Picking a Westgate resort near Walt Disney World can feel confusing, especially when the properties sit almost side by side on the same stretch of US‑192. Westgate Towers and Westgate Vacation Villas both promise spacious villas and quick park access, but they deliver very different experiences once you arrive. This comparison breaks down how they stack up on location, resort atmosphere, amenities, room types, and overall value so you can decide which one fits your Orlando trip.
Get the latest updates straight to your inbox!
Disney-Area Location and Getting Around
Both Westgate Towers and Westgate Vacation Villas sit in Kissimmee along West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, roughly 1 mile from the main entrance area of Walt Disney World. In day-to-day terms, that usually translates to a 10 to 15 minute drive to Disney’s Animal Kingdom parking plaza in typical morning traffic, and around 15 to 20 minutes to Magic Kingdom once you factor in the monorail or ferry from the Transportation and Ticket Center. Rideshare fares for a standard Uber or Lyft from either resort to Magic Kingdom often land in the 12 to 20 dollar range one way in non-peak periods, depending on time of day and surge pricing.
Westgate Towers sits slightly closer to the US‑192 / Sherberth Road area that many locals use as an alternate route to Disney, which can shave a few minutes off the commute at busy times. Vacation Villas, meanwhile, is part of the larger Westgate Town Center complex just a bit farther east along 192. Both locations are close enough that you can easily pop back to the resort for a midday break with kids, but neither is walkable to the Disney parks. You will still rely on a car, rideshare, or the resort’s shuttle service, which typically runs on set schedules rather than continuously throughout the day.
For off‑park errands, both properties are within a 5 to 10 minute drive of big-box staples along 192 such as Walmart Supercenter, Target, and Publix supermarkets. This makes stocking the kitchen in a villa simple and is one of the core advantages of staying in Kissimmee over an on‑site Disney moderate resort, where you would be more reliant on food courts and gift shops for snacks and groceries.
If you like to mix Disney days with other attractions, the drive from either resort to Universal Orlando Resort usually falls in the 25 to 35 minute range in normal traffic, and to SeaWorld around 20 to 25 minutes. That makes both Westgate locations practical bases for a broader Central Florida itinerary, not just Disney-only trips.
Smaller Resort Feel vs Sprawling Campus
One of the biggest differences between the two properties is scale. Westgate Towers is a relatively compact resort with three mid-rise buildings, a modest footprint, and a quieter overall vibe. Guests often describe it as feeling more like a standalone condo building with resort-style pools than a giant mega-resort. Walking from your room to the pool, parking area, or lobby usually takes only a few minutes, and you quickly learn your way around.
Westgate Vacation Villas, by contrast, is part of the much larger Westgate Vacation Villas & Town Center complex. The whole campus covers a broad area with dozens of low-rise villa buildings, internal roads, lakes, and multiple recreation zones. That size brings impressive variety but can also feel overwhelming for first timers. Depending on which building you are assigned, walking from your villa to the main Shipwreck Island Water Park, the larger activity centers, or the central lobby can take 10 minutes or more, and many families end up driving from one part of the resort to another just to save time in the heat.
For travelers who prefer a smaller, more manageable environment, Westgate Towers usually wins. Think of a couple on an adults-focused trip who plans to spend most of the day at the parks and only wants a quiet pool and simple amenities when they return at night. At Towers, they can park close to their building, be up in the room quickly, and stroll to the pool in under two minutes. Those same guests at Vacation Villas might find themselves consulting resort maps and following internal shuttle carts during their first days just to figure out where everything is located.
On the flip side, the size of Vacation Villas works in its favor if you view the resort itself as part of the vacation experience. A multigenerational family that plans full resort days with kids might welcome the feeling that they are in a self-contained village, complete with water park, multiple pools, mini golf, swan boats, sports courts, and an on-site movie theater. In that sense, the larger campus can feel like a destination rather than simply a place to sleep between theme park visits.
Shared Amenities and Access Between Resorts
Although Westgate Towers and Westgate Vacation Villas are distinct properties, they are part of the same broader Westgate cluster, and guests at Towers typically have access to many of the amenities at Vacation Villas and the adjacent Westgate Town Center Resort. In practice, that means a Towers guest can enjoy the quieter, smaller feel of their home base but still walk or drive over to Vacation Villas for the headline attractions, such as Shipwreck Island Water Park, the mini golf course, or the larger activity center and dining choices.
