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Hey all! Thrilled to join as the newest writer. I cover loyalty for The Globe and Mail and talk credit cards and points daily on Instagram. My focus here? Family travel and how everyday families can make their budgets go further.
Orlando, Florida, will always be one of my go‑to destinations. I’m all in on the theme parks, but the surrounding neighbourhoods, side attractions, massive restaurant portions, and points‑friendly hotels make it even better.
And if Disney World is on your radar, this might be the moment. Canadians have access to several exclusive offers and the stack.
Walt Disney World Theme Park Tickets
First, let’s talk about theme park tickets since they will usually be the biggest expense for families. Currently, there’s an exclusive deal for Canadian residents: 4-Day theme park tickets start at US$115 per day, plus tax. This offer is good until October 4, 2026.
If you’re new to Disney, Orlando has four major theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom. Buying a four‑day (or longer) pass is pretty common.
At first glance, US$115 per day might not look like a deal when regular tickets start at US$119. But once you dig into the details, the savings become much more significant.
For instance, let’s look at the daily admission costs in July for standard visitors.
From July 6 – 9, you’re looking at a total cost of US $615 for the four days.
Now, let’s see what the Canadian Resident pricing is.
For the exact same dates, Canadians pay US$477. That’s a savings of US$138 or about CA$189. For a family of four, that’s about CA$756 back in your pocket, which is a solid return.
If you want to boost your earning potential, you can buy Disney gift cards at a grocery store and pay with your American Express Cobalt Card to earn 5X Membership Rewards points. Or, pick them up at Sobeys and pay with the Scotiabank Gold American Express to earn 6X Scene+ points.
Using a family of four as an example, you’d spend roughly CA$2,600 on Disney World park tickets. At 5X points, that earns you 13,000 Membership Rewards points, which is worth $130. If you transfer those points to Aeroplan, you can easily get $200+ in value. All the spending you were going to do anyway.
Speaking of Aeroplan, Air Canada was recently named the official airline partner of Walt Disney World. You can redeem Aeroplan points for Air Canada Vacations Flight & Hotel packages, but keep in mind the value is capped at 1 cent per point.
On a positive note, when booking your flights and hotels to Orlando via Air Canada Vacations, families of 4 can earn up to 15,000 bonus Aeroplan points.
Walt Disney World Hotels
On top of the theme park discounts, there’s also a Canadian‑resident offer that gives you up to 30% off Disney hotels. Disney has roughly three dozen hotel categories, and generally, the higher‑tier properties get the full 30% discount, while the more budget‑friendly options come in closer to 10%.
That said, when booking 1 to 4 nights, you’ll save 20% at some great hotels, including Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Riviera Resort.
These deals run until October 3, 2026, which lines up perfectly with the ticket offer. Just note that from August 14 – 27, the discount drops by about 5%.
One of the biggest perks of staying on Disney property is early entry, which lets you into the parks 30 minutes before the general public. Additionally, you get free transportation to the parks and Disney Springs, so no rental car is needed.
You don’t have to stay at a Disney‑owned hotel to get Magic Hours. Canadians often look to the Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin – three popular alternatives that are all within walking distance of Disney’s BoardWalk and the back entrance to EPCOT.
Even better, these resorts are managed by Marriott, so you can use points and free night certificates. Just note that award rates can be high and resort fees still apply. Here’s what pricing looks like from July 6 – 10.
Remember, a five‑night points booking only charges you for four. So it’s often worth tacking on an extra night, even if you don’t plan to spend that bonus day in the parks.
Now, if your focus is on savings, there are actually quite a few Marriott properties nearby. You won’t get extended-hours access, but the savings can be significant.
I’ve stayed at all three properties and usually pick them when I know I won’t be in the room much. They still work well for family time, though – the pools are great for my daughter, and the nearby grocery stores, restaurants, and Target make it easy to grab anything we need.
I’m actually booked at the Residence Inn next month since I got a two-bedroom suite for about CAD$250 a night.
Theme Park Tips
As you’ve probably noticed, this piece focuses on Disney World. Orlando is also home to Universal Orlando Resort, which includes three parks: Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and the new Epic Universe. Trying to squeeze everything into one trip isn’t ideal since there’s so much to do, so I’ll cover Universal separately.
For now, let’s stick with Disney. Whether you haven’t visited in years or you’re thinking about going for the first time, there are a few things worth knowing.
Most people tackle one park per day. Each park is massive, packed with rides, character meet‑and‑greets, and shows. You can easily spend a full day in one, but you’ll want to plan for breaks – especially in the summer when the Florida heat hits hard.
If you’re short on time, you could purchase a park hopper pass, which allows you to visit multiple parks in a day, but you’d really be rushing things.
Disney also keeps things fresh with seasonal programming. This year, Cool KIDS’ SUMMER is back, featuring events like Jessie’s Roundup: A Rip‑Roarin’ Revue! at Magic Kingdom, GoofyCore at EPCOT, and Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!.
Recent additions and updates include Bluey’s Wild World at Conservation Station in Animal Kingdom, Zootopia: Better Zoogether!, a new mission on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, and enhancements to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Other Things To Do
I won’t go deep into non‑park activities here, but it’s worth remembering that Orlando has plenty of great attractions beyond the theme parks. In fact, taking a break is highly recommended—the parks can be exhausting. A pool day, some shopping, or a non‑park outing can be the perfect reset before diving back in.
Kennedy Space Center is only an hour’s drive, and space travel is having a moment, helped by Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen’s record‑setting deep‑space mission. The grounds are packed with great experiences: launch bay tours, an astronaut hall of fame, and immersive exhibits showing what living on Mars might look like.
One of my favourite local neighbourhoods is Winter Park, where you can take a scenic boat tour through the canals and lakes or explore several excellent art museums. Park Avenue is lined with boutique shops and restaurants, and the area is just a short drive from Mills 50, known for its fantastic Asian cuisine.
ICON Park can feel a bit tourist‑trappy, but I’ll admit I like the complex and the surrounding area. It’s home to The Orlando Eye, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Madame Tussauds, and the Museum of Illusions. Just know that admission can feel steep for attractions you’ll likely finish in under an hour. And while the Orlando Eye offers mostly flat views, you can spot Epic Universe from the top, which is a fun bonus.
One thing I genuinely enjoy about this area is the cluster of easy, comfort‑food spots: Shake Shack, Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips, LongHorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden, Golden Corral, and the world’s largest McDonald’s. Are they Orlando’s top restaurants? Absolutely not. They’re just my guilty pleasures.
While these are just some ideas to get you started, I highly recommend checking out Visitorlando.com. They have detailed guides to inspire you on your trip to Orlando. More importantly, they offer free 1-on-1 consultations, so you can have someone help you plan your itinerary.
Final Thoughts
While some people may understandably be avoiding U.S. travel right now, I actually see it as an opportunity. Visitor numbers in Orlando are down, and Disney World is rolling out some substantial discounts. That means more savings and fewer crowds.
Even though my upcoming trip is with my daughter, Orlando and Disney World are still fantastic for adults. You can move at your own pace and enjoy the parks without worrying about overtired kids.
