Last month, we took our annual RV trip from the Toronto area to Miami for a festival, with a stop at Fort Wilderness on our way home. This year, however, felt different in many ways.
- Fewer Canadian Travellers – On our journey there and back, we noticed a significant drop in Canadian licence plates compared to previous years.
- Hollywood Beach, FL – Typically a popular spot for Québec Snowbirds, the campground we stayed at was shockingly empty—only about 10% occupied when it’s usually fully booked.
- Festival Vibes – The festival we attended has always attracted a counter-culture crowd, with most attendees socially and politically aware. This year, we were struck by how many Americans seemed either oblivious to the current state of affairs or unwilling to acknowledge the chaos.
- Fort Wilderness Feels Different – Upon arrival, we realized we were among the few Canadians there—normally, the park has plenty of RVs with Canadian plates. Sitting by the pool felt… off. Too many loud voices, too many flag-themed outfits—if you know, you know.
- Unpleasant Interactions at Epcot – Chatting with staff at the UK pavilion, we heard firsthand how guest interactions have taken a turn, including instances of being told to "go back home."
Since returning home, we've reevaluated our travel plans and ended up cancelling multiple trips to the U.S. this year. Calling Air Canada to cancel our March Break flights meant enduring a 1.5-hour hold time—only to have the agent casually mention that many others were cancelling too. She didn’t even ask for a reason.
On the bright side, this experience has accelerated our plans to buy a place in France and shift our focus to exploring Europe.
For our Disney trips, we're now considering destinations in Asia instead.