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The official podcast of Shoemaker Films. Every week we share content related to digital marketing, video production, and brand building; and frequently meet with local creatives, entrepreneurs, and business owners for in-depth conversations. Get to know local heavy hitters and influencers in the Greater Philadelphia region while picking up some tactical advice and tips on starting and running a business, being productive, creating content, and everything in between.
Heather Robinson. Thanks for being on the podcast. How are you doing today?
Heather Robinson:Pretty good. Glad to be here.
Dane Shoemaker:Good. Good. So, you know, we we know each other through, a lot of the work that we've done with, the Newtown Square Fire Company, but you also run your own business, Wish Upon A Castle.
Heather Robinson:Yes.
Dane Shoemaker:So love to hear a little bit more about that today.
Heather Robinson:Okay. So I have been in the travel industry since 2013.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:I opened Wish Upon A Castle in 2018. We survived being open during the pandemic, which was pretty incredible.
Dane Shoemaker:Sure. No one's traveling. Yeah.
Heather Robinson:Right. Wow. So so proud of my team for pulling through for that. Yeah. We just we we specialize in Disney and Universal Destinations.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:We we do sell other destinations, but that's our primary focus.
Dane Shoemaker:Tell me a little bit about your I don't know much about, you know, the travel industry.
Heather Robinson:Mhmm.
Dane Shoemaker:You know, what are some of the trends that are going on? Tell us a little bit about your business, you know, what you do. You so you specialize in Disney and Universal. I mean, you know, how does it really work? Like, if I'm I wanna book a trip, what what do I do?
Dane Shoemaker:You know?
Heather Robinson:Sure. So first, I will say with Disney, there's actually 6 brands that Disney has. A lot of people don't realize that.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:So people think of Disney and they think of Walt Disney World, Disneyland in California, maybe Disney Cruise Line.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:But they also have Aulani, which is the resort and spa in Hawaii.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:They have a product called Adventures by Disney, where basically you can travel all across the world. And the misconception with that is you're not going to see Mickey Mouse. You're not going to see characters. You're not going to see, you know, you're going to these grand destinations, whether it be on a river cruise or just to a destination. And you're gonna go on these amazing adventures.
Heather Robinson:And you have 2 tour guides that are authentic to that destination to give you that cultural experience.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:And what you're getting from Disney is that world class customer service that they are known for. Mhmm. So like I said, no characters, no that sort of thing. So when people hear that and they they hear the name Disney, they're like, well, I don't know. But then they see the itineraries and, I mean, the castles and just the amazing adventures that you can experience.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:So that's that. And then we the Disney has a new product called, National Geographic.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:So they teamed up with National Geographic, and you can go again on amazing adventures through that through that product as well.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay. So all over the world,
Heather Robinson:like Yes.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah. Okay.
Heather Robinson:And and here in the United States.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah. Okay. Yeah. I knew National Geographic at some point was acquired by Disney. Yeah.
Dane Shoemaker:And, I I grew up, you know, watching the the shows and reading the magazine and stuff like that, so I thought that was pretty cool.
Heather Robinson:So they take you to those destinations Yeah. You know, that you would that you would read about and and see about, and it's just amazing. Yeah. So that's the Disney, and then you have Universal.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:Theme parks, same thing. Orlando, Hollywood, California. Theme parks. Yeah. You know, family fun.
Dane Shoemaker:So you started this business in 2018, Larissa?
Heather Robinson:Yes.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah. Were you doing anything before this travel related? Or
Heather Robinson:So, yeah, as I said, I started in the industry in 2013.
Dane Shoemaker:2013. Okay. Yeah.
Heather Robinson:Previous to that, I, mom and stay at home mom and an EMT.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah. Yep. So why, you know, why would someone go to yourself versus I guess there's other you can book online. Right? Things like
Heather Robinson:that. Directly with the supplier, the with the destination. You can go online and book directly with Disney, Universal. But with us, you're getting that firsthand, our firsthand knowledge, our expertise. I mean, we really are experts in this field.
