Pathetic Canadian Dollar!

[Olivia]

Well maybe I'm greedy, I don't know..... but I'm disappointed with the "big deal" offered for Canadians and the 1/2 price 7 day pass, etc. Let's face it... our dollar is dwindling every day and I would think that Disney would come up with a little more for us Canadians than a 1/2 price ticket.... and a character meal.... Am I missing something? Sorry, but it doesn't really excite me...

I read lots about codes and discounts and go here and there but really..........why does a person have to go through all this just to get a decent rate! To me that's not acceptable. We deserve a break! We shouldn't have to call here and then and grab this and that!

Would love to know how other Canadians feel about this.

Just today I heard on the news that there is only one direct flight into Florida (via Halifax) whereas this time last year - there were 5 flights!

I guess I thought they wanted our business......... .

 

[DisFan2]

I too, was lamenting the condition of our currency as I plan our October trip. However, I don't think we (as Canadians) should expect handouts from Disney just because our currency is terrible. I think people believe that because they're both called "dollars", they are really both the same thing with the same value. I don't think they are and have not been for the last 10 years or so. Should WDW subsidize visitors from countries with weaker currencies? Unfortunately I don't think they should or can. What would Americans themselves think if they started doing this? The real blame and problem lies with our economy (and monetary policy). For now, I'm adjusting our vacation plans - no WDW resorts this time, I'm hoping to get "better" hotels for less through Priceline. I figure I can more than make up the offset from our declining dollar this way. I'll have to bite the bullet on food and tickets (although we take a cooler and pack some staples) but gas will be cheaper. Sorry I can't be more sympathetic!

 

[SandraC]

I see both your points. We went to WDW last year April 21 - 28 (April 20th was a night spent in Ormond Beach). Seven nights at CBR cost me $2100 CDN. I didn't know about codes at that time. I ended up spending $7000 CDN that trip. We had such a wonderful time that I started saving again for a trip this April. Now I know about codes, so I got CSR for $99.00 USF, good airfare (about the same price as last year, but this year we pay for 2 year old ds and we are flying Air Canada this time, last year was Air Transat). I think this year I'll get a better car rental deal and we will buy the Canadian 7 day HP like last year. Last year we went all out with char meals and expensive dinning. This year we are cutting back. When I made my budget for this year, it came to $7000 same cost as last year for more nights and I am paying for a child that I didn't last year. So although our dollar sucks, I am getting a better vacation this year for the same amt of money. That is due largely to codes and research.

I like the fact that Disney gives us a break in the tickets. I would much prefer if they didn't expire, but that's okay. It makes us use up all the days and I feel pampered to come and go as I please.

Canadians are only 10% of Disney's market, for them to give us a break is generous. They don't have to do that at all. As much as I enjoy Disney, it's a company out to make money so any deal they toss my way is beneficial. So I guess that supports the second post.

To support the first post. I gotta admit, a few weeks ago, I was about to chuck my WDW plans. See I thought I would only spend $6000.00 for this April's trip. So I got a $1000.00 surprise when I started adding the costs up. Last year I bought USF for 1.58, I remember that clearly. VISA charges were a bit higher. 1.59 - 1.60. What's the dollar now, about 1.60? So it's really not much more than last year.

I remember when I was a child, our dollar was worth .05 MORE than USA! LOL!

It's too bad about our dollar and I too get frustrated with the cost of Disney, but we do have a great time.

I understand both points.

 

[MickeyCanada]

I feel the same as you Olivia. Yes, they offer the special on the tickets, but it is only a time limited offer, so most of the time you can't benefit from them anyway, when you have kids in school. If you go on their holidays it costs you more to stay so there is no savings. They offer specials to Florida residents all the time. What do they need a special for when they live there. I'm not asking them to break the bank, but it would be nice to see a REAL special offered once and awhile.

Even the Disney Club membership is disappointing. Everytime there are coupons on it for whatever, you can't use them because they are good only in the US, and the coupons they offer for their resorts are the same as just having the card. You don't even need the coupon. So now I am also questioning whether I will renew my membership this year or not!

 

[timC]

Of course Disney is not to blame for the state of the Canadian currency, or the Canadian airline industry, or the economy in general. However, they are in the vacation business and if they want your vacation $$ (Canadian kind) they'll have to come up with an attractive incentive. I think it's time for Disney to re-look at the Canadian market, and refresh their discount offerings.

