We booked here a few years back. I drove down with my 2 kids, both under the age of 7. Their dad was flying down the next day to meet us. We picked this place because of the water park type amenities. Once there, the line was so long to check in. 2 kids and I waited over an hour only to get to the desk an be informed they had overbooked for the week and we were being roomed at the west gate villas a few miles down the road. The appeasement was that we could still come use the liki tiki amenities. I was irate, but what could I do. I’d been in the car for 10 hours with 2 kids and we were all tired. So I drive over to the west gate and get told that they don’t allow single adult check in because I had been “assigned” that room as a timeshare presentation room and they require both husband and wife to be there. This was the moment I completely lost it. Super long story short, they let me check in once I pulled up my husbands airline reservation on my phone to show them he was in fact coming in. We went back to liki tiki one day and it was miserable because we had no where to change and when the kids got tired, instead of walking to our room, we had to make a 10 minute drive. We tried to make the best of it, but it truly was the worst trip our family ever took. The entire thing was a giant stress ball and I spent most of the week crying in the. Ath room out of frustration. I will never stay here again or book with any of their properties.
Wow. What a terrible experience. Does not surprise me at all, though. The resort exists for one reason - to sell time shares. It’s all they care about. If it becomes clear you’re not going to sign on for one, they prefer you to leave. Rudest hotel staff I’ve ever encountered, and I have stayed in over 80 different hotels in the past 9 months. It’s a terrible way to do business in the hospitality industry. Like you, I will never stay at one of those properties again.
Holy moly, between your story and some in the comments, thanks for the heads-up regarding the tactics of the time share minefield known as Diamond Resorts. Good grief!
Thank you for all this information. It sounds like a nightmare. Sorry about what you had to go through. I was thinking about taking my son here, but I'm so glad I watched your video.
I"M an orlando native and yes, January and February are the best times to visit.. weather is beautiful, crowds are low. Never go anywhere near a time share resort.. If ever you come back post on your community page and I will give you some insider tips
My husband absolutely refuses to go to any timeshare presentation so I guess I'll never have to deal with this, lol! Like you we have no intention of buying a timeshare. Your experience is definitely a cautionary tale.
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip I admit sometimes I wish he'd go so we could get the freebie, but the annoyance of having to attend would probably far outweigh whatever we'd get for it
Yeah I've had a timeshare for about 25 years. Never used it in my home resort, used it in Orlando about a dozen times now. Went to timeshare presentations for the first ten uses or so. Regardless of what they offer you, the timeshare presentations are never worth your time and agrrivation. We got there, politely refused it, and enjoyed our stay immensely. We just finished our stay at Liki Tiki in 10/16-10/23, the weather was beautiful, and the lines\crowds were pretty non existant. The pools while maybe small for older children 13-18, were absolutely perfect for my six year old. He had more fun there, and defintely more bang for my buck, than at the theme park by far.
My parents had a timeshare out in Daytona Beach and have had a hell of a time trying to get out from under it. Still not sure if they have succeeded or not. Definitely not a thing that i am going to be signing up for in my lifetime!
It sounds like avoiding the timeshare presentation and paying for the extra nights would have avoided this mishap? I hate those presentations and will never sit through another one but you described an enjoyable stay until the timeshare fiasco. That’s unfortunate. Hopefully Ann, the rude staff member will get better training. I hear 3 out of 5 stars though…based on your reporting.
Absolutely. In hindsight, would have just paid for the two nights. We were completely unpacked, settled in for the 4 days. Forcing us to throw all our clothing, etc back into suitcases and get loaded back into our car in 45 minutes is what ruined the stay. Otherwise, the place would have been pretty good.
Sorry your vacation was ruined. The whole thing just reeks of a typical Orlando timeshare scam. Nothing like Florida to try to get in between you and your money.
I have stayed there a few times and while it isn't perfect, we always enjoy it. I avoid the timeshare presentation. I have done it once and now avoid it like the plague. I rather just pay for my extra nights, to save myself the headache.
Had a great visit with Lord Spoda afterwards in DeLand. 😎 👍 Tourists Pro-Tip: Don't go to those time share traps UNLESS YOU ABSOLUTELY have plenty of time to kill or just bored.
my parents bought into Diamond Resorts as its known now, back in about 1999-2000 and this place was brand new at the time and for years we would come down from NY and spend time here and now that the kids are adults we still use the weeks at Diamond resorts properties for vacations. it was kind of cool to bring my 5yo daughter to a place I stayed with my family at 5yo if that makes sense. im sure my parents bought in for a lot less than the prices they are charging now. also when you are an owner you get access to alot more amenities and free stuff, bigger apartments etc.
We stayed last year. I just refused to do the timeshare at the beginning. No issued they called once after my stay said no thank you and that was it. I didn't have any additional fees added to room either. I knew what I was paying up front we did have to pay the security deposit which was noted in the online listing but got that back in account 2 days after check out. We had so much fun here with out 1 year old. The pool area for kids was great as well.