Heather Robinson:We travel there. We were never we never stop learning. There's always a class that we're taking, whether it's online or here. We work very closely with our Disney and Universal business development managers.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:They're they provide training for us. I'm going to 1 next week.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:I was at 1 for Universal in King of Prussia last month.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:So they really bring that to us Yeah. As well as us going to the destination.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:So we're always learning about new product, What's coming what, you know, what's coming new to their destinations.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:So that's why you use us because we have that knowledge. You book on your own and you're lost. You know, you book with a big box store that seems to have a really great price.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:And then when you call somebody to have a question answered, you're on hold or you're just talking to a call center, maybe somebody that's never even been to the destination you're going to. Yeah. Yeah. So that's really where our specialty comes into it.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah. It does seem a little overwhelming.
Heather Robinson:It is. Yeah. I'm not gonna lie. And that's kinda job security for us Yeah.
Dane Shoemaker:Right. Right.
Heather Robinson:If you will. Because for us, it's not overwhelming. We love the planning aspect of it. We love, so what's a little different we like to think about Wish Upon A Castle is
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:We get to know our clients from that first phone call, from that first email that they contact us. Yeah. We then come back with the questions. And I like, I have a quote form online that you can fill out ahead of time to give us an idea.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:And then we contact you, but then we ask a ton more questions. And it might seem overwhelming
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:When I'm asking you all of these things, and you might not know all the answers to them, but it helps us learn about you and your family
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:So that we can gear we can help gear your dust your vacation around your likes.
Dane Shoemaker:Right.
Heather Robinson:For instance, Walt Disney World. It's over 30 hotels, and they all have a different theme. And they're they're heavily themed. Beach club, yacht club.
Dane Shoemaker:30 hotels in
Heather Robinson:On property.
Dane Shoemaker:In Orlando. Or
Heather Robinson:On Walt Disney World property.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah. Okay.
Heather Robinson:That are owned by Disney.
Dane Shoemaker:I had no idea that there's that many hotels. I mean, yeah, it just goes to show you. I mean, massive operation.
Heather Robinson:Right. So each one is heavily themed.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:Very modern. Wilderness Lodge. The modern one would be contemporary, but the Wilderness Lodge, all very, specific. So if you are not an outdoorsy person and you don't enjoy that, you're not gonna wanna vacation at the Wilderness Lodge.
Dane Shoemaker:Right.
Heather Robinson:Or if the beach isn't your thing, you're not gonna wanna vacation at beach or yacht club kind of thing. Right?
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah. Yeah.
Heather Robinson:So we get to know you and what your kids like, what you like, what are your must haves? What do you wanna accomplish out of this trip? What is it that you're looking for? Do you want to just experience the parks all day long, or do you want this more to be a relaxing vacation? Yeah.
Heather Robinson:Now people think when they go to Disney, there is no way that they can relax. That's one of my favorite things to help people see is that Disney can be relaxing. Yeah. I personally feel like the parks have so much to offer, but so do the resorts. The resorts have amazing dining restaurants.
Heather Robinson:They have amazing amenities that you can take advantage of. They do a movies under the stars at night. The pools are fantastic. Yeah. So you can really spend your day, maybe go to the park a little bit in the morning, come back, enjoy the pool, relax.
Heather Robinson:Especially if you have little kids, they need time to decompress. Yeah. And then go back in the evening, have dinner, go back, watch firework. However you wanna plan your day. Right?
Heather Robinson:Like, I'm gonna help you create that.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah. So
Heather Robinson:that because when the kids are relaxed and having a good time, then mom and dad can also relax and have a good time.
Dane Shoemaker:Sure.
Heather Robinson:But if you try to push everything into one day or, you know, if you try to do the whole park in one day, everybody's gonna be melting down. It's hot in Florida.
Dane Shoemaker:Like Yeah.
