Do you need a visa to travel to the EU?

My dd is registered for a class trip to EuroDisney and questions have come up as to if she needs a visa to travel within the EU on a non-EU (American) passport as a British resident. Apparently they get group passports when traveling as a class and one of the organizers who is from South Africa said that anytime she traveled she needed to get a Visa. I have looked at the home office page and found nothing.

Can anyone point me in the right direction? DH and I are going without the kids to Paris next month and the thought of me needing a visitor visa never crossed my mind.

I did not when I went to Paris. 

Americans don't need visas to most, if not all Western European countries for a simple tourist visit.  Some Eastern European countries require visas...you should always check the relevant country's embassy/consulate page if you're unsure.

Your daughter definitely won't need a visa for France.

South African nationals do need visas to travel to France, which is probably where she got this info from.  But US nationals can travel within the Schengen area (which is most of the EEA, including France) visa free providing that it is for a visit of less than 90 days.

Vicky

Yea I have travelled all over europe and didnt need a visa!

you only need a visa if you're planning to work/live there. If it's just a visit, a simple passport is sufficient.

x
Monica

It is important to note though that there is no such thing as an EU Visa (or Work Permit for that matter).  While, as Vicky pointed out, the Schengen region as a whole all have visa free visitor travel for US passport holders, it is still up to the individual countries to decide who they allow in and in what fashion.

Also, realize being a resident, even a permanent one of a country does not normally allow you to travel as if you have a passport from that country.  So as long as you don't have a UK passport, you will be treated in other countries as if you are from the States (assuming you are a US passport holder).  My passport has the stamps to prove it!