Picking the right home base in Orlando can make or break a theme park trip. Westgate runs several large, family-focused resorts clustered around Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, each with different strengths for park access, water fun and room layouts. This guide breaks down the major Westgate options around Orlando so you can match the right property to your style of theme park vacation.
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Understanding Westgate’s Orlando Footprint
Westgate’s Orlando-area resorts are concentrated in two main zones: the International Drive corridor between Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, and the Kissimmee area just west of Disney’s main entrance. In practical terms, that means you can choose to be almost equidistant from Disney and Universal, or to base yourself very close to Walt Disney World for early-morning rope drops and mid-day breaks.
The three most theme-park-friendly Westgate properties for most travelers are Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa on Turkey Lake Road, Westgate Town Center Resort and the adjoining Westgate Vacation Villas near the Disney Maingate West area, and Westgate Palace just behind International Drive near Universal Orlando. All three are large, condo-style resorts with villa-style accommodations and multiple pools, but they differ significantly in distance to parks, water park offerings and overall feel.
Most Westgate Orlando properties market themselves heavily to families and timeshare owners, with frequent promotions that can bring nightly rates down compared with many name-brand condo resorts nearby. In high summer and popular school holiday periods, it is common to see studio or one-bedroom units at Westgate Town Center or Westgate Lakes priced in a similar range to a standard room at a Disney moderate resort, while providing far more space and in-room kitchens. Travelers should, however, factor in daily resort fees and parking charges that can add a noticeable amount to the final bill.
Transportation is another dividing line. Westgate offers scheduled shuttles from key resorts to the major theme parks, but these run on fixed timetables and typically require advance reservations. If you plan on many rope-drop mornings and late-night fireworks, having a rental car or relying on rideshares such as Uber and Lyft often provides more flexibility than the included shuttles.
Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa: Best For Splitting Time Between Parks
Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa sits on Turkey Lake Road just off Interstate 4, between Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World. Resort information from Westgate notes that the property is about 1.5 miles from SeaWorld Orlando, roughly 2 miles from Universal Orlando and approximately 6 miles from Walt Disney World’s main entrance. In real-world driving terms, that often means a 10 to 15 minute drive to Universal on typical days and around 15 to 20 minutes to most Disney parks, not counting security and parking tram time.
This central location makes Westgate Lakes a strong pick if your itinerary splits fairly evenly between Universal and Disney. For example, a family planning four days at Disney, two at Universal and a day at SeaWorld might appreciate that no single destination is far away. It can also work well for convention travelers attending events at the nearby Orange County Convention Center who want family staying at the resort to have easy theme park access.
In addition to its position, Westgate Lakes functions as a full-scale resort village. Westgate highlights multiple pools dotted across the property, a spa, mini golf, sports courts and a large pirate-themed Treasure Cove Water Park with slides, a lazy river and water play areas. Access to that water park is typically an extra charge per person, though package deals and promotions sometimes include admission or discounts. Families who want on-site water fun without driving to a separate water park like Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon often find themselves spending one or two full non-park days here.
The tradeoff at Westgate Lakes is that, while it is close to everything, it is not within walking distance of theme parks and does not have the immersive Disney or Universal theming that on-site hotels provide. Guests who want to rely solely on shuttles may find the fixed schedules limiting, especially for midday breaks. However, for travelers with a car who value space, amenities and central access to multiple parks, Westgate Lakes is often the most balanced Orlando Westgate choice.
Westgate Town Center & Vacation Villas: Best For Disney-Focused Families and Water Park Fans
Westgate Town Center Resort and the adjacent Westgate Vacation Villas complex sit along Westgate Boulevard in Kissimmee, just west of the Walt Disney World Resort. Westgate’s own resort overview materials describe Town Center as approximately 1 mile from Disney’s main entrance area, putting it among the closest off-site condo-style resorts to the parks. In normal traffic, it often takes about 10 minutes or less to reach Disney’s Animal Kingdom parking toll plaza and only a bit longer to reach the Transportation and Ticket Center for the Magic Kingdom.