Heather Robinson:It's really important, excuse me, to incorporate that rest. It's really important to realize that your trip, you're never gonna experience everything.
Dane Shoemaker:Right.
Heather Robinson:And and you have to know that going into this, that you're just gonna pick the core things of what is important to your family. And you might not know that when you start planning.
Dane Shoemaker:Right. Right.
Heather Robinson:But the questions I ask are gonna make you think about those things for our family, because my kids are older. Yeah. We don't park all day, but my family loves to fish. So now each of our trips, we incorporate 1 of the guided fishing tours into our vacation. So we start out on Bay Lake at 6:30 in the morning as the sun's coming up, and it is you would never know you're at Disney.
Heather Robinson:It's the most peaceful serene thing being out on a pontoon boat with your captain
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:In the morning. And my kids are doing what they love to do. Right? And and then we get to go to the park and ride rides. Yeah.
Heather Robinson:So it's Disney has literally something for every everyone.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:You can go horseback riding.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah. Now now that you're talking about this, I mean, like, there's just a fully customized vacation. I mean, whatever you want, whatever activities you want. I mean, it seems like there's a lot of variety. So
Heather Robinson:There is, and it doesn't have to be. So many people say, especially ones that haven't used Travel Agent
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:I need a vacation when I get home from my Disney World vacation because I'm just exhausted.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah. But it
Heather Robinson:doesn't have to be that way. Right? It doesn't have to. And if you work with Mishapana Castle, like, that's what we all pride ourselves on, knowing the ins and outs and little things that, you know, you can do there Right. That you don't even have to leave property.
Heather Robinson:You don't need to rent a car. You you can get everywhere on property where you need to go with Disney's transportation Yeah. And still have a wonderful vacation. And Universal, the same way. Universal, you know, their resorts, their, their parks are all near each other.
Heather Robinson:They have their own transportation. So it's the same concept. Yeah. Lovely resorts, dining. So we're gonna customize that to what your kids wanna do.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:And we're gonna ask questions like, you know, well, what is your child like? What is your say you've never been to Disney before. You haven't. Right? I'm gonna ask you what your kids enjoy doing here at home.
Heather Robinson:Are they into science? Are they into nature? Are they into what do they enjoy doing? And you might think, what does that have to do with my vacation? Yeah.
Heather Robinson:But their personality is gonna help me navigate you to the things that I know they're gonna like to do because they've never experienced Disney before.
Dane Shoemaker:So my kids are, we're talking about this a little bit before, my kids are 35. Mhmm. What do you think is the right age group for a for a family to start thinking about going to Disney.
Heather Robinson:So that's a very personal decision.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:So many people will say, well, my child's not gonna remember it.
Dane Shoemaker:Right.
Heather Robinson:Your child could be 10, and they're not they might not remember it. Everybody's different. I mean, I know people that do remember it from a very young age, but then there's other people I've talked to that, well, my parents said they took me every year, but I don't remember it when I was little.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:So it's a very personal thing. Like, if you think your children would enjoy that kind of vacation Yeah. Then and there's no perfect age. It's when it's perfect for your children.
Dane Shoemaker:Mhmm. Okay. So what are the, you know, we're thinking about Disney, you know, the next couple of years. I mean, what, you know, walk me through what are some of the questions that you might ask somebody that's that's submitted an inquiry or, you know, you're about to get on the phone with. Right?
Dane Shoemaker:Like, you know, we can kind of do a little bit of
Heather Robinson:Yes. So
Dane Shoemaker:customize my vacation. Right?
Heather Robinson:So for somebody like yourself, your family that's never been there before.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:What kind of vacation are you looking to have?
Dane Shoemaker:I would say, you know, and I'll throw you some curveballs because, like, my kids love Disney. I like I'm I'm into I like this the idea of the Star Wars stuff, the Marvel. I know my wife's gonna wanna relax and have some spa time.
Heather Robinson:Right. Disney has that?
