Westgate runs some of the biggest timeshare-style resorts in the Orlando area, including sprawling villa communities near Disney and tower hotels close to Universal. Nightly rates often look attractive at first glance, but the true cost of a stay can climb once resort fees, deposits, taxes and add ons appear on your bill. This practical guide breaks down the main Westgate properties in Orlando and explains what you can realistically expect to pay for resort fees, parking, Wi Fi, water park access and common extra charges, based on current publicly listed information as of mid 2026.
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Key Westgate Orlando Resorts and How Their Fees Work
In the Orlando area, most visitors encounter three main Westgate complexes: Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa on Turkey Lake Road between Universal and SeaWorld, Westgate Town Center & Westgate Vacation Villas in Kissimmee just west of Walt Disney World, and Westgate Palace Resort near International Drive close to Universal. All of these operate primarily as timeshare resorts but also sell nightly rentals to the general public, which is where resort fees and per stay deposits come into play.
Westgate Lakes is a large lakefront villa resort that markets itself as a full service property with multiple pools, a spa, mini golf and on site dining. Recent resort overview and map materials show free self parking and note that Wi Fi “fees may apply,” which usually indicates that internet access is wrapped into the nightly resort fee for cash guests or may be complimentary for owners. A resort fee is typically charged per room, per night and is added on top of the advertised rate and taxes.
Westgate Town Center and the adjacent Westgate Vacation Villas in Kissimmee operate as one huge complex just a short drive from Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Marketing sheets for Town Center highlight complimentary parking for guests but flag a resort fee as “fees may apply.” Online travel agency listings for Vacation Villas show a nightly resort fee in the low to mid 30 dollar range per accommodation, per night before tax, which is consistent with similar large Orlando condo style resorts.
Westgate Palace, the high rise property near International Drive, is more compact but follows the same pattern. The resort’s own FAQ section confirms that self parking is included as part of the resort fee, rather than being billed separately. That structure means you will see a higher nightly mandatory fee but no separate line for parking, which can make it slightly easier to compare against other high rise hotels on I Drive that charge both a resort fee and daily parking.
Resort Fees: What They Cover and Typical Amounts
Resort fees at Westgate Orlando properties are positioned as covering amenities that go beyond a basic room, such as pool access, fitness facilities, sports courts, Wi Fi, and in some cases limited transportation. For example, an overview page for Westgate Town Center lists a resort fee of just under 30 dollars per night plus tax for cash stays, while a current listing for Westgate Vacation Villas on a major booking site shows a resort fee of a little over 34 dollars per accommodation, per night. These amounts are subject to change, but they give a reasonable working range for budgeting.
At Westgate Palace, the resort states that self parking is included within the resort fee, which implies that the nightly charge is designed to bundle both amenity access and car parking into a single line item. At Town Center and Vacation Villas, parking is typically complimentary and not split out from the fee, but elements like Wi Fi and on site recreation are usually listed as being supported by the resort fee. Westgate Lakes follows a similar model, with a resort fee applying to nightly rentals and a long list of amenities promoted in marketing materials.
In practice, guests paying a 30 to 35 dollar nightly resort fee should expect that charge to be added on a per night basis for each villa or suite reserved. On a seven night stay at Westgate Vacation Villas with a listed resort fee of around 34 dollars plus tax, that would amount to roughly 240 dollars in mandatory fees before tax, on top of the room rate. Taxes in Orange or Osceola County then apply to both the room rate and the resort fee, so the final number on your folio will be higher than a simple nightly rate multiplied by the number of nights.
Timeshare owners using their ownership week often see the resort fee handled differently, for example being reduced, waived or rolled into maintenance dues, but renters booking through Westgate or a third party almost always see the full resort fee added. It is important to check the “price breakdown” or “what is not included” section when booking, since some promotional packages advertise a very low nightly rate while the small print notes that the resort fee is payable at the property on arrival.
Parking, Transportation and Getting Around Costs
One consistent upside at Westgate’s Orlando resorts compared with many non timeshare hotels is that self parking is generally free for registered guests, or included in the resort fee instead of being charged as a daily add on. Official map documents and resort descriptions for Westgate Lakes, Westgate Town Center and Westgate Vacation Villas all refer to complimentary or free self parking, and some mention electric vehicle charging stations on site. At Westgate Palace, the resort clarifies that self parking is included in the resort fee, so you will not see a separate parking line.