Because of this proximity, Town Center and Vacation Villas are the clear Westgate winners for families who are primarily interested in Walt Disney World. A typical use case might be a seven-night stay with five or six days at Disney parks and perhaps a single day at Universal or SeaWorld. The ability to get from your villa to Disney early for 8 a.m. openings, return to the resort for naps and pool time in the afternoon, then head back for nighttime shows is a key practical advantage compared with more distant properties.
On-site, Westgate Town Center distinguishes itself with the substantial Shipwreck Island Water Park. Westgate highlights this multi-story, pirate-themed complex as a central amenity, with water slides, a lazy river, splash zones and a large pool deck. Access is generally not included in the basic room rate; guests pay a separate per-person fee or book packages that bundle water park admission. For families who expect to build in non-park days, this often feels like a good value compared with paying for a full day at an off-site water park, especially if some members of the group prefer to stay in the villa and join intermittently.
Accommodation types at Town Center and Vacation Villas range from compact studios to large four-bedroom villas, sometimes sleeping up to 12 or more guests. Many units include full kitchens, dining areas and in-unit laundry, which can substantially reduce meal and luggage costs for longer stays. Guest reviews often highlight the ability to cook breakfast before heading to Disney and to throw park-worn clothes straight into the washer at night. In peak school holiday periods, it is common to find multi-bedroom villas at Town Center that run less per person than booking multiple standard hotel rooms closer in.
Westgate Palace: Best For Universal-Focused Trips on a Condo Budget
Westgate Palace is a high-rise, all-suite hotel positioned just off Carrier Drive near International Drive, a short distance from Universal Orlando. Hotel overviews and mapping tools consistently place it within a few minutes’ drive of Universal, and many guests report being able to reach Universal’s parking garages in roughly 5 to 10 minutes by car, depending on traffic. That makes Westgate Palace the most convenient Westgate property for travelers whose main focus is Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.
The property is oriented more like a traditional high-rise condominium than a sprawling villa resort. Suites tend to be two-bedroom condo-style units with living rooms and kitchens rather than standard hotel rooms. For a group of four adults planning three or four full days at Universal, this layout often works well, as everyone gets more space and the option to cook simple meals without paying on-site theme park hotel prices.
Westgate Palace does not have a full-scale water park like the Town Center complex, but it typically offers a central pool, small kids’ areas and basic resort amenities. For guests spending most of their water time at Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme park, which is a short drive away, this may not be a drawback. The tradeoff is that if you want frequent Disney days, you will face longer drives or shuttle rides of around 25 to 35 minutes each way, depending on which Disney park you target and current traffic.
Travelers weighing Westgate Palace against staying on-site at Universal should consider the value of early park admission and walking or boat access that Universal hotels provide. For some first-time visitors, those on-site perks are compelling enough to justify higher nightly rates. For others, particularly longer stays or trips with larger families, the extra living space and lower per-night cost of a Westgate Palace suite can outweigh the loss of on-site benefits.
Theme Park Transportation, Parking and Daily Logistics
Transportation logistics can have as much impact on your trip as the resort itself. Westgate markets free or included scheduled shuttles from key Orlando properties such as Westgate Lakes and Westgate Town Center to major theme parks including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld. These typically operate on fixed morning and evening schedules and often require same-day or day-before reservations via the concierge or activities desk.
In practice, guests using these shuttles should be prepared for specific departure and return windows, which may not perfectly align with park hours, dining reservations or nighttime shows. For example, a typical pattern might include two or three morning departures to Disney and one or two returns before closing, leaving limited flexibility for midday breaks. Families with small children who value the ability to leave the park in the afternoon, nap and return for nighttime events often find that renting a car or planning for rideshare trips makes the day smoother, especially during hot, crowded months.
Parking at Westgate resorts usually carries a daily fee, and most theme parks charge for parking as well unless you hold certain passes or status levels. When comparing costs, it is helpful to total your full transportation budget, including resort parking, theme park parking and any rideshare spending. A party of four that plans to visit parks on six out of seven days may find that a rental car is cost-effective and far more flexible, while a couple planning only two or three park days might be comfortable relying on a mix of shuttles and rideshares.