Dane Shoemaker:We all like to eat good my wife and I love good restaurants, good food
Heather Robinson:too,
Dane Shoemaker:and I know Disney has a lot of good stuff there as well. So yeah.
Heather Robinson:So we would first start with the resort.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:That's oftentimes the hardest decision for people
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:Because it is important. I really believe that. I believe that where you stay, if you wanna enjoy let me preface this with, if you just wanna for the person who just wants to go to the park and spend all day at the park Yeah. Then it really doesn't matter where you lay your head at night. Right?
Heather Robinson:Because you're not concerned with anything else. You're just gonna park all day.
Dane Shoemaker:Sleep and then
Heather Robinson:Exactly.
Dane Shoemaker:Recharge for tomorrow. Yeah.
Heather Robinson:But when your vacation is going to be like what you're looking to experience
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:Picking a resort is important. You want amenities for the kids. Maybe you want, if if having a sit down meal is important to you, maybe a resort that has a table service meal there at the resort.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:The moderates and deluxe resorts have that. The value of resorts do not. They have a food court.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:But as far as a table service restaurant kind of meal Okay. The moderate or deluxes. And you're going to so, again, all the theming. What what does your family enjoy?
Dane Shoemaker:I mean, we like the outdoors. Like so I think, you know, some of the, you know, like, there's, like, zoos. Right? There's guided tours and things like that would be kinda fun. But I definitely like rides.
Dane Shoemaker:Like, my kids love doing the rides as well as do I. So
Heather Robinson:So is is trans because your kids are young, they'd be in strollers. Right?
Dane Shoemaker:Probably. Yeah. Yeah. We're starting to kind of get out of that a little bit, you know? Right.
Heather Robinson:But being in the park all day long. Yeah, absolutely. There's nothing
Dane Shoemaker:wrong with that.
Heather Robinson:And you know what's great about a stroller? It's your backpack carrier.
Dane Shoemaker:Absolutely.
Heather Robinson:So not just for the children. It's like
Dane Shoemaker:a caravan or wherever we got.
Heather Robinson:Exactly. Yeah. And that'll save your shoulders.
Dane Shoemaker:Sure.
Heather Robinson:Transportation is a big thing in deciding which resort because some resorts are very far, There, I say very far. Maybe a 10 minute ride Right. From the resort to the park. Yeah. So and some are only a bus transportation, like a bus option.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:Whereas other resorts have different modes of transportation. There's boats. There's the new Skyliner, which is like a gondola in the sky that take you from your resort to the park. So if transportation is a concern for you and you don't wanna have to be loading the kids up on the bus, like you want to be in close proximity to the parks. Right.
Heather Robinson:Then we would focus on those resorts that are a little bit closer
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:With multiple means of transportation to the park. Right. Not just the bus. So like you said, they like animals. Animal Kingdom Lodge is a beautiful resort.
Heather Robinson:There's there's animals right out there on the savannah that you can see from some rooms.
Dane Shoemaker:Oh, wow.
Heather Robinson:Which is amazing. That's pretty cool. Yep. But it is the farthest it is one of the farthest resorts from the park, so it's a bus to every park that is a turnoff for some people. Yeah.
Heather Robinson:Even though the resort is lovely, they don't wanna be on a bus for everything.
Dane Shoemaker:Right. Right. So So are there a lot of resorts that are within walking distance at all? Or
Heather Robinson:So the resorts are some of them are in clusters. So near the Magic Kingdom, you have the monorail.
Dane Shoemaker:Oh, okay.
Heather Robinson:And that's the contemporary. That's the resort that the monorail runs through the contemporary.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:And then the Polynesian and the Grand Floridian.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:So the Grand Floridian is very walkable to Magic Kingdom, and contemporary is walkable as well.
Dane Shoemaker:Got it.
