This guide contains affiliate links to Booking.com. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa is a lakefront timeshare resort on Turkey Lake Road in southwest Orlando, about 4 miles by road from Universal’s parking garages, that rents its studios and one- to four-bedroom villas nightly to non-owners. Every unit has a kitchenette or full kitchen, self-parking is free, and guests can reserve a free Universal shuttle.
The catches: a $29.99-plus-tax nightly resort fee, an extra-cost water park, a 10 am checkout and timeshare sales offers. We checked Westgate’s pages, the resort’s Booking.com listing and Disney’s site in October 2026; confirm anything that matters to you.
Quick answer: Book Westgate Lakes if your group needs a two- to four-bedroom villa with a full kitchen, free parking and a free (but limited) Universal shuttle. Skip it if you want Universal’s on-site hotel perks, Disney’s Early Theme Park Entry or a water park included in the price.
Find a family-friendly Orlando hotel for your dates
On this page
Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa at a glance
- Area/address: 9500 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando, FL 32819, on Big Sand Lake, west of I-4.
- Distances: by road, about 4 miles to Universal’s garages, 6 to Epic Universe, 3 to SeaWorld, 6 to Disney Springs and 9 to 11 to the Disney theme parks.
- Villas and who they sleep: studios and one- to four-bedroom villas of 400 to 2,186 sq ft, sleeping 4 to 16.
- Pools/water features: seven heated outdoor pools, six hot tubs and Treasure Cove Water Park, which needs a ticket on most rates.
- Breakfast and dining: no free breakfast; Sid’s Bistro, Drafts Sports Bar & Grill, CJ’s Pizza, a Marketplace and pool bars.
- Parking: free self-parking for cars and small to mid-size SUVs; no RVs or trailers.
- Resort fee: $29.99 plus tax per night, covering Wi-Fi, the fitness center, mini golf, bikes and sports courts.
- Park perks: free reservable Universal shuttle; no Disney shuttle and no Disney Early Theme Park Entry.
- Best for: big families and groups with a car who want space and a kitchen.
Westgate Lakes photos
Here’s a look at the villas, pools and public areas from the resort’s own photo gallery. Tap any photo to enlarge it, or browse the full gallery and current rates on Booking.com.
Westgate Lakes Resort location and distances
The resort lines the shore of Big Sand Lake on Turkey Lake Road, west of I-4 and roughly between Universal and the Vineland Avenue outlets. It isn’t on Universal or Disney property, and the parks aren’t walkable. Our guide to hotels near Universal Studios Orlando covers the whole area.
Westgate quotes a 4-minute drive to Universal and 7 minutes to Walt Disney World and SeaWorld. Our OSRM road routes to each park’s parking area are longer:
| Destination | Road distance | Drive, no traffic |
|---|---|---|
| Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure | About 4 mi | About 10 min |
| Epic Universe (Epic Blvd) | 5.5–6 mi | 15–17 min |
| SeaWorld Orlando | About 3 mi | 8–10 min |
| Disney Springs | About 6 mi | 13–14 min |
| EPCOT | 9–10 mi | 19–23 min |
| Hollywood Studios | About 9 mi | 18–20 min |
| Animal Kingdom | About 10.5 mi | About 18 min |
| Magic Kingdom (TTC) | About 11–11.5 mi | About 20 min |
| Orlando airport (MCO) | About 15 mi | About 26 min |
At the Magic Kingdom you park at the Transportation and Ticket Center and continue by monorail or ferry. The airport route uses the tolled Beachline Expressway; the resort’s Booking.com listing says 13 miles.
Villas: sizes, beds and kitchens
All units are non-smoking, with an in-room safe, Wi-Fi and cable TV, and Westgate says many have a balcony or patio. From the one-bedroom deluxe up you get a full kitchen and a washer and dryer; the studio and standard one-bedroom don’t list one, but the resort has laundry facilities.
| Villa | Size | Sleeps up to | Kitchen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 493 sq ft | 4 | Kitchenette, mini-fridge |
| One-bedroom | 400 sq ft | 4 | Kitchenette, 2 burners |
| One-bedroom deluxe | 800 sq ft | 4 | Full kitchen |
| Two-bedroom | 1,200 sq ft | 8 | Full kitchen |
| Three-bedroom | 1,690 sq ft | 12 | Full kitchen, wet bar |
| Four-bedroom | 2,186 sq ft | 16 | Full kitchen + 2 kitchenettes |
| Four-bedroom Presidential | 2,038 sq ft | 12 | Full kitchen + 2 kitchenettes |
The studio is bigger than the standard one-bedroom and has a jetted tub, but only a microwave-and-mini-fridge kitchenette; the one-bedroom adds a separate bedroom, a two-burner cooktop and a dishwasher. Top occupancy counts sleeper sofas: the two-bedroom sleeps 8 with a king, two doubles and a queen sleeper, and the three-bedroom 12 with two kings, two doubles and two sleepers.
The regular four-bedroom sleeps 16 (three kings, two doubles, three queen sleepers), more than the Presidential’s 12. Westgate says the Presidential’s patios overlook Big Sand Lake toward Disney’s fireworks. The studio and two-bedroom have accessible versions with roll-in showers and lowered beds and counters.
