The impact of a strong US dollar

[Alfalfa]

With the U.S. dollar index having risen 21.2 percent since July, what affect do you think a strong US dollar will have on foreign guest visits to WDW? Brazilians, Europeans, Chinese - all have been enjoying favorable exchange rates and superior purchasing power. But now, a WDW visit can appear to cost 25% more than last summer when including WDW's own price increases.

 

[Cormoran]

Interesting situation. I live in Az and know several Canadian snowbirds. I know they cut back on additional expenses while they were here. Being a totally selfish person, I really hope it cuts foreign tourism to the US, WDW in particular.

I remember a few years ago when O'Bama was at WDW to promote tourism to the US. Maybe he can come back and tell everyone to stay home!

 

[JenLT]

I think tourism to the US is a great thing! It brings money to our country and boosts local economies.

 

[Cormoran]

I think tourism to the US is a great thing! It brings money to our country and boosts local economies.

Yup it does, but it also makes the parks more crowded, so I'm happy if there is less competition for space in the WDW parks.

 

[amw]

Yup it does, but it also makes the parks more crowded, so I'm happy if there is less competition for space in the WDW parks.

Wow .... You do realize that these boards are available to non-Americans to read? I feel so welcome.

 

[FamilyMan4]

Being a totally selfish person, I really hope it cuts foreign tourism to the US, WDW in particular.

I remember a few years ago when O'Bama was at WDW to promote tourism to the US. Maybe he can come back and tell everyone to stay home!

You do realize that when the US dollar and economy was tanking in 2008, it was the foreign tourism that helped compaines, WDW in particular, still post good numbers through that

 

[Disneylover99]

Wow .... You do realize that these boards are available to non-Americans to read? I feel so welcome.

Yeah, me too.

 

[Cormoran]

Wow .... You do realize that these boards are available to non-Americans to read? I feel so welcome.

As I said earlier, I am being totally selfish. I would be happy for anything that reduced crowds, including Disney limiting attendance. I'm sorry I offended you.

 

[xlxo]

Cruising to Alaska on the Disney Wonder goes up... especially with a pitstop in Canada...

 

[DDLand]

Wow .... You do realize that these boards are available to non-Americans to read? I feel so welcome.

Yeah, me too.

Don't take it personally. He'd be happy if for some reason people from New York or Boston had to stop going. He doesn't care who stops going, just as long as there are fewer people in the park.

 

[Cormoran]

You do realize that when the US dollar and economy was tanking in 2008, it was the foreign tourism that helped compaines, WDW in particular, still post good numbers through that

Again, I am very sorry for my stupid remarks. I did not mean to offend. I was thoughtless.

Yes, I know the whole world is interdependent on one another. I also realize that this trend will increase American tourism to foreign countries.

 

[Cormoran]

Don't take it personally. He'd be happy if for some reason people from New York or Boston had to stop going. He doesn't care who stops going, just as long as there are fewer people in the park.

I admitted that when I said I would be happy if Disney limited attendance. Who wouldn't?

 

[Planogirl]

I can't blame you Cormoran. I would be happy if there was any way to limit attendance even though I wouldn't wish others not to be able to go. It's a conundrum.

Personally I would go to Europe and such places if my personal economy drastically improved.

 

[Cormoran]

I can't blame you Cormoran. I would be happy if there was any way to limit attendance even though I wouldn't wish others not to be able to go. It's a conundrum.

Personally I would go to Europe and such places if my personal economy drastically improved.

Thank you for understanding what I was trying to say. It doesn't excuse my thoughtless remarks.

 

[Planogirl]

Thank you for understanding what I was trying to say. It doesn't excuse my thoughtless remarks.

Eh, I didn't see you saying that you wished that certain people didn't come just that so many didn't come. I was thinking that too last month!

 

[DDLand]

Again, I am very sorry for my stupid remarks. I did not mean to offend. I was thoughtless.

Yes, I know the whole world is interdependent on one another. I also realize that this trend will increase American tourism to foreign countries.

I didn't get why people were complaining. I'm sure they'd be happy if they found out fewer Americans were going to the park! Don't beat yourself up. Hardly stupid.

Europe's not getting anymore of my interdependent dollars until they fix Euro Disneyland (or Disneyland Paris). That place looks almost as bad as Disneyland did under Eisner! Terrible.

Back to the more general topic, I'm thinking that general softness in those economies should halt international market capture. They're slowing.

Now what's happening in America? Wage growth is finally starting to speed up. Finally. What does that mean? More Americans will have leisure dollars then in past years. Parents that haven't been able to take their kids to Disney for 6 years, will finally have these vacations on their radar. WDW and DLR should be well positioned to capture this renewed growth trend...

Expect international to continue to be a drag on earnings. Though Hong Kong Disneyland is finally becoming a positive contributor. We'll see if the momentum keeps. It's currently celebrating its 10th anniversary, so new offerings are coming along with increased merchandise sales hopefully. They also face the headwinds of Shanghai. That will mostly coming in the next fiscal year. We'll see if there's any lost sales due to that. Tokyo has been strong too. They rely very little on foreigners, so they shouldn't be impacted by Shanghai.

It just all comes back to DLP...

 

[EpiStitch]

I just hope the US dollar can stay strong for awhile. I can't afford to go overseas this year, but it'd be nice to visit the EU with an exchange rate of $1.10 instead of $1.40, or be able to afford the trip I want to take to Brazil.

 

[DDLand]

I just hope the US dollar can stay strong for awhile. I can't afford to go overseas this year, but it'd be nice to visit the EU with an exchange rate of $1.10 instead of $1.40, or be able to afford the trip I want to take to Brazil.

I have mixed feelings. Yes, there are benefits to a strong dollar. Seize the day! Yet at the same time it's a signal that the rest of the world's economies aren't healthy.

I'd sacrifice some dollar strength for global economic health. More prosperity for all!

 

[EpiStitch]

I didn't mean to imply that I want other economies to tank, it just would be nice for us to catch up a little. I don't think it means the Euro is in freefall if it's slightly higher than the Dollar, but I'm not an economist.

 

[DDLand]

I didn't mean to imply that I want other economies to tank, it just would be nice for us to catch up a little. I don't think it means the Euro is in freefall if it's slightly higher than the Dollar, but I'm not an economist.

Really it's a matter of other economies catching up to our recovery! Basically America has been shielded from the effects of years of dismal global performance. The Euro is trending lower then it traditionally has.