Just a hypothetical....

[TheLittles]

I have noticed higher and higher crowds every year and I'm wondering if, like supply and demand works, that Disney might notice that maybe they need more things to do to spread the crowds out. I just look at it like I look at Economics. Supply is starting to be lower than demand. Do you think at some point, because of crowd levels, they will ever build a fifth gate? I am sure this has been asked a million times I just really wonder how crowded they are willing to let it get. I know that they are building Pandora and Star Wars but that really won't spread out the crowds as much. I, myself, could have a great day at Disney no matter how crowded it is because a bad Disney day is still better than a good day anywhere else in my opinion. But, I do know a lot of families that just don't want to go back because of how crowded it was when they went. Just wanted to have a discussion about it. Especially with some other economic minded folks

 

[Barnabas T Bullion]

Hard to imagine them adding a fifth gate in my lifetime. If they did it would probably be a large hotel or two to go with it to help fill that new capacity. Long story short, the folks in charge now want the place crowded and if they add another park you'll have that one filled up like crazy too.

 

[mom2rtk]

There is also conjecture that when crowds are expected to be lower, Disney runs attractions at lower capacity to save money, and the parks feel even more crowded because of slow moving lines.

My supposition is that people are coping with rising costs by moving trips from peak seasons to previously less crowded (and less expensive) seasons, making those times feel more crowded.

I don't think Disney has any intention of investing in a 5th gate. Not when they've been treating WDW like an ATM.

 

[GreatLakes]

When you have more demand than supply you have two options. You can raise the supply or increase what you charge for your current supply. Disney is doing both in a way with the additions to AK and DHS.

 

[TheLittles]

True, they have raised prices. I guess I just wish there were still genuinely slow times lol.....I'm guessing that ship has sailed.