Heather Robinson:Polynesian, that would be a bit of a walk, but you have you have the, monorail, so you would just jump right on that.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:But over near Epcot and Hollywood Studios, Epcot is off to your left. Hollywood Studios is off to your right, and then you have Boardwalk Beach Club and Yacht Club, all right there. So it's very walkable. Those resorts are very popular. Epcot does festivals throughout the year.
Heather Robinson:Right now, we're in the middle of flower and garden festival.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:And then in the fall will be food and wine festival. So those resorts are very popular to stay there. You can just walk back and forth to Epcot, you know, as much as you want.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah. Get some get some wine. Yeah. That sounds good.
Heather Robinson:Exactly. Once we pick the resort, we would go into deciding how many days you wanna spend at the park.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:So there's 4 theme parks.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:Two water parks. So depending on we would go through I would describe to you each of the different the different theme parks, and what would be geared to reach your kids
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:And what they would like. I know you would definitely wanna go to Hollywood Studios because of the Star Wars experience.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah. Okay.
Heather Robinson:So I would walk you through all of that, and then you'd make your decision on that. You have the option to have a base ticket or a park hopper. I don't really recommend
Dane Shoemaker:A park hopper? Okay.
Heather Robinson:I don't really recommend park hoppers typically, unless the client really wants it. Yeah. Because with little kids like that, park hoppers are great when your kids are older, but when they're that little trying to do more than one park in one day
Dane Shoemaker:Right.
Heather Robinson:Kind of just really wears everybody out. Sure.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:Yeah. But, again, it's completely customizable based on what you're looking for.
Dane Shoemaker:So of the clients that you work with, what's a typical I mean, what what is the most popular? I mean, I'm sure there's a variety of things. Every everyone's different. Right? But is there a typical package or a most popular package that you're doing, or is it are they
Heather Robinson:Well, as far as the package, we build it. Like, there is no standard package. We build it. Everything's customized.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:No. I I can't say there's
Dane Shoemaker:What's the typical length of time?
Heather Robinson:At least 4 nights, 5 days. Okay. If not if you really wanna do every park and be able to relax, 5 nights, six days. Because you do 4 nights, 5 days, you have your travel day in there, and then you can't really do a full day at each park Right. Because you have your travel days.
Heather Robinson:So to really be able to have a nice enjoyable week, you'd really want at least 5 nights so that you do have some downtime.
Dane Shoemaker:Mhmm.
Heather Robinson:So that you're not just go go go.
Dane Shoemaker:What's the longest vacation you've planned for somebody?
Heather Robinson:14 days.
Dane Shoemaker:14 days. Okay. So no one's hanging out there for, like, a month or 2.
Heather Robinson:No. I mean, they're they're I've heard there has been people that do that. But Okay. Yeah. But another option to because Disney is and I think especially right now, people are thinking, well, should we do a different vacation?
Heather Robinson:Right? Disney is Disney has a service called Genie Plus now where you have to reserve your times for rides for shorter lines. Some people aren't happy about that. Like, they they don't wanna stand in the line, but they also don't wanna pay for that service. So what do they do?
Heather Robinson:It's hot. It's hot in the summer in Florida.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:What do you what do you do about that? Well, we're here to help you also come up with a plan to help you navigate Genie plus It's that's our job also is to teach you so that when you get there, you're comfortable using it. It's all through the app, through Disney's app.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:And we help you navigate through that. An alternative to all of that, if you really don't wanna stand in the the hot Florida sun, in the summertime is a Disney cruise. And Disney cruise line has become so incredibly popular over the last few
Dane Shoemaker:years.
Heather Robinson:Yes. It used to be the concept was, oh, it's so expensive to take a Disney cruise.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:It's cheaper just to go to the parks. That's kind of actually kind of turning a
Dane Shoemaker:little bit. Okay.
Heather Robinson:Yeah.
Dane Shoemaker:Interesting.