For a typical family driving in from elsewhere in Florida or flying into Orlando and picking up a rental car, the absence of a separate per night parking fee can easily save 20 to 35 dollars per night compared with some area hotels that charge both a resort fee and paid parking. Over a five night stay, that can mean a difference of 100 to 175 dollars. Free parking also softens the blow of other Disney and Universal costs, such as daily theme park parking if you are not staying on site with those brands.
Shuttle transportation is more limited and should not be assumed to be free or frequent. Certain Westgate promotional offers mention complimentary shuttles to Universal Orlando or area outlets, while resort descriptions for Westgate Lakes and Town Center reference transportation options in general terms. In practice, many shuttles operate on a schedule, require advance sign up and may charge a nominal fee per person or per day. If you plan to rely on shuttles instead of a rental car, confirm the schedule and any costs before finalizing your booking, as ride share fares across Orlando can add up quickly, especially at park closing time.
Guests arriving without a car should also factor in airport transfer expenses. None of the Orlando Westgate properties currently include free airport transportation as part of the resort fee, so you will need to budget for a taxi, ride share or private shuttle between Orlando International Airport and the resort. For a family of four, two ride share trips between the airport and Westgate Lakes or Town Center, plus occasional rides to the parks if you are not renting a car, can easily exceed 200 dollars over a week.
Deposits, Incidentals and Credit Card Holds
Westgate resorts in Orlando typically require a security deposit or credit card authorization on arrival for nightly rentals. A current general policy example from Westgate Town Center lists a deposit of 50 dollars for credit card payments or 200 dollars for cash, while a major online travel agency listing for Westgate Vacation Villas specifies a security deposit of around 200 dollars per stay. These funds or holds are intended to cover incidentals such as room charges and potential damages and are separate from any advance payment you make for your room and taxes.
If you provide a credit card at check in, the resort will usually place an authorization hold for the stated deposit amount. That hold reduces your available credit until it is released after you check out and the account is finalized. Travelers using debit cards should be particularly cautious, since an authorization on a debit card immediately sets aside those funds in your bank account and it may take several days after checkout for them to become available again. If you prefer to pay the deposit in cash, you will want to confirm the current required amount with the resort before arrival and make sure you receive a receipt at check in and a refund confirmation at check out.
Beyond the generic deposit, specific extras can trigger additional charges. For instance, pet friendly policies at Westgate Vacation Villas and related properties generally involve both a per stay pet fee and a separate refundable deposit. Recent third party listings reference a pet fee and a matching deposit amount in the mid 100 dollar range per stay, although exact figures can vary by promotion and season. Smoking in non smoking villas, excessive cleaning needs or lost keys can also result in additional charges against your deposit or credit card.
Because Westgate operates heavily in the timeshare space, guests may also be invited to put down small deposits on promotional vacation packages or return stays during sales presentations. While some visitors are comfortable with this and feel they receive good value, you should treat any such deposit as a serious financial commitment, read all terms carefully and be aware of cancellation windows set out under Florida law before agreeing.
Wi Fi, Water Parks and Activity Fees
Wi Fi at Westgate Orlando resorts can be a point of confusion, because marketing materials sometimes note that Wi Fi is available but that fees may apply, while resort fee descriptions imply that internet access is one of the included amenities. In practical terms, guests on nightly rental reservations at properties such as Westgate Lakes, Westgate Town Center and Westgate Vacation Villas can generally expect standard Wi Fi access for a reasonable number of devices to be bundled into the resort fee, while higher speed premium options or extra devices may carry a small daily surcharge.
Families are often most focused on water park access. Westgate Town Center and Westgate Vacation Villas feature Shipwreck Island Water Park, a multi level attraction with slides, a lazy river and splash zones. Access policies have evolved over time, but it is common for Westgate to offer a certain amount of discounted or bundled access to water park facilities for overnight guests while also selling day passes. Some packages include water park tickets in the room rate or resort fee, while in other cases, guests pay a separate admission charge per person per day.
