Navigating the exchange rate

[lcmckenzie2022]

Hey everyone. I'm usually a lurker, enjoying reading posts whilst eating my lunch. This is a post for all the other Canadians here planning (or trying to plan) a future trip. We go to Disney World once every few years, or sometimes once a year, because it's not only my favourite happy place (and for my kids, too), but it is also our safe travel destination for our youngest who has multiple food allergies. And for me, too, as I have celiac disease. It's the one time of year I can just take a week off from cooking thanks to how wonderful Disney takes care of food allergies with their training. This spring, I was thinking of going for a few nights getaway with my husband for my birthday, as I have never been without the kids before, and it's just a bucket list thing...but the exchange rate...and the prospect of it getting worse. Is anyone else putting off their 2025 trip due to what's happening? Are you still going? Pay it off asap before it gets worse? Or riding it out to see if it gets better? Will Disney maybe release more discounts for Canadians? (by chance, I mean). I was so excited to plan a short little trip, but now I feel so down looking at the currency conversion. I know if this was a trip with our kids, it would be a firm "no", not this year. It would just be too expensive with the exchange rate. Was just wondering what everyone else was thinking/doing about future trips given the state of things. I was considering moving the short trip to the end of the summer for cheaper prices to help, but that's as far as I've got. But we're still sitting on the idea, and we keep coming back to... guess we just shouldn't go this year, especially if it gets worse. Anyone else in the same boat?

 

[kittyab]

We are skipping this years trip for this reason and a few others.

 

[meggiebeth]

I’m British rather than Canadian but we’ve had the same issue the last few years. We used to get about $1.60 to £1 not too long ago. A year or two ago, the pound nearly dropped to less than the dollar! It’s eye watering to add up how much extra things are costing now. If the pound drops that much again, I don’t think we could justify the added expense. I would probably travel to mainland Europe or Canada instead.

 

[ottawamom]

My advice would be to set a budget for your trip in Canadian dollars (whatever you are comfortable with for the length of time you want to go). If you can manage to do with some creativity (changing resorts, park ticket options, time of year, less dining reservations) then move forward. Disney will still be there when things improve.

There are definitely a lot of this to consider when planning a trip this year.

 

[lcmckenzie2022]

My advice would be to set a budget for your trip in Canadian dollars (whatever you are comfortable with for the length of time you want to go). If you can manage to do with some creativity (changing resorts, park ticket options, time of year, less dining reservations) then move forward. Disney will still be there when things improve.

There are definitely a lot of this to consider when planning a trip this year.

I love that idea! Thank you!

 

[kittyab]

I am thinking of going to Niagra Falls this summer. I havent seen it yet.

 

[deedubb]

IMO, a lot of it is optics. The dollar looks really lousy (and don't get me wrong, it is lousy), but if you compare to a few months ago when it was around 74 cents, and actually tally up how much more you're paying now, it's probably just a few hundred dollars. Not to dismiss that, and I realize for some that might mean tipping the scales toward being unaffordable, but for many, it's not a deal breaker considering the overall cost of a Disney trip. Do 2 or 3 quick service meals instead of table service, or skip that dessert party or After Hours event, and you have probably already made up most of the added cost.

 

[Woodview]

Why not try a new destination ..... look at theme parks in Europe ?

 

[Tripscarcare]

We head on a DC in May, just paid it off with anticipation the dollar gets worse, since it was a big cost. Have a few more weeks before we have to pay final for the DCB pre cruise stay at the resort. Living in Southern Ontario in a border city, jumping over to the US is a bi weekly trip for fuel/ shopping. I think its around 1.45 ish, but internet rumors are noting that it could hit 1.60. Its all about the destination, and what you are getting for your money. We did a trip last summer down to Pigeon Forge Tennessee, I paid more for 4 nights in a good hotel then I did for week at DCB last May. The dollar will be what it is in my opinion.

 

[Nagle]

I’m British rather than Canadian but we’ve had the same issue the last few years. We used to get about $1.60 to £1 not too long ago. A year or two ago, the pound nearly dropped to less than the dollar! It’s eye watering to add up how much extra things are costing now. If the pound drops that much again, I don’t think we could justify the added expense. I would probably travel to mainland Europe or Canada instead.

We are actually going to London in May instead of a trip to WDW this year.