Holly Neth

Holly Neth – Concierge Travel Advisor | Universal Orlando Resort & Sensory-Friendly Family Travel

Holly Neth is a Concierge Travel Advisor with Favorite Grampy Travels, specializing in Universal Orlando Resort, Epic Universe, and family travel planning for families with sensory needs, based in Scotland, South Dakota.

Farm Life, Theme Park Heart

I live on a farm in a small South Dakota town with my three boys. We also happen to visit Universal Orlando multiple times a year. Those two things sound like they don’t go together, but they do.

The same skills that keep our family running on a farm, planning ahead, staying flexible when things don’t go as expected, and making the most of every day, are exactly what I use to help families plan smooth, stress-free Universal vacations.

I’ve visited Universal Orlando eighteen times. I got to experience Epic Universe before it officially opened during the Annual Passholder previews. I’ve been through the parks during peak spring break crowds and quiet off-season weekdays.

That range of experience is what lets me build plans that actually work in real life, not just on paper.

I became a travel agent because I couldn’t stop doing this for everyone around me. After planning trip after trip for friends and family, watching them come back relaxed instead of exhausted, I realized I should do it for more people. I joined Favorite Grampy Travels, a Universal U-Preferred Agency and Authorized Disney Travel Agency, and made it official.

Planning Universal Trips for Families with Sensory Needs

My day job for the past sixteen years has been as a Birth to Three Service Coordinator in South Dakota, helping families with young children navigate services, plan next steps, and make confident decisions. That career taught me how to listen carefully, stay organized, and build plans that account for what a family actually needs, not just what looks good on an itinerary.

I bring that same approach to travel planning, especially for families navigating sensory needs, anxiety, or disability access programs at the parks. As a mom who understands these accommodations personally, I know both the emotional and practical side. I help families know what to expect, how to use the system effectively, and how to structure park days that feel manageable instead of overwhelming.

That means knowing which attractions have sensory considerations, which queue environments are calmer, and how to pace a day so nobody hits a wall.

Why Your Family Needs an Afternoon Break at Universal

The number one tip I give every family: build in an afternoon break. Go back to the resort, rest your feet, and let the kids swim.

Then come back to the parks in the evening when the crowds thin and the atmosphere changes completely.

This is especially important at Epic Universe, where the nighttime experience is genuinely different from daytime. The lighting transforms every world, from the glow of Celestial Park to the atmosphere of Dark Universe after dark. Epic Universe was recently named one of TIME’s World’s Greatest Places for 2026, and the evening hours are a big part of why.

I tell every client: plan at least one evening there.

Universal now offers multi-day park-to-park tickets with six or seven days of access across all four parks for the price of five. For families who take my afternoon-break advice, that extra day makes a real difference. You see more, stress less, and actually enjoy the trip instead of racing through it.

Epic Universe Before the Gates Opened

I was at Epic Universe before it opened to the public, and walking through those worlds for the first time is something I carry into every client conversation. Each of the five worlds, Super Nintendo World, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon’s Isle of Berk, Dark Universe, and Celestial Park, feels like stepping into a completely different place.

Pizza Moon in Celestial Park is our family’s go-to lunch spot. It’s more than just pizza. The theming is immersive, the portions are generous, and it’s always a hit with my three boys.

For families looking for a calmer dining experience mid-park-day, it’s one of my top recommendations.

I also recommend Discovery Cove for families who want a complete change of pace. Floating down the lazy river, swimming with dolphins, and enjoying all-inclusive food and drinks in a quieter setting is the perfect contrast to a week of theme parks.

The Moment That Reminded Me Why I Do This

A client sent me a video of her son walking into Diagon Alley for the very first time. They were some of the first guests in that morning. The look of pure joy and amazement on his face is something I will never forget.

Knowing I played a part in creating that moment, that their family had a plan that worked and could actually relax and be present for it, is exactly why I do this work.

Based in Scotland, South Dakota, I work with families across the country. When we’re not at Universal, our life is busy in the best way: farm chores, three active boys, and planning the next trip.

I was even chosen for the wand ceremony at Ollivanders in Diagon Alley, and the wand that picked me matched my personality perfectly. Those are the kinds of moments that keep me coming back.

Universal Family Planning Questions

Q: Does Holly Neth specialize in travel for families with sensory needs?

Yes. I’ve spent sixteen years as a Birth to Three Service Coordinator helping families navigate complex systems, and I’m personally familiar with sensory accommodations at the parks. I help families understand disability access programs, identify calmer queue environments, and structure park days that feel manageable for everyone in the group.

Q: What’s the best Universal Orlando strategy for families with young kids?

Build in afternoon breaks. Go back to the resort, rest, swim, and return to the parks in the evening when crowds are lighter and the atmosphere changes. I also help families prioritize rides by age group so nobody spends the day waiting in lines for attractions their kids can’t enjoy.

Q: Is Discovery Cove worth adding to a Universal Orlando trip?

It’s one of my top recommendations for families who want a break from theme park intensity. Discovery Cove is all-inclusive, limited to a set number of guests per day, and offers a completely different pace. Swimming with dolphins, snorkeling, and floating down the lazy river give families a calm, memorable day mid-trip.