I’ve written about Times Square quite a bit since working for a student travel company. New York City remains (and always will be, in my opinion) a favorite choice for students. And Times Square is a must for the New York City experience. Actually, that’s how I’ve always said it before, “a must,” as if whether you want to or not, whether you’ll like it or not, you just have to see crazy, brilliant, crowded, unique Times Square at least once.

The truth is, though, you probably will. Times Square is not just an intersection to make a point to visit. It’s the convergence of so many streets and the location for so many favorite NYC attractions that you’ll almost definitely end up basking in its modern glory at some point in your visit.

One of the many ways I’ve written about Times Square is to list its stores and museums as well as its prominence in the theater district. We found ourselves in Times Square several times on our recent visit. We ate there, toured its museums, returned to it for the evening’s broadway show, and even waved to our families on Times Square web cams.

As promised, I was overwhelmed by the mass of billboards, colors, information, and sights towering over us in each direction. I was fascinated by how many people crowded the sidewalks at any given time of the day. And I was amazed by the variety of shopping, food, and entertainment just in this little corner of the world.

But my favorite part, by far, was something I hadn’t known about before. I felt vindicated for every time I complained to myself about trying to write about a place I’d never been. If I hadn’t been there myself, I don’t know when I would have realized the recent (as in, over the last year or so) change in this famous intersection.

Once as crowded with vehicles as with people, Times Square now has a section blocked off for its pedestrian plaza. I loved it. The plaza began on a trial basis. Nearby business owners weren’t sure how how the change would affect their restaurants and shops. The city wondered how it would affect the overall flow of traffic. Since the plaza is permanent now, I guess all concerned decided it was a good idea.

And I have to agree. What a perfect meeting place for groups! Students on New York City graduation trips can spread out to shop and enjoy the sights for a couple of hours and meet again at the metal chairs and tables or in front of the ticket center or by the bleachers. I could imagine grabbing coffee and a snack and just sitting in the plaza for the ultimate people-watching adventure. I like to gain perspective by the ocean or under sturdy trees, but in the midst of a world that’s busy and eclectic and one exciting sight after another can be a great place for perspective as well.

The Times Square plaza has made this iconic intersection even more amazing than before. It’s symbolic of several efforts by this amazing city to open its arms to visitors and provide a safe and friendly place for them to be.

It’s September, and I hope you seniors especially are right in the middle of all that fast-paced planning that comes with getting out of high school and moving on with your future. Hopefully, between planning the announcements, organizing the parties, signing yearbooks, and paying for it all – you’re getting the details lined out for the trip. You probably should have thought of it before now, but it is NOT too late to plan student beach trips and other popular student travel perfect for celebrating gradation.

Student travel can seem overwhelming at first. But here are a couple of things that will put you ahead of the game and maybe help you convince the powers that be to just plan the awesome trip already!

Numbers

When getting organized for student travel, think numbers, especially if you’re traveling my motor coach. These buses typically hold a maximum of 55 passengers. If you’ve got 58 people signed up for the trip, it’s time to do some recruiting. If you’re going to have to rent that second coach anyway, it will be much more cost effective for everyone if you get more people to fill it. More people in the seats equals more people footing the bill. The more people you have footing the bill, the less any one person has to pay.

Chaperones

Along those lines, keep this in mind: With most tours, one chaperone travels free per ten students. So figure those parents and teachers in with your final count. Also, consider them in your recruiting process.

Bottom line: Numbers matter. It’s just one of the many reasons you need to plan ahead!

Because have I got an idea for you.

Now, if you think it’s too soon to make graduation plans, just wait. I promise there are at least ten people waiting in the wings to make you think about this – the guidance counselor, college applications coordinators, class sponsor, and event planner. If they haven’t gotten to you yet, they are two shakes from sitting you down, asking for money, and forcing you to make some plans about that all important ceremony and the future that follows it.

We have something for you to consider, though, that looks a little more like all out leisure. Hopefully you’re considering a senior class trip anyway, and Disney Grad Nite is the perfect event for your trip.

Disney Grad Nite is an exciting event in which you and your friends are celebrated and given a place to celebrate. The park stays open late, so you can enjoy all your favorite rides long after other guests have left. There’s food, a DJ, and live music just for you. Disney Grad Nite is a theme park and a party all in one. It’s the perfect bash for you and your friends. They offer Grad Nite at both Orlando’s Disney World and California’s Disneyland. We’ll help you choose the right dates for either one. And they are guaranteed to give your school the best graduation party yet!

Yes, we’re throwing in yet another Six Flags.  This franchise holds a teeny tiny CORNER ON THE MARKET when it comes to theme parks.  There are plenty of other parks out there.  But trust us, no matter where you are in the country, if you see the famous flags – you’re definitely in for some thrills.

SF Great Adventure is located in Jackson Township, New Jersey.  So it’s a great addition to those mid-Atlantic trips like New York City graduation trips or Philadelphia educational tours.

It’s got almost as many roller coasters as its California counterpart and holds a few records of its own.  For instance, Kingda Ka.  This steel coaster is the tallest in the world as well as the fastest AND the one with the tallest drop.  El Toro comes in second in its category, but that’s hardly a count against you when you’re the second tallest, second fastest wooden coaster in the world.  An alternative name for it could be Nine Times the Air Time based on how many dips in the ride give you the feeling of weightlessness.  Bizarro is one the newest rides here (opening May of 09) based on the comic book character to whom everything is backwards, aka, bizarre.  The head rest includes audio.  There’s fog.  There’s fire, and there’s a cool zone.  All the senses get to experience this ride.  And if affecting several senses at once is part of the thrill for you, then you’ll love the ride themed after the latest Batman installment, The Dark Knight, which takes place in something akin to the bat cave before anyone turns on the lights, encouraging you to rethink your answer to the question, “Are you afraid of the dark?”

Six Flags Great Adventure is just one more way Six Flags is making the world a scream-ier place, one great coaster at a time.  Don’t forget!  These parks have all kinds of moderate thrills, food, entertainment, and family-type rides as well.  So don’t stay away just because you’ve fully embraced the fact that the answer to the last question is an emphatic yes or if roller coasters seem like the marriage of all your worst fears at once.  There’s plenty more for you to do there.  Still, we’re not highlighting it this week for the corn dogs.  Thus the looping coaster in the photo and the focus on maximum thrill.  Come back tomorrow for more!

(photo by OliverN5 on Flickr)