Just like most fanatic Disney fans who are residents of Southern California, I enjoy visiting Disneyland multiple times a year (on average, 12) thanks to my annual pass. This became a minor worry when I decided to study abroad in Paris. How could I survive without a trip to Disneyland for four months? After a little research, it was a worry that would soon be resolved.
While the ticket prices at Disneyland Paris are relatively lower than the ticket prices you would find at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, I was still trying to find the best deal. With proof of being a student, you can make one payment of 95 euros and you will have the Classic Passeport Annuel (formerly known as the Francilien AP) for the year. My parents questioned why I needed a pass for an entire year when I would only be studying abroad for four months; but when I took two things into consideration, the answer was very clear. I estimated the amount of times I would actually visit the park and how much it would cost to buy single day park hopper tickets. Disneyland Paris offers multiple price ranges for their park tickets. For a park hopper ticket, you are looking at spending about 62-90 euros, or you can pay 95 and purchase the student annual pass and visit the park 280 days of the year!
Disneyland Paris is a refreshing change from the usual rides you see at the Disneyland Resort. Some rides are similar, some completely different, and some WAY better (Space Mountain 2 specifically). Walt Disney Studios Park is smaller than I was expecting but it has some hidden jewels there. In Toon Studio, you can find the new Ratatouille ride then shrink down to mouse size at Bistrot Chez Remy and enjoy a nice meal in his restaurant. My favorite part about visiting the park throughout my time abroad was seeing the park’s decorations change with the seasons, not to mention the food is extremely delicious! During my visits to the park, I often became star struck from seeing characters I had never seen before. By the end of my semester, I had visited the park a total of 7 times with my roommates and friends, and will visit the park a couple times again this summer.
My advice to anyone thinking about visiting the park, consider your options because I found that it is very doable for the budget (and it is worth it for any Disney lover abroad). If you find yourself with a free day in Paris, kick back on the RER A straight to Disneyland Paris and have a magical day!
Andrea Reyes is a CEA Alumni Ambassador. She is a student at Cal State Northridge, where she is studying Sociology. She studied abroad with CEA in Paris in the Fall of 2015.
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| Front gate to the parks |
While the ticket prices at Disneyland Paris are relatively lower than the ticket prices you would find at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, I was still trying to find the best deal. With proof of being a student, you can make one payment of 95 euros and you will have the Classic Passeport Annuel (formerly known as the Francilien AP) for the year. My parents questioned why I needed a pass for an entire year when I would only be studying abroad for four months; but when I took two things into consideration, the answer was very clear. I estimated the amount of times I would actually visit the park and how much it would cost to buy single day park hopper tickets. Disneyland Paris offers multiple price ranges for their park tickets. For a park hopper ticket, you are looking at spending about 62-90 euros, or you can pay 95 and purchase the student annual pass and visit the park 280 days of the year!
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| Left: Disneyland Paris Right: Disneyland Resort in Anaheim |
Disneyland Paris is a refreshing change from the usual rides you see at the Disneyland Resort. Some rides are similar, some completely different, and some WAY better (Space Mountain 2 specifically). Walt Disney Studios Park is smaller than I was expecting but it has some hidden jewels there. In Toon Studio, you can find the new Ratatouille ride then shrink down to mouse size at Bistrot Chez Remy and enjoy a nice meal in his restaurant. My favorite part about visiting the park throughout my time abroad was seeing the park’s decorations change with the seasons, not to mention the food is extremely delicious! During my visits to the park, I often became star struck from seeing characters I had never seen before. By the end of my semester, I had visited the park a total of 7 times with my roommates and friends, and will visit the park a couple times again this summer.
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My advice to anyone thinking about visiting the park, consider your options because I found that it is very doable for the budget (and it is worth it for any Disney lover abroad). If you find yourself with a free day in Paris, kick back on the RER A straight to Disneyland Paris and have a magical day!
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| RER A ride from city center to Disneyland Paris |
Andrea Reyes is a CEA Alumni Ambassador. She is a student at Cal State Northridge, where she is studying Sociology. She studied abroad with CEA in Paris in the Fall of 2015.