Canadians Traveling to the USA in 2025

[shaycamp21]

We booked with another family for Aug 2025 at our 11-month window, and bought our Canadian Resident tickets in early November (I believe the deadline to purchase was the day before the election - how's that for irony )

Definitely wobbled a bit in the days/weeks after the election, but this is probably the only chance we'll have to go with this family for quite some time because of their plans/kids ages etc... so we're going to forge ahead, knowing we won't be back for a few years for sure.

We'll look at banking/renting points as needed, and this gave us the push to finally plan a trip to Europe for 2026, instead of putting it off for another few years - we're not getting any younger

I do have some guilt for not being the "Team Canada" supporter with a boycott/cancellation - but what if relations deteriorate so far that we can never go again? What if we end up having to sell our DVC? I'd regret missing a "last hurrah" so to speak. If that's mental gymnastics, then I guess I better get to stretching.

My biggest concern right now is that we have a connection through another Canadian city, meaning that we'll go through US customs outside our own province/airport, and if we have any issues there we'll have an expensive and frustrating time getting home.

I can totally relate. I have been on the fence about our summer trip which I booked in early January when the free dining promo came out (before the inauguration) and used Visa points to book our airfare. We haven't been to WDW since 2017 and that was only a 3 day trip before a Caribbean cruise when we stayed on property but only visited MK. Our family's last big WDW trip was in 2015 where we did all 4 parks and the waterparks. We had another WDW trip booked for 2020 but you know how that went down.

Our older girls, who have enjoyed many trips to WDW are now in their 20's, no longer want to travel with us but, our youngest (who's 13) was really looking forward to this trip as she doesn't remember much about WDW. Mind you she is far from deprived of a Disney fix in the last 10 years she's visited Disneyland / California Adventure, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland and both parks in Tokyo as well as Aulani Resort. So no deprivation of Disney magic there--and if it was just my family going I wouldn't hesitate to cancel and just go somewhere else.

However, a close friend of mine asked to join us on this trip with her daughter and mom. They have never been and she finds the whole planning of a WDW trip overwhelming and wanted to go with us since we have planned many a trip. Her dad recently passed and her mom has offered to treat her and her daughter. We also did a big surprise reveal for her daughter and she of course is so super-excited since she's been wanting to go for years.

When things started ramping up about the 51st state talk and the tariffs my friend seemed really apprehensive and I was hoping she would initiate cancelling but when I brought it up she still wanted to go because she wasn't sure if her mom would have the money later on or be in good enough health (she's a single mom who struggles to get support from her ex so wouldn't be able to afford this on her own). So at this point we are still going go because I just don't have the heart to cancel on them.

 

[cisco911]

we are driving down this summer to stay at a family home and do a week at disney. Not really concerned about being in florida but more about driving through some states. Hopefully all this gets settled before our trip not just for our trip but for the greater good of both countries.

 

[Rohi]

That's where I'm at, its a tough decision. My oldest daughter got her 7th birthday at disneyworld and my youngest was promised a trip next year for her 7th. I'm making all the "support canadian" changes at home... but am I going to let politics (if it's safe to go next year, who knows) ruin my daughter's birthday and rob me of the last few years of my kids thinking it's "magical and real"? I'm not sure yet. My biggest worry right now is safety at the border.

We also have the tradition of 7th birthdays at WDW!

My oldest is 20 and we started it with her. My 3rd turned 7 in 2020 and we couldn't go due to covid, we eventually went in 2022 when she was 9 but she wore a pin saying "Celebrating my 7th birthday (2 years later)" . My youngest turns 7 next year and I just cancelled the booking we had and rented out the points. We will play it by ear and see how things pan out. Breaks my heart the direction that things seem to be headed though .

 

[Donald - my hero]

our daughter and her family made the hard decision to cancel their trip in August yesterday. They just didn't feel it would be safe for them to travel as they represent a segment of society that's not overly welcome. They had booked thru Costco and were expecting to eat $3 k in non- refundable deposit/ airfare etc but they got every single penny back apparently the agent my daughter spoke with was very understanding and mentioned that she wasn't the only person with the same concerns.

 

[C.Witch]

our daughter and her family made the hard decision to cancel their trip in August yesterday. They just didn't feel it would be safe for them to travel as they represent a segment of society that's not overly welcome. They had booked thru Costco and were expecting to eat $3 k in non- refundable deposit/ airfare etc but they got every single penny back apparently the agent my daughter spoke with was very understanding and mentioned that she wasn't the only person with the same concerns.

Wow - good on Costco. Terrible circumstances, but that must have been a huge relief.

 

[Minnie84]

Currently at Aulani. Every single American we’ve spoken to this week has been pleasant and social with us. Life is short. Turn off the “news” and live your life. Time is the only commodity you can’t have more of. Kids are having a blast and we look forward to our WDW trip in August as well!
Cheers!

 

[CanucksRock]

Going thru customs uneventful. (Also have Nexus …so usually uneventful) Pretty full plane.. because Disney (direct flight)

Happy this trip is finally here, was stressing about it a bit

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

My son and 10 of his friends went to Boston on Thursday for a bachelor party. Got through Security and Customs in 10 minutes. Went to an NBA game last night and going to watch the Red Sox on Sunday. Business as usual with zero issues. Media is, of course, making it seem like drama is the norm now at the borders, but I think it can be like that at any time. Just depends on the officer on duty, IMO.

