SWART FAMILY DISNEY TRIP (December 4-10, 2022)

The Swarts have had a long history with Disney!  Jeff and I have been to Disneyworld 8 times over our marriage along with going to Disneyland in California twice (and as a child I went to Disneyland with my parents/sisters once).  Each of our kids went to Disney, Florida 5 times in their childhood (as a family - the first time we just had Andy and Josh; last time with just Rachel). 

 Swart Disney History as of 2010 (post about our other trips)

Our last time to go to Disney was in 2017 with Andy, Carman, Laine, Ellie and Shep.  I've always had the desire to go to Disneyworld with ALL my family, especially my grandchildren and I've always wanted to go at Christmas time.  So with our 50th anniversary "looming" in Dec. of 2022 (and the added fun element that it was also Disney's 50th birthday celebration), I had suggested to Jeff and the kids in July of 2021 that instead of a 50th anniversary party, I would love for all of us to go to Disneyworld.  They all graciously said, "YES!"  So we had 17 months of anticipation and planning ahead!  During that time, Disney took a major downhill slide with morality issues, etc., and I really debated about cancelling.  But our grandchildren were so excited about going, that we didn't cancel and when it was all said and done, I'm so glad we went.  With Jeff and I's age, it will be our last trip there.  And our trip was as perfect as a family vacation can be with 18 people!!  I have such a grateful heart as I work on these blog postings for all the blessings of that week together!  Thank you, Lord!💗  Thank you, Family!💖

I will do a posting for each day of our trip......yes for memory sake!!💞💞

Jeff kept a daily diary of all the info we did each day that I will be using in addition to pictures (which I appreciate so much Rachel working hard in organizing all the pictures that we took with our phones and/or the pictures the Disney photographers took).

On Saturday Dec 3, Jeff and I went to LR and stayed in a hotel close to the airport since we had a very early flight Sunday morning (and earlier in the week, snow was forecast for Sunday).  We got up at 4:00 a.m. Sunday to catch the shuttle at 4:40 to the airport.  It was 34 degrees (so thankful for wonderful weather in Florida for our week there!).  Rachel's family arrived at the airport about the same time as we did.  This was the McCrary's kids first airplane flight, so that added to all our excitement! 

6:40 am—Boarded aircraft—AA 2947

Because Jeff had his walker, we were blessed to board first on each flight!!

7:30 am—Lift off!

The plane was full by time we left....

11:52 am—Landed in Charlotte, NC

1:00 pm—Boarded flight to Orlando—AA 1711

About the time we landed in Orlando, Josh's family was leaving Nashville....Saylor's first airplane flight too💖(didn't get a pic of Avi on plane)

Andy's crew left about that same time -- from DFW.  Shep had been sick during the night but thankfully was feeling better by time they left for their flight!

2:06 pm—Jeff and I and Rachel's family landed in Orlando

79 degrees!  The weather was wonderful all week!!

Orlando Airport:

2:40 pm—Ate lunch @ Qdobas at the Orlando Airport

3:25 pm—picked up our bags & Rachel & Jonathan went to get double stroller

3:45 pm—Boarded Sunshine Flyer Shuttle Bus to Disney

4:20 pm—We are in Disney World!!!

The bus stopped at Art of Animation Resort, Pop Century, & then Caribbean Beach Resort

4:40 pm—Arrived at Caribbean Beach Resort!!! A 45 minute ride from the airport.

Our rooms were not ready! So we had to wait quite a while....Jeff and I got ours first but Rachel and family had to wait a while longer 😞

5:39 pm—Arrived @ our room—#3929 building 39 in the Trinidad section. 

The lady @ the desk told Jeff that these rooms have recently been remodeled & we are only the second people to stay here.

Rachel’s family was in room 3960 in building 39 in the Trinidad section.

Josh’s family arrived @ the resort 5:35 pm— room #3962 building 39 in the Trinidad section.

The kiddos were excited cousin Saylor had arrived 💕

6:50 pm—Josh, Rachel, & Jeff & I's families walked to eat @ Centertown Market food court and was thrilled that Andy's family arrived at the resort at that same time!

Andy’s family finally arrived—7:13 pm 

What a happy reunion for all!!

All ate supper in Centertown Market food court in the main building of this resort

8:10 pm—Left for hotel rooms.

Andy & Jeff, using the hotel shuttle, took their luggage to room 3960 (building 39 in the Trinidad section).  Everyone else walked back to our rooms (from the hotel restaurant/main building to our rooms was a 15-17 minute walk).  The kids wanted to stop and play on the sandy beach at the resort....so much to some momma's dismay, we let them....and then everyone had to have showers!

This was the view across the little lake from our resort to where we would catch the Skyliner several days (10 minute walk from our room).  Our favorite mode of transportation!

Pictures of our rooms.  It was nice!

There was a Murphy bed that pulled down over the couch

And a 5th bed that also pulled down for the "toddlers" -- so you could sleep 5 easily in each room

Ellie & Eisley stayed with Jeff and I all week. The girls, especially Eisley, were very curious about Papa's nuclear family so each night they wanted him to tell them a story about his childhood.  Of course, Jeff gladly obliged and then prayed with them every night.  It was a sweet time having them in our room!

The Trindad area where we stayed....

This little restuarant was close to our rooms, so we would go there for breakfast most of the mornings.

When we didn't ride the Skyliner (it only went to Epcot and Animal Kingdom), we had to ride a bus...this was the bus stop

We got to bed around 10 p.m. that first night -- everyone was exhausted but so thankful for safe travels and that we were finally all together at DISNEYWORLD!!  

Jeff kept tracked of the miles we walked each day, so I will conclude each post with that--Sunday: 4 miles.