Because Shipwreck Island functions as a major attraction in its own right, it is wise to treat potential water park admission as a separate line in your budget unless your reservation confirmation explicitly states that access is included. For a family of four staying three days and planning to use the water park on two of those days, even a modest per person admission fee can add 100 dollars or more to your total vacation cost. The same applies to upgraded experiences like cabana rentals around the water park, which are almost always optional extras billed per day.
Other on site activities, from mini golf at Westgate Lakes to bicycle rentals and arcade credits at various properties, are usually priced a la carte. The resort fee may entitle you to access or discounted play, but rounds of mini golf, equipment rentals or organized kids’ activities often appear as individual charges on your folio. Before letting children freely charge games or rentals to the room, consider setting a daily limit or buying fixed value prepaid cards if available, so that these small extras do not quietly double your expected activity budget.
Food, Drinks, Timeshare Presentations and Other Hidden Costs
Food and beverage spending can be one of the biggest sources of sticker shock at Westgate resorts, particularly because the villas’ kitchens create an impression of savings that does not always materialize if you rely mostly on on site restaurants and pool bars. Westgate Lakes and Town Center advertise multiple dining outlets, from pizza delivery to sports bars and coffee shops, and prices tend to align with mid range hotel dining in Orlando. A few casual meals, specialty coffees and drinks at the pool can add a substantial amount to your bill over a week, especially since these purchases are easy to charge to your villa with a room key.
One way to keep this category under control is to lean into the full kitchen or kitchenette most villas provide. Local supermarket chains and big box stores are a short drive from all the main Westgate Orlando properties, and stocking up on breakfast foods, snacks and simple dinners can significantly reduce your need to eat out every meal. Even replacing just four or five restaurant breakfasts with in room meals can free up 60 to 100 dollars for more memorable experiences such as a special character breakfast inside Walt Disney World or a signature dinner at Universal’s CityWalk.
Timeshare presentations are a distinctive source of potential hidden cost, not because you pay to attend but because you may be offered incentives, such as discounted stays or theme park tickets, in exchange for committing your time. Many visitors report being approached about “owner updates” or preview tours during a Westgate stay. These presentations are usually advertised as lasting around 90 minutes but can take significantly longer, and you may feel pressured to make a purchase or put down a deposit on a future package.
While there is nothing inherently wrong with attending a sales presentation if you are genuinely interested in becoming an owner, you should factor in the time cost and be wary of making big financial decisions in a high pressure environment during your vacation. If the incentive is a discounted three night return stay plus theme park tickets, consider that you may still owe resort fees, taxes and cleaning charges on that return visit, and that any nonrefundable deposits you place that day will reduce your flexibility later.
How Taxes and Promotions Affect Your Final Price
One of the most easily overlooked costs in an Orlando Westgate stay is local tax, which applies not just to the base room rate but also to resort fees and many service charges. Combined state and local hotel tax rates in the Orlando and Kissimmee areas sit in the mid teens percentage wise, so a nightly rate of 200 dollars plus a 34 dollar resort fee can quickly turn into a total nightly cost closer to 270 dollars once taxes are added. Over a six night stay, that difference can amount to several hundred dollars beyond the pre tax math you might do in your head.
Promotional packages can muddy the picture further. Common Westgate promotions around Orlando include low headline prices for three or four night stays bundled with theme park tickets, in exchange for attending a timeshare presentation. The marketing may highlight a total cost such as 399 dollars for three nights plus tickets, but the fine print often explains that resort fees and taxes are not included and must be paid at the resort. That means the true out of pocket cost can end up much closer to the going nightly rate once all mandatory extras and taxes are counted.
If you see language on a promotion or booking confirmation that “resort fees will be paid at the property,” treat that as a red flag that your initial payment is only part of the total. For instance, if your three night special stay is 399 dollars before tax and the resort fee is in the range of 30 to 35 dollars per night plus tax, you may owe roughly an additional 100 to 120 dollars in resort fees and tax when you check in, plus any incidental charges. This is still a discount compared with paying full rack rates and buying tickets separately, but it is not a near free vacation.
