Christy Knox

Christy Knox – Concierge Travel Advisor | Universal Orlando Resort & Epic Universe

Christy Knox is a Concierge Travel Advisor with Favorite Grampy Travels, specializing in Universal Orlando Resort, Epic Universe, and Walt Disney World, based in Ballwin, Missouri.

Nine Resorts, Sixteen Visits, and I’m Not Done Yet

I’ve stayed at nine of the eleven onsite hotels at Universal Orlando Resort. I can tell you which buildings at Cabana Bay Beach Resort have the shortest walk to the lobby, which rooms face away from construction noise, and which pool area your kids will like best. Cabana Bay is where my family stays at least once a year, and I’ve memorized the layout well enough to make specific room requests for every client.

That kind of detail is what separates a good Universal vacation from a great one. When you’re choosing between eleven hotels across four price tiers, each with different park benefits, the decision matters. Guests at Portofino Bay, Hard Rock, and Royal Pacific get complimentary Express Unlimited for Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Guests at Cabana Bay, Aventura, Stella Nova, and Terra Luna get Early Park Admission but no Express. Knowing which perk your family actually needs, based on when you’re going and how you plan your days, is exactly what I help with.

What Makes Epic Universe Different from the Other Parks

Epic Universe is the newest park at Universal Orlando and the one generating the most questions from first-time visitors. I’ve been four times since it opened in May 2025, including the Annual Passholder previews before the official opening. Each visit, I find something new.

The park has five themed worlds, and moving between them through Celestial Park feels completely different from hopping between lands at Studios or Islands. Super Nintendo World, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon’s Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe each have their own atmosphere, and the experience changes significantly between daytime and nighttime visits. I tell every client: plan at least one evening at Epic Universe. The lighting transforms the entire park.

Universal recently announced a new multi-day ticket offering six or seven days of park-to-park access across all four parks for the price of five days, with a $300 dining credit at select hotels for stays of five nights or longer. That kind of deal changes how families should plan their trips, and it’s the type of update I stay on top of so my clients don’t miss it.

Your First Universal Trip Should Feel Like Your Tenth

Most of my clients are visiting Universal Orlando for the first time. They’ve heard about Epic Universe, they’ve seen the Wizarding World on social media, and they’re excited but have no idea where to start. Four parks, eleven hotels, Express Passes, Park-to-Park tickets, Early Park Admission. It’s a lot.

That’s where I come in. I build the full plan. Which parks on which days, which rides to prioritize in the morning, where to eat without a long wait, and when to take a break so your family doesn’t hit a wall by 2 p.m. One client told me I “took care of everything and truly made the trip one to remember.” That’s exactly what I aim for. All they had to do was show up.

I also did a VIP tour of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure with the agency, which gave me a clear picture of what the VIP experience is worth and who it makes sense for.

How I Plan When I’m Not at the Parks

My day job is supervising a talent acquisition support team. I coordinate interview schedules, arrange candidate travel, and manage calendars across multiple time zones. That’s what I do from nine to five. After hours, I bring those same skills to vacation planning: timelines, logistics, coordination, and making sure nothing falls through the cracks.

I became a travel agent because I couldn’t stop planning trips. A few years ago, I took my sister-in-law to Universal and handled everything, tickets, hotel, park strategy, dining. She told me it was the best vacation she’d ever had. All she had to do was hand me a budget and show up. That reaction is what pushed me to make it official. I joined Favorite Grampy Travels, a Universal U-Preferred Platinum agency and Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, and I’ve planned around 150 vacations in the year since.

I visit Universal Orlando throughout the year for the seasonal events: Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval in spring, Halloween Horror Nights in fall, and holiday celebrations in winter. Each visit, I try something new: a restaurant I haven’t been to, a hidden detail in a queue, a new perspective on a ride. That’s how I keep my recommendations current.

The Hidden Gems Most First-Timers Miss

Build in a rest day. Your feet will thank you. That’s my number one tip, and most families don’t plan for it. Universal’s four parks are spread across a huge footprint, and trying to do everything without a break leads to exhaustion by day three.

Beyond rest days, here are the details I share with every client. Toothsome Chocolate Emporium at CityWalk has good food, but the milkshakes are the real reason to go. Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour in Diagon Alley serves an Earl Grey and Lavender with Clotted Cream ice cream that most people walk right past. And if you visit Dark Universe at Epic Universe, look for Igor from Monsters Unchained. He’s creepy, but he’s also one of the best character interactions in any park.

Based in Ballwin, Missouri, just outside St. Louis, I work with families across the country. At home, my husband Ryan and I have been married almost twenty years. Our son is twenty-three and our daughter is fourteen. We’re also a five-cat household, which tells you everything about our family. When we’re not at Universal, I’m usually in Tampa visiting the manatees or just being somewhere in Florida where I can feel the sun.

Universal Orlando Planning Questions

Q: What makes Christy Knox different from other Universal travel advisors?

I’ve stayed at nine of Universal Orlando’s eleven onsite hotels, visited the resort sixteen times, and been to Epic Universe four times since it opened. I attend seasonal events throughout the year and did a VIP tour with the agency. My recommendations come from walking the parks regularly, not just reading about them.

Q: Which Universal Orlando hotel is best for first-time visitors?

It depends on your priorities. Cabana Bay Beach Resort is my top pick for families who want a fun, affordable base with great pools and walking distance to Volcano Bay. For complimentary Express Unlimited passes, Royal Pacific is the best value in the Signature Collection. I match every client to the hotel that fits their budget and park plan.

Q: How many days do I need at Universal Orlando in 2026?

With four parks now open, I recommend a minimum of four days for families who want a full experience. Universal’s new multi-day ticket gives you six or seven days of park-to-park access for the price of five, one of the best deals available right now. I build a day-by-day plan that covers your priorities without burning out.