Heather Robinson:So taking a Disney cruise and various destinations that they sail to, but you have your character experiences on board.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:You have amazing dining on board. Disney does a rotational dining. So each night of your cruise, you get a different, dining
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:Experience. Disney cruise line is the only cruise line to have fireworks at sea. Oh. Which is pretty crate which is pretty incredible.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:Right? Like, it's they do Like every night or when you're No. Like every couple.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:But they do specialty cruises. And on those, like, they have a pirates night at sea. Okay.
Dane Shoemaker:They
Heather Robinson:have a Marvel day at sea.
Dane Shoemaker:Oh, wow.
Heather Robinson:Pixar day at sea. In the fall, they do Halloween on the high seas. So the kids can dress up, get dressed up, and it's a whole fun experience.
Dane Shoemaker:That's fun.
Heather Robinson:They do very maritime cruise, so you have the holidays as well.
Dane Shoemaker:Nice.
Heather Robinson:So it's it is a Disney vacation on a ship without the lines, without the crazy crowds. Okay. So it's a great way to take a multigenerational trip to have grandparents there and be a part. They wanna grandparents want to experience that. They wanna see the faces on their grandkids.
Heather Robinson:Right? Like, lighting up with the first time they see Mickey Mouse or something. But then maybe they're not sure if they can do the heat or do the crowds. It's all that walking.
Dane Shoemaker:All the walking.
Heather Robinson:It's miles a day of walking. So here, on a cruise ship, you don't have all that, but yet you can still bring the whole family together to to have those special moments. Disney Cruise Line does have an adults only section on their ship.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:So if the grandparents wanna, you know, sneak up there, have a nice dinner, that sort of thing, the spa Yeah. They can they can do that as well.
Dane Shoemaker:Nice.
Heather Robinson:So the cruise the ships really do have everything that that you would need.
Dane Shoemaker:We we've actually never I've never done a cruise either. So that could be an option down the road. Yeah. So that sounds cool. How often does does you and your your family go?
Dane Shoemaker:I mean, once a year more? I mean, a couple times a year?
Heather Robinson:More. Yeah. I mean, I'm finding that I'm down there more now for business.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:Before it was just we would definitely go once a year as a family before I got into this travel Yeah. Business.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:And then once I did, it it was like twice a year as a family. We take typically because the kids are older and they're all in different directions now. Yeah. So we do one big trip to Disney together as a family.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:And then I'll go down for work, for conference, for the tour. You know, we Yeah. We do agency. We call them fams familiarization trips where we go down. Anybody who wants to participate can can go down and we tour resorts.
Dane Shoemaker:So Disney provides that for its
Heather Robinson:No. No. We do that on our
Dane Shoemaker:own. Okay.
Heather Robinson:There there are some that Disney offers, but they and our BDM extends that invitation to
Dane Shoemaker:us. Okay.
Heather Robinson:But she doesn't get that many, so she's divided up amongst everybody in her territory.
Dane Shoemaker:Got it. Okay.
Heather Robinson:So, you know, we do get them throughout the year, but when we do them on our own as an agency
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:We go down and stay at the resorts and
Dane Shoemaker:So how does, you know, what kind of support do you get from Disney? I mean, it's not you, do you have like a business development manager, like, an account manager that you work with at Disney? Yes. Do they provide, like, hey. What's new?
Dane Shoemaker:What's coming up? Deals, things like that that you can pass along
Heather Robinson:to people? Yes. And she provides that training for us. Like I said, we have one coming up next week.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:She meets with us typically the agency owners
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:Quarterly. Okay. And and we spend pretty much all day there collaborating, and she is obviously keeping us updated on any of the latest things that have come out. But we see that in real time every day because in our, the system that we log into, I mean, gives us the updates on a daily basis what's coming out. And the same with Universal.
Heather Robinson:Like, right before we started, I said to you that Universal just announced the details for Super Nintendo World this morning.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah. That's exciting.
Heather Robinson:So after this, I'll jump online and share all those details on my Facebook page.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:So we do really get those updates in real time. Okay. It's always there's always something new
Dane Shoemaker:I'm sure. Yeah.
