How Brexit could hurt Disney World

The decision by the United Kingdom to leave the European Union could have a negative impact on Walt Disney World and the Florida economy.

United Kingdom Pavilion at Epcot

The response to U.K.’s decision on Thursday was swift with financial markets throughout the world plunging and the pound dropping to its lowest level since 1985.

The pound plunged more than 10 percent from about $1.50 to $1.35. The euro also fell against the dollar.

According to the Visit Florida website, the U.K. accounts for the second largest amount of international visitors at 1.7 million people a year. The top one is Canada at 3.9 million. For those of us who head to Disney World often, we can all attest there is a large contingent from the U.K. visiting.

“When it costs 8% more to purchase things in the U.S. — overnight — it does force folks to reconsider their vacation plans,” according to the Motley Fool. You never know people in the U.K. may suddenly decide to stay at home.

In turn, better exchange rate could mean people may want to head from the U.S. to U.K. to see the real sites opposed to what you might find at Epcot.