Shipwreck Island Water Park, located within the Vacation Villas complex, has become one of the signature draws of the entire Westgate cluster. It features a pirate-ship themed play structure, a lazy river, body slides, and shallow splash zones geared toward younger children. There is an admission fee for the water park that applies even to on-site guests, but Westgate owners often receive discounted or complimentary access. For a family of four, a day using the water park may cost a modest add-on compared with typical Orlando water parks, with pricing that is usually well below the per-person cost of stand-alone parks but still significant enough that you will want to plan ahead and dedicate a full afternoon.
Outside of the water park, Vacation Villas and Town Center together offer around a dozen-plus pools scattered across the property, multiple hot tubs, playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts, bike and swan boat rentals on the lake, and a small on-site movie theater that shows family films. Many of these amenities are included in the nightly resort fee that Vacation Villas charges, which at the time of writing is listed around 29.99 dollars plus tax per night and covers services such as Wi‑Fi, mini golf, movie theater access, bike rentals, and fitness center access.
Westgate Towers itself has three heated outdoor pools and hot tubs, a small game room, a fitness area, and convenient grilling stations, but it does not replicate the full menu of activities available at Vacation Villas. The real advantage comes from the cross-access arrangement: a Towers guest can use their smaller resort as a quiet retreat while treating the neighboring Villas and Town Center amenities as an extended backyard. It is common to see guests at Towers drive or walk the few minutes over to Vacation Villas for a late-afternoon visit to Shipwreck Island or dinner at one of the restaurants, then return to their calmer pool area for a quieter evening swim.
Room Types, Layouts, and Comfort
Both Westgate Towers and Westgate Vacation Villas focus on villa-style accommodations, but the typical layouts and feel differ slightly. At Westgate Towers, the inventory runs from studio-style rooms with kitchenettes up through one- and two-bedroom villas that include full kitchens, separate living areas, and in many cases a jetted tub. These units are designed to feel like compact condos, often with tile floors, neutral decor, and sleeper sofas in the living room. For a couple or a small family of three or four, a one-bedroom at Towers can feel comfortably home-like, especially if you plan to cook simple breakfasts and dinners in the room.
Westgate Vacation Villas, by comparison, offers a wide range of villa sizes, including many two-bedroom units and lockoff configurations that can sleep larger families. A typical two-bedroom villa might include a primary bedroom with king bed and ensuite bath, a second bedroom with two double beds, a full kitchen, dining table, living room with sleeper sofa, and a screened balcony or patio. For a family bringing grandparents along, the lockoff layout allows part of the group to have a bit more privacy, with a mini kitchen and separate entrance for the second bedroom portion.
Because Vacation Villas is a long-running timeshare property with buildings added and renovated over many years, room quality can vary by building and section. Recent reviews frequently note that newer or recently refurbished villas feel modern, with updated flooring, fresher paint, and newer appliances, while some older units show wear in furniture, fixtures, and bathrooms. Travelers booking through hotel-style channels often have less control over which building they receive, so it is worth including a polite note on your reservation or at check-in requesting a renovated unit if available.
At Westgate Towers, the smaller footprint and simpler building lineup can lead to a bit more consistency. While decor still leans traditional rather than trendy boutique style, you are less likely to face extreme variation from one building to another. For guests who prioritize a predictable condo-style space over on-site spectacle, that steadier experience can be a meaningful advantage.
Dining, Groceries, and Everyday Convenience
When it comes to food and drink, Westgate Vacation Villas and the attached Town Center act as the main hub. Within the complex you will find multiple casual dining options such as a pizza place that delivers directly to villas, a sports bar-style restaurant, pool bars, and quick-service counters near the water park. There is also a small on-site marketplace where you can pick up basic groceries, snacks, and grab-and-go breakfast items like pastries and coffee. Prices in the marketplace are higher than in off-site supermarkets, but the convenience of grabbing milk or cereal without leaving property can be valuable on a busy park morning.
Westgate Towers, being smaller, leans more on shared dining options in the neighboring resorts and the surrounding 192 corridor. Guests often walk or drive the short distance to Town Center to eat at its main restaurants, or they simply cross the highway to one of the many chain options that line 192: everything from budget-friendly fast food and inexpensive buffets to sit-down chains like Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, or local independent spots. For families watching costs, stocking up at the nearby Walmart Supercenter or Publix and cooking in the villa kitchens can dramatically lower the overall food budget compared with eating inside Walt Disney World.