 

[damo]

My son and 10 of his friends went to Boston on Thursday for a bachelor party. Got through Security and Customs in 10 minutes. Went to an NBA game last night and going to watch the Red Sox on Sunday. Business as usual with zero issues. Media is, of course, making it seem like drama is the norm now at the borders, but I think it can be like that at any time. Just depends on the officer on duty, IMO.

I haven't heard anything in the media about trouble at the Canada/US border.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

I haven't heard anything in the media about trouble at the Canada/US border.

CTV had an article posted on their X account, but have since removed it for some reason. When I went back and clicked on the story, I got the 404 error.

Edit to add: Found another one, although it seems like these are all things that could happen at any time to anyone. Not rocket science by any means: (removed link as it likely violates thread rules)

 

[ottawamom]

The Canadian gov't has issued warnings about crossing the border. Mostly about informing people that your electronics can be searched without reason and you can be denied entry based on what they may find. Apparently you have to give them your password so they can gain access to the devices. US border guards have sweeping powers to allow or deny access to their country.

Word of warning is just that if you are crossing the border with electronics make sure there isn't anything on there that can get you into trouble. There were many news items on various Canadian networks highlighting the concern.

Bottom line if you are crossing the border, prepare for the worst and hope for the best. If you have nothing to hide there is no reason for concern.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

@ottawamom like I said. CTV article says to be prepared when crossing the border. This is all normal as when I go, I assume they can ask to check anything I bring, including electronics.

I always hold my breath until I get through.

 

[ottawamom]

It is new to me. Crossing the border has always been a simple routine process. Where are you going, how long. Have a nice holiday. If I hadn't seen the news report and they asked to see my electronics at the border I would turn bright red because I've never been asked such a thing before. That in and of itself would likely cause them to look deeper into things. And I'm someone who has nothing to hide, I like to be prepared for what may happen so that I can remain calm and collected.

Things are not the routine we are used to anymore. A little more caution and thought is required when travelling abroad.

 

[tinkerone]

Here's something interesting and I will tell you upfront, I don't have all the information. My nephew and his family flew out of Pearson yesterday morning going to Orlando. It was him, his wife, his 8 y.o. son from a previous relationship and their 1 y.o. They were stopped and he was taken aside for questioning. It was 90 minutes and they weren't sure if they would make their flight. Apparently they only took him for questioning, left his wife and children alone but able to fly if he didn't make it. As yet there is no idea why he was targeted. He does work for the Canadian government, has no police record, had proper passport and documentation including proper paperwork to take his older son across the boarder. Last time he flew was probably 15 years ago. They all did make the plane so that was good.
It will be interesting when he gets home and there is a more complete dialog. I'm getting this from his mother.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

@tinkerone, so stressful for them, especially when everyone gets separated! Traveling is always stressful with young kids in tow, and then that happened!

Yes, everything is heightened right now, but honestly, I always feel anxiety until reach the other side or at my gate. If I have a smooth process, I'm thrilled!

I've had my maiden name questioned (Eastern European) at the airport, my then-9 YO son questioned as his last name was my maiden name and I was married, my then-5 YO questioned by US land border agents while crossing for the day, I've been fully patted down by US agents at the airport, asked to turn on my electronics at the airport, over the years. I literally just chalk it up to the individuals working at the time I am crossing whether it's the land border or airport.

 

[Lesverts]

I trolled a TSA agent once when I got pulled for the full touch and feel. I made sure he was as uncomfortable as I was.

 

[CanucksRock]

I trolled a TSA agent once when I got pulled for the full touch and feel. I made sure he was as uncomfortable as I was.

I had to get searched because I always set off that stupid body scanner for reasons unbeknownst to me They were like we can take you to a private room, I’m like just do what you need to do, I have nothing to hide.

 

[ellbell]

I had to get searched because I always set off that stupid body scanner for reasons unbeknownst to me They were like we can take you to a private room, I’m like just do what you need to do, I have nothing to hide.

Isn't that for security and not the border?

 

[redrosesix]

Thanks for putting up this thread. We had just got back to doing our Disney trips when this all came down...covid and then several deaths in the family had us traveling for other reasons.

We did our trip in February because it was already paid for. we had booked for a big family reunion trip in November (we booked two of the rooms on our bounceback) but I think i was already wary when we left on our last day. All 6 families decided to cancel and I was actually relieved because we were able to get a full refund...rooms, tix, dining plan but we didn't book flights yet. We're rebooking somewhere else, maybe Scotland or Costa Rica or Barbados. we'll decide in the next month.

Next February was supposed to be onsite at Universal plus a week at our timeshare...which we sold in March. and the cruise we were planning for April with a bunch of families from our campground is also canceled. it's going to be a river cruise instead...I think...that one is still being negotiated because there are so many involved. But we agree that it's too risky to travel through the US for Canadians even if we wanted to. with travel advisories in place, it's highly unlikely that trip insurance would cover losses if things went wrong and all or part of a trip had to be canceled.

it's really unfortunate because Disney World is such a big part of our family's memories, but at this point I don't think we'll ever be there again. we did discuss doing Disney Paris for a trip, but we've never been to Paris so if we go we'll just do Paris.

 

[redrosesix]

Isn't that for security and not the border?

That's TSA but it's all part of DHS.