Heather Robinson:Coming through the pipeline.
Dane Shoemaker:What what you mentioned Facebook. I mean, what what are some of the things you're doing from a marketing standpoint? You know, how how are people finding you?
Heather Robinson:So we are on Facebook.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:We, Facebook, Instagram. I use a lot of Google, my business, to post pretty much the content I post on Facebook. I'll pop over there and Google my business.
Dane Shoemaker:Yep.
Heather Robinson:And, really, that is what drives our business is through Google.
Dane Shoemaker:People searching for Disney vacation. Yeah.
Heather Robinson:Yes. Because when you think about it, when you need to hire somebody or when you need a trusted source, what do you do? You Google it. Right? Like, to search for it.
Heather Robinson:You don't go on Facebook unless you're asking your friends, like, you're pulling the, you know, the group. Like, hey. You know, who have you guys used or what? You know? That sort of thing.
Dane Shoemaker:Right.
Heather Robinson:But for the most part, if it's not a referral, it's coming from Google.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:That's my experience. We have our website, but that's that's a big driving force for us.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah. Do you do you do you pay for AdWords or anything like that or advertise on Google? Just it's all organic? Yeah.
Heather Robinson:All organic. Cool. You know, posting in the neighborhood community pages on Facebook, that sort of thing. The agency as a whole is consciously making an effort to try to not be just Facebook, just social media.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:For me, my passion has always been the community, been in the community. I have, you know, been a volunteer, whether it be Newtown Square or or Marble, for well, since 1993.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:So it's just kind of in our my whole family. It's just in our blood. So keeping Wish Upon A Castle present in the community is very important to us. I want the residents, you know, in the community to know who we are, to that's why I do a lot of community events, to see the name Wish Upon A Castle and know that we are your local hometown travel agency. Like, you're getting a real person, not just the call center.
Heather Robinson:And and that's what's important because we we genuinely care about you, and that's why we ask so many questions to make sure your trip is truly amazing. Yeah. We don't want you to get there and spend all of this money because it's a lot, no matter what destination you're choosing,
Dane Shoemaker:it's
Heather Robinson:a lot of money. And we want you to get there and have an amazing time and not be worried about details or did I do this or did I do that? You'll know ahead of time when you book with us, that everything is complete before you get on that plane.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:And and that's what we want you to know and and feel comfortable with. Right? And booking with somebody that you don't know or that isn't local that you you don't have the ability to meet them. Now most of our clients, we don't meet in person. We talk to them on the phone, over email.
Heather Robinson:I'll do a Zoom call. So they they see us, they interact with us. Sometimes we do have clients that that say, hey, you know, I'd like to meet you at Starbucks or something.
Dane Shoemaker:Right.
Heather Robinson:And then we do. But for the most part, today, people don't have time for all that.
Dane Shoemaker:Right. Right.
Heather Robinson:But they still want to know that they're working with somebody that is a trusted source.
Dane Shoemaker:I think there's a huge opportunity for that kind of that concierge service. Right? I mean, there's, you know, online services are, you know, so popular. Right? Book, you know, Airbnbs, you know, whatever the vacation that you're planning.
Dane Shoemaker:But having someone that you can just call up and kind of get some guidance around, you know, something like a Disney vacation, which can feel overwhelming. I think, obviously, having someone there to to kinda manage all that and give you recommendations seems like a huge benefit. So
Heather Robinson:Yeah. And it's important because everybody has a different story, right, just in life. But Right. Everybody's story, why they wanna go to Disney is also very different. Maybe it's your once in a lifetime trip.
Heather Robinson:Maybe it's the only time you'll, you know, you'll take a trip to Disney. Yeah. Maybe it's the beginning of creating lifelong memories with your family. Whatever that is, we're here to help facilitate that. But a number of our agents also recently just became certified as certified autism travel professionals.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:It's also a cause that's very near and dear to many of our hearts. Many of, my agents that work here at Rapunnel Castle are also teachers Okay. By their full time job. So a very passionate area for for many of us. So being able to help those clients that, you know, those parents that are completely overwhelmed.
