Local woman helps people travel to Walt Disney World
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> One local woman is looking to make vacationing easier for clients with her newly expanded business A Walk in the Park with Colleen.
For more than three years, Ballston Spa resident Colleen Parisi has helped people plan their days in the parks at Walt Disney World.
More recently, Parisi decided to increase her business by becoming a registered travel agent and offering full vacation planning services, including flights, hotels, and transportation, for Orlando, Fla. as well as other destinations around the globe.
“Now people can come to me and it’s one-stop shopping for them,” Parisi said at a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony for A Walk in the Park with Colleen.
The event, hosted by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, coincided with the 48th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom opening and the 37th anniversary of the opening of Epcot.
Parisi’s love of Walt Disney World started more than 20 years ago.
“My husband and I found we couldn’t have children, so we decided we would take our nieces and nephews to Disney, and pay for everything,” she explained.
Their first trip was good, but it wasn’t great, Parisi said and she felt that her nieces and nephews deserved a great trip.
“So I started learning everything I could,” she said. Through research, Parisi found ways to make each trip to Disney fun and easy.
Over time, friends and family started asking Parisi for assistance in preparing for their own Disney visits.
Parisi became to go-to person for Disney planning and found she enjoyed sharing the Disney magic and ensuring that people have a fun experience while they’re in the parks.
“I hate hearing about bad experiences at Disney. It breaks my heart,” Parisi said, “especially when you can avoid so much of it.”
What Parisi enjoys most about her role as a travel agent is when clients share their photos and stories about having a great time. “When you hear that, it makes you feel really good,” she said.
Parisi’s ultimate goal for A Walk in the Park with Colleen is “to create magical memories for as many people as I can,” she said.
Her motto is: “If somebody wants their Disney planning to be easy, have them call Colleen Parisi.”
Parisi always aims to give people more than they expect, so wherever they visit, it’s a magical experience.
A Disney expert, Parisi has visited Walt Disney World 33 times (soon to be 34), Disneyland in California once and even Disneyland Paris once.
Additionally, she spends time every day researching the parks, keeping up on all of the new attractions, rides, and resorts. “Disney is always changing,” she said.
Parisi also has experience planning trips both throughout the United States and overseas.
While Parisi likes meeting with her clients in person, A Walk in the Park with Colleen offers services to clients across the country too.
Along with the pre-trip planning, Parisi is available for her clients if they need assistance while they are away. “I’m with you from start to finish,” she said.
More information about A Walk in the Park with Colleen is available online at awalkintheparkwithcolleen.net or by calling (518) 265-1421.