There has been a lot of press about the general state of the tourism industry, and Orlando heavily depends on Disney to attract visitors... Disney has been discounting their rates, and they're still offering the Canadian deal of course. But as Jo-Anna points out, their current focus is on the state of Florida. It doesn't help Canadians, but I think it's a good strategy. Florida residents are Disney's bread and butter, and when times are tough, you've gotta look after your core customers... They also just announced a similar strategy in Southern California to keep the locals coming into DL.

When they first introduced the Canadian special "at par" pass, it was a great deal and I think it enticed a lot of us canucks out of hibernation. However, when it was introduced the economy was booming, the currency was in the 70's and there were lots of charter flights from which to choose.

The times have certainly changed, and I'm sorry to see there are more and more concerns posted on this board about the cost of going to Disney.

They really should take another look at their Canadian promotional offerings.

 

[Tiger926]

.

 

[wenabre]

All I know is that we have to pay off the rest of our cruise by Feb 4th and I am desperatly praying to the 'gods' of economy to do something about our CDN $$, or by the time the amount is converted to US $, I should probably own a piece of the boat!!

Also, while watching a special about Walt Disney, I just learned that his Father was born in Ont.,Shouldn't that be worth some 'brownie points' in the way of discounts for us Canadians?

Though no matter what, it is still worth it and I can't wait!!!

 

[MickeyCanada]

wenabre - I gather you are cruising in April if you have to pay in Feb. Are you taking the 7 day? It is wonderful and the ship is fanatistic! We are taking the 7 day (Western this time) next December and I booked at the returning cruiser rate for a cat. 8 for 4 people. However, it costs us in Canadian dollars, what it would cost Americans for a cat. 4. It really is frustrating!

Hope you enjoy your cruise!

 

[SandraC]

I am spoiled rotten (in a good way LOL). Last April we ended up spending $7000 CDN. Now I saved a long time and told the family to spend whatever they wanted. I didn't want a budget WDW trip like when I was a kid. See, spoiled. I hate the ecomony right now. I remember when our dollar was about 1.20 and I thought that was bad. 1.60 is ridiculous. But I also remember when our dollar was 1.20 it seemed to work out in the end. I mean, if a loaf of bread in Canada was $1.20 in Florida it was only $1.00, seemed products cost less in USA a while back, so the exch kinda worked out even. But these days are different. I when to www.wdwig.com to check out the McDonalds menu at DTD and they had the same prices as McD's in Canada. That's just dumb! If I'm paying $3.00 for a Happy Meal in Canada, I figure in the states it should be about $2.00 USF, but nope! So a $3.00 USF Happy Meal cost us $4.80! AT MCDONALDS! I don't think so! Here's the spoiled me ~ we said on vacation we wouldn't eat at McD's or other chains that we can eat at from home. I can't believe I was considering McD's at DTD! I will not pay $20.00 CDN at McD's in DTD when I can eat at a WDW food court for the same $$$$$. I hope it gets better!

 

[wenabre]

Mickey Canada,
When in Dec are you doing the western cruise?

 

[Absimilliard]

I see your points. I totally agree with them. Me and my family wants to go back to WDW and Florida... but paying for a 7000-8000$ cdn for a 2 weeks trip... No thanks. With that money, we whould be better off for a 3 weeks in Europe, with 3 to 4 days at Disneyland Resort Paris, visiting the all new Walt Disney Studios and Disneyland park. Remember... one day admission at either of these park is 36 euros, which is around 52$ cdn! A lot less than the 52$ american WDW charge. Of course 3 to 4 days passes are offered.

That said, we will go to Florida, but... by car! We will drive all they way from Montreal, Quebec to Orlando. If we do it in the summer, stopping at 2 Six Flags parks alongside interstate 95 and its will be free admission! How? Simple, buy a La Ronde ( amusement park in Montreal, bought last year by Six Flags ) season pass and its will be valid at all Six Flags amusement parks in the world. 2 nice diversions, so its can "cut" the 24 hours drive.

Last time I went to WDW was in 1998, visiting Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. I worked at DLP last year, so I know the Disneyland park inside and out, lol. Space Mountain at DLP is, according to many, the best Disney rollercoaster and is on par with Indy at DL and TOT at MGM!

