Westgate Resorts Timeshare Presentation – Westgate Lakes Orlando

2024-12-12 - Tags: #Timeshares #Saving Money #Travel

Save 87% on a luxury Orlando stay! My 3-night vacation at Westgate Lakes Resort cost only $95.13. That's an 87% discount from the normal rack rate of $725.61! With no taxes or resort fees, and a $50 gift card in hand, this timeshare presentation was totally worth it!

If you're considering attending a timeshare presentation to snag a discounted hotel stay, here's what you need to know from my experience at Westgate Lakes Orlando. I was originally intriduced to this preview opportunity via Instagram advertisements. They boasted a 3 night stay in Orlando for only $99, with a $50 giftcard upon completion of the presentation. Since the normal cost of 3 nights at this resort would have been over $700, I thought "why not?". Here's the breakdown of what happened and some tips for your visit.

The Setup

The resort they assigned us was Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa Orlando, conveniently close to Disney World. We stayed in a studio room featuring a king bed, full sleeper sofa, kitchenette (microwave and mini fridge), full bath with a glass shower stall, and a jetted tub. The highlight? Actually using the Jacuzzi tub, it was surprisingly nice. The room also included a private balcony.

A big perk: ZERO taxes or resort fees were due on check-in. The only requirement was attending the timeshare tour on April 12, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Westgate Preview Center. Missing the tour or failing to meet qualifications would result in a $500 fee, so make sure to show up prepared.

The Preview Center, Presentation, and Tour

The tour location was the Westgate Preview Center which was a separate section of the resort towards the south side which you needed to drive to or take a shuttle. When we walked into the preview center, we showed our IDs and were take to the breakfast bar. Breakfast turned out to be a bit disappointing: cereal, packaged muffins, danishes, eggs, sausage, and "roasted" potatoes that were far from appetizing. (By the time we left, they were serving lunch, which consisted of chili cheese hot dogs which were way better than breakfast. I would know because I grabbed two on the way out.)

The presentation itself wasn't overly high-pressure but did run much longer than the promised 90 minutes. My rookie mistake? Not setting an alarm to stick to the timeline. Because of this, the tour stretched to about 2.5-3 hours. Part of the presentation included a golf cart ride to a nearby condo building, billed as the resort's quietest. They showed off a quaint pool and one of the condos. This portion of the tour eats up time, so I recommend trying to start it early. Once you're on the golf cart, you're committed until it's over.

After we declined the initial offer, the "closer" stepped in, followed by the "guy from corporate." This corporate rep offered a sampler package, a cheaper, short-term timeshare trial for a couple thousand dollars. We turned that down too.

The Gift and Final Cost

I ended up paying $145.13 total out of pocket to book this package after taxes and fees. At the end of the tour, we received a $50 gift card, bringing our total out-of-pocket cost for the stay down to $95.13. For a 3-night vacation in Orlando with no extra fees, this was an incredible deal. There's other offers out there with other combinations of gifts and prices, including tickets to Universal Studios Orlando or other giftcards and tickets.

The Resort itself

Westgate Lakes Orlando is a sprawling property with plenty of amenities. One standout feature is the Treasure Cove Water Park, which boasts wave pools, waterslides, splash pads, and lazy rivers. Keep in mind, though, that this isn't included in your stay. You'll need to pay extra if you want access.

Key Tips

Set an Alarm: Stick to the 90-minute timeline by politely excusing yourself when it's time.
Request the Golf Cart Tour Early: This part of the presentation can significantly extend your time commitment.
Prepare for Multiple Offers: Expect a "closer" and a "corporate guy" to try different pitches. If you're not interested, stay firm.

In summary, if you're organized and can handle a few hours of sales pitches, Westgate's timeshare presentation is a great way to enjoy an 87% discount off a resort stay. With some planning, you can make the most of the experience while keeping costs to a minimum.