Julie Shar

Julie Shar – Concierge Travel Advisor | Universal Orlando & The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Julie Shar is a Concierge Travel Advisor and Universal Mentor with Favorite Grampy Travels, specializing in Universal Orlando, Epic Universe, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, based in San Angelo, Texas.

Walking in Harry’s Footsteps

I retired from a teaching career I loved, moved 1,600 miles from the state I’d lived in my entire life, and needed something to pour my energy into. I’d always been the person who came home from a Universal trip and immediately started planning the next one. Friends and family kept asking me, “When is the best time to go to Universal?” I’d light up and start asking questions: Who’s going? How old are the kids? Have you been before? What are you most excited about? Before I knew it, I’d have half their trip mapped out.

My husband finally said, “Why don’t you become a travel agent for real?” My answer was always the same: every agency I found was Disney-focused. Then I found Favorite Grampy Travels, and they encouraged the focus on Universal. That changed everything.

I’m an unapologetic Harry Potter fanatic. I reread the books every summer. Don’t ask me how many times I’ve watched the films. My dogs are named Luna, Sirius, and Remus. So when I walk through Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida, take the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure, and now step into the Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe, I’m not just visiting a theme park. I’m walking through the world I grew up in. That personal connection runs through every trip I plan, especially for families whose kids are just discovering the Wizarding World for the first time.

Prepared, Not Rigid

I’ve planned more than 200 vacations for families, and most of my clients are planning their first Universal trip. The question I hear most often is some version of “Where do we even start?” Three parks, dozens of hotel options, Express Pass tiers that change by date, and now Epic Universe adding five new worlds to the mix. It’s a lot to sort through on your own.

My planning style comes straight from the classroom. As a retired elementary teacher who designed curricula for a multiage classroom combining first and second graders, I learned how to take complex material and make it clear for every learner in the room. I do the same thing with vacation planning. I share enough detail and information so you walk into the parks already knowing what to expect, but I don’t build rigid day-by-day itineraries. When you’re too structured, that’s when things tend to go wrong. I want you to feel confident enough to pivot and change course if something isn’t working, and still be prepared.

A trip that showed how fast I can pivot: an all-inclusive resort notified my clients it was closing in two weeks, and my guests were scheduled to arrive two days after the closing date. I secured a complete refund and planned a brand new vacation to a different destination for the same travel dates. No panic, no lost money, no missed vacation.

Clients regularly tell me the thing they appreciate most is my patience. I’ve had guests change their minds dozens of times on destination, resort, and ticket package, and I’m there for every revision. One repeat client put it simply: “I’ve changed my mind a thousand times and she’s been there through all of it.” That kind of flexibility matters when you’re spending real money on a family vacation and you want to get it right.

Thirty Trips and Counting

I’m an out-of-state annual passholder at Universal Orlando, and I’ve visited more than 30 times. I know Cabana Bay Beach Resort inside and out, from which room buildings are closest to the walking path to Volcano Bay to where to find the quietest pool in the afternoon. I was also one of the first advisors to experience Epic Universe before it opened to the public, and that early access gave me firsthand knowledge of every world in the park that I now pass along to clients.

Here’s my insider tip: take a break midday. Hit rope drop, ride the big attractions early, then head back to the resort pool or grab a nap. Clean up, dress up, and go back to the parks for dinner and the evening atmosphere. That single change turns a trip into a vacation.

I also attend Halloween Horror Nights every year. HHN 35 runs select nights from August 28 through November 1 this year, and it’s a milestone anniversary. If you’re planning around that event, I can help you figure out which nights to attend, whether an Express Pass is worth it for HHN, and how to fit it into a larger Universal trip without burning out.

Based in San Angelo, Texas, I work with families across the country. Whether you’re a short drive from Orlando or flying in from the west coast, the planning process works the same way: we talk, I listen, and I build options that fit your family.

Questions I Get Asked a Lot

Q: What makes Julie Shar different from other Universal travel advisors?

I’ve visited Universal Orlando more than 30 times as an out-of-state annual passholder. I serve as the Universal Mentor for Favorite Grampy Travels, which means I help train other advisors on Universal planning. I experienced Epic Universe before it opened to the public, and I attend Halloween Horror Nights every single year.

Q: Do I need Express Passes at Universal Orlando?

It depends on when you’re visiting and where your priorities lie. On a low-crowd weekday, early park entry from any on-site resort may be enough. During peak weeks or for Epic Universe, Express Passes save real time. I match the right pass tier to your travel dates so you’re not overpaying.

Q: Is Epic Universe worth adding to my Universal trip?

Absolutely. Five new worlds, including SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic, make it a full-day park on its own. I recommend at least 3 days for Universal Orlando, more if possible, and 2 days for EPIC, especially if you choose not to use Express Passes. I help families build a schedule that covers all four parks without feeling rushed.

Q: What should I know before my first Universal Orlando trip?

What should I know before my first Universal Orlando trip? The biggest thing first-timers miss is how different Universal’s hotel tiers are. Select Signature resorts include unlimited express passes for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. The Value Inn and Suites tier saves money and often provides more space for families but may come with fewer perks. Which one is right depends on your family’s priorities, and that’s exactly what I help you figure out.