I'm sure your experience is probably done with time shares but weve had Worldmark / Trendwest for almost 20 years and its been pretty good. You can use it in the US and overseas. The only complaint I have is every time you book a place they have the "top gun" sales people in your face trying to make you feel guilty about not upgrading your membership. I just politely say no and go on my way while they are trying to do the shame tactic selling technique. Overall its been a pretty solid investment.
These places need to be careful now with RU-vid. One bad review can be seen by 439K people and word of bad reputation spreads fast. I for one, after your experience, will not be taking my business to this particular place.
Most certainly avoid the timeshares. My family normally sticks with Hilton Grand Vacations or Rosen Hotels when we decide to go take a break at the local hotels/resorts.
Yes sounds like Orlando. Horrible. But since you guys didn't get the time share they do this. I went to one of those meetings for time share for a park ticket but we were there about 4 hours and i ended up saying yes because i was so tired but as soon as I got home I canceled the contract. By law you have 3 to 5 days to cancel.
They charge a resort fee per night it's non refundable not optional even if you don't use facility activities.be sure and not take the insurance on this Property they want change dates so what's the purpose of having insurance. If they want honor but they put a deposit for damages. But you get that back if there is none. Read the fine print.
Sorry about the timeshare thing. I hate those. Sat through one for almost four hours at a Wyndam near Pigeon Forge, TN and felt like I was in the interrogation chair. They should be illegal in all states.
We love Liki Tiki! My kids love the water park. Mommy and Daddy love the tub and washer/dryer. It’s pretty normal nowadays for a hold to go on your credit card. The surrey bikes are really fun too!
Time share always a rip off sales will tell you anything to get you to sign up. Contract never allows you to change. Buyer beware you are entering a Lions den
Too bad you had a bad experience. We had a time share in Branson, but we did use it for a long time. But they are hard to get rid of. We did give it away, no money involved. Would not do it again.
we usually go up there every year for the kids during the summer. havent had any issues so far…and yes we avoid those timeshare meetings. sorry to hear you had a bad stay… insane.
We have stayed there 5-6 times and is our go to when we visit orlando 2x a year. We have never had a bad experience there. For the size of room you get for the money is great. Timeshares are always sketchy.. we book weeks at a time directly from their website and just say no to the timeshare presentation. Christian the bartender is amazing!
It was definitely a mistake to do the timeshare presentation. I hope anyone reading this or watching the video knows not to! The hotel was actually really nice - it was the way they. treated us after we declined the presentation that ruined the stay.
@@calebhuffman6039 Doesn’t matter. If a hotel assures me that I can stay in the same room 4 nights and then on the 2nd morning tells me I have 45 minutes to get out of the room or get fined a fee for still being there, then I know to never stay there again. The reason for this video is to tell people that this is the way they run their business. I would have preferred to stay somewhere else, at a place that understands the hospitality industry. This place does not.
Had people pounded on our door trying to force their way in. Yelling “ open the door” in Spanish. Security came and took care of it. I slept with a kitchen knife that night.
I just left there they have resort fees each night mine was 44.00 and 300.00 dollar hold and they try to reseve you for and hour for time share and talk you into it with coupons I learn to say No! with a unit on my face I could barely afford to stay at the time my price was 170.00 a night and wanted to stay one night they wanted to charge 300.00per night. for a 2bedroom. carpet needed to be changed out look like someone wasted on carpet.the managment need to teach staff hospitality . I'm sticking with hilton.why pay resort fees if they charge per activities activity. waiting for my deposit.
We have neber been duped by any of these crooks nor we will never stay at any resort. You pay additional fees. I'd rather use that money to enjoy a nice meal somewhere
Try the 'Americana' hotel, Flagstaff, Arizona. JUST KIDDING ! Really, don't EVER go there. Omg, no. Don't. When you drove 24 hours and need to sleep, the online advertisement seems charming, it's a step above sleeping in 4 feet of Flagstaff winter snow. That's the good part. But dilapidated, 60 years outdated, with dirty, thin, foam lawnchair furniture type mattress, not even a real mattress. The old style box, picture tube TV with nothing to watch but grainy, black and white 1960's and 70's reruns. But the water worked. Barely. An unfriendly East Indian clerk lady didn't ask for ID accepted cash, registered in via a notepad, no computer. Generally credit cards and ID are mandatory absolutely everywhere nationwide. But, hey, not there. There's that. I saw some bundled up in winter clothing illegal Mexicans 3 or 4, walking down the VERY snowy, north woods, Alaska like, street at night and get a room, a bit down from me. Don't expect your parking spot - you know, with 4 feet deep Flagstaff winter snow - to be plowed. It won't be. You just try to fit it the previous cars parking spot tracks. Not kidding. At least for breakfast you'll have NOTHING - not even coffee. I sure was glad I had brought along a small emergency grocery pack with me. On the brightside, it is better that dying in a head on collision from lack of sleep driving or freezing to death outside - Flagstaff gets seriously frickin' COLD in winter ! I had NO IDEA what I was getting into. Never, again. But, at least I have this true story to tell.
Just stay away from the time share presentation and you’ll be fine. Be prepared for the extra $24 daily “resort fee”, and also they’ll put a $300 hold on your credit card for incidentals, plus they’ll make you sign another document allowing them access to another $500 on your card for any damage you may cause to the room. Other than that, the resort is great.
