Wow! What a weekend! We just returned from a Martial Arts World Championship, held at the beautiful Coronado Springs Disney Resort in Orlando. Four out of our seven kids are in martial arts, and two of them—Drew and Kateri—are currently on their dojo’s competition team. Honestly, we never planned for our kids to be on this karate path, but we’re so thankful for the sport our kids have chosen. Watching them grow in skill, confidence, and discipline has been a gift.
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Why Competitive Sports Work for Our Homeschooling Family
There’s definitely debate around kids participating in competitive sports—many say it’s too demanding. And yes, it can be. But I believe the key is knowing your family and having prudence in making the decision on whether or not your lifestyle is compatible with a competitive sport schedule.
For us, the answer has been yes. Homeschooling gives us the flexibility to let our kids dive deep into something they love without sacrificing balance. Our days follow our own rhythm, and karate, even though a very busy schedule, does not completely take over our family life. This gives our family a great balance of structure and freedom between school and sport.
Being Catholic, we also love that we can bring prayer and faith into the process. The self-discipline, strength, and virtue-building that come with competing at a high level are incredibly character-forming—and we see this fruit in our kids.
Big Stage Moments: Competition Highlights
This past weekend, the kids competed at the highest level they’ve reached so far—facing off against some of the best martial artists from around the world. They entered three events: weapons, forms, and sparring. Each one requires unique skills and intense training. They worked hard, and they performed so well!
For Kateri, this was her first major competition. She’s done a few smaller ones over the past year, but this was a whole new level. Understandably, nerves kicked in. She made a few small mistakes in forms and lost quickly in sparring. As a parent, it’s tough to watch the disappointment—but she did it. That’s what counts. Now she knows what to work on, and she is already determined to come back stronger.
Drew, on the other hand, had a fantastic year overall. At this event, he didn’t place in forms or weapons, but he held his own in sparring. Watching him perform was one of those proud mom moments—not just because he came in fourth (which earns the same bronze medal as third), but because of how much he’s grown in maturity, self-control, and grit. He’s come so far in just a year, and it was thrilling to witness.
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Keeping Competition Travel Budget-Friendly with a Big Family
Now, let’s talk travel—with Drew, Kateri, and our 2-year-old Joshua in tow! The rest of the kids were watched by generous family members.
Fundraising: My Unexpected Role
I never thought I’d be on a fundraising committee, but here I am. In the competitive sports world, fundraising makes it possible for many families to participate. I’ve learned how to host Bingo events, ask for donations for silent auctions, and reach out for sponsorships. It’s not my favorite thing, but it’s been effective, and I do it because I see how much this sport means to my kids.
Staying at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
The competition was held at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort—what a beautiful place! We’ve never stayed at a big resort before, so this was a brand-new experience. Thanks to the tournament, we scored a discounted room rate of $189 per night.
We were placed in the Casitas section of the resort. The room wasn’t huge, but it had everything we needed. To save money, we shared one room—Paul and Drew in one bed, and Kateri, Joshua, and I in the other. Everyone slept great, and honestly, I was impressed by the cleanliness (and I’m not easily impressed by hotel hygiene!).
The resort itself was massive—about the size of Magic Kingdom—but once we got our bearings, we were good to go. The Dig Site pool was a big highlight, especially the waterslide, which was a hit with all the kids.
One last fun surprise about the resort—Disney characters actually make appearances! Paul was working down in one of the common areas and called to tell us that Goofy, Donald Duck, and Pluto had shown up for a visit. We rushed down and snapped pictures with all of them. We haven’t done Disney World yet, but seeing the huge smiles on Drew and Kateri’s faces made me understand why people go all in on Disney. I still don’t love how expensive it is, but maybe one day. For now, it was really sweet to experience a little bit of that magic on a smaller scale.
Food: What Worked, What Didn’t, and Budget Tips
Dining at the Resort
The resort had plenty of restaurants, which is great if you’re looking for variety. That said, we learned quickly that not all dining options are created equal. The Mercado had lots of food selection but came with a hefty price tag and not much flavor.
The standout? Dahlia Lounge. Paul and I managed a little date night thanks to our 13-year-old being able to hang back with the younger kids. We loved it! Great views of Orlando, delicious tapas, and drinks worth the splurge. I had the Gran Gin and Tonic, Paul had a Negroni (his was the winner), and we split beef sliders and croquettes—both excellent.
Grocery Run to Save on Meals
To save on food, we did a grocery run right after arriving. Here’s what worked well:
- Protein yogurt shakes
- Bagels & cream cheese
- Apples, bananas, trail mix
- Ham, cheese, rolls, crackers
This allowed us to eat out just once a day. What I wish I’d done better? Stocked up on protein bars, chips, and electrolyte drinks. These would’ve helped during the competition—and I ended up paying premium prices at the snack bar. Next time, I’ll make a better list!
Also, we only used the coffee in the room – this helped keep costs down as well. We even asked for more of the k-cups, which were free!
Road Tripping with a Toddler: Travel Tips That Helped
Driving was our most budget-friendly option—about 35 hours round trip (including stops) with just 55 hours at the resort! That might sound crazy, but it was the most affordable way to do the trip. We’ve learned that night driving works best for our family. While one parent sleeps, the other drives. And the kids, especially the toddler, sleep through the bulk of it.
Here’s what helped us on the road:
- Buc-ee’s for breakfast (best road trip food!)
- Trader Joe’s for fresh, premade lunches
- Chick-fil-A for a solid dinner on the way home
Traveling with a Toddler
Joshua was honestly a champ. A 2-year-old on a long road trip can be a challenge, but success with traveling with kids, us as the parents need to keep the mindset positive and flexible. We brought a this great Montessori switchboard toy that kept him busy, and yes—we used screen time. At home, we limit it, so I didn’t feel bad leaning on it more during travel. By the end, he was clearly singing out “Go Go Paw Patrol!” He also had a blast at the pool and loved watching his siblings compete.
My Go-To Essential Oils for Family Travel
As always, I pack my favorite essential oils for the trip, including the Calming the Child roller, Nighty Night, and Tension Tamer. I applied the roller to the kids before the competition for comfort and diffused Nighty Night in the evenings to create a relaxing atmosphere. In the mornings, I diffused Tension Tamer to freshen the room. These oils help make the space feel cozy and inviting!
Final Thoughts: What This Weekend Meant to Us
This trip was fast-paced, emotional, and memorable. The competition pushed our kids to grow, and we had an incredible family adventure doing it. It wasn’t perfect—traveling with a toddler and budgeting for food and lodging always adds layers—but it was worth it.
We’re incredibly grateful for the experience, for the kids’ hard work, and for the chance to make memories as a family (well half of our family!)—even at a martial arts tournament inside a Disney resort.
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