close enough to be pass holders at Dollywood but far enough to need an overnight if we stay…DreamMore pricing is off the hook and some of the area hotels are not quite right for us…

o yeah it’s a nice resort for sure! And so close to Gatlinburg right on the parkway. I haven’t been there since the fire but I believe they have rebuilt most of it. I see it in interval pretty regularly- usually only as an exchange though, not a getaway.