Within the larger Kissimmee properties, Westgate also operates internal transport such as the Westgate Express train that circles dining venues and amenities on certain days and hours. While this is more of a convenience feature than a true transportation solution, it can be useful for families with small children or older relatives who would rather not walk the full length of the resort after a long day in the parks.
Water Parks, Pools and Family Amenities Compared
One of the main reasons families choose Westgate over a standard hotel room is the breadth of on-site water and recreation amenities, which can save money compared with visiting separate attractions on non-park days. The standout in this category is Shipwreck Island Water Park at Westgate Town Center and Vacation Villas, a multi-story, pirate-themed complex with slides, splash areas and a lazy river. It is large enough that many families dedicate at least one full day of their trip to enjoying the water park, returning to their villa for meals and downtime.
Westgate Lakes counters with Treasure Cove Water Park, another pirate-inspired water area featuring slides, a lazy river and interactive water play structures. While slightly different in layout, it serves a similar purpose: giving guests a resort-level water park without leaving the property. This can be particularly valuable for arrival and departure days when you may not want to use a full-price theme park ticket but still want the kids to burn off energy.
Beyond the water parks, Westgate’s Orlando resorts emphasize family activities such as mini golf, playgrounds, sports courts, arcades and organized events. At Town Center, it is common to see families renting pedal boats on the resort’s lake, catching family movie nights or joining simple crafts sessions in dedicated activity centers. At Westgate Lakes, similar programming often includes poolside games and kids’ activities that fill time between park days without additional admission fees.
For families traveling with toddlers or grandparents, the combination of on-site water play, playgrounds and quieter pool areas can be as important as theme park proximity. A typical multi-generational group might send the most enthusiastic parkgoers to rope drop at Disney while others stay behind to enjoy the resort’s water park, meet up for lunch in the villa and then decide in the afternoon whether to head to a park or remain on property.
Room Types, Kitchens and Budget Considerations
All three main Orlando-area Westgate resorts discussed here emphasize villa-style accommodations, but the specifics vary. At Town Center and Vacation Villas, units range from simple studios to expansive multi-bedroom layouts. Studios usually offer a small kitchenette with a mini-fridge and microwave, while one-bedroom and larger villas often include full kitchens with ovens, full-size refrigerators and dishwashers. For a family of five or six staying a full week, the ability to cook breakfast and a few dinners can significantly reduce overall trip costs compared with dining in the parks for every meal.
Westgate Lakes follows a similar model with studios and multi-bedroom villas spread across several buildings. Many of these villas feature separate living and sleeping areas, balconies overlooking the lake or resort grounds, and washer/dryer units. Guests who prefer to spread out after crowded park days frequently cite this extra living space as a key reason to choose a villa resort rather than a traditional hotel room. It is also helpful for families with young children who go to bed early while adults want to stay up and relax without sitting silently in the dark.
Westgate Palace, while more vertical in design, offers condo-style suites, often with two bedrooms and a central living and kitchen area. This can make it especially attractive to groups of friends visiting Universal who want to share a space but still have private sleeping rooms. When comparing nightly rates, travelers should remember to factor in the value of in-unit laundry, which can allow them to pack lighter and avoid airline baggage fees or mid-trip laundry services.
Pricing at Westgate resorts fluctuates widely based on season, promotions and whether you are booking directly, through travel agencies or using timeshare owner inventory. In general, you can expect higher rates during U.S. school holidays, major convention weeks and peak summer periods, and more competitive rates in late August, September and many weekdays outside of spring break and winter holidays. Because resort fees and parking charges are common, always check the full cost breakdown before finalizing your booking.
The Takeaway
Choosing the best Westgate resort in Orlando for a theme park trip comes down to your primary park focus, transportation preferences and how much value you place on on-site water fun and villa-style space. If your trip balances Disney, Universal and SeaWorld in roughly equal measure and you want a central base with extensive amenities, Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa is often the most versatile option, placing you within a short drive of every major park while offering a full slate of pools, activities and a substantial water park.
