The Dreaded Exchange Rate

[Sandiebean]

What are some ways you do battle against the exchange rate while enjoying a trip to Disney?

Do you ...

1. Look for ways to not spend money because of the exchange rate?
2. Say *to heck with it, I'm on vacation.. and I'll deal with it when I get home?*
3. Bring food, drinks etc. with you.. and spend only when absolutely necessary?
4. Know tips and tricks to minimize the kick in the pants that each dollar represents?

Thanks,
Sandie

 

[hockey mom]

We figure out how much our vacation is in American, then convert it to canadian, and accept the fact that this is how much we are spending. One thing we never do is convert the item we want to buy into Canadian funds first, or else we would never buy it. For example if we want a bottle of pop in the park and it is $2.50 American, we don't say that would be $4 Canadian and head to the water fountain, we just buy it and forget about it. We did alot of comparing on our very first trip and found we were obsessing so much that it spoiled a little of our vacation.

 

[Sandiebean]

**For example if we want a bottle of pop in the park and it is $2.50 American, we don't say that would be $4 Canadian and head to the water fountain, we just buy it and forget about it. We did alot of comparing on our very first trip and found we were obsessing so much that it spoiled a little of our vacation.**

That's my thought too. My dh is an obsessor. He is the kind of guy that carries a calculator around with him here in Canada... so you can imagine how he tabulates in WDW!!!!! He's not even an accountant, for goodness sake. He owns an ad agency.



Sandie

 

[TimNDansMom]

Probably a bit of all. But, I'm so tired of always thinking about the exchange rate and I've decided that we're not going to go on vacation and not enjoy ourselves because of it. We don't go overboard with our spending, but if we want to go out for a more expensive dinner then we do it. I'm not a big souvenire buyer, but I always bring something back within "my price range". One thing too, is that since we usually drive down, gas is cheaper in the US. I look for hotel deals on the Internet and have been getting our Disney stays using the "codes". I have also been buying our park tickets at a discount from the Walmart Travel on 192 and always have days left over for a future trip(s) because we like to relax rather than go into the parks everyday, so that saves on next vacation's expenses. I do bring down some snacks but I used to go overboard and ended up bringing a lot home. We like to treat ourselves with Dole Whips, Mickey Ice Cream Bars and Krispy Kreme donuts, too much!

No, we don't obsess about the exchange rate, but try to keep things within reason. Much the same as we would do here at home.

 

[DCinNs]

I am one of those people who "converts" everything to CDN $$....my wife gets mad when i do it though!!!!!!
Ww do what we can by buying passes in Canada, booking car rentals at home, (booked a minivan this time through Dollar
for 139.97/ week USD.) But every thing sure is expensive...but FUN!!!!

 

[SpecialFXKid]

I say to hell with it all.

When I'm in Disney, having fun, the cash/travellers check i have are FOR DISNEY. It's a once in a life time chance.. (or it that, a once per year chance?) . I'm not going to bother exchanging and comparing everything I see. The money I go with is for Disney, not just to look at.

Although, when planning my trip, I take as many shortcuts as possible, to make it as inexpensive as possible.

TTFN!

 

[Sandiebean]

What kind of shortcuts?

Sandie

 

[NancyK]

I also try to forget about the exchange rate. It's just part of the vacation cost. I find it helps to buy American money or travellers cheques over a period of time. Somehow seeing the exchange rate on $100 doesn't hurt nearly as bad as seeing the exchange rate on a huge credit card bill when you get home. We drive down, so I buy a case of water here as well as snacks. That does cut the food budget down a bit.

 

[SpecialFXKid]

Sandiebean: Nothing too special, just staying in cheaper Disney Resorts (We ARE there for the parks and activities, not for larger hotel space. , finding cheap hotels to stay at along the way, or if we're flying, research many online cheap ticket distributors for the cheapest fare.
We also don't stay in more then 4 of Disneys fancy resturants per trip, that seems to help the cost alot.

NancyK: I do that to. Just today I exchanged Canadian for $100 American. Off to that little envelope marked Disney for it.

 

[wenabre]

When I am pricing things, I take the US price and double it....(I hate doing the X 1.6 math) then I say to heck with it....I am on holiday and need a break! But when my visa bill comes in and the prices that in my mind I doubled, are not as high (yet) then I feel like a got a little bit of a bonus! I know it may sound silly , but it seems to work for me.
I just hope I can keep this practice up as we are leaving in 16 days and this number I am not doubling!!

 

[Sandiebean]

That logic kind of reminds me of my dh's logic. He sets his clocks ahead by almost 10 minutes. That way.. he knows he has more time than he actually has. Well.. MY logic says.. yeah but.. you KNOW it's ahead.. so ???

I love how we work things out.

