Now that the US Dollar is expensive ...

[canadiandisneynut]

It has for sure caused me to rework our numbers a bit. Charging US prices and then having a credit card charge an exchange premium really increases the cost of a trip. We are choosing to book through a Canadian operator and paying in Canadian prices. Although they are marked up for the exchange, it is not nearly as high as paying US prices and a CC premium.

 

[Tanooki]

We had booked a bounceback "just in case" last summer when we were at Pop, not knowing what we'd want to do this year. We decided to make our vacation this year a Universal trip so we were waiting for best offers to book We then had some problems with unused tickets in our account that weren't properly prioritized last summer so long story short, each member of our family ended up with a non-upgradable WDW 2-day ticket. We decided to start our vacation with a 3-night stay at the Contemporary with the "magic deal" and to then move to RPR for the Universal part of our vacation. However, the way the CAN$ is plunging, we are now re-considering everything! Since the bounceback is 9 nights with free dining, it's much less "extra" spending once we get there and we won't have to worry about adding expenses, not knowing what the CAN$ will be worth then...

 

[cjbcam]

We had 2 trips planned for this year (one to Disney one to Arizona) but the dollar is really putting a damper on things. We may only take the trip to Arizona.

 

[Liv4Dis]

We are probably going to change our booking from Riverside to All Star Sports because of the dollar. I calculated this out to be a total savings of over $1,000 for our trip. I was sad about this (we had a Royal room booked), however, we have never stayed at All Star Sports so that will be fun and we are still getting to go to Disney!

Hey I just wanted to share because I am so excited and everyone I know just looks at me and says "I can't believe you are going to Disney again, why don't you go somewhere else"

And once again, we switched back to RIVERSIDE, (couldn't seem to get over the fact that we wouldn't be able to use the Water Taxi to go to Downtown Disney ... but we did change to a Garden View from Royal Room (to save some money -- about $40 per night). Super excited. Also, I snagged a flight on Southwest from Buffalo $99 per person!!! Haven't seen those prices in a while.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

I'm hoping the dollar is better soon - It's $1.25 as of today and I don't want to pay too much extra for what I have left to pay off.

What my travel agent has done is taken a cheque for the current price with exchange from me. They'll hold it in trust until I tell them to go ahead and pay off the trip. With luck, I'll have a bit of credit, if I can time it when our dollar rises a bit more.

 

[minnie56]

$1.25? I just paid over $1.28 transferring into my USD Floirda acct...

 

[Canadian Harmony]

That's online. In the banks it's usually higher.

 

[mshanson3121]

I bought $1900 US cash yesterday, and it cost me $2409. So, about 26%, but that was transferring between our main bank account and our US savings account online.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

so far the exchange rate hasn't affected our plans for this year. We will still go ahead, and travel like we had planned to, and not cut back and just suck it up. However, if the dollar stays this way, next year we won't be going to the states, and instead go somewhere else where our money is worth something.

 

[isabellea]

The exchange rate will affect how many TS we will do this summer (especially character meals as we are paying OOP). Depending on the summer promo I might stay at Pop instead of CBR...

 

[archdandy]

I honestly didn't even think about when I booked our April trip. But once I saw the charges on the credit card it definitely hurt.

 

[elaine amj]

Question: what Cdn travel agencies do you guys use that charge in Cdn prices? I usually book from US places as I have a stash of USD but every once in a while, it makes sense for me to book with a Cdn place.

 

[busymommy2pink]

Apparently not, lol. We just booked Grand Floridian for November. It's our 10th anniversary and DH and I never got a honeymoon, so we are taking a familymoon instead We usually stay at Beach Club, but have always wanted to give GF a try. We just budgeted it in. Usually we go in August, so instead we booked November to allow extra time to pay for it. It's still a good deal considering. We looked at doing London, UK this year instead, and it was still a lot more. I will admit when I made a $600 payment yesterday and it was $768 is stung a little!! We only go cash paid in full, so we watch the exchange rate constantly.

 

[Sue M]

Just made our ADRs for August. Out of a 14 day stay, we are doing 7 TS. So cut our TS in half for this trip. Mostly at the cheaper TS. Lower CAD is definitely affecting our trip. Disney will be getting less of our dollars. Won't be buying suvies either. And will be bring food for breakfast.

 

[Mortlives]

As was mentioned upthread, Disney used to offer Canadian at Par specials. I also hope they start doing that again this year.

 

[purple hippo]

As was mentioned upthread, Disney used to offer Canadian at Par specials. I also hope they start doing that again this year.

I hope so too!!! We looking at going in August this year but once hubby saw the exchange rate the plans were put on hold. Unless a really good deal comes out we won't be going. We could afford it but considering it will cost us 25% more than going elsewhere within Canada just doesn't seem like a good financial decision. We've been going to Disney every two years for the past 8 years. If they were to offer an "at par" deal or a Canadian residents special offer then hopefully that would make up for the difference in the exchange. My fingers are crossed!!!! Our other choice is to use points and get universal tickets and go there instead.

 

[flopnut2112]

We booked our 20th anniversary trip for this Christmas break 499 days out. We are waiting until 45 days to pay our balance and hoping for the best!
Our first trip in 2002 was a Canadian at par deal and our 2 other trips since had a decent rate so I'm prepared to suck it up and enjoy myself no matter what!

 

[dsneygirl]

We booked our 20th anniversary trip for this Christmas break 499 days out. We are waiting until 45 days to pay our balance and hoping for the best!
Our first trip in 2002 was a Canadian at par deal and our 2 other trips since had a decent rate so I'm prepared to suck it up and enjoy myself no matter what!

I just came across some receipts from our spring 2002 trip. The exchange rate was 1.56 on our credit card. The big difference in 2002 though was no one was traveling in the post 9/11 world. WDW had even shuttered POFQ and mothballed the other half of Pop Century. Now the resorts are full even at former dead times. And they have experienced an explosion in visitors from Latin American. I wouldn't hold my breath for an At Par deal. I just don't think Disney needs it.

 

[YYCPoohFan]

Question: what Cdn travel agencies do you guys use that charge in Cdn prices? I usually book from US places as I have a stash of USD but every once in a while, it makes sense for me to book with a Cdn place.

We booked through WestJet Vacations in $CDN. Saved us $700 for our trip this year all due to exchange. Would be worth even more now as we booked in January.

 

[someboyca]

If anyone knows the best place to exchange CAD to US instead of banks. Also wondering if in the US would it be better to exchange there. I planning to go there for 6 weeks this summer. Will probably keep our gifts buys at its lowest since the our dollar so low.