Westgate says rollaways and extra beds aren’t available. Booking.com contradicts itself on cribs (free on request for ages 0 to 2, but also “not available”), so ask first. Westgate’s terms warn that units can vary within a type. For similar options, see our picks of Orlando hotels with kitchens.
Pools, hot tubs and Treasure Cove Water Park
Westgate lists seven outdoor pools, heated year-round per its FAQ, plus seven kiddie pools and six hot tubs, with lifts for guests with limited mobility. The Citrus Breeze, Coral Reef and Sunset Key pool bars were listed from noon to 8 pm.
Treasure Cove is a pirate-themed water park with the 258-foot Buccaneer Bay wave pool, the twin 30-foot-high Dolphin Drop and Pirate’s Plunge slides, the 575-foot Castaway Creek lazy river, a kids’ splash zone with three slides and a sun deck with more than 600 loungers. Rikki Tiki Tavern sits on an island inside the lazy river.
Admission isn’t included with most stays. The guest rate was $25 per person per day at the time of writing, with children under 3 free, and 3-day ($40) and 5-day ($65) passes are sold at the ticket counter. Westgate’s direct “Splash” offer adds two free tickets on stays of two nights or more, and owners get in free. The park isn’t open to the public or to guests of other Westgate resorts.
Posted hours were 11 am to 6 pm daily, weather permitting, and the park closes for lightning. Outside food, coolers and floats aren’t allowed, height requirements apply, and private cabanas cost $175 for 7 guests or $225 for 12.
Marina, mini golf and other recreation
The lakeside marina rents paddle boats, pontoon boats and kayaks, plus fishing poles. The resort fee covers the 18-hole Pirates Mini Golf, bike rentals and the basketball, tennis and sand volleyball courts.
There’s also the Mission Control Game Room, a playground, shuffleboard, barbecue grills, planned activities and Baby Otter Swim School lessons. Westgate doesn’t list a kids club.
Dining and breakfast
Westgate’s FAQ says breakfast isn’t complimentary. Sid’s Bistro serves Starbucks drinks, pastries and Jamba juices, listed daily from 7 am to 2 pm (hours may vary by season), and the Marketplace sells groceries, snacks, beer and bottled wine.
Drafts Sports Bar & Grill serves burgers, steaks and draft beer beside mini bowling lanes and a game room, listed from 11 am to 10 pm (11 pm on Friday and Saturday). One overview blurb says Drafts serves breakfast, but its posted hours start at 11 am, so ask before relying on it. CJ’s Pizza (Cordovano Joe’s) delivers New York-style pizza to villas from 5 to 11 pm, and Treasure Cove has a snack bar and its cashless tiki bar.
Resort fee, parking and deposit
The resort fee is $29.99 plus tax per villa per night. Westgate’s terms say it covers Wi-Fi, mini golf, bike rentals, sports courts and equipment, the fitness center, local calls, the in-room safe and boarding pass printing. Booking.com also lists Wi-Fi in the fee; Westgate’s overview just says Wi-Fi fees may apply. Water park tickets, spa services and boat rentals cost extra, and Orange County’s 12.5% hotel tax applies.
Under Westgate’s general policy, self-parking is free for standard cars and small to mid-size SUVs, per paid room night and first come, first served. RVs, trucks, trailers and oversized vehicles can’t be accommodated. The overview lists self-parking and two EV charging stations, but no valet.
At check-in you need photo ID, the card used for payment and a $50 card hold for incidentals, released 5 to 14 business days after you leave (Westgate also lists a $200 cash option; Booking.com says cash isn’t accepted). Check-in is 4 pm, checkout 10 am, and you must be 21 to check in. Westgate allows up to two dogs with a combined 60 pounds for $150 plus tax per stay, with breed limits and no dogs at pools, restaurants or the spa.
Universal shuttle and getting to Disney
The free shuttle is for registered guests, and the FAQ on Westgate’s shuttle page lists Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, CityWalk and Epic Universe. You book after check-in, through a QR code at the front desk or with the concierge’s help, up to 48 hours ahead. Seats are limited and not guaranteed, schedules follow park hours, and luggage, oversized strollers and food aren’t allowed.
The property’s Booking.com notes say the shuttle goes only to Universal’s transportation hub, so ask whether Epic Universe trips run on your dates and where you’ll be dropped off. The shuttle page also names Volcano Bay, which Universal said at last check would close for maintenance from October 26, 2026, reopening on or before April 1, 2027. If you drive, Universal’s standard parking was $35 including tax at last check. Our guide to hotels near Epic Universe compares stays closer to the newest park.
For Disney, plan to drive: Westgate lists no Disney or SeaWorld shuttle, and the resort isn’t on Disney’s Early Theme Park Entry list (at last check, in an August 2026 archived copy of Disney’s US page). Disney’s standard parking was $35 a day at last check.