Sandie

 

[wenabre]

Sandie, I am sure your DH and I would be the first ones to say 'its not logical ( its not even vulcan) but its .........
Not quite factual,
Not even really actual,
But to those who dare,
Change how reality may bear,
The truth to some,
Is probably far to glum,
But to those who of us who are keen,
of an extra ten minutes to have been
Or of less money spent it may seem,
Are just happy to Dream !!!!

Wendy

 

[Jo-Anne]

WE bring a cooler down with us and it's packed with cereals, plastic bowls, spoons, and snacks. We eat all our breakfasts in our room before heading out. I'm also always researching for hotel room deals (CAA, entertainment book, internet deals). This will be our second year renting points from a DVC member ($80.00/night tax included for BWV is a steal!!). I also keep looking for deals on car rental sites and make a reservation well out in advance and then keep trying codes as they pop up. This board and mousesavers has been tremendously helpful in helping cut corners. The exchange is a killer, but when I'm down there I try not to think about it, but I certainly don't go for the little souveniers like I would if I were on a vacation in Canada! Good Luck Jo

 

[SandraC]

I calculated a trip to BC and a trip to PEI and both trips came within a few hundred dollars of a WDW trip. When I think about how much fun I have at WDW compared to PEI or BC (been there done that) I don't worry about it.

On the bright side, I am always pleasantly surprised to only pay 6% taxes instead of 15% here!

I budget trip so they are great fun but not unreasonable in price. I save all the vacation money ahead of time so no giant VISA / AMEX bills at the end of the trip.

It's funny how after 4 days on vacation I get *used* to spending money. LOL!

 

[DSNY FN]

We just say to heck with it and go and have fun and what we spend we spend regardless of the exchange rate. We have also bought a DVC membership and it is costing us 14K Canadian but we have spent almost that much on rooms since 96 so we think it is a much better way of doing it this way you don't see on large bill for accomodations but one small monthly payment each month.

 

[DSNY FN]

We just say to heck with it and go and have fun and what we spend we spend regardless of the exchange rate. We have also bought a DVC membership and it is costing us 14K Canadian but we have spent almost that much on rooms since 96 so we think it is a much better way of doing it this way you don't see on large bill for accomodations but one small monthly payment each month.

 

[juniorbugman]

We have been to WDW many times, leaving April 19 for1 week WDW and our first cruise, April 27 MAgic. We usually always drive down with our van so that we also can stock up on a lot of foodstuffs. We find that food in the stores in Florida is very expensive even before converting to Cdn$ and some times the fruits and veggies are not as good a quality as we can get at home. The offsight buffet resturants are a good deal for lunches or breakfasts, we then can eat at a WDW location without feeling too guilty. Try to stay away from places like McD's. Also try not to shop too much in the department stores without knowing the Cdn$ dollar cost first, a lot of items are more money to start with. Sometimes you just have to do that coverting thing. We travel with friends who spend more time putting back items onto the shelves because they get up to the cash and try to figure out how much their items cost in Cdn$ and then try to justify buying it. It is sometimes worth the cost of admission just to watch them. LOL I don't mind spending dollars at Disney but like to get value at other times.

 

[Olivia]

Well it's confession time! I've been posting for about 3 months now and I was the one right from the start who complained about the US dollar, the prices at Disney, Canadian Flights, etc...You name it, I complained and went on about it.

And..........lo' and behold we leave next week for Disney and I can't wait!..... I know the exhange is bad but I figure you only live once and you only have so much time to share memories with children so hey! we're going!

We have done a few things different this time to save $$ --- we are driving thus saving money on flights and a rental car, we are staying a few days with some family members, we got a moderate resort for $99 US and we got the Canadian Hopper special from Sears.

But, ................I owe it all to the Discussion Boards and you helpful people! Thanks so much!

We leave on the 28th! Y E S!



Olivia

 

[Annie12345]

Last year we stayed in Kissimmee at Magic Castle Inns and Suites. Rooms were $29 and suites were $39 USD and it included a full continental breakfast, queen beds, etc. It was on I92 and about a 10 minute drive to Disney. Yes, it was surrounded by flea markets and discount stores, but it was CLEAN. The continental breakfast consisted of wide variety of cereals, toast, bagels, cinnamin buns, donuts, fruit, juice, coffee, etc. The pool was small but we spent our time at the waterparks....
Disneyworld - 1997 and 2001

 

[northernmouse]

This may not work for everyone, but one thing that we've done is maintain US dollar Visa and chequing accounts. We set them up at our bank (TD Canada Trust) when my husband went to work in the US for a while. We've kept them up, and even though it hurts when we do the deposits, by the time our holiday rolls around, we don't have to think about conversion. We charge to the US Visa, and pay the bill from the chequing account. And, since you have to do US$ banking at a branch, it makes it really easy not to dip into the vacation account!