Canadian Disney Enthusiasts Shift Allegiance to Paris Amid US Travel Boycott
Millions of Canadian tourists are deliberately bypassing American Disney parks, opting instead for the magic of Disneyland Paris as a notable decline in foreign visitors to the United States continues despite robust global travel trends. Travel agencies specialising in Disney holidays and other international trips are observing a firm commitment among Canadians to boycott travel to the US, driven by political and policy concerns.
Political Climate Deters Traditional Visitors
According to industry experts, President Donald Trump's ongoing trade disputes, his controversial suggestion to acquire Greenland, and intensified immigration enforcement efforts have collectively rendered the United States a less appealing destination for many international travellers. Figures from the US Commerce Department's National Travel and Tourism Office reveal a 5.4 per cent decline in total foreign travel to the United States through November 2025. This downturn was significantly driven by a reduction of four million Canadian visitors, marking a substantial 22 per cent drop compared to the previous year.
Christine Fiorelli, owner of Canadian travel agency Fairytale Dreams & Destinations, reported witnessing a 30 per cent shift among clients who traditionally booked US Disney vacations. These customers are now turning to alternatives like Disneyland Paris. "Many travellers are still eager for that magical Disney experience but prefer to avoid supporting US-based parks at this time," Ms Fiorelli explained. "It still holds a place in their heart, but not now."
Personal Stories Highlight Broader Trend
Catherine Norris, a 57-year-old from the Toronto area, exemplifies this sentiment. Having visited Disney World with her family annually since 2008, she and her husband have now booked a Disney vacation in Europe and back-to-back Disney cruises departing from Singapore instead. "We're huge Disney lovers, but given the current political climate, we're not traveling to anywhere in the US," she stated. "It will probably be at least five to 10 years before we will travel to the US again."
This shift is particularly striking given that in 2024, Canada was the top market for visitors to Orlando, home of Walt Disney World, with a record 1.2 million visitors according to Visit Orlando, the city's destination marketing firm. However, the outlook remains uncertain, with 2025 figures yet to be released.
Corporate and Industry Responses
Walt Disney CFO Hugh Johnston noted on the company's latest earnings call that it had less visibility into international bookings for the second quarter, prompting a shift in marketing and sales efforts toward domestic travellers. Disney did not respond to additional requests for comment regarding this trend.
Despite the White House's assertion that "President Trump has done more for American tourism than anyone," as stated by deputy press secretary Anna Kelly, industry data tells a different story. The World Travel and Tourism Council estimates a 6 per cent drop in foreign visitors to the United States in 2025, even as global tourism rose by 6.7 per cent.
Broader Impact on US Tourism Sector
The travel boycott extends beyond theme parks, significantly affecting US national parks and the broader hospitality industry. Australia-based Intrepid Travel, which offers over 300 US national park tours, reported bookings down 42 per cent for 2026, with Canadian bookings plunging 93 per cent. UK-based luxury travel agency Cazenove+Loyd scrapped plans for tailor-made itineraries centred around parks in states like Montana, Washington, and California.
Christopher Wilmot-Sitwell, co-owner of the agency, remarked, "It might not be quite the time to launch something that is dedicated to the States." Hotel operator Hilton Worldwide's full-year results showed per-room revenue and occupancy rates fell in the United States in 2025 despite rising in every other region.
Data and Policy Concerns
Flight analytics data firm Cirium reported that bookings by Europeans to the US between 7 October and 31 January were down 14 per cent year-over-year, while bookings from Canada fell 17 per cent in the same period. The White House's recent proposal to require millions of travellers to submit social media data has added to the uncertainty, according to travel agents.
Erik Hansen, head of government relations for the US Travel Association, warned this could cause millions of vacationers to go elsewhere, as the administration's immigration enforcement efforts have led to a perception that it's harder to travel to the United States. However, he noted that data on denied entries has not increased compared to previous administrations.
Marriott International's CEO emphasised at a January conference that the company was working to convince government officials to be more welcoming to international visitors, highlighting the industry's concern over the ongoing decline in foreign tourism.