Serenity Spa, fitness center and other amenities
Serenity Spa by Westgate is a 10,000-square-foot full-service spa with massages, facials, body wraps, head spa treatments and hair and nail services. A treatment includes the redwood sauna and eucalyptus steam room, and posted hours were 9:30 am to 5 pm daily. See our roundup of Orlando spa resorts for comparisons.
The fitness center at the spa is open from 6 am to 8 pm daily, and the overview lists Zumba and yoga classes. You also get a 24-hour front desk, an attractions ticket desk, laundry facilities, a 24-hour business center and mobility scooter rentals, and Westgate lists English, Portuguese and Spanish as languages spoken.
Who Westgate Lakes suits
It suits multigenerational families and groups of 6 to 16 with a car, splitting days between Universal and Disney and cooking some meals in the villa. It’s a weaker pick without a car, or if you want Universal’s on-site perks, Disney’s Early Entry or an included water park. Still choosing a base? Read where to stay in Orlando.
Pros
- Villas up to 2,186 sq ft that sleep up to 16, with full kitchens and washer-dryers in the larger types.
- Free self-parking and a free, reservable Universal shuttle.
- Treasure Cove’s wave pool, slides and lazy river, plus seven heated pools.
- A lakefront marina, mini golf, sports courts and mini bowling.
- A full-service spa, with the fitness center included in the resort fee.
- Dogs allowed within Westgate’s size and breed rules.
Limitations to know
- A $29.99-plus-tax nightly resort fee, and water park tickets on top for most guests.
- Shuttle seats aren’t guaranteed, and official sources conflict on Epic Universe service.
- No Disney shuttle, no Disney Early Entry and no Universal on-site hotel perks.
- A 10 am checkout, 4 pm check-in and a check-in age of 21.
- No rollaways or extra beds, and unclear crib availability.
- Timeshare marketing: Westgate promotes discounted resort-preview packages that require a 90-minute sales presentation.
What to check before you book
- Your villa: match the Booking.com room name to Westgate’s villa type, and check beds, bathrooms and maximum occupancy.
- Total price: add the nightly resort fee, the 12.5% hotel tax and any water park tickets.
- Shuttle: ask about Epic Universe service and the drop-off point, then reserve seats early.
- Water park hours: confirm the season’s schedule, since 6 pm closing leaves little time after park days.
- Babies and dogs: ask the resort about cribs or pack a travel crib, and check the dog rules before you arrive.
Nearby alternatives
For a standard hotel room right by Universal’s main entrance, read our DoubleTree at the Entrance to Universal review. To stay on Universal property for less, our guide to the cheapest Universal Orlando hotels compares Endless Summer and Cabana Bay. If villa space matters most, browse our 2- and 3-bedroom suites near Disney World.
Other Westgate resorts: compare all seven Westgate resorts in Orlando.
Frequently asked questions
Does Westgate Lakes Resort have a free shuttle to Universal?
Yes. Registered guests can reserve free seats through the front desk or concierge, up to 48 hours ahead. The FAQ on Westgate’s shuttle page lists Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, CityWalk and Epic Universe, but the property’s Booking.com notes say it only serves Universal’s transportation hub. Seats are limited and not guaranteed, so confirm the schedule and drop-off point at check-in.
How much is the resort fee at Westgate Lakes Resort?
Westgate lists $29.99 plus tax per villa per night at the time of writing. It covers Wi-Fi, the fitness center, mini golf, bike rentals, sports courts and equipment, local calls, the in-room safe and boarding pass printing. It doesn’t cover Treasure Cove Water Park, spa treatments or boat rentals, so budget separately for those.
Is the Treasure Cove water park included at Westgate Lakes?
Not on most rates. Westgate lists a $25 single-day guest ticket, with children under 3 free, plus 3-day ($40) and 5-day ($65) passes. Westgate’s direct Splash offer adds two free tickets on stays of two nights or more, and owners get in free. The park is only for guests staying on property, and its posted hours were 11 am to 6 pm daily, weather permitting.
Do you have to attend a timeshare presentation at Westgate Lakes?
Only if you book a resort preview package. Westgate Lakes is a vacation ownership resort, and Westgate’s booking engine offers up to 40% off for taking a “resort preview,” and its terms say those packages require a 90-minute discovery tour and sales presentation. A regular rate, including one booked on Booking.com, isn’t a preview package, and Westgate’s terms tie the tour requirement only to those packages.
Does Westgate Lakes Resort have a shuttle to Disney World?
No Disney shuttle appears on Westgate’s pages; the only park shuttle it advertises goes to Universal. By road, Disney Springs is about 6 miles away, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios about 9 to 10, and the Magic Kingdom’s ticket center about 11. The resort isn’t on Disney’s Early Theme Park Entry list, so plan on driving and paying Disney’s parking charge.
Bottom line
Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa gives big families real villa space, full kitchens, free parking and a free Universal shuttle on a lake between Universal and Disney. Budget for the resort fee and water park tickets, expect a 10 am checkout and timeshare marketing, and book shuttle seats early. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.
Check your dates for Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa on Booking.com
Sources checked in October 2026: Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa overview, Westgate Lakes accommodations, Westgate Lakes free Universal shuttle, Treasure Cove Water Park admission, Westgate Resorts terms and conditions