Chapter 1: Months of Planning… and One Unexpected Blessing
Every Great Journey Begins Long Before Departure
The best family vacations don’t begin at the airport.
They begin around the dinner table, during late-night conversations, and with a simple question that slowly grows into something much bigger.
“What if we all went together?”
That was exactly how this Disney adventure began.
About six months before spring break, our oldest son, Chris, and his wife, Rachel, mentioned they wanted to take the girls to Disney World. It didn’t take long before Tracey and I looked at each other and decided we wanted to be part of the adventure.
For many years now, we’ve tried to plan one big family vacation each year. Ever since my children’s dad left, spending quality time together has become more important than ever to me. Life gets busy. Families grow. Kids become adults. Grandchildren arrive. Schedules fill up.
Time together becomes one of life’s greatest gifts.
Thankfully, Tracey shares that same philosophy. Creating memories has always been far more important to us than collecting things.
Before long, our annual family trip had taken on a life of its own.
Chris, Rachel, Lilah, and Norah.
Caitlynn.
Cody.
Scott and Kerri with their boys.
Friends who had become family.
What started as one family’s Disney vacation quickly became a group adventure for fifteen people.
And that was before life added an unexpected chapter.
Finding the Perfect Home
Planning a Disney vacation for a large group is no small task.
At first, I searched hotel after hotel, thinking multiple rooms would be the easiest solution.
Then I looked at the prices.
Four hotel rooms for a week…
Disney certainly knows how to make vacation planning interesting.
That led me to VRBO and Airbnb.
Suddenly, a whole new world of possibilities opened up.
There were houses with pirate ships built into bedrooms.
Princess castles.
Massive game rooms.
Private pools.
Movie theaters.
Every time I thought I’d found “the one,” another house would appear that looked even better.
After weeks of searching, comparing prices, reading reviews, and driving everyone else crazy with links to “just one more option,” I finally narrowed the choices down.
Tracey patiently reminded me that the kids weren’t flying to Florida so they could spend all day in themed bedrooms.
He was absolutely right.
As difficult as it was to admit.
Eventually, we found the perfect home—large enough for our growing family while still fitting comfortably within our budget.
One more piece of the puzzle had fallen into place.
Rachel Takes Charge
If there were awards for vacation planning…
Rachel would have won every one of them.
While I focused on finding the perfect house, she became our unofficial Disney travel agent.
Restaurant reservations.
Character breakfasts.
FastPass selections.
Special experiences.
She somehow managed to secure nearly everything on everyone’s wish list.
Meanwhile, I opened a few Disney planning emails, became completely overwhelmed, and happily handed the entire planning department over to her.
Best decision I made all trip.
By Christmas, we surprised the kids with Disney gift cards to help cover souvenirs and treats inside the parks.
Little by little, our Disney adventure was becoming real.
Life Changes Our Plans
As the trip grew closer, life reminded us that tomorrow is never guaranteed.
One by one, a few members of our group had to cancel.
Michael used his vacation time for something much more important—surprising his mom while she was undergoing cancer treatments in New York.
Scott and Kerri’s oldest son couldn’t get away from work.
Victor discovered his online college schedule didn’t include spring break after all.
We hated knowing they wouldn’t be with us.
But family, health, and education always come first.
We adjusted.
Just like families do.
Then…
Two weeks before departure…
Everything changed.
One Conversation Changed Everything
Our dear friend Janet had been courageously battling cancer for four years.
She had fought harder than anyone should ever have to.
Then came the news no family wants to hear.
Doctors believed she likely had only about thirty days remaining.
The news hit all of us hard.
Janet wasn’t just Tracey’s coworker.
She wasn’t simply one of our camping friends.
She was family.
That evening we prayed.
The next morning, Tracey and I woke up with exactly the same thought.
Without either of us saying a word first, we both looked at each other and began speaking at the exact same moment.
“I have an idea…”
We laughed.
Then, almost in unison, we said,
“I think we should take Janet and Robert to Disney World.”
Sometimes you don’t need to pray about whether something is the right thing to do.
Sometimes your heart already knows.
A Little More Magic
Janet has always loved Disney.
Especially Tinker Bell.
Tracey sent her a text explaining that our family wanted to take their family to Disney World with us.
Her reply?
“You made Robert cry.”
Without missing a beat, Tracey answered,
“Do you have video? I want to see Stickman cry.”
That’s us.
Even in difficult moments, laughter somehow finds its way into the conversation.
Thankfully, Janet hadn’t lost her incredible sense of humor either.
When we began designing matching shirts for everyone in our group, we asked each person what nickname they’d like printed across the front.
Naturally, Tracey and I became “Papa” and “MomMom.”
Robert chose “Stickman,” a nickname many people at church already knew him by.
Then we asked Janet.
Without hesitation she smiled and said,
“Dead Chick Walking.”
That was Janet.
Strong.
Funny.
Brave.
And determined to enjoy every moment she had.
The following day her doctors gave her permission to travel.
Within hours we had airline tickets booked.
Our Disney family had just gotten a little bigger.
Wheels Up
Departure day finally arrived.
The alarm sounded at 4:30 in the morning.
For once, we’d actually packed the night before.
Our bags waited by the front door.
The dogs had been fed.
An Uber SUV pulled into the driveway while the rest of the neighborhood was still asleep.
On the way to the airport, we picked up Caitlynn’s friend, Kensi, who would be joining us for the adventure.
Before long we were checking bags, making our way through security, and meeting the rest of our family and friends at the gate.
Traveling with people you love somehow makes even airports more enjoyable.
Everyone chatted excitedly while waiting to board.
The girls grabbed Starbucks.
Cody found a place to charge his phone.
Robert made sure his family was seated together.
The excitement was contagious.
Soon we were settling into our seats as the plane lifted off toward Orlando.
Meanwhile, Chris, Rachel, Lilah, and Norah were already enjoying their first day at Disney.
Scott, Kerri, and the boys were on another flight heading our way.
By the end of the evening, all of us would finally be together under one roof.
Home for the Week
After landing in Orlando, collecting luggage, and successfully packing ourselves, our suitcases, and a stroller into a fifteen-passenger van, we eventually found our vacation home.
Google Maps may have sent us on a few unnecessary adventures along the way…
But we made it.
Chris and Rachel had already arrived and thoughtfully placed sticky notes on each bedroom door with everyone’s names.
It was such a simple gesture, but it immediately made the house feel organized and welcoming.
Not long afterward, hugs were exchanged as the rest of the family arrived.
Pizza boxes quickly covered the kitchen counters.
Suitcases sat unopened.
Kids laughed.
Adults caught up.
Everyone was simply happy to be together.
Tomorrow…
The magic would officially begin.
But somehow, it already felt like our Disney adventure had started long before we ever walked through the park gates.
Continue the Journey…
The planning is finished.
The family is together.
Now it’s time to experience the magic.
Next Chapter: Hollywood Studios – The Magic Begins.