Students do self-study at Disneyland.
By Flavia Zhou
Disneyland, not a library, is the best place for Chan Bai to do self-study, especially when she has to revise for examinations.
“If I go to the library or stay at home, I study the whole day. Sometimes I am tempted to scroll with my smartphone. It is good to change the venue for my study. I can take a stroll in the theme park when I want to take a break,” the Hong Kong university student says.
After learning from a classmate that many students do self-study there, Chan bought an annual pass in October 2024, which cost her HK $1178 (US $151.74). She visited the theme park three times that month to do her study.
“I went to the theme park alone a day before the final exam for the first time in November last year. I finished doing some revisions at that time. I only had to go through all the materials again. I wanted to revise in a more relaxing environment. The area around Grizzly Gulch is my favourite spot,” the 22-year-old student recalls.
（Photo courtesy of Chan Bai）
“It took me an hour to go to the theme park. I studied from 2 a.m. to 6 p.m. after lunch. Then I joined the Christmas events at 6 p.m. So it was a day of schoolwork and fun. I didn’t feel stressed even though it was exam week. I will go there again to study with my friends,” she adds.
The marketing student prefers reading class notes and PowerPoint files when doing self-study at the theme park.
“I usually sit in a spot where there are few tourists around. I can listen to Disney music playing at the park. My favourite song is Grizzly Gulch Daytime Music Loop. The whole experience is very pleasant,” she says.
Another student Lee Jiu shares Chan’s feelings about studying at the theme park.
“I usually go there when I have to do PowerPoint slides and project reports. It’s a very relaxing experience. But when I really have to stay very focused doing reading, then I do my study in a library,” says the 22-year-old student, who has been to the theme park for her schoolwork two times so far.
Lucky Nugget Saloon in Grizzly Gulch and Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars are her favourite spots for inspiration when doing proposals.
“I like brainstorming for new ideas for coursework. I always do roller coaster rides to scream and relax, and then inspiration bursts,” the marketing student says.
Lee enjoys studying at Disneyland so much that she wants to work in Shanghai so that she can bring her work.
(Photo courtesy of Lee Jiu）
Ming Yue, a university student majoring in statistics science, also enjoys going to the theme park to study. Her favourite spot is RC Racer in Toy Story Land. She goes to Disneyland to study once or twice a month.
“I go to Disneyland to write essays or statistical analysis reports. I like staying at a resting area near Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars and the dining area or lounge area in World of Frozen. I go there after lunch and study, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.,” the university student says.
“I can finish my studies and then have fun in Disneyland. This is better than studying in a library,” Ming says.
“Seeing visitors playing at Disney doesn’t bother me. Visitors there motivated me to complete my studies faster. I usually do thrill rides after finishing my studies before returning home,” the 21-year-old adds.
Edited by Zora Yan
Sub-edited by Bliss Zhu
