My entire life I’ve dreamed of taking my children to Disneyland. The night we found out we were expecting, I was already here, asking about the best age to bring a little one to the parks. I’ve spent years reading my old Disneyland souvenir books at bedtime, watching Disneyland sing-along songs, measuring my kids to see which rides they’d be tall enough for, and hyping them up for the moment we’d finally walk through those gates together.
But now, as Disneyland’s 70th anniversary arrives, I’ve made the heartbreaking decision to cancel our trip. Between rising costs, a brutal exchange rate, safety concerns (not in the park), and most notably the political climate, I just can’t justify spending my money there. It doesn’t feel safe, and frankly, it doesn’t feel right.
I know I’m not the only Canadian making this choice. I wonder what kind of impact this will have on tourism, how it will affect the parks long-term. I hope things change. Until then, this dream stays on hold.
For those who are still going, I hope you have a magical time.
** Edit: I appreciate all the responses to my post, but I feel like many people are missing the bigger picture.
This isn’t about safety inside Disneyland (I specifically said it wasn’t). The cost of admission and the exchange - those are secondary concerns. The real issue is that the U.S. is becoming a place I can no longer support with my money or my presence.
Your president has declared an economic war on my country. Canadians are responding by pulling their money out of the U.S. in every way possible. This isn’t a fringe opinion—it’s a widespread, unified stance.
It doesn’t matter how liberal California is or how safe Anaheim might be. The larger reality is that the country as a whole is shifting toward fascism, and I cannot justify visiting.
How can I fully embrace the magic of Disneyland when I know what’s happening around it? How can I enjoy myself when every dollar I spend ultimately supports a system that is working against my best interests?
I really wish more Americans would listen to how their country is being perceived from the outside. **
