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.

 

[lcmckenzie2022]

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

I would love to go to all sorts of places, that is for sure! But we only have 3 days due to family taking time out to babysit our kids and senior dog (for which we are so grateful). Definitely just needs to be a short haul, quick trip (flying out of Pearson). But there were definitely some great tips and points in the thread so far that I am definitely going to consider!

 

[lcmckenzie2022]

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.

You know what, that is a great idea! I'm going to compare the cost between the 2 rates just to see the dollar amount and find some savings to make up for it. Something to do while I think about it, for sure! Especially for us since it's just the two of us this time and a very short trip.

Found this site: https://fxtop.com/en/historical-currency-converter.php?C1=CAD&DD=03&MM=08&YYYY=2024

 

[mort1331]

we are committed to this March. Room and tickets covered already. We have a bunch of DGC in Can$ and will use them to cover the food. But I probably wont play golf if the dollar stays the same. Only small adjustment.

 

[kimbert]

We booked the WDW portion of our stay directly with Disney (so USD) back in May 2024 (bounceback) and I've been paying it down, lay-away style. Our $80 USD has shown up as low as $108 CAD or as high as $115 CAD recently. Over the 14 months, that difference is only $100 (if it stays close to the rate it is now). Of course, I'd prefer to pay the lower amount! But in the grand scheme of things, our 20th wedding anniversary trip will be worth the extra (we hope!)

However, we recently added on our Universal days, and the exchange rate was rather unpleasant to behold. But thanks to someone else on the DIS mentioning them, I looked at using Costco Travel to book a hotel+tickets at Universal. Their package price (in CAD) was lower by ~$600 than the Universal package price (in USD) online, converted to CAD. So... if you have a costco membership, you could look into their package options. We are also able to pay it off a bit at a time (harder for your spring trip I know), but at least my price is in CAD and locked in, instead of based on the rate each month like my WDW payment.

 

[bfamily5]

We are doing a Disney Cruise in May and I had canadian gift card - added it as on-board credit to 'lock in' current exchange. Got $345 usd on a $500 cdn gift card - pretty gross but I feel like it's going to be worse!

 

[ottawamom]

While that might be a gross rate. I just transfered some cash to the US account this morning in advance of what may happen tomorrow. The rate I got at the bank was $1.4920 Cdn per $1US. I haven't paid that rate in decades.

It could be getting worse!

 

[bababear_50]

Paid my DVC Dues for 2026 using up my Disney Gift Cards.
I'll take a trip next year but not sure where yet.
Yep definitely could be getting worse ..........................................
Hugs Mel

 

[Cupcakesmum]

I was hoping to do a trip this year to attend my first Disney Mickey’s Christmas party, but I’m really not sure now. For 7 us it could be nuts - we’ll see!

 

[mort1331]

using Dougs tax back and see what i can get with that in US$...lol...guess Ford is good for something. Good timing....lol

 

[lcmckenzie2022]

With everything in the news, we've decided to go to Vancouver! I was surprised that the flight prices weren't too bad at all during the time we wanted to travel. But thank you for all the tips everyone, some of them were really useful for in the future!