Kelly Martin

Kelly Martin – Concierge Travel Advisor | Universal Orlando & Theme Parks

Kelly Martin is a Concierge Travel Advisor with Favorite Grampy Travels, specializing in Universal Orlando Resort and theme park vacations, based in Cochran, Georgia.

Universal Orlando, Minus the Overwhelm

I help families conquer Universal Orlando without the chaos. The parks are bigger and busier than most people expect, and a first visit can feel like a lot to figure out alone. My job is to hand you a plan so clear that you just show up and enjoy it.

That clarity comes from how I build a trip. I map your days hour by hour, from which park to start in to where lunch should land, and I make sure the right Universal Orlando tickets are locked in before you go, so nobody is standing in a walkway wondering what comes next. Families tell me the result feels effortless, even though the planning underneath it is anything but.

This summer is a good example of why timing matters. Universal is running Spielberg Summer Blockbusters featuring Disclosure Day at Universal Studios Florida from May 23 through August 10, 2026, alongside new Jaws photo ops and Minions experiences. Knowing what is running during your visit is the difference between catching it and missing it.

Cabana Bay Is My Home Turf

If you are staying at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, I know it inside and out. I can tell you which buildings sit closest to the pools and dining, and which room locations make getting to the parks each morning the simplest. Those small choices shape how relaxed your whole stay feels.

That kind of detail is my secret weapon. For any resort you book, I share room location tips most travelers never think to ask about, because where your room sits can save you real time and walking every single day. It is the sort of thing you only learn by knowing a property deeply.

A lot of first-time visitors ask me whether the on-site hotels are worth it. For Universal, my answer is usually yes, and I will walk you through exactly why and which hotel fits your family best.

Planning Built on Twenty Years of Logistics

I became a travel agent after years of being my own family’s trip planner, but the real foundation came earlier: I spent twenty years in the United States Air Force, where managing complex moving parts was simply the job. I earned an MBA in logistics along the way, and that training in organization and efficiency is exactly what I bring to a family vacation now.

I am a spreadsheet person, and I mean that with pride. I build detailed, day-by-day itineraries so families never feel lost, with every reservation, show time, and transition accounted for. Nothing important gets left to chance.

I am always growing the toolkit, too. Right now I am completing AmaWaterways Specialist training, expanding what I can offer beyond the parks. The learning never really stops, which is good news for the families who trust me.

Why Military Families Find Their Way to Me

Military families are some of my favorite people to plan for, because I have lived that life. I understand tight timelines, last-minute schedule changes, and the value of a vacation that actually delivers when you finally get the leave to take it. I plan Universal trips, Walt Disney World vacations, and more for families across the country and wherever the service has sent them.

One of my most meaningful trips was a recent spring break for my own twin daughters. It had been a few years since they had been to the parks, and watching them explore Universal Epic Universe for the first time, plus a VIP tour at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, reminded me why thoughtful planning matters. When a trip comes together exactly right, the payoff is written all over their faces.

That is the feeling I plan for every time. My proudest moment as an advisor was when a mom told me her son said the Universal trip I planned gave him the best birthday ever.

Questions Families Ask Kelly Most

Q: What does Kelly specialize in?

I specialize in Universal Orlando Resort and theme park vacations, with deep knowledge of Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Epic Universe. I have personally visited Universal Orlando more than 20 times and hold the Universal Orlando Resort Specialist certification. I am known for organized, stress-free planning that lets families simply show up and enjoy.

Q: How do I plan a Universal Orlando trip without feeling overwhelmed?

Start with a clear daily plan rather than winging it on arrival. I build an hour-by-hour itinerary covering park order, ride priorities, dining, and breaks, so you are never guessing in the moment. I also handle the moving pieces, like ticket types and resort selection, so the only thing left for you is showing up rested.

Q: Which Universal Orlando hotel is best for families?

It depends on your budget and pace, but Cabana Bay Beach Resort is a property I have studied closely. I can pinpoint which buildings put you closest to the pools, dining, and the walk to the parks. The right room location there can save your family time and steps every single day of the trip.

Q: Do you help military families with travel planning?

Yes, military families are a specialty of mine, and I bring twenty years of Air Force experience to it. I understand short notice, shifting schedules, and the importance of a trip that runs smoothly the first time. I work with service families wherever they are stationed to build vacations that actually fit their lives.