 

[SandraC]

Hi Quebec! I'm from Montreal! We went to WDW last April. Such a great trip, we wanted to make it an annual event, even thou I spent $7000. I thought HEY YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE! So we are all ready to go from our April 2002 trip! Along the way I started planning a summer vacation. We have Paramount Canada's Wonderland seasons passes (BTW, I LOVE AND MISS Laronde!) We originally planned a trip to the Paramount parks in Ohio, NC, then off to Myrtle Beach. But we shortened it down to only Ohio park, little kids, not used to long car drive, figure 10 hours in a car will be a good enough test. SO! I started planning 4 nights in Cincinnati Ohio. Here is the budget I worked out. CDN FUNDS
Gas $150
Hotel $100 x 4 night = $400 (it's got free breakfast and an indoor pool and is only 4 miles from the Paramount park)
Groceries $50 (we will have picnic lunches and only eat dinners out)
4 nights of dinners $50 CDN each = $200
Spending about $200
3 days admission to Paramount Kings Island with a water park ZERO ~ portable passes!
GRAND TOTAL: $1000 CDN! I think that's EXCELLENT for a 5 day/4 night vacation! We will treat the park like Disney, spending lots of time on rides and the water park. We started getting very excited about this trip. If it's successful, we shall venture off to the Virginia and NC parks soon too. If they work out, we shall try driving to WDW one year and stop off at the parks just like your trip! I had so much fun planning the Paramount vacation and seeing that vacations don't need to be $7000, that we are postponing 2003 and 2004 WDW trips for other destinations and plan to return 2005 maybe buy and AP and go three times from 2005 - 2006. S

 

[Absimilliard]

BTW, did you know that La Ronde is building a new rollercoaster? Its like Montu at BGT andDD at IOA!

Great trip! You'll have fun. If you have a spare 2 days, I suggest you checkout Cedar Point, in Sandusky, Ohio. In term of number of rides, I believe they are the amusement park with the most. They will have 15 rollercoasters next year!

 

[MickeyCanada]

wenabre - We are going Dec 7-14, I am surprising my family with this one. It is so far off. Which category are you taking and which date in April?

 

[wenabre]

We are doing the eastern cruise from April 6-13 ina cat 4 and then we are doing the western from Dec 21-28 in a cat 6. I was rather hoping that you might be on that one but at least you can be the 'guinea pig' and find out whats good or not and then tell me all about it!! Please.

OR....you could change as Christmas is great onboard !!
Just an idea..?

 

[MickeyCanada]

wenabre - Two cruises in 1 year! Wow! Did you win a lottery or something? Thats amazing! Have you gone on the cruise yet or will April be your 1st cruise? How many are you in your group? I would love to go at Christmas, but the savings to go 2 weeks ahead are just too good with the CDN dollar!

 

[wenabre]

Mickey Canada,
Check your PMs, I left a message for you there.

 

[Elaine]

Due to a family situation, we were did not book our Orlando trip by Jan. We travel on airmiles and
couldn't get on a plane to Orlando in Jan or Feb. So, our Travel Agent found us a lovely all-incl in
Mexico. Better price than paying the whole shooting match in Orlando.
If there had been flights, that is different, but to pay the airfare for all of us PLUS the passes and
hotel on site, we found this other holiday more tempting.

Indeed, WDW is our fav and traditional holiday but the peso seems more attractive than Cdn and
US currency diff.
MHO! Elaine

 

[SandraC]

Elaine! Have a wonderful trip! We too are going to try other destinations after April 2002 WDW trip. I planned a 5 day/4night trip to the states for the summer for $1000 CDN! I'm sure a WDW trip 5 days for be $5000! DH would like to travel to NFLD and dd wants to go to PEI. We like travelling around Ontario too, but I think we've done it all (mostly). We've been out west (before the kids) as well. We end up at WDW because (a) love it (b) limited options with the kids.

Our new plan is to utilize our Paramount Canada's Wonderland passes (portable) at the USA parks. Summer 2002, we'll try Ohio park. There is a park in Virginia, couple hours for Virginia Beach, and another in NC, 5 hours from Myrtle Beach. So they are on the list! I think we'll return to WDW in 2005 and again in 2007. When take it from there!

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!

 

[animalcrackers]

Come to PEI. We want the money! lol...