If you own a Westgate timeshare and want out, here’s exactly what your options look like.
A Quick History of Westgate Resorts
Westgate Resorts was founded in 1982 by David A. Siegel, opening its first 16-unit property on an orange grove near Walt Disney World in Kissimmee, Florida. It grew into the largest privately held timeshare company in the world, operating more than 60 resorts across the U.S., with a 2025 expansion adding properties in the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii, Canada, and Mexico. Unlike Wyndham, Marriott, or Hilton Grand Vacations, Westgate is not publicly traded — it remains privately controlled through Siegel’s holding company, Central Florida Investments (CFI). David Siegel passed away in April 2025, and longtime executive Jim Gissy now leads the company as CEO.
Is Your Westgate Timeshare Deeded?
Westgate sells deeded property ownership, not a right-to-use membership. That means you hold an actual recorded interest in a specific unit or unit type, similar to owning real estate. Because your ownership is deeded and governed under U.S. law, you have access to formal legal remedies that Mexican right-to-use contracts typically don’t offer, including state-level rescission rights and, in some cases, deed-back mechanics.
Your exact exit path still depends on which property you own, since your home resort’s state determines whether foreclosure there is judicial or non-judicial. That distinction matters if you ever stop paying and Westgate pursues collection.
What Westgate Owners Are Saying
Westgate has accumulated one of the heaviest consumer complaint records of any major timeshare developer, with thousands of complaints documented across the Better Business Bureau, ConsumerAffairs, and Trustpilot, the large majority at the lowest possible rating. Common owner complaints include misrepresented resale value, financing terms that didn’t match verbal promises made during the sales presentation, and difficulty booking their home resort during peak weeks. Westgate’s sales presentations are also among the most documented and complained-about in the entire industry, with elevated complaint volume historically flowing to both the Florida and Tennessee Attorneys General.
Your Options to Cancel: Paid-Off vs. With-Balance
Because Westgate is a U.S. company operating under U.S. jurisdiction and reports through standard U.S. credit and collections channels, your path forward depends on whether your contract is paid off or still has a balance.
If your Westgate timeshare is paid off:
| Option | What It’s Best For |
|---|---|
| Udemy Course ($199) | Owners who want to learn the full cancellation process themselves, self-paced, with 250+ students and a 4.9-star rating. Click here to learn more. |
| DIY Cancellation App ($499) | Owners who want to prepare their own documents using templates and step-by-step instructions, with no personal contract review. Click here to learn more. |
| Document Preparation Service ($1,500) | Owners who want me to personally review their contract and prepare custom documents — you just notarize your signature and mail it certified mail. Click here to learn more. |
| Attorney / Exit Company ($5,000–$10,000) | Owners who want full-service legal representation and are willing to pay market rate for it. |
If your Westgate timeshare has a balance remaining:
| Option | What It’s Best For |
|---|---|
| Udemy Course ($199) | Owners who want to understand their contract and rights before deciding on next steps. Click here to learn more. |
| Document Preparation Service ($2,500) | Owners who want me to personally review their contract and prepare custom exit documents for their situation. Click here to learn more. |
| Attorney / Exit Company ($5,000–$10,000) | Owners who need negotiated payment resolution alongside their exit, handled by a licensed professional. Click here to learn more. |
About Me
I spent 15 years inside the timeshare industry across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. I’ve spent the last 10 years helping owners legally exit contracts they no longer want. I’ve personally helped 230+ owners find their way out.
Ready to Talk About Your Westgate Contract?
Every Westgate contract is different, and yours deserves a real look. Get your free timeshare review and I’ll walk you through what’s actually possible for your situation.