On-Site Resort Hotel for Busch Gardens Williamsburg?
- Thread starter mc14
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I mean, who is their target consumers for this? There may be a small amount of locals (within 2ish hours drive) that'd be willing to pay for it, but more likely it'd be non-locals.
The Williamsburg area has been known for a long time to have accomodations for the historic area plus the park, local shopping, etc. And, especially during colder months, there's strong appeal and perhaps brand recognition to go enjoy the indoor water park at Great Wolf Lodge.
Thus, how could the park have a competitive resort offering and stay profitable long-term?
The Williamsburg area has been known for a long time to have accomodations for the historic area plus the park, local shopping, etc. And, especially during colder months, there's strong appeal and perhaps brand recognition to go enjoy the indoor water park at Great Wolf Lodge.
Thus, how could the park have a competitive resort offering and stay profitable long-term?
TBH the hotel market in Williamsburg got over invested in. The Inn’s and Motels are all older and a little dated, and the big boys came in but haven’t updated. I remember staying in the Hampton Inn back in 2003, and last time I was through town it looked the exact same in 2023. So the chain had done little investment. Also a quick look at AirBNB gave a result of 5 pages of 10 properties per page for 3 nights of a 2 person stay.
I wouldn’t mind a few neighborhoods put in no AirBnB clauses in Williamsburg. Having some of the more local hotels upgrade would be helpful.
In fact, I think they should buy the Double Tree by Hilton on the other side of the brewery. It’s conveniently close, they can use shuttles very easily, and with the meeting halls they have there’s space to create some resort exclusive spaces.
Themed hotel. They could go with a Sesame Street themed hotel. Maybe a European theme with the floors each representing a different country. I’ve been giving some thought to it lately Of what they can do different and that’s what I came up with. Maybe make the hotel a little more “interactive” and more of a resort stay than just a place to sleep.
I wouldn’t mind a few neighborhoods put in no AirBnB clauses in Williamsburg. Having some of the more local hotels upgrade would be helpful.
In fact, I think they should buy the Double Tree by Hilton on the other side of the brewery. It’s conveniently close, they can use shuttles very easily, and with the meeting halls they have there’s space to create some resort exclusive spaces.
Themed hotel. They could go with a Sesame Street themed hotel. Maybe a European theme with the floors each representing a different country. I’ve been giving some thought to it lately Of what they can do different and that’s what I came up with. Maybe make the hotel a little more “interactive” and more of a resort stay than just a place to sleep.
While I can see the hotel theming would appeal to some, I'm curious if market research data indicates a strong rate of return to do anything more than having the hotel be extremely convenient for families going to the park?
Then, going backwards a bit, there are several nearby lodging options that many guests won't know anything more than the online listings and will choose either by price and convenience with maybe any amenities such as a pool factored in.
My point is that while those of us who know better may wish for certain things in an on- site resort the real test is if the park can be profitable while, presumably, doing the least amount of effort for it.
Then, going backwards a bit, there are several nearby lodging options that many guests won't know anything more than the online listings and will choose either by price and convenience with maybe any amenities such as a pool factored in.
My point is that while those of us who know better may wish for certain things in an on- site resort the real test is if the park can be profitable while, presumably, doing the least amount of effort for it.
BGW previously attempted a structured partnership with CW to create the resort experience. That solution, while not ideal, addressed the problem with adding additional hotel rooms to the local market and prevented the park from having to pay to build and maintain on-site lodging. My understanding was that in practice, the relationship from the CW perspective was not smooth. I'm not sure, however, why the structure was abandoned, and replaced with the current "Preferred Hotel" approach.
BGWFans did a few pieces on it:
Official Busch Gardens Williamsburg Hotels Announced – BGWFans
Busch Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg have announced a sweeping partnership which will produce 2 official Busch Gardens Williamsburg hotels
bgwfans.com
Busch Gardens Williamsburg Spring 2016 Tickets & Passes – BGWFans
A look at the wide array of Busch Gardens Williamsburg tickets, passes, memberships, resorts, hotels, and vacation packages for Spring 2016.
bgwfans.com
KD doesn't have a hotel resort, but they do have Kings Dominion Camp Wilderness:
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Well, first I don’t think they would go down this route if they feel it’s a bad investment.
