Do More Hotels = More Crowds?

[pax_65]

I think back to 1991, the first time I was in WDW. I believe the Caribbean Beach Resort was a few years old. "Dixie Landings" (PO Riverside) was just built and I think "Port Orleans" (PO French Quarter) was under contruction. "The Disney Vacation Club" (Old Key West) was partially open while still under construction. Since that time we've seen so much growth - the Animal Kingdom Lodge, The All-Stars, Pop Century, all the other DVC properties (Boardwalk, Y&B, Wilderness, Saratoga Springs).

Obviously there are more people staying on Disney property now than before. These crowds have been distributed somewhat by the addition of Animal Kingdom and perhaps by Universal IOA and SeaWorld's growth.

The strange thing is, even with all these hotels added, I don't notice the parks being significantly more crowded than in the past (maybe just a little?).

So now I see LOTS more construction: The Kingdom Tower, The Four Seasons Resort, all the hotels on Bonnet Creek (Hilton, Waldorf Astoria) and I wonder if the parks will get more crowded after all these hotels are built. If history is a guide, they won't, but logically you'd think crowds will increase.

I wonder... does more hotels equal more crowds, or will the new hotels fill at the expense of older hotels (such as those in the Village or on Rt. 192?)

 

[Wilt Dasney]

I would think hotels (most of them, anyway) are a reaction to current or anticipated visitor numbers, not a cause of more visitors.

For more hotels to equal more crowds, there would need to be some way for the hotel to be a draw in itself...basically, it would need to lodge people who wouldn't otherwise be visiting WDW. Either the resort experience, price or location would need to be so compelling that it would convince people to come to Orlando who otherwise would pass (OR to spend more time at WDW than they normally would).

I would think at this point the market is saturated. Outside of busy season, you can find a bed on or near property anytime at pretty much any price level. I would assume new hotels are just shifting the same pool of guests.

 

[Philo]

I think the only way more hotels would = more visitors are if the hotels are very, very cheap.

You might see some difference due to the fact that more rooms can be booked for last minute trips but I'm not sure that would make a huge difference.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

More hotels = greater capacity to accomodate more guests.

 

[pax_65]

Thanks for the replies. I would think those who are building these hotels believe they can be profitable, which means the plan is for them to be relatively full much of the time.

The construction of the All-Stars and Pop Century probably hurt off-property motels and lower-priced hotels. Maybe some of them closed up and the people just shifted on property, I don't know.

Much of the new round of construction seems to compete for the higher-end dollar - The Four Seasons vs the Waldorf Astoria vs The Grand Floridian. Does this mean an era of greater competition (and thus lower rates) for deluxe accommodations? Or bargains at existing higher-end off-property hotels like those in the Village or Gaylord Palms?

We'll see I guess...