Jared Schaller:

Welcome to Behind the Pyramids, a Moody Gardens podcast. I’m your host, Jared Schaller, and I’m very excited about today’s guest. I’ve only known her for a few months, and she already makes me laugh. Her name is Marisa Anderson. She’s the Attraction Group Senior Sales Manager for Moody Gardens. Thank you so much, Marisa, for taking the time to speak with me.

Marisa Anderson:

Of course. Thank you for having me.

Jared Schaller:

I really wanted you to be on the podcast because it takes a lot of people to help Moody Gardens be successful every single day—and you’re one of them. Can you break down a little bit about what an Attraction Group Sales Manager does?

Marisa Anderson:

So, our department as a whole coordinates and books a variety of different types of groups. It could be schools for field trips, churches, social clubs, scouts, families—we do overnight adventures, kids’ birthday parties, proposals, corporate family days... There’s so much here and so many different types of groups. We book them all.

Jared Schaller:

So anybody? Any group? Anything?

Marisa Anderson:

Pretty much.

Jared Schaller:

So, as we get into it, what would you say are the top attractions that groups want to book here at Moody Gardens? Like, if they could only choose one, what’s usually the top choice?

Marisa Anderson:

It’s really hard to pick just one because they’re all amazing. But if I had to name the most popular, it would definitely be the Aquarium and the Rainforest—those are the top two. If you're making a trip to Galveston, I say spend the whole day with us. The Value Pass gives you the best bang for your buck, and you can see everything. Depending on the season, you might also get to experience Palm Beach, the Zip Line, or the Ropes Course. And of course, in the wintertime, we have our holiday attractions. So I always say: spend the day!

Jared Schaller:

Spend the entire day—get here at 10 a.m. and stay until the evening.

Marisa Anderson:

Exactly!

Jared Schaller:

Alright, so when you’re booking attractions and everything, every place has some hidden gems that maybe not everyone knows about. What do you think should be more on people’s radar?

Marisa Anderson:

Well, since you just asked about top attractions, I’ll say that sometimes the Discovery Pyramid gets overlooked—specifically, the Audience Recognition Theater. You know, it’s one of those acronyms we throw around—AR Theater—but not everyone knows exactly what that is. It’s our interactive theater that features the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea adventure. The audience actually gets to interact with the host and characters to navigate the journey. A lot of people don’t even know we have that! And even if you’ve already seen it, new scenes are released regularly, so it’s a new adventure each time.

Jared Schaller:

I like to compare it to those old elementary school “Choose Your Own Adventure” books. Like: If you want to go into the house, turn to page 88. If you want to go to the school, turn to page 112.

Marisa Anderson:

Exactly! It’s a fun adventure, and it’s different every time.

Jared Schaller:

And while you’re in the Discovery Pyramid, that’s also where the Discovery Museum is. Right now, we have The Art of Music.

Marisa Anderson:

Right! So again—get the Value Pass, stay for the day, and take it all in.

Jared Schaller:

When I first walked through The Art of Music, I thought all the pieces were printed. Even though I’d heard they were hand-painted and used for promotional purposes, they looked printed. But if you look closely, you can see the faint brushstrokes. It’s incredible.

Marisa Anderson:

It’s the artwork of it—it’s really impressive. Speaking of artwork, maybe not a hidden gem, but Iceland is something special. It’s only here during Holiday in the Gardens, and to me, it’s one of the most impressive things we offer. It runs from just before Thanksgiving through the beginning of January, and the theme changes every year—so it’s always a new experience. This year, it’s Christmas Around the World, which I think will be a really cool exhibit. We even have a live cam where you can watch the Master Carvers work. They start in October, right?

Jared Schaller:

Yeah, they start construction in October, and it opens the weekend before Thanksgiving. You can hop on the live cam and watch them carve! Are you going to try carving this year? Maybe carve an ice block?

Marisa Anderson:

No, but I love watching it! It’s so impressive to see it come to life—and then to walk through it in person. I’m in awe every time.

Jared Schaller:

I went this past year—it’s freezing! Alright, let’s go back to groups. What would you say is the average group size you book? Are there any groups that are too large or too small for Moody Gardens?

