Look, I'm gonna be honest with you — I've sat through more timeshare presentations then I care to admit. And Westgate Resorts? They're the ones that started it all for me. One random Tuesday I saw a Facebook ad for a 3-night Orlando stay at $49 and thought "there's absolutley no way this is real." Spoiler alert: it was real. Very real. And now I'm basically addicted to these deals like they're some kind of vacation crack.
If your reading this, you probably saw a similar ad and your BS detector went off. Good — that means your smart. But let me walk you through everything Westgate offers, what the catch is, and how to squeeze every last drop of value out of these deals. Check out current Westgate deals on our site before they disappear.
1. Who Is Westgate Resorts, Anyway?
Westgate Resorts is one of the largest privately held timeshare companies in the U.S., founded by David Siegel back in 1982. You might know David from that documentary "The Queen of Versailles" where he was building the biggest house in America. Yeah, that guy. Love him or hate him, the man knows how to run a resort empire.
They own over 25 resorts across the country, with heavy concentrations in Orlando, Las Vegas, Gatlinburg, Myrtle Beach, and Park City. Their properties range from "hey, this is actually pretty nice" to "wait, this is a timeshare?" levels of quality. The Orlando Town Center property in particular is genuinely impressive — it's got a waterpark, multiple pools, and rooms bigger than my first apartment.
2. The Deal Structure: What You Actually Get
Here's the basic breakdown of how Westgate deals typically work:
| Deal Type | Typical Price | Nights | Includes | Presentation Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Special | $49-$99 | 3 nights | Room only | Yes (90-120 min) |
| Enhanced Package | $149-$199 | 4-5 nights | Room + attraction tickets | Yes (90-120 min) |
| Premium Getaway | $249-$349 | 5-7 nights | Room + tickets + dining credits | Yes (90-120 min) |
| No-Presentation | $400-$800+ | 3-5 nights | Varies | No |
The sweet spot for most people is that $149-$199 range. You get enough nights to actually enjoy yourself, some tickets to offset entertainment costs, and the presentation is the same length regardless of what package you buy.
3. The Presentation: What to Expect
Alright, let's address the elephant in the room. Yes, you have to sit through a timeshare sales presentation. No, it's not optional. No, you can't just skip it and still get the deal. I've tried. They will literally charge you full rack rate for the room if you no-show.
Here's what the timeline typically looks like: You check in, they tell you about the presentation, you schedule it for the next morning (always do morning — get it over with). You show up, they give you breakfast, a sales rep takes you on a tour of the property, then you sit down and they pitch you on buying a timeshare. They'll show you numbers, monthly payments, "today only" pricing. You say no. They bring in a closer. You say no again. They offer you a "mini" package. You say no a third time. They give you a gift card and send you on your way.
The whole thing takes 90-120 minutes if you're firm. If you waffle, it can stretch to 3+ hours. Pro tip: be polite but firm. "We're not in a position to make a financial decision today" is the magic phrase.
4. Best Westgate Destinations for Deals
Not all Westgate properties are created equal. Here's my completely subjective ranking:
Orlando (Town Center & Lakes Resort): This is the crown jewel. The Town Center has a legitimate waterpark — like, not a sad little splash pad, an actual waterpark with slides and a lazy river. The rooms are spacious, the location is prime (right on I-Drive near the outlets), and the deals here are the cheapest because they have the most inventory to fill.
Gatlinburg (Smoky Mountains): Sleeper pick of the year. The mountain views are stunning, the cabins are cozy, and Gatlinburg itself is this weird, wonderful tourist trap that I unironically love. Where else can you get saltwater taffy and a pancake breakfast at 11pm?
Las Vegas (on the Strip): The Westgate Las Vegas is literally the old Hilton where Elvis used to perform. It's right next to the Convention Center and has a massive pool area. Vegas deals tend to run a bit higher ($99-$149 base) but hey, it's Vegas.
