Advisor Feature - Jessica Hobart-Collis
Every Goofy Getaways trip is planned by a real person — and this week, we want you to get to know one of ours. Jessica Hobart-Collis has been part of the Goofy Getaways family for three years this October, planning trips alongside her full-time career as a clinical social worker, a background that shows up in how much attention she pays to the emotional experience of a vacation alongside the logistics of getting there. We sat down with Jess to talk about how two Disney College Programs turned into a second career, why international itineraries are her favorite puzzle to solve, and the one piece of advice she gives every traveler who asks.
Tell us a little about you!
I'm Jess, a clinical social worker turned travel advisor! I've been part of the Goofy Getaways family for three years this October, and in that time I've gotten to help so many families, groups, and couples turn "someday" trips into actual, on-the-calendar vacations. Before I began my travel business, I was solely working in the social work field, and although I do still do that full-time within a healthcare system, I get to assist folks with their travel details in my free time! My social work background shows up in how I plan trips as I care about the emotional experience of a vacation just as much as the logistics of getting there.
What types of trips do you specialize in?
Disney and Universal are my home turf as I did two Disney College Programs which brought the opportunity for me to work as a Cast Member. From there, I branch out into cruises and international destinations - with the secondary being what I love planning the most! Whether it's a first-timer family trying to survive Magic Kingdom without a meltdown (theirs or the kids'), a big group cruise where everyone needs to be on the same dining rotation, or a quiet beach week that's really about rest, I love the variety when it comes to planning trips.
What made you decide to become a Travel Advisor?
It actually grew out of my Disney College Program experience. Being a Cast Member taught me how much a well-planned, well-paced trip can change someone's entire experience, and how much stress disappears when someone else is holding the details. Disney has always been that for me too, it's my happy place, the thing that recharges me even on the hardest weeks of a demanding full-time career. I wanted to find a way to keep that magic close and share it with other people, so I started doing on the planning side what I'd once done on-property, and travel advising let me combine my love of theme parks and travel with the skills I'd built helping people navigate complicated, emotional situations.
Why did you join Goofy Getaways?
I was looking for an agency that felt like it actually understood the kind of travel I wanted to specialize in, and Goofy Getaways stood out immediately. It gave me the structure and support of an established agency while still leaving room for me to build my own brand, Jess Visits the Castle, and my own way of working with clients. Three years later, I'm still glad I made that choice.
What is your favorite type of trip to plan?
International trips, hands down. There's something so satisfying about coordinating a well-paced itinerary across a country (or a few!). Getting everyone's preferences, must-see stops, and logistics into one cohesive plan feels like solving a really fun puzzle for me! And then watching my clients actually experience it, taking in a place so different from home? That's the best part of the job.
Tell us about one of the BIGGEST travel mistakes you've made.
This past summer, I finally took my own first cruise on Disney Cruise Line…and I missed the luggage drop-off. As someone who plans other people's embarkation days for a living, that one stung a little extra! It was a great reminder that even the most prepared planner can have an off morning, and it's exactly why I build extra cushion and reminders into my clients' travel days now. Lesson very much learned.
What is your favorite part of helping your clients plan trips?
Watching the shift from overwhelmed to excited. So many clients come to me stressed out by all the moving pieces, things like Lightning Lane, to dining reservations, to packing lists, you name it. My favorite moment is when that stress turns into genuine anticipation of their upcoming plans. That's the whole point of what I do: designing the trip so my clients can just be present in it.
What is the hardest part of your job?
Managing expectations when things are genuinely out of anyone's control which include weather, ride closures, and itinerary changes from the parks or cruise lines themselves. I can plan every detail thoughtfully, but travel still involves real life, and helping clients roll with the unexpected without losing the magic of their trip takes patience and a lot of communication.
If you could give one piece of advice to any traveler, what would it be?
Build in buffer time - always. Whether it's between flights, park days, or excursions, having a little breathing room turns a rushed trip into a paced one, and pacing is everything when it comes to actually enjoying your vacation instead of just surviving it.
How can travelers get in touch if they want to book a trip with you?
The easiest ways to reach me are by email at Jessica.Hobart-Collis@GoofyGetaways.com, over on Instagram at @JessVisitsTheCastle, or through my website JessVisitsTheCastle.com.
I'd love to help you start planning your next trip!
Get connected with one of our amazing advisors like Jessica to start planning your next vacation by clicking the link below.