Marisa Anderson:

Our group minimum is 20 people. There’s really no maximum. We’ll do whatever we can to accommodate any size group. With such a large property—including a hotel and convention center—some of our larger groups stay for several days, even a week. We might split them into smaller groups that rotate through the attractions on different days. Every group is unique, and we tailor the experience to what they want to see and do. We do our best to create memorable experiences. I’ve even had 3,600 kids over the course of three days. And they had an amazing time! Plus, we’re educational—not just fun—so there’s real learning happening, too.

Jared Schaller:

So it’s fun and educational!

Marisa Anderson:

Exactly. And when you make it fun, the kids don’t even realize they’re learning—which is the best!

Jared Schaller:

That’s the best kind—when you’re like, “Oh wait... I actually learned something.” Alright, so you mentioned groups of 20 or more. I always hear this, but let's talk money. Is it true that groups of 20 or more can save some money?

Marisa Anderson:

Oh, absolutely. You just have to plan ahead. We typically book groups at least two weeks out. You pay in advance to receive the group pricing. But yes, there are definitely savings—sometimes 25%, sometimes even 50%—it just depends on what package you choose. Every group is different, but yes, there’s definitely a savings. People love hearing that!

Jared Schaller:

It’s just hard to get everyone coordinated sometimes.

Marisa Anderson:

Exactly—coordinating can be tough!

Jared Schaller:

I sit next to your office and always hear the phones ringing off the hook. What are some of the most common questions you get as a group sales manager at Moody Gardens? And what are the answers?

Marisa Anderson:

Rates and availability are the top two. People want to know: When can I come? and How much is it going to cost? That’s the basic info most people need to plan a trip. Just like we all do—we go online, research hotel rates, travel costs, and see if our preferred dates are available. Our rates vary depending on the season and the type of group. We offer education rates, group rates, and corporate family day rates, which often include lunch. It’s all over the place, but we’ll work with you to find the best option and help you save money at the same time. As for availability—we’ll do everything we can to accommodate your group, no matter the time of year.

Jared Schaller:

Is it true that, usually—not always—but usually, Mondays and Tuesdays are cheaper than weekends?

Marisa Anderson:

Typically, yes—especially during peak seasons like summer, we have different weekend rates. Right now, in our slower season, rates are mostly consistent throughout the week. However, Mondays and Tuesdays tend to be lower in volume, not necessarily lower in price. So if you want a quieter experience—say, fewer kids in the Rainforest—I’d suggest coming in the afternoon on a Monday or Tuesday.

Jared Schaller:

You heard it here—afternoon, Monday or Tuesday, for a quieter visit! For those considering a career in sales, what advice would you give?

Marisa Anderson:

Build relationships. Serve your customers and build relationships. When you genuinely put your customers’ best interests first, they can feel it. That builds trust—and often, a lifelong customer. Sales is about service. If you take care of your customers, your product will sell itself. At the end of the day, no matter what you’re selling—shoes, cars, attraction tickets—you’re selling something you believe will make someone’s life better.

Jared Schaller:

I’m sold! Alright, Marisa—what’s the best way to book a group adventure at Moody Gardens?

Marisa Anderson:

The best way is to email: attractionsales@moodygardens.org

Jared Schaller:

We’ll put that at the bottom of the screen—right there. Last question. I’m putting you on the spot. You’re in sales—give me your best pitch. Why should someone choose Moody Gardens for their next group outing?

Marisa Anderson:

We are a nonprofit destination that has something for everyone. Like I mentioned earlier—whether it’s the Audience Recognition Theater, the Aquarium, or the Rainforest—people often say, “I’ve already been to Moody Gardens.” But the thing is, we’re always changing. Our exhibits are alive. No two visits are the same. You might not see the same animals two weeks from now that you saw today. And it’s not just about attractions—maybe you want a romantic getaway at the hotel, or you’re a family of four staying for the weekend to enjoy Palm Beach, concerts, and fireworks. There’s just so much to do—why wouldn’t you come?

Jared Schaller:

I’m sold. And since I work in marketing, I’m going to steal this: “Our exhibits are alive and ever-changing.” I’m taking credit for it—sorry.

Marisa Anderson:

That’s okay. You can have it. Just send me a check!

Jared Schaller:

I don’t know who you are. Thank you so much, Marisa Anderson, Attraction Group Senior Sales Manager for Moody Gardens. I appreciate you chatting with me.

Marisa Anderson:

Thank you!

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