Students ditch libraries for fun, focus of theme parks

Alone in a crowd

Most of those who study in theme parks have annual student passes. An annual student pass for Universal Studios is 988 yuan ($136), and for Disneyland 1,399 yuan.

Ye Shuyan, a 20-year-old medical student at Shanghai University, likes to study at Disneyland.

She lives off-campus, and struggles to concentrate when she studies in her apartment, which she said is filled with distractions. With an annual pass and Disneyland's proximity to her university, Ye has combined her love of the theme park with her study routines.

"Disneyland provides the perfect balance of fun and focus," she said, adding she can study or review material while taking breaks in the park and enjoying the sights and sounds.

Ye typically spends her afternoons and evenings studying in the quieter corners of Disneyland's restaurants or outdoor seating areas. These spots, often overlooked by visitors, offer peace and quiet and views of the park's serene surroundings.

"The ambience is so different from a typical study space. The colorful environment and playful decorations spark my creativity, and I feel at ease," said Ye, pointing out there are many food options available.

She added: "There are moments when I feel like taking a break and riding the rollercoaster or watching a parade, but I set goals for myself first. I don't allow myself to play until I've completed my study goals for the day. It keeps me on track," she said.

The growing trend of studying in unconventional spaces reflects the changing needs of students, who are increasingly seeking environments that promote creativity, relaxation, and focus. Disneyland's festive atmosphere offers a welcome respite from the pressures of academic life, allowing students to recharge before diving back into their studies.

However, Ye said that Disneyland isn't for everyone and it represents a new way of thinking about study environments.

The park's blend of leisure and focus allows her to take breaks without feeling guilty and to approach her studies with a more positive attitude, she said.

Feed your head

Her approach is shared by Zhao Xinyue, who, while waiting in line one day, saw someone memorizing words from an iPad. From then on, she too began using Disneyland as her study spot, visiting the park five to six times a month.

Zhao, a computer science student at Nanjing University, began searching for internships in Shanghai in October 2024 and blends her passion for the theme park with her academic preparations for interviews.

Living near Shanghai's Metro Line 11, Zhao finds it easy to reach Disneyland. Her study is typically done during quiet moments in the park, such as early in the morning, or while waiting in line for restaurants, or events in tents. She finds this peaceful.

Even the lively music played in the park doesn't distract her.

"The music in the background actually makes me feel happy and relaxed, which helps when I'm doing tasks that require creativity or repetitive work," said Zhao.

She added that Disneyland's joyful environment motivates her and makes her less stressed, which helps her stay productive.

She recalled one study challenge when she was struggling to debug a computer code.

"I couldn't figure it out, so I went on my favorite ride, the Pirates of the Caribbean. After a few rides, I had a breakthrough and returned to my code with fresh ideas," said Zhao.

While Zhao usually studies alone, she has noticed that other students are also using Disneyland as a study spot.

She believes that studying at Disneyland represents a shift in how young people approach their learning environments. Zhao said she has also tried studying in other locations such as libraries and classrooms, but has sometimes found those spaces isolating.