Ground Floor: Marion woman wants to share her Disney dreams with others

Nicole Riley long has been enchanted by the vacation experience that Walt Disney World provides.

Riley first visited Walt Disney World more than 15 years ago. Since then, the Marion woman has made more than 35 trips to the Florida theme park, traveling at various times with her husband, children, extended family and friends.

Her new business, Visit the Magic Travel, helps others discover the Disney vacation experience.

'Disney is like a scrapbook for me,” Riley said. 'I can go on a ride and remember being on that same ride years ago when my children were young.”

With so many trips to Walt Disney World and other Disney destinations under her belt, Riley gained a reputation among her friends and family as an expert on all things Disney. They began asking her to plan trips for them.

A few years ago, Riley decided to turn her hobby and knowledge of Disney into a career. She took a job at a travel agency, where she specialized in planning Disney trips.

Riley made the decision to open a travel agency after hearing a speaker at a Disney-sponsored conference for travel agents last November.

'He said, ‘If you don't decide what your name tag says, someone else will decide for you,'” Riley recalled. 'That hit home for me. I wanted to write my own name tag.”

She said the biggest challenge to opening her agency was believing that she could do it on her own.

'I can tell you where any bathroom is on the Disney property, but I can't build a website,” she said.

Because she knew a good website would be important to her business, Riley said she 'attended the University of YouTube” - watched a series of YouTube videos - to learn how to create one.

Riley opened Visit the Magic Travel in February and operates the business out of her home. Through referrals from friends and people she met on Disney vacations and cruises, she has clients from all over the world.

Her services include helping clients select from an array of Disney resorts based on their particular needs, including budget, location, and convenience. She also provides advice on options for dining and other activities.

'My goal is for everyone to go and have a great time, whatever that takes.”

Riley does not charge clients for her services. She receives a commission from Disney for any bookings.