Westgate Leisure Resort

[txweasel]

I bought a 1BR TS with Leisure Resorts (RVS at Orlando II) back in 2002, about a year before Westgate purchased Leisure Resorts. I'm sure my purchase at the time can be critiqued in a variety of ways, or maybe I should have tried to get out when Westgate bought Leisure... but that's all water under the bridge. The facts are: I am now a Westgate owner, my loan has been paid off for nearly 20 years, and my M&T have always been paid and are up to date. In other words, I like to think I'm an owner in good standing.

I've used the TS sporadically throughout the years (including some RCI exchanges way back), but lots of real life stuff have kept me from using it for the past 10+years. I'm now in the process of re-educating myself on everything (thank you TUGBBS). I'm not necessarily trying to get rid of it or anything (though perhaps I will determine that's the best decision). For now, I'm just trying to start using it again.

It's pretty easy to find negatives about Westgate, whether in TUG threads or Facebook or other places. However, those negative experiences often deal with people in the purchase process or dealing with resale or whatever. As a long-time owner with an account in good standing, is Westgate actually a decent company to be with? In my years away, I have I missed out on any big negative changes that might even impact a long-time owner like me?

The answers above may help inform my next question. I recently got a letter from Westgate offering an "ownership upgrade" that is "completely complimentary". Elsewhere, they are offering to "elevate my ownership at no additional cost". It mentions upgrading to either Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa or Westgate Vacation Villas. The letter also mentions getting 2-BR accommodations (though my current TS is a 1-BR). When I see something that's "complimentary" from a timeshare company, I get (justifiably) skeptical. And I get even more skeptical when it's "upgraded" resorts and accommodation size. Is this just the usual bait-and-switch method of getting me in the door so they can get me to buy more? Or is there something else going on? The letter specifically mentions this being offered to Westgate Leisure owners. Is there something potentially going on with this resort, specifically? I know it's pretty small in relation to Westgate's other resorts. It only has 42 units, and only 3 of those are 1BR. Why would they want to offload those owners elsewhere?

Anyways... I'd appreciate any feedback, thoughts, or brainstorms anyone might have. I know I can just call Westgate Developer Services and get the "curated" details they want to share. But I'd like to have all available info at my disposal before I make that call.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Wes

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

I personally wouldn't put any more time or money into any Wastegate Timeshare. You should find out if they're willing to take it off of your plate and be permanently done with it. In any event I would not advise "upgrading" what you own.

My advice would be to just give it away if you find Wastegate won't take it back.

TUG does have a Forum where "Free Timeshares" may be posted.

Best of luck!












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[alexinorlando]

I bought a 1BR TS with Leisure Resorts (RVS at Orlando II) back in 2002, about a year before Westgate purchased Leisure Resorts. I'm sure my purchase at the time can be critiqued in a variety of ways, or maybe I should have tried to get out when Westgate bought Leisure... but that's all water under the bridge. The facts are: I am now a Westgate owner, my loan has been paid off for nearly 20 years, and my M&T have always been paid and are up to date. In other words, I like to think I'm an owner in good standing.

I've used the TS sporadically throughout the years (including some RCI exchanges way back), but lots of real life stuff have kept me from using it for the past 10+years. I'm now in the process of re-educating myself on everything (thank you TUGBBS). I'm not necessarily trying to get rid of it or anything (though perhaps I will determine that's the best decision). For now, I'm just trying to start using it again.

It's pretty easy to find negatives about Westgate, whether in TUG threads or Facebook or other places. However, those negative experiences often deal with people in the purchase process or dealing with resale or whatever. As a long-time owner with an account in good standing, is Westgate actually a decent company to be with? In my years away, I have I missed out on any big negative changes that might even impact a long-time owner like me?

The answers above may help inform my next question. I recently got a letter from Westgate offering an "ownership upgrade" that is "completely complimentary". Elsewhere, they are offering to "elevate my ownership at no additional cost". It mentions upgrading to either Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa or Westgate Vacation Villas. The letter also mentions getting 2-BR accommodations (though my current TS is a 1-BR). When I see something that's "complimentary" from a timeshare company, I get (justifiably) skeptical. And I get even more skeptical when it's "upgraded" resorts and accommodation size. Is this just the usual bait-and-switch method of getting me in the door so they can get me to buy more? Or is there something else going on? The letter specifically mentions this being offered to Westgate Leisure owners. Is there something potentially going on with this resort, specifically? I know it's pretty small in relation to Westgate's other resorts. It only has 42 units, and only 3 of those are 1BR. Why would they want to offload those owners elsewhere?

Anyways... I'd appreciate any feedback, thoughts, or brainstorms anyone might have. I know I can just call Westgate Developer Services and get the "curated" details they want to share. But I'd like to have all available info at my disposal before I make that call.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Wes

You definitely are in the right place.

Westgate usually does not offer this type of upgrade for free. However because this resort is a very small and lowkey property compared to Westgate’s other resorts, the offer is most likely legit because westgate may have other plans for this property. My opinion is they are trying to sell off some or all the assets to this property. Probably more valuable as an apartment complex or whole ownership condos. Or as a tear down and build something bigger and better.