Myrtle Beach: Solid beach property with ocean views. Good for families who want a beach vacation without the South Florida price tag. The mini-golf game in this town is absolutely elite, and I will die on that hill.
Park City, Utah: This is the bougie option. Ski-in/ski-out access, mountain views, the works. Deals are rare and pricier, but if you catch one, you're looking at a $2,000+ value for a fraction of the cost.
5. How to Book the Best Westgate Deal
Here's where the strategy comes in. Westgate deals pop up through multiple channels, and the price varies wildly depending on where you book:
Direct from Westgate: Sometimes they run promos on their website, but honestly, their direct pricing is usually the worst. They'd rather sell through brokers who handle the marketing.
Third-party brokers: This is where the gold is. Sites like BookVIP, GetawayDealz, and others buy blocks of rooms from Westgate at wholesale and resell them to you at a discount. These brokers often have the lowest prices because Westgate gives them volume discounts.
Facebook/Instagram ads: Westgate runs a TON of social media advertising. These deals are legit but sometimes have blackout dates that aren't immediately obvious. Always read the fine print before you book.
6. The Qualification Requirements
This is where some folks get tripped up. Westgate (and all timeshare companies) have qualification requirements you need to meet to get the deal pricing. If you don't meet them, they'll still let you stay, but at a much higher rate. The typical requirements are:
- Must be 25-70 years old (sometimes 28-65)
- Must be married or cohabiting with a partner (both must attend)
- Combined household income of $50,000+ annually
- Must have a valid credit card (not debit)
- Must be a U.S. resident
- Can't have attended a Westgate presentation in the last 12-18 months
Single travelers can sometimes qualify, but expect to pay $20-$50 more and the age requirements are usually tighter (28-65). Always confirm your qualification before booking.
7. Westgate Cruise & Travel Collection
Fun little secret: Westgate isn't just resorts anymore. They launched their Cruise & Travel Collection a few years back, and it offers discounted cruises and hotel stays to timeshare owners and deal-seekers alike. I haven't personally used this service yet, but I've heard from readers that the cruise deals can be genuinely competitive — especially for Caribbean itineraries.
The key thing to understand is that this is seperate from their resort deals. You won't have to sit through a presentation on a cruise (thankfully — imagine being trapped on a boat with a timeshare salesman). These are just discounted travel bookings available to people in their system.
8. Common Complaints (And Are They Valid?)
Let's be real — Westgate isn't perfect. Here are the most common complaints I see:
"The presentation lasted 4 hours!" — Valid, but usually because the person didn't say no firmly enough. Be direct. You're not being rude; you're respecting everyone's time.
"They charged my card the full rate!" — This happens when people don't show up for the presentation. Read the terms. Attend the presentation. Simple.
"The room wasn't as nice as the pictures." — Hit or miss, honestly. Their newer properties (Town Center, Smoky Mountains) are great. Some older properties need updates. Ask which building you'll be in when you check in.
"They were too pushy." — It's a timeshare presentation. They're literally paid to be pushy. Expect it, handle it, and move on to your vacation.
9. Westgate vs. The Competition
How does Westgate stack up against other brands? Pretty well, actually. Their deal pricing is consistently among the lowest in the industry, their properties are generally well-maintained, and they have locations in most major tourist destinations. Where they fall short is in the luxury department — if you want five-star everything, you're better off with Hilton Grand Vacations or Marriott. But for value? Westgate is hard to beat.
10. My Final Verdict on Westgate Deals
If you're comfortable sitting through a presentation and you meet the qualifications, Westgate deals are some of the best values in travel. Period. I've personally saved thousands of dollars over the years by taking advantage of these offers, and the resorts have always been at minimum "solid" quality.
The key is going in with eyes wide open. You WILL be pitched on a timeshare. You WILL need to say no (unless you actually want one, in which case, talk to me first — I have thoughts). But the vacation itself? Totally worth it.
Check out our latest deals page to see what Westgate packages are currently available, and don't forget to read our guide on surviving the presentation before you go.