Westgate Resorts to Give Away Free Vacations for Military Families On 9 November 2018 • Military Disney Tips Blog

News for 2021:

For Veteran’s Day, Westgate Resorts Will Again Give Away 1,000 Free Vacation stays to Military Families!

This super offer has always been one of the very most popular posts that I do each year on Military Disney Tips.

This offer first started in 2011 and each year since then Westgate has offered between 1,000 and 2,500 free vacation stays to the military community.

New for 2018, be sure to see the special contest offered by Military Disney Tips below!

Eligibility

The 1,000 free vacations are offered to both current military personnel and veterans.

Offer Overview

Vacation locations and dates

This year, the program is offering a free 2-night stay in Orlando, FL at the Westgate Town Center Resort & Spa/Westgate Villas Resort & Spa on 10-12 May 2019. This location is just a few miles from Walt Disney World.

Westgate Military Weekend Orlando

On 10-12 May 2019, Westgate Town Center Resort & Spa in Central Florida will host 1,000 military personnel and their families. All attendees will receive complimentary accommodations in a studio or 1 bedroom villa (upgrades and extensions are available for a fee), free admission to Westgate’s Ship Wreck Island water park, and a private concert by Gary Sinise’s Lt Dan Band!

Gary Sinise’s Lt Dan Band (C) Gary Sinise Facebook Page

Gary Sinise’s Lt Dan Band Picture from Gary Sinise’s Facebook Page

Westgate’s CEO David Segal (a veteran) says, “Our U.S. military and their families make a constant sacrifice. We hope to give those who have served in combat a chance to spend some quality time with their loved ones. Nothing can ever replace the family time that’s lost, but by creating these weekends for them, we’re trying to help make new memories and give these men and women the recognition they deserve.”

You can read my review of the my free stay at the resort here: Trip Report – Westgate Free Military Vacation

Westgate is a timeshare location and many have asked me in the past if there is a gimmick or if there will be a sales pitch. The answer is absolutely not! This is just a generous offer by a company started by a veteran.

All pictures from my free stay at Westgate Town Center and Spa. See here for more.

Westgate Offer Details

Deposit – $100 (this deposit is 100% Refundable at check in, it is only used to hold the reservation)

Rooms Types Available for the 2 night stay:

Towncenter Resort

Studio, sleeps 3
1 bd Standard, sleeps 4
2 bd Deluxe, sleeps 8 (requires paid upgrade)

Villas Resort

Studio, sleeps 3

1 bd Standard, sleeps 4
2 bd Standard, sleeps 6 (requires paid upgrade)
2 bd Deluxe, sleeps 8 (requires paid upgrade)

Upgrade Rates:

Upgrade of room type if desired and available (requires a paid upgrade)

2 bd std – $99
2 bd dlx – $109

Additional nights beyond the 2 nights included (requires paid upgrade)

Studio – $69 Per Night
1 bd – $79 Per Night
2 bd std – $139 Per Night
2 bd dlx – $149 Per Night

Included Extras For the Number of People in your party:

Up to 4 people per party (can be up to 6-8 if you upgrade the room type)

Tickets to Shipwreck Island Water Park
Entrance to the Lt. Dan Band Concert Performance on Saturday, 11 May
Partner Theme Park Tickets – Tickets to local theme parks may also be available during the offer. This depends on future Partner Theme Park participation and is not guaranteed. Past theme park tickets have been to Sea World, Universal Studios, and Walt Disney World (again, not guaranteed, pending partner engagement and availability)

How to Get This Offer

Beginning 9 November 2018 at 9 am eastern, the first 1,000 eligible service members to complete the online military appreciation form via Westgate’s Military Offer Page and place a fully refundable $100 deposit can sign up for this offer.

You can watch Westgate’s free vacations for military families page for information on registering for their their upcoming Military Weekend Vacation Giveaway.

Past experience with this offer shows two things:

These vacations go fast! Usually they are all taken within a couple of hours (or less).
There can be technical difficulties with the Westgate website. The volume has been known to crash the server in the past.

Please note that if there are technical difficulties, Military Disney Tips cannot help you in any way.

Enter the MDT Giveaway

Military Disney Tips in conjunction with Westgate Resorts is offering a special VIP registration to one lucky MDT reader.

The winner of the contest will be guaranteed to receive this offer! They will be able to register early and beat the rush of those trying to get one of these vacations.

The winner will be selected at random from eligible individuals those who complete the entry form on our Contest Page. Sorry, the contest is over.

Additional Information from MDT

Westgate Town Center is a first class Westgate resort located just a few miles from Walt Disney World, Sea World Orlando, and Universal Studios Florida.

There are absolutely no strings attached and no sales presentations whatsoever. Just an offer to say thanks for serving.

Westgate Town Center Main Building, Lobby, and Check In

Staying Off WDW Property

Staying off Walt Disney World property brings with it a couple of things to think about.

Transportation and My Magic Plus (particularly FastPass Plus).

Transportation – Those not staying at a Disney Owned Resort are responsible for their own transportation from the Orlando International Airport. While Disney Resort guests have use of the Magical Express airport service.

Fear not! Military Disney Tips had coordinated a Military Discount on Airport Transportation with Orlando Shuttle Service.

Just visit orlandoshuttleservice.com to compare all of the shuttle services in Orlando and get a military discount too!

Use the discount code MDT15 which will take $15 off of your rate.

Theme Park Transportation – The Westgate resorts offer free transportation to the theme parks.

My Magic Plus – Those not staying at a Disney Owned Resort will make their FastPass Plus reservations 30 days out from the day desired versus the 60 days for WDW guests.

If you’d like to have the use of Magic Bands to act as your park tickets and FastPass Plus tokens, you’ll need to buy your own Magic Bands. You can do so at the Disney Store.

Please note in the past the Westgate website has been overwhelmed by the traffic volume. Military Disney Tips is not associated with Westgate, I’m only passing the info on to you and I have no control over sign up and cannot help you if that occurs!

Alternate Military Offer

In addition to the special complimentary vacation weekend, Westgate Resorts offers a 10 percent savings for rooms across their entire portfolio of 27 resort destinations for all U.S. military veterans if you book by the end of the year. So check out Westgate’s portfolio of military discount hotels if you’re looking for a deal on your next getaway.

This offer applies to all military ID carrying statuses:

Active
Reserve
Guard
Retired

About Westgate Resorts

Founded in 1982 by David A. Siegel, Westgate Resorts is one of the largest resort developers in the United States. Westgate features 28 themed destination resorts with over 13,000 luxury villas in premier locations throughout the United States such as Orlando, Florida; Park City, Utah; Las Vegas, Nevada; Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Williamsburg, Virginia; Miami and Cocoa Beach, Florida; Branson, Missouri; Mesa, Arizona; and Tunica, Mississippi.

Most Westgate Resorts locations feature a variety of unique restaurant, retail and spa concepts, including Drafts Sports Bar & Grill, Westgate Smokehouse Grill, Edge Steakhouse, Westgate Marketplace & Deli and Serenity Spa by Westgate.

Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused? Get Our Email Newsletter

Read about the Temporary Changes to Disney World during their Post-Lockdown Re-Opening

See Our Great Disney Discount and Planning Info:

Learn about the Disney Armed Forces Salute the best military discount that there is for Disney. See our Topic Overview Pages:

Resorts/Hotel Overview Page
Dining Overview Page
Transportation Overview Page
Technology Overview Page
Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort

Disney Guidebooks By MDT

Military Disney Tips' Recommended Disney Travel Agent

Ears of Experience Disney Only Travel Agency. Military family owned and operated! They know all the ins and outs of Disney military discounts!