Now that the US Dollar is expensive ...

[bltman]

I highly recommend a US dollar credit card. Most of the Canadian banks issue them. You will save significantly on the added fees tacked on to currency exchanges though a standard Canadian $$ credit card.

Also, expect to see different deals offered by Disney to Canadians to make up for some of this. Recently, Disney has been offering longer periods of free dining or discounts (subject to availability) for Canadians.

 

[dis_guy]

Also, expect to see different deals offered by Disney to Canadians to make up for some of this. Recently, Disney has been offering longer periods of free dining or discounts (subject to availability) for Canadians.

Actually. I was wondering about this the other day. Maybe we'll get some good offers for Canadians in 2015.

 

[Susan2771]

I remember years ago when the exchange rate was really bad Disney used to offer vacation packages at par... or maybe I'm imagining things, I was pretty young at the time and travelling with my parents lol. Either way, I wouldn't mind seeing that promotion again now.

I remember this. It was in 2002. I remember it because my husband and I got engaged in July of 2002, the day after we got engaged we saw this promotion that Disney was offering with the packages at par and we booked it to leave the next day to celebrate our engagement. Ha, I was calling work from All Star Sports every day during our trip pretending to be super sick and couldn't go into work. Those were some good times!

 

[disneyfreak89]

We leave next week. It won't change anything for us. We are driving though so we are very pleased with the way gas prices are going.

Same here. With the low gas prices, I figure it'll offset the exchange rate somewhat.

The exchange isn't bad compared to several years ago when we paid 1.69! I still can't believe we paid that, but hey, everyone needs a vacation!

 

[dsneygirl]

Got some US cash today and $200 was $242. Ouch. We're DVC so our acomodations are paid for whether we go or not (dues) but it definitely gives me pause for all the extras.

A $4000 trip is now $5000.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I tend to take a lot of efforts to save on our trips to Disney. The rise in the exchange will impact our choices. Basically when we go, we go for two weeks and this runs use about $1600 for flights, $2500 for room (DVC), $1400 tickets (UCT) and $2000 for food, shopping and other activities (note this example is for 16 nights at Disney, with 10 days in the park). So $7500 USD. This exchange rate shift almost adds the cost of a 5th person to our trip ... so this will either force us to downgrade to another resort level, or compress the time line of the trip, or focus elsewhere (ie the Cottage)

 

[dis_guy]

A $4000 trip is now $5000.

$4640.66 today, actually. But then there's those pesky fees!

 

[dsneygirl]

$4640.66 today, actually. But then there's those pesky fees!

I was guesstimating 20% but clearly my math is off, because 20% would be $4800.

Tickets are non-negotiable, have to get there somehow but it definitely makes me think about spending money. Which is an easy one. We'll probably eat more in the villa, not to as many expensive meals.

 

[saskdw]

Does the recent drop in CAD over the US (roughly $1.15 CAD / $1USD), does this impact your plans?

We usually go to one of the Disney parks every 2nd year, so we were thinking about 2015, but it is a lot more expensive than I was there in 2013 when the dollar was at par.

No.

Never gave it a seconds thought.

 

[mombrontrent]

We usually take 1-2 trips to somewhere in the U.S. every year so we know we will need U.S. "currency". We have a U.S. savings account, so when the dollar is at par or close to it we put money into that account. Than when we travel we use a U.S. credit card and pay it off at the end of the trip using the savings account. These things help a lot.

 

[Sue M]

It will affect our shopping & food budget with the lower CAD prob will limit our suvies to a tee shirt, and will eat more CS, cut down TS.
Thankfully I paid off this January trip before $ really took the plunge. For August we have air booked too. But will be paying off Aug trip with lower $.
Both trips food & suvie budget will be downsized.

 

[scrap_heaven]

Got some US cash today and $200 was $242. Ouch. We're DVC so our acomodations are paid for whether we go or not (dues) but it definitely gives me pause for all the extras.

A $4000 trip is now $5000.

This is our problem, we are now paying an extra $1000 just in exchange which is brutal

 

[mab2012]

I wouldn't cancel a trip over it, but I'm definitely cognizant of the difference. I too travelled in 2002, when the CAD was at an all-time low, and yes, at current rates we're about 25 points better off. But we're also nearly 25 points lower than the 2007 high. Anyone who doesn't notice that is either not paying attention or simply far more cavalier about their finances than I (which is not at all a criticism, just an observation).

I still have a sizeable USD balance to pay off for a cruise next summer. Much of the recent decline in the CAD can be attributed to the drop in oil prices. I just keep telling myself that if oil stays down long enough, I'll save more in gas than I'll pay on the exchange difference. It's probably even true, even though we drive relatively fuel efficient compact cars.

 

[Belle599]

Yes, it kind of stinks but no way it will influence how frequently I travel. What it has influenced is me finally deciding to get the amazon.ca visa card with no additional forex fee and perhaps I will purchase only 1 pair of shoes per trip instead of 2. Oh, first world problems. Counting my blessings.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Same here. With the low gas prices, I figure it'll offset the exchange rate somewhat.

This is what I tell myself too! Every time I fill up my car and save a bundle I call it my Disney savings! °o°

 

[bcwife76]

I wouldn't say it's hampered our plans ( we have a cruise booked and then a train trip up to Anaheim to visit DL), but one thing I'm wondering about is: we haven't booked our plane tix home yet (we don't travel until the end of Sept) so I'm torn between waiting for a sale on tix and just buying it now, thinking that even if a sale happens, if our dollar continues to fall we'll still pay more.....

 

[bankr63]

Oh, first world problems. Counting my blessings.

We need a "like" button!!!

 

[flav]

The exchange rate rise basically counterballanced Disney spring offer.

Flight and cruise were booked through canadian agencies but the land portion (hotel, dining and tickets) is costing us enough that there won't be any budget left for another vacation this year.

Also, this made us reconsider our choices for future trips.

 

[xlxo]

How low can we go?
https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/echarts?s=CADUSD=X

 

[bankr63]

How low can we go?
https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/echarts?s=CADUSD=X

Thanks for the reminder. In March '09 we were down there with a $0.79 dollar. $0.84 seems much better in comparison. I'm just praying it doesn't drop another nickel before we go...