It’s spring time. The time of year when the vast majority of student groups travel. The time of year that we in the industry refer to simply as: the season.
A lot of groups will travel now because it’s during or near their school’s spring break. As a result, cities like Washington D.C., New York City, and Orlando are currently brimming with student groups from all over the country taking in the sites and attractions.
However, if there’s a “season”, there’s also an “off-season”. As you might imagine, they’re opposites in a lot of ways. The season happens in the spring, whereas the off-season happens in the fall (Think October through early December). Most importantly, a lot of groups travel during the season, whereas during the off-season…not so much.
But we here at Green Light feel there are some definite benefits to traveling in the off-season. We understand a lot of groups travel in the spring out of preference or necessity and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But if there is even an iota of potential that you could consider planning your next student trip for the off-season, you probably want to soak in this insight.
Less Busy
When you’re visiting a place like Washington D.C. in the off-season you almost feel like you have the place to yourself in comparison to the spring. The monuments aren’t packed with thousands of students, lines are shorter, traffic around the National Mall is lighter. All this means you can do more each day because it’s just easier to get around.
On the other hand, places like New York City and Orlando will always feel packed, but the benefits of traveling in the off-season are still there. You’re competing with far less groups for things like hotels, shows, restaurants, and workshops. Thus, in the off-season you’re more likely to be able to customize your trip with the accommodations and activities that work best for your group.
“Cool” Weather
Have you ever seen the leaves changing color in Washington D.C.? They’re breath-taking.
Have you ever walked through Manhattan around the holidays? The cool breezes mixed with the lights and sounds somehow make it feel even more magical. Orlando even becomes more inviting in the off-season. Lower temperatures help when you’re attempting to conquer a theme park. Bad pun alert: we think the weather in the off-season is super “cool”.
More Affordable
There is an infinite number of factors that can impact the cost of a trip. When considering price, the rule of thumb is always to speak to a Green Team Member for the most accurate idea of what things cost. That said, think of it from a simple economic standpoint; If more groups travel in the season, things like airfare, buses, and hotels should be less expensive in the off-season when they’re not so high in demand. This could lead to more affordable rates and even more value for your travelers.
’Tis The (Off) Season!
We’re just going to come out and say it: If you travel in the off-season, specifically December, your group can do things you simply can’t do other times of the year. You can perform in Disney’s Candle Light Service, ice skate on an outdoor rink in Washington D.C. or Rockefeller Center in Manhattan, or you can even see the Rockettes perform the world-famous Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. These are just a few of the hidden gems of the off-season.
Just Another Great Time To Travel
Look, we think that student travel is awesome no matter when you do it. And we strongly salute all of the groups out there on the road right now. But some folks may prefer the benefits of traveling in the off-season because it’s less busy, can have pretty awesome weather, usually more affordable, and can offer distinct performances and activity opportunities. Consider it if you can. The off-season is just another great time to travel.