CLARENDON HILLS, Ill. (WLS) — If Disney is the happiest place on earth, a west suburban office may be a close runner up.
It’s the headquarters of The Park Planners: a company that helps families plan and book trips to Disney properties and other amusement parks.
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Colleen Bentley founded the Clarendon Hills-based business seven years ago, after a trip to Disney World with her family.
Bentley emphasizes the comprehensive care her company provides to families from the beginning to the end of their vacation. She tailors the itinerary based on the family’s preferences, such as the children’s ages, heights, thrill preferences, and favorite characters.
Bentley says she came up with the idea of a concierge service to help families navigate planning their Disney itineraries.
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With the business expanding over time, Bentley now has a team of nine part-time concierge planners who guide clients through every aspect of planning their trip. They also stay in touch with the families even during their vacation to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Hannah Franchetti is the business manager.
Franchetti, one of the concierge planners, recounted a conversation with a family heading to Aulani. The family was delighted to learn that they could rely on the service for all their vacation arrangements. The family’s amazement at the idea of just showing up without having to worry about planning details reflects the convenience and peace of mind provided by Bentley’s services.
Hannah Lewis came onboard as a concierge planner, after using The Park Planners during the pandemic, when she had to rebook her trip.
“Many times clients will send us pictures, which is super rewarding because we can see the expression on their face and feel the magic,” Lewis said.
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