An example many budget-conscious families follow is to cook a simple breakfast in the villa, such as eggs, toast, and fruit, then pack snacks from the supermarket for the parks and plan one main meal inside Disney each day. The full-size fridge and stove in both Towers and Vacation Villas villas make this straightforward. For a family of four staying a week, that approach can save several hundred dollars compared with buying three meals a day inside the theme parks or at sit-down restaurants every night.
Another everyday convenience at both properties is free self-parking. While some Orlando resorts have introduced daily parking charges on top of resort fees, Westgate’s Orlando villa properties have generally continued to include self-parking in the base rate and nightly resort fee structure. For families driving in from elsewhere in Florida or the Southeast, the ability to park multiple times per day at no extra charge makes midday park breaks and grocery runs less stressful.
Value for Money and Who Each Resort Suits Best
Pricing for Westgate Towers and Westgate Vacation Villas fluctuates widely by season, promotions, and whether you are staying as a hotel guest or an owner using a timeshare week. In many periods, standard hotel-style bookings for a one-bedroom villa at Towers can be comparable to, or slightly lower than, similar space at Vacation Villas, though the Villas complex may offer more frequent package deals that include water park access or ticket bundles. Nightly resort fees at both properties add a predictable extra charge, so always factor that into your comparisons alongside base rates and cleaning fees if applicable.
For value-focused travelers, Westgate Vacation Villas often delivers more “resort for the money” if you plan to spend significant time on property. Consider a family of five planning a week-long stay: at Vacation Villas they might book a two-bedroom villa, spend two full days enjoying Shipwreck Island Water Park, mini golf, sports courts, and the on-site movie theater, and only visit Disney parks three days out of the week. By treating the resort amenities as part of the vacation, they effectively reduce the number of pricey theme park days while still keeping the kids entertained, which can be a smart compromise when tickets now run well over one hundred dollars per person per day for popular dates.
Westgate Towers tends to shine for travelers who prioritize simplicity and a quieter environment but still want more space than a typical hotel room. A couple visiting during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, for example, might appreciate having a full kitchen and living room at Towers while spending most of their waking hours in the parks or at Disney Springs. They can enjoy a swim in the relatively uncrowded Towers pool in the evening without feeling like they are missing out on a giant water park or long list of scheduled resort activities.
One important value consideration for both properties is the presence of timeshare sales operations. Deeply discounted stay offers through third-party promotions or mailers often require attendance at a timeshare presentation, which can run longer than the advertised 90 minutes. Some travelers are comfortable trading a half-day of vacation time to secure a low per-night rate, while others prefer to pay a bit more to avoid sales pitches entirely. If you accept a discounted offer, go in with clear boundaries on your time and budget, or choose standard hotel-style bookings through mainstream travel sites if you do not want to engage with sales presentations at all.
Practical Tips for Choosing Between Them
When deciding between Westgate Towers and Westgate Vacation Villas, start by honestly assessing how you plan to use your resort days. If your schedule revolves around full park days at Disney with early mornings and late nights, and you expect to spend most non-sleeping hours off property, the smaller footprint and simplicity of Westgate Towers may be ideal. You will value the quick walks from parking to room, the relative quiet, and still have the option to visit the bigger amenities next door when you want them.
If, however, you are traveling with young kids or a big extended family and envision full days by the pool, slow mornings, and non-park days in the middle of the trip, Westgate Vacation Villas is usually the better fit. The trade-off of a more spread-out campus is rewarded with Shipwreck Island Water Park, numerous play spaces, and a sense of being in a full-scale resort community rather than just a condo building with a pool. For families doing a mix of three or four Disney days plus two resort days in a week, the water park and activity lineup at Vacation Villas often becomes the highlight of the trip.
Another factor is room assignment flexibility. If you are particular about staying in a newer or recently renovated villa, consider calling ahead to request a section known for updated units and being clear at check-in about any preferences. At Vacation Villas especially, buildings that have recently undergone refurbishments tend to earn better guest feedback, with fresher furnishings and fewer maintenance issues like aging carpet or worn appliances. While requests are never guaranteed, early communication and polite follow-up at check-in can increase your chances.
Finally, look closely at total trip costs, not just nightly rates. Add resort fees, estimated water park admission for your group, parking at the theme parks, rideshare costs if you will not have a car, and your food plan. A family that cooks most meals and spends multiple days at the resort may get more overall value at Vacation Villas even if the room is slightly more expensive, while a couple planning to dine mostly in the parks and use the resort purely for sleep might find Towers perfectly adequate at a lower or similar price point.