The only reason to visit Orlando is Disney World. That's it. Maybe Universal....just for Harry Potter World.....(the rest is just meh....some good coasters, but not much else....food is underwhelming.....Disney has them totally beat on food). But still.......Orlando is all about Disney.
Don't do the time share presentation! Otherwise, you'll be fine. Be warned, they'll offer you all kinds of free stuff to do it, but trust me, it isn't worth the headache.
in my opinion I really think Liki tiki isn't a bad place and saying only bad things about it could sort of be rude to the people who live in Orlando personally I think you came off to strong with the video and your word I stayed at Liki tiki last year and it was not that bad it was really nice and fun for a lot of people
As long as you don't do the time share presentation it's fine. That said, we live in hotels and have stayed at over 100 hotels in the past year. The Liki Tiki was the absolute, number one worse hotel experience we had among those 100+.
That was awful. Nothing but preying on weary travelers and jerking you around. I find customer service lacking everywhere. When I was employed, retired now, I did my job and actually helped others.
Sure, just do not do the timeshare presentation. They will try to get you to do it by offering you all kinds of free stuff. DON"T DO IT! You would regret it. Otherwise, the place is pretty nice.
have been there a few times. Stay away from the timeshare trap and it is a great place. We actually just booked 1 week in January and booking 2 weeks in Feb. Most resorts now have these holds and fees. have been to a few of them in the area and they all have it. even motel 8 now adds a "resort fee". Just par for the course in a tourist destination.
Nothing is free. When you go to a timeshare resort, their main goal is to sell you. They have invested their money in trying to get you to buy. If not interested, just pay for the room and avoid the presentation. Ever see the movie Glengarry GlenRoss? That is what some timeshare salesman sit through when you don't buy. I am not affiliated with the timeshare industry but have known some salesmen over the years. Tough way to make a living.
I just found your channel but I took this video a bit more personal because I'm from Orlando. I generally love your videos in different cities because you approach is different from a lot of people on RU-vid and I get a chance to kind of travel around the country via RU-vid. But I don't understand your video about Orlando. You chose a hotel that's 30 miles away. Not even in the city or the county and just disregarded everything about downtown Orlando and Orlando itself. I don't know. I just don't like how you didn't give Orlando a chance. I wish more people would stay in the city and actually explore the city. But anyway it's just my opinion lol
Oh, I really liked Orlando. I was angry with the experience at the resort, that's all. I will be coming back to Orlando, probably this fall, and will give it a proper visit.
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip I understand. I'm very familiar with Liki tiki. It's not something I would ever recommend to that type of travelers that I take you and your wife to be. I also recommend Lake Highland Park for your drone shot of downtown Orlando or Wadeview Park. I do hope you enjoy your experience a bit more!! Thank you for all of your work.
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip absolutely. You should check out Winter Park as well. You can also catch the train from Winter Park to downtown Orlando or other areas for very few dollars. Winter Park has a bit more friendlier parking than downtown Orlando does
Here's the thing. U went for the time share. Thats where u fail, nothing free, u paid with ur time and stress. We stay there and it was great. Ur first 2 days were great but after the 2 free nights cuz of ur time share, they made u paid for it with ur time and stress.
I can tell you that Central Florida is known for having the worst customer service in the entire country. The people here just dont have respect for other people unfortunately. Sorry you had a bad experience but I will say that Orlando has the best winter weather in the entire world come January!!!
I booked few nights so my autistic son can enjoy himself because we have been homeless going through a lot after I played the fees my card has reach limit for the day amd I was not able to pay the deposit I told please may I pay it tomorrow I have no where to go and no money to use and have my 3 year old son they had me wait and my child was playing in the playroom the so call manager guy just pretended I wasn't there and then a lady came out manager too or whatever said she will try to help me I waited an hour then later she came back out again with a big fat security guard to throw me and my special needs child out into the streets and there was a big storm outside pouring rain strong wind and I was crying my son was crying and they was just leaving us in the streets with no where to go and can't use my card that has 5000 in it.. . I'm lucky I met a guy a lil earlier who gave me and my son a ride and played for a motel for us for 2 nights. This hotel is terrible horrible the staff are assholes please no one ever book there
It sounds like to me you’re mad because you didn’t get what you want it everyone knows when it comes to vacation spots you must reserve your rooms as fast as they come is as fast as they go.
No. You are incorrect. First of all, it was the off season and the hotel was less than half full. I was mad because they confirmed, twice, that we could stay in the same room all 4 nights if we went to their time share presentation. I ASKED, TWICE. Was told, TWICE, that we wouldn't have to move. Then on the 3rd morning, they said we had to be out of the room in 45 minutes or we would be charged late check-out fees. When I explained to her that we were promised we wouldn't have to move, her answer was that we should not have been told that. On top of that, she was extremely rude. We had to throw all our stuff in the car to get out on time. Then they took 4 hours to get us another room, AFTER telling us that they would have another room ready in less than an hour. The hotel lied about us staying in the room without moving, and they also lied about not charging the daily $24 "resort fee", whatever that is - 4 days of the "resort fees" showed up on my credit card several days later.