Westgate has done this with some similar older resorts in the past (one or two that I remember that ended up being in a very bad part of town near Americana ave and Orange blossom trail, forgot the names).

In my opinion they are willing to upgrade you to something similar or better in one of the other bigger resorts they have like Westgate Lakes or Towncenter. I would do it. Maybe even ask if it can be somewhere else that you would like to have a week at. Just make sure to look at the maintenance and taxes of the new property you are willing to take. And make sure it’s something you are comfortable with. The two big resorts in orlando lakes & towncenter / villas are very nice and well managed properties.

 

[iftravel]

You definitely are in the right place.

Westgate usually does not offer this type of upgrade for free. However because this resort is a very small and lowkey property compared to Westgate’s other resorts, the offer is most likely legit because westgate may have other plans for this property. My opinion is they are trying to sell off some or all the assets to this property. Probably more valuable as an apartment complex or whole ownership condos. Or as a tear down and build something bigger and better.

Westgate has done this with some similar older resorts in the past (one or two that I remember that ended up being in a very bad part of town near Americana ave and Orange blossom trail, forgot the names).

In my opinion they are willing to upgrade you to something similar or better in one of the other bigger resorts they have like Westgate Lakes or Towncenter. I would do it. Maybe even ask if it can be somewhere else that you would like to have a week at. Just make sure to look at the maintenance and taxes of the new property you are willing to take. And make sure it’s something you are comfortable with. The two big resorts in orlando lakes & towncenter / villas are very nice and well managed properties.

Agreed on Westgate’s motive but still doesn’t make sense to upgrade even for free. Ask if they will take it back for free or even better wait till they close this property and get paid if you know what’s going to happen. Those “better” resorts in Orlando are super easy to rent below maintenance fee if you have an II or RCI account so just don’t bother.

Since you bought retail, I imagine Westgate has an internal trade system for you to book other properties? Or learn to use RCI or II to exchange your units externally for unlimited possibilities.

 

[txweasel]

All three of you hit on thoughts I've had in my head. What seems to make the most sense is that they have other plans for that property. They'd rather "upgrade" me (and other Leisure owners) for free than have to send me a check and watch me sail off into the sunset. But... that's all just a guess. I definitely need to dig into things a bit more on internal exchanges and II. I setup an II account last week, so that's a start.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[goodbyewg]

I'm not sure about their plans for the property, and the fact that they say it's free is interesting, but keep in mind the maintenance and taxes for the bigger resorts can be more expensive as well. The first thing I would check is how much MT is for your current unit and how much it'd be for the Lakes or Villas. And don't ask anybody in sales, call the customer service team.

You can exchange into any other Westgate property for just $169. Yeah, the availability isn't the same, but I think in the long run it would be worth it. If Westgate does plan on selling the Leisure Resort, then that would be a big win for you, unless you really want to keep the timeshare for life, which is what will happen if you decide to upgrade.

 

[txweasel]

And don't ask anybody in sales, call the customer service team.

I'm further highlighting my ignorance here... the letter says to call "Westgate Developer Services". Are they on the sales side or something else? The name doesn't really help me much.

 

[goodbyewg]

I'm further highlighting my ignorance here... the letter says to call "Westgate Developer Services". Are they on the sales side or something else? The name doesn't really help me much.

You can call the regular customer service line since you're still a Westgate Owner and ask those sorts of questions, I don't mean in relation to the upgrade but rather to get information about maintenance and taxes and such

 

[theo]

... the letter says to call "Westgate Developer Services". Are they on the sales side or something else?

My only thought is that no matter who you speak with on the phone representing Westgate regarding this “upgrade opportunity”, such verbal “information” may well be incomplete, inaccurate, misleading — or all three. The only “information” that I would ever believe from Westgate would be something expressed in writing, clearly and precisely spelling out all pertinent details. Anything and everything conveyed verbally (beyond simple owner questions regarding billing and maintenance fees) is basically just meaningless noise floating briefly around in the air.

 

[goodbyewg]

My only thought to share is that no matter who you speak with on the phone representing Westgate, that verbal “information” may very well be incomplete, inaccurate, misleading — or all three. The only “information” that I would ever believe from Westgate would be something expressed in writing, clearly and precisely spelling out all pertinent details. Anything and everything they might convey verbally is just meaningless noise floating briefly around in the air.

The customer service team is not going to lie to you about how much maintenance and tax costs. The worst thing they'll do is not disclose the amount for MT for another resort you don't own at due to the fact that you don't own there, but it's not that big of a secret. Nowadays a 2-bedroom at Westgate Lakes is about $1400-1500 a year Their calls are all recorded and can be subpoenaed in court. This goes for any call to the corporate office. The most they'll do is withhold information you don't ask for. The salespeople are the ones that get away with lying because the conversations aren't recorded and nothing they promise will ever be in writing.

But if you want to be extra careful, you can definitely try to request an e-mail to be sent with the information