Nonrefundable rates with advance purchase discounts are another area where small print matters. Many Westgate offers through both direct channels and online travel agencies emphasize a percentage discount in exchange for prepayment and strict cancellation policies. If you choose one of these rates, be certain you understand the timeline for changes, as resort fees are still due even on discounted stays and date changes may trigger new pricing or penalties. Travel insurance can provide a safety net, but you should confirm whether it covers resort fees and taxes as well as base room costs.
The Takeaway
Westgate’s Orlando resorts offer spacious villas, multiple pools and convenient locations near the major theme parks, but the true cost of a stay is more complex than the nightly rate alone. Resort fees in the 30 to 35 dollar per night range, local hotel taxes, deposits, pet fees, water park admissions and on site food and activity spending can together add hundreds of dollars to your total.
When comparing Westgate against other Orlando options, start by identifying whether parking is included or complimentary, confirm the current resort fee per night and ask exactly what that fee covers. Then think realistically about how your family will use the property. If Shipwreck Island Water Park is a must, build possible admission charges into your budget. If you plan to attend a timeshare sales presentation, treat any incentives as a bonus rather than the foundation of your financial planning.
Above all, read your confirmation email closely, including sections that outline “fees and policies,” and consider calling the specific resort location a week before arrival to verify current resort fees, deposit requirements and water park access rules. A short conversation can help you avoid surprises at check in, leaving you free to focus your energy and budget on the theme parks, attractions and shared experiences that brought you to Orlando in the first place.
FAQ
Q1. Do all Westgate resorts in Orlando charge a resort fee? Most Westgate properties in the Orlando area do charge a nightly resort fee for cash guests, typically in the low to mid 30 dollar range per room, but exact amounts and inclusions can change, so you should always confirm the current fee with the specific resort before your stay.
Q2. Is parking really free at Westgate Orlando resorts? Westgate Lakes, Westgate Town Center and Westgate Vacation Villas generally offer free self parking for registered guests, while Westgate Palace includes self parking as part of the resort fee rather than charging a separate daily parking fee.
Q3. What kind of deposit should I expect at check in? You can usually expect a security deposit or credit card authorization of around 50 dollars if using a credit card or a higher amount, often around 200 dollars, if you choose to pay in cash, with some third party bookings listing a per stay security deposit of about 200 dollars.
Q4. Is Wi Fi included in the resort fee at Westgate Orlando properties? In many cases standard Wi Fi for a reasonable number of devices is effectively bundled into the resort fee, but some properties still describe Wi Fi as having a possible fee and may charge extra for premium speeds or additional devices, so ask at check in how internet access is handled at that specific resort.
Q5. How much does Shipwreck Island Water Park cost for resort guests? Policies vary by season and promotion, but resort guests at Westgate Town Center and Vacation Villas should plan for the possibility of per person admission charges for Shipwreck Island on top of the resort fee unless their reservation explicitly states that water park access is included.
Q6. Are pet fees high at Westgate Vacation Villas and similar resorts? Pet friendly units usually carry both a nonrefundable pet fee and a refundable pet deposit, with recent listings showing combined amounts in the mid 100 dollar range per pet, per stay, so traveling with a dog can noticeably increase your total cost.
Q7. Do Westgate Orlando resorts offer free shuttles to Disney or Universal? Some promotions and properties advertise shuttle service to major parks, but schedules can be limited and certain routes or times may involve small per person fees, so visitors who want reliable flexibility often choose to budget for a rental car or ride share instead.
Q8. Are there extra cleaning or housekeeping charges I should know about? Standard departure cleaning is typically included, but extra services such as daily full housekeeping, mid stay deep cleans or excessive cleaning after pets or large groups can result in additional fees that are charged to your credit card or taken from your deposit.
Q9. How do timeshare presentations affect the cost of my stay? Presentations themselves are marketed as free and sometimes come with incentives such as discounted nights or park tickets, but you are still responsible for paying resort fees, taxes and any required package deposits, so the overall cost can be higher than the headline offer suggests if you do not read the fine print.
Q10. What is the best way to avoid bill surprises at a Westgate resort? The most effective approach is to request a written breakdown of resort fees, parking policies, deposits, water park access rules and any other regular charges before arrival, then review your folio at least once during your stay so you can resolve any questions while you are still on property.