But I would think it being themed along with packaging together that discounts the tickets and hotel, includes food like breakfast or in park meals, has night or morning activities at the hotel to continue entertainment it would be an easy sell.
Make the resort worth staying at. Look at Dollywood. DreamMore does very well, and their second resort, HeartSong, will be opening soon. There are a TON of cheaper places to stay in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville, but they've managed to build something worth spending the extra money on.
I think a Sesame Street theme is too limiting for audience. European theme is a harder sell than say BGT using a safari theme or SeaWorld creating a neatly themed underwater/ ocean based resort.
I feel like BGW needs some sort of small indoor water park/ attraction to get people year round. If they are willing to invest in theming like a legitimate castle that would be ideal. Short of that i think going the higher end resort style would be better. We don't have any clean, chic, contemporary hotels around. Plus you could still integrate some Sesame Street either way, especially in a kid's zone or play area.
I feel like BGW needs some sort of small indoor water park/ attraction to get people year round. If they are willing to invest in theming like a legitimate castle that would be ideal. Short of that i think going the higher end resort style would be better. We don't have any clean, chic, contemporary hotels around. Plus you could still integrate some Sesame Street either way, especially in a kid's zone or play area.
I'd just like to echo the sentiment that most of the hotels in the area are outdated and get poor reviews. And then there are the expensive resorts like Kings Mill. If there was something nice at an affordable price, I'm sure it would do well for park goers. But yeah I don't know how much it would attract non-park guests
As someone who has a condo in Florida about 1.5 hours from the Orlando parks, I can say that I am motivated to stay at Disney and Universal on-site resorts, but not SWO partner hotels.
Although Disney resort perks have varied a lot recently, and are of decreasing value, they still offer me enough advantages that I will usually stay for a night or two, when I am visiting the parks. Universal, similarly, offers me enough benefits that I will spend the money to stay on-site with them.
Conversely, I see little to no advantage to staying at the partner hotels at either SWO or BGT, and will either make day trips, or find a nice Marriott, Hyatt, or Hilton.
At Disney and Universal hotels, I enjoy the theming, the park views, the unique experiences (especially at Animal Kingdom Lodge), the resort feel, the feature pools, and the upscale dining. Perhaps more importantly, I am motivated by the extra park hours, the included or early booking for (please someone murder the Genie+ system) front of the line access, the convenient transportation to the parks, and whatever other park perks that are available. I am also more likely to book their resorts, when they offer me a pass discount, as it increased the value of my annual pass and improves the value for money of the park benefits.
I would say the same thing about the resorts at Dollywood.
That said, I am completely uninterested in the overpriced for the value LEGOLAND rooms, because the benefits don't (for me) justify the cost. There are also resort hotels at other parks that I simply won't stay at, because they don't seem like charming and pleasant resorts. I'd rather stay at a chain that I can trust to have comfortable and clean rooms and well-trained staff.
Bottom Line: I think a resort could work, if the hotel is nice enough and the perks add enough value.
Although Disney resort perks have varied a lot recently, and are of decreasing value, they still offer me enough advantages that I will usually stay for a night or two, when I am visiting the parks. Universal, similarly, offers me enough benefits that I will spend the money to stay on-site with them.
Conversely, I see little to no advantage to staying at the partner hotels at either SWO or BGT, and will either make day trips, or find a nice Marriott, Hyatt, or Hilton.