The Takeaway
Westgate Towers and Westgate Vacation Villas share a prime Kissimmee location and a focus on villa-style accommodations near Walt Disney World, but they cater to different travel styles. Towers feels smaller, quieter, and easier to navigate, with a condo-like atmosphere that suits couples and park-focused visitors. Vacation Villas, wrapped into the larger Town Center complex, offers a full resort experience with a headline water park, numerous pools, and a long list of on-site activities that can fill entire days without setting foot in a theme park.
If you want a compact, low-fuss home base with easy access to Disney and occasional visits to neighboring amenities, Westgate Towers is likely your match. If you imagine resort days filled with lazy rivers, pirate ships, mini golf, and family movies, and you are willing to trade a bit of serenity for a bigger playground, Westgate Vacation Villas will probably feel like better value. Either way, going in with clear expectations and a plan for how you will use the location, amenities, and villa space will help you get the most out of your Disney-area stay.
FAQ
Q1. How far are Westgate Towers and Westgate Vacation Villas from Walt Disney World?
Both resorts are roughly 1 mile from the general Disney entrance area along US‑192. In typical traffic, expect about 10 to 15 minutes to reach Disney’s Animal Kingdom parking and around 15 to 20 minutes to get to Magic Kingdom when you include the monorail or ferry from the Transportation and Ticket Center.
Q2. Can guests at Westgate Towers use the amenities at Westgate Vacation Villas?
Yes, Westgate Towers guests generally have access to many of the amenities in the neighboring Westgate Vacation Villas and Town Center complex, including pools, recreation areas, and select activities. Shipwreck Island Water Park usually carries a separate admission fee regardless of which of the sister resorts you are staying in.
Q3. Which resort has the Shipwreck Island Water Park?
Shipwreck Island Water Park is located within the Westgate Vacation Villas and Town Center complex. Guests staying at Westgate Vacation Villas have the easiest access, while Westgate Towers guests can visit by walking or driving over, paying the applicable water park admission.
Q4. Is Westgate Towers or Westgate Vacation Villas better for a quiet stay?
Westgate Towers typically offers a quieter, smaller-resort feel with fewer buildings and less foot traffic. It is often better suited for couples or park-focused guests who want a calm place to return to at night. Westgate Vacation Villas is more active and family-oriented, with more noise from pools, activities, and the water park.
Q5. Do both resorts charge resort fees?
Yes, both properties charge nightly resort fees. At Westgate Vacation Villas, the fee is typically around 29.99 dollars plus tax per night and includes amenities such as Wi‑Fi, mini golf, movie theater access, bike rentals, and fitness center use. Westgate Towers has a similar resort-fee structure. Exact amounts can change, so it is best to confirm current fees when booking.
Q6. Which resort has larger rooms for big families?
Westgate Vacation Villas usually offers more options for larger groups, with many two-bedroom and lockoff villas that can comfortably sleep extended families. Westgate Towers also has one- and two-bedroom units, but the sheer variety and number of larger villas at Vacation Villas make it the better choice for big families who want extra space or multiple bathrooms.
Q7. Is a car necessary at these Westgate resorts?
While both resorts offer shuttle services to certain theme parks, many guests find having a car or using rideshare services far more flexible. A car makes it easier to reach grocery stores, off-site dining, and non-Disney attractions and is especially helpful at the more spread-out Vacation Villas complex, where you may want to drive between distant buildings and activity areas.
Q8. Are the kitchens fully equipped for cooking meals?
Most one- and two-bedroom villas at both Westgate Towers and Westgate Vacation Villas include full kitchens with a stove, oven, refrigerator, microwave, and basic cookware and utensils. This setup is sufficient for preparing simple breakfasts and dinners. Studios typically have kitchenettes with more limited facilities, so review the specific room type before booking if cooking is a priority.
Q9. How do timeshare presentations affect a stay at these resorts?
Some guests book discounted packages that require attending a timeshare sales presentation, which can take longer than the advertised time. If you choose such an offer, plan your schedule so the presentation does not cut into key park or pool time, and be prepared to say no if you are not interested in buying. If you prefer to avoid any sales pitches, book through standard hotel channels that do not tie your rate to presentation attendance.
Q10. Which resort offers better overall value near Disney?
Value depends on how you use the resort. If you mainly need a comfortable, quiet base close to Disney, Westgate Towers can be a solid value, especially for couples or small families. If you plan to build non-park days around pools, a water park, and on-site activities, Westgate Vacation Villas often delivers more value, since its amenities can substitute for some theme park time and help stretch your vacation budget.