Perhaps if presidential candidate Ron DeSantis donned a pair of Mickey ears and buckled himself into Disney’s latest roller coaster ride — rather than embarking on Florida’s largest private employer — his ratings would soar.
Because no matter what snobs may tell you, this is American entertainment at its finest: smooth, wholesome, and beyond mildly addictive.
But then I speak with the zeal of a new convert.
Having come to Disney World with my parents 30 years ago, I was certain that a return trip with my own children would be something to endure rather than enjoy. But over the past few years, it turns out that Mickey’s home has undergone a makeover – this smart little mouse has embraced the digital age with a queue-jumping app that’s completely transforming the experience.
The roller coasters are different too. Disney’s newest and fastest device, Tron, dispenses with the U-shaped straps that hang down over your head. First you’re “digitized” (I won’t spoil the surprise), then you’re astride a Lightcycle – the bike featured in the future movies – and a backrest ensures you stay comfortably in place.
Moments to Enjoy: After Kate Mansey came to Disney World with her parents 30 years ago, she returned to the resort with her own children
Within a few terrifying but exhilarating seconds, I was accelerated to 60 mph. And something weird happened to my face because I couldn’t stop smiling despite the G force. It wasn’t what I expected. But then none of that happened.
I went there with my husband, our two children (ages eight and four) and two other excited big children – my parents.
When we arrived at Animal Kingdom Lodge – our Disney hotel for two weeks – the kids ran onto the balcony and were thrilled to see giraffes and zebras grazing in the picturesque savannah that stretched out below. ‘Are they real?’ They asked. Do not be absurd. Oh wait, yes they are.
Disney’s theme parks are Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. There are also two huge water parks – Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, although the latter was closed for renovations (and is expected to remain so this summer).
Disney’s newest and fastest roller coaster, Tron, has passengers astride a lightcycle and “accelerated to 60 miles per hour,” Kate reveals
Animal Kingdom was a revelation, with phenomenal stage shows of The Lion King and Finding Nemo. At Hollywood Studios, a stormtrooper scared me to death while the kids and my grandfather were trying to fly the Millennium Falcon. A showcase of international cultures and cuisines, Epcot offers a different kind of immersive experience.
However, for children there is nothing better than the Magic Kingdom: the parades, the fireworks, the boats. But aren’t the queues terrible? Actually no, thanks to the My Disney Experience app.
The app saves your parking tickets and for $35 (about £28) per person per day you can also add Genie+, which allows you to choose Lightning Lanes for rides. That means no queuing – and it’s worth it.
However, there is an even better way to skip the line: a VIP guide.
Kate’s father attempted to fly the Millennium Falcon (pictured) in the Hollywood Studios section of the park
Big smile: Above is Kate with her two children, ages eight and four
The family spent a day touring the park with a VIP guide, which cost between $400 and $750 an hour
It costs between $400 and $750 an hour for a group of up to 10 people for a minimum of seven hours—I’ll leave the math to you. But it’s no longer the domain of celebrities — ordinary people are now getting together in Facebook groups to share the cost. I met a self-confessed “roller coaster junkie” from Ohio who told me that she wasted two months’ salary on a VIP day for herself and her son.
And we were lucky enough to try it, for an amazingly amazing day. Our wonderful tour guide Ted met us in the hotel lobby. When I asked, “What are we doing today?” He replied with a wink, “Yes, of course anything you want.”
Ted introduced us to Mickey, Ariel and Rapunzel and took us backstage and on to the Buzz Lightyear ride. My son murmured in awe, “Wow, he’s really magical.”
Children’s verdict on Disney World – “Can we live here?”
And what about the adults? As I walked down Hollywood Studios Main Street, I recalled that first Disney outing and said to my mom, “I remember everything.” She took my hand and nodded at my son, smiled, and said, “It’s coming I feel like it was yesterday that you were that old.”
Her hand felt a lot smaller in mine than it had 30 years ago, but the magic was the same.
A one-time vacation? Probably given the price, but I dream of returning one day with my own grandchildren. And Disney values dreams.
TRAVEL FACTS
Walt Disney Travel Company International is offering a 14-night stay at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida this summer from £3,162 per person for two adults and two children (aged three to nine years), including accommodation at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, return flights, a £1,655 ‘Food and Merchandise Credit’, access to all theme parks and water parks and a £315 Disney gift card (disneypackages.co.uk).