At Disney and Universal hotels, I enjoy the theming, the park views, the unique experiences (especially at Animal Kingdom Lodge), the resort feel, the feature pools, and the upscale dining. Perhaps more importantly, I am motivated by the extra park hours, the included or early booking for (please someone murder the Genie+ system) front of the line access, the convenient transportation to the parks, and whatever other park perks that are available. I am also more likely to book their resorts, when they offer me a pass discount, as it increased the value of my annual pass and improves the value for money of the park benefits.
I would say the same thing about the resorts at Dollywood.
That said, I am completely uninterested in the overpriced for the value LEGOLAND rooms, because the benefits don't (for me) justify the cost. There are also resort hotels at other parks that I simply won't stay at, because they don't seem like charming and pleasant resorts. I'd rather stay at a chain that I can trust to have comfortable and clean rooms and well-trained staff.
Bottom Line: I think a resort could work, if the hotel is nice enough and the perks add enough value.
Yes I passed on the Hershey hotels because I felt the value wasn’t there…they were like $500 or $600 a night.
You might see some major pushback from Kingsmill Resort and the residents, a lot of whom are wealthy donors to local officials. Worth bearing in mind.
Pushback for a hotel by residents? Possible, of course, but I'm guessing it's not likely going to have the same hurdles a new coaster usually does.
Only things I can think of would be increased traffic and maybe sightlines if it was really tall (though I doubt it will be tall enough to need a zoning waiver anyways).
Makes me wonder, with the addition of a resort hotel on property, does that change capacity limits or simply shuffle them around?
I actually think an on property resort would be well received by the community. More jobs for one. Pushes other local hotels to step up their game. But most importantly I would expect it would mean a ton less cars on the road daily in and around Williamsburg if SEAS offers proper transit to WCUSA.
BGW needs more land for storage and other backstage facilities. They are running out of available space to have a place for everything that goes on. An on site hotel is tricky unless they go somewhere entirely new or get creative. I've come up with a couple of ideas on how to do that but I'm not sure how they would be received.
Additionally, I've always thought since the Kingsmill Resort Woods Course was adjacent to the park more so than the resort, that parcel of property would work great for Busch Gardens when it comes to gaining more land. And it already has a reputable golf course on it with a couple warehouses and clubhouse and quick access to Route 60 and the BGW employee parking lot. A hotel would work well in that quiet corner of the property with a view of the golf course. Much needed development could take place for the park all on-site then. (International housing, HOS/CT storage, additional maintenance and entertainment facilities etc.) The park would also then have a full service road loop, using Route 60.
But, Kingsmill Resort would NEVER sell the Woods Course parcel.
Additionally, I've always thought since the Kingsmill Resort Woods Course was adjacent to the park more so than the resort, that parcel of property would work great for Busch Gardens when it comes to gaining more land. And it already has a reputable golf course on it with a couple warehouses and clubhouse and quick access to Route 60 and the BGW employee parking lot. A hotel would work well in that quiet corner of the property with a view of the golf course. Much needed development could take place for the park all on-site then. (International housing, HOS/CT storage, additional maintenance and entertainment facilities etc.) The park would also then have a full service road loop, using Route 60.
But, Kingsmill Resort would NEVER sell the Woods Course parcel.
That course would stay private too if it ever came to that. IIRC it costs $50k to join and $10k a year to keep the membership.
Part of the discussion about the resort is that BGW is attractive to SEA for a resort do to them having a significant portion of unused land that they already own. If that part of why BGW is higher on the list then other parks I can't see a scenario where they would purchase a different parcel for the project.
I'd love a European themed hotel, but I'm probably an outlier. My kids are grown, so the idea of Sesame Street is a turnoff to me. (We live 30 mins from Sesame Place in PA and took them there frequently when they were little) Brought them many many times to BGW, we'd go every summer in conjunction with our annual beach vacation to Ocean City, MD., and stay at BGW for 3-4 days.
We have always stayed at The Doubletree, going back to when it was still a Marriott. Being a 6+ hour drive away, we'd def stay at an on property themed hotel. As for locals, perhaps they could offer VA resident discounts like the FLA resorts do, but that might not be enough of a draw?