Parc Asterix or Disneyland® Paris?
Creating magical memories: Why an excursion to Parc Astérix or Disneyland® Paris is essential for your next Paris school trip
Paris, the city of lights and love, has long been a dream destination for travellers of all ages. Easily accessible from the UK via coach or air, it’s the ideal destination for schools who want a fuss-free overseas trip with short transfer time, and its rich history, iconic landmarks, and artistic heritage make it a truly magical place for schools to explore – regardless of their subject.
When planning a school trip to Paris, there are two exciting additions to your trip itinerary that can take your students’ experience to the next level: a visit to either Parc Astérix, or Disneyland® Paris. These renowned theme parks offer abundant unique and unforgettable adventures, providing students with a well-earned break from their studies as well as the opportunity to create lifelong memories.
In this blog post, we’ll explore why an excursion to Parc Astérix or Disneyland® Paris is an essential addition to your next school trip itinerary.
Parc Astérix
Based on France’s favourite comic characters, Parc Astérix is located approximately 46 kilometres north-east of Paris, and is accessible in under an hour’s drive.
Ideal for groups looking for a quieter theme park experience, the park is abundant with thrills – even more so than Disneyland – yet has fewer queues, meaning much more time for your students’ enjoyment. Boasting more than 50 attractions, shows, and a character village, spread out across themed zones such as the Vikings, Egypt, Ancient Greece, Gaul & The Roman Empire, Parc Astérix offers a fun and educational experience for all, at the fraction of the cost of its closest competitor.
Equity says: “We recommend Parc Astérix for all our groups, as its variety of rides and attractions provide a broad range of appeal for children of all ages. As the park is rooted in such a huge part of French popular culture, it’s also a great option for groups seeking an immersive cultural experience.”
Key information for Parc Astérix
- Under an hour’s drive from central Paris
- 2.3 million visitors each year
- Open April-November (and occasionally festive dates – please check on enquiry)
- Based on the famous French comic book series, Asterix
- Unique insight into French culture
- Zones based around Vikings, ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Gaul & the Roman Empire
- 8 thrilling rollercoasters, 7 water rides, and over 35 other attractions including shows
- Restaurant and kiosk options available on-site, and groups are allowed to bring in food and drink from outside the park
Disneyland® Paris
Students are transported into a world of enchantment and wonder at Disneyland Paris, with lands themed around well-known fairytales (Fantasyland), futurism (Discoveryland), (Frontierland), 1920s America (Main Street USA), and Asian-African cultures (Adventureland). With more than 50 attractions throughout the park, students can meet beloved Disney characters, enjoy thrilling rides, and witness spectacular parades and live shows.
Our groups usually spend two days at Disneyland, which gives them the opportunity to also visit the neighbouring theme park of Walt Disney Studios. Best for teenage audiences, this park combines the nostalgia of the Toy Story and Pixar universes with the comic book world of Marvel to deliver a themed experience that feels familiar and fun. Not only can your group enjoy more mature rides here with a higher thrill factor, but they’ll additionally be able to meet popular characters from the Marvel and Pixar franchises.
Across both parks, you’re guaranteed to be impressed by their attention to detail, immersive storytelling, and magical atmosphere – making a visit to Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios a truly unforgettable experience for students of all ages.
Key information for Disneyland® Paris
- About a 40-minute drive from central Paris
- 15 million visitors each year
- Open every day of the year
- Based around the world-famous, magical world of Walt Disney
- Students will recognise many of the characters
- 8 thrill rides, and over 46 other attractions including shows
- Over 50 restaurant and kiosk options available on-site. Groups are not permitted to bring your own food or drinks into the parks.
Read more about French Language trips to Disneyland® Paris >>>
Read more about STEM trips to Disneyland® Paris >>>
Let Parc Astérix or Disneyland® Paris add a touch of magic to your next school trip to Paris
Whether you opt for Disneyland® Paris or Parc Astérix for your next Paris school trip, both theme parks encourage teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, all while fostering a sense of storytelling, wonder, and imagination among students.
Each park also offers its own distinct perks and, ultimately, deciding which park is right for you will depend on the demographics of your group, as well as your students’ learning objectives.
At Equity, we’re experts at pairing the education goals of our groups with excursions to help reach them. If this sounds like something your group would benefit from, please get in touch – we’re ready to help you embark on an extraordinary journey and include Parc Astérix or Disneyland Paris in your itinerary.
To enquire about including a visit to Parc Asterix or Disneyland® Paris in your next school trip to Paris, please call us on 01273 648248. You can also fill out our webform, and our school trip experts will get back to you as soon as we can.