Heather Robinson:How am I gonna possibly take my child to this kind of destination when there are so many elements, right, that are potentially going to be an issue. Right. Noise, sensory, accessibility. And we're here to help them navigate that. And and by by our continued training and going to the resorts and knowing, like, I can tell you at, say, Wilderness Lodge where to go and have some quiet time.
Heather Robinson:The whole resort is really quiet, but right? Like, where's a great place to just go and decompress?
Dane Shoemaker:Sure.
Heather Robinson:And and get away from everybody else? Yeah. And those things are important for a child that might have, specific needs.
Dane Shoemaker:Sure. Yeah.
Heather Robinson:So helping the parents really navigate through all that, it's it's just amazing because we get to give them what maybe they didn't think they would ever be able to experience. Yeah. They just would put off the trip because it's not it's too it's too difficult.
Dane Shoemaker:Too much. Yeah. Right. So everyone has an opportunity now to experience the magic of Disney.
Heather Robinson:Right? And universal.
Dane Shoemaker:And universal. Yeah.
Heather Robinson:So it's very we love to be able to help across the the the board. Mhmm. You know, there's just so many opportunities
Dane Shoemaker:That's great.
Heather Robinson:For us to share our love of of what we do.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah. Amazing. Any closing thoughts? Where where can, where can people find Wish Upon A Castle?
Heather Robinson:So our website is wish upon a castle.com.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:We are on Facebook at Wish Upon A Castle, same as Instagram. Just we we'd like to keep it simple.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:You know, we are here, Newtown Square, Edgemont community. And, yeah, re feel free to reach out. Many of our agents are local in the community. I do have I do have agents that are across the country that do live in other states. Yes.
Heather Robinson:But a large portion of of us are are very local here, Westchester.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:Some in Delaware. Agents? Yeah. Of course. 20 22.
Heather Robinson:Wow. 22.
Dane Shoemaker:Nice. Yeah.
Heather Robinson:We like being a smaller agency. We'd like to say we're strong, but we're mighty.
Dane Shoemaker:Yeah.
Heather Robinson:And I I guess the in closing, I will say we are an earmarked agency with Disney, and that is something, we're very proud of. It is a designation that Disney, offers to select agents that or select agencies that meet their criteria.
Dane Shoemaker:Okay.
Heather Robinson:So we're very proud to to have that endorsement from Disney.
Dane Shoemaker:That's yeah. That's great. That's important. Yeah.
Heather Robinson:It is because it's important to the client to know too that Disney recognizes us as an agency, and and we're meeting their standards Yeah. As to what they look for.
Dane Shoemaker:Is there a lot of, like, criteria and certification process, like, to go through that? Or
Heather Robinson:It's training. It's revenue. It's, you know, it's following their you know, how they do business, making sure that we follow their model, that sort of thing.
Dane Shoemaker:Yep.
Heather Robinson:Yeah.
Dane Shoemaker:Well, great.
Heather Robinson:But
Dane Shoemaker:Well, Heather Robinson, thank you very much.
Heather Robinson:Thank you, Dane. I appreciate it.
Dane Shoemaker:Wish upon a castle. So if you're, yeah. If you're planning on thinking about a trip, consider a Disney or Universal Yeah. Vacation and reach out to Heather.
Heather Robinson:We're here to answer all your questions.
Dane Shoemaker:Thanks, Heather. Appreciate it.
Heather Robinson:Thanks, man.
Dane Shoemaker:Thanks for listening today. Shoemaker Lab is an original production by Shoemaker Films LLC. If you enjoyed today's content, please consider subscribing on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your content. Follow us on Instagram shoemaker.films. And if you're a business that's either interested in our video production services or would like to be a guest on the show, get in touch by using the contact form on our website, shoemakerfilms.com.