If Walt Disney World is the heart of your vacation and you envision early mornings at Magic Kingdom, mid-day breaks and evening fireworks, Westgate Town Center and the connected Westgate Vacation Villas are hard to beat within the Westgate portfolio. Their proximity to Disney’s western entrance and the presence of Shipwreck Island Water Park, large villas and family programming make them particularly well suited for Disney-centric, multi-generational or longer stays.
For trips centered on Universal Orlando, particularly for adults or older teens who prioritize roller coasters, CityWalk nightlife and Volcano Bay, Westgate Palace’s high-rise suites close to Universal can provide a budget-friendly condo alternative to on-site hotels. In every case, planning your transportation strategy, realistic daily schedules and non-park days in advance will help you choose the Westgate property that transforms your Orlando theme park vacation from simply manageable to genuinely relaxing.
FAQ
Q1. Which Westgate resort in Orlando is best overall for a mixed Disney and Universal trip?
Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa generally works best for a mixed itinerary, because its location between Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando keeps drive times to both sets of parks relatively short while still offering a large water park and full resort amenities.
Q2. Which Westgate resort is closest to Walt Disney World?
Westgate Town Center Resort and the adjoining Westgate Vacation Villas are typically the closest Westgate properties to Walt Disney World, sitting around a mile from the Disney Maingate West entrance area, which makes them ideal for Disney-focused vacations.
Q3. Which Westgate resort is most convenient for Universal Orlando?
Westgate Palace, located just behind International Drive near Universal, is usually the most convenient Westgate property for Universal trips, with short drives or rideshares to the Universal parking garages and relatively quick access to both theme parks and CityWalk.
Q4. Do Westgate resorts in Orlando offer free transportation to Disney and Universal?
Westgate typically provides scheduled shuttle transportation from key resorts like Westgate Lakes and Westgate Town Center to major theme parks, but the shuttles run on fixed timetables, may require advance reservations and do not usually offer the same flexibility as having your own car or using rideshares.
Q5. Which Westgate resort has the best on-site water park?
Westgate Town Center and Westgate Vacation Villas feature Shipwreck Island Water Park, a sizeable pirate-themed complex that is often considered the flagship water park in the Westgate Orlando portfolio, while Westgate Lakes offers the similarly themed Treasure Cove Water Park that many families also find impressive.
Q6. Are the Westgate water parks included in the room rate?
Access to Shipwreck Island and Treasure Cove is generally not included in standard room rates, and guests usually pay a separate per-person admission fee or book special packages that bundle water park entry with their stay, so it is important to confirm current policies when budgeting.
Q7. How do Westgate villa accommodations compare to staying in a standard hotel room?
Westgate villas and suites typically provide more square footage, separate living and sleeping areas, full or partial kitchens and, in many cases, in-unit laundry, which can be especially valuable for longer stays or larger groups compared with a typical hotel room that offers only a single sleeping space.
Q8. Is it worth renting a car if I stay at a Westgate resort in Orlando?
Many guests find that renting a car is worthwhile, as it allows flexible arrival and departure times at the parks, easier midday breaks and direct access to grocery stores and restaurants, though travelers planning only a few park days may be comfortable combining Westgate shuttles with occasional rideshares.
Q9. Are Westgate resorts a good option for large or multi-generational families?
Yes, the multi-bedroom villas, full kitchens, laundry facilities and on-site water parks make Westgate Town Center, Vacation Villas and Westgate Lakes especially appealing to larger or multi-generational families who want shared living space and a variety of activities without leaving the property every day.
Q10. How should I choose between Westgate Lakes and Westgate Town Center for a first Orlando visit?
If your first trip involves both Disney and Universal, Westgate Lakes’ central location can be more convenient, while if your plans are mostly Disney-focused and you want the shortest drives and a major on-site water park, Westgate Town Center and Vacation Villas are usually the better fit.