Disney World’s queue-jumping app that turns a visit into a pleasure rather than something to endure

If presidential candidate Ron DeSantis put on a pair of Mickey ears and strapped himself into Disney’s latest roller coaster—instead of taking potshots at Florida’s largest private employer—his ratings might soar.

Because despite what snobs will tell you, this is American entertainment at its best: slick, wholesome and more than a little addictive.

But then I speak with the zeal of the new convert.

After coming to Disney World with my parents 30 years ago, I was certain that a return trip with my own children was something to endure rather than enjoy. But in the intervening years, it turns out that Mickey’s house has had a makeover – that smart little mouse has embraced the digital age with a queue-jumping app that completely changes the experience.

The roller coasters are also different. Disney’s newest and fastest, Tron, has done away with the U-shaped harnesses that come down over your head. First you’re ‘digitized’ (I won’t spoil the surprise), then you sit astride a Lightcycle – the motorcycle featured in the futuristic films – while a back rests you firmly in place.

Within a few terrifying yet exhilarating seconds I was launched to 60 mph. And something strange happened to my face because, despite the G-force, I couldn’t stop smiling. It wasn’t what I expected. But then there was none of it.

I was with my husband, our two kids (aged eight and four) and two other wildly excited big kids – my parents.

Arriving at Animal Kingdom Lodge – our Disney hotel for two weeks – the kids ran to the balcony, excited to see giraffes and zebras grazing on a scenic savannah stretching below. “Are they real?” they asked. Do not be crazy. Oh wait, yes they are.

The Disney 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).

In Disney’s newest and fastest roller coaster, Tron, passengers straddle a Lightcycle and are “launched up to 100 km/h,” Kate reveals

Animal Kingdom was a revelation, with phenomenal stage shows from the Lion King and Finding Nemo. At Hollywood Studios, a stormtrooper scared the hell out of me while the kids and Grandpa tried to fly the Millennium Falcon. A showcase of international cultures and cuisines, Epcot offers a different kind of immersive experience.

For children, however, nothing beats the Magic Kingdom: the parades, the fireworks, the boats. But aren’t the queues terrible? Not really, thanks to the My Disney Experience app.

The app stores your park tickets and for $35 (about £28) per person per day you can also add ‘Genie+’, which allows you to choose ‘Lightning Lanes’ for rides. This means no queues – and it’s well worth it.

However, there is an even better way to jump the queue: a VIP guide.

Kate’s father tried to fly the Millennium Falcon (pictured) in the Hollywood Studios section of the park

Big smiles: Upstairs is Kate with her two children, ages eight and four

The family spent a day touring the park with a VIP guide, which costs between $400 and $750 per hour

It costs between $400 and $750 an hour for a party of up to ten people for a minimum of seven hours – I’ll let you calculate that. But it’s no longer reserved for celebrities – everyday people are now coming together in Facebook groups to share the cost. I met a self-proclaimed “roller coaster junkie” from Ohio who told me she wasted two months’ wages on a VIP day for her and her son.

And we were lucky enough to try it out, for an astonishingly brilliant day. Our wonderful guide, Ted, met us in the hotel lobby. When I asked, “So what are we doing today?” He replied with a twinkle in his eye, “Well, anything you want, of course.”

Ted introduced us to Mickey, Ariel and Rapunzel and sneakily took us backstage to the Buzz Lightyear attraction. My son muttered in awe, “Wow, he really is magical.”

Kids’ verdict on Disney World: “Can we live here?”

And what about the adults? Walking down the main street of Hollywood Studios, I had a flashback to that first Disney trip and said to Mom, “It all comes back to me.” She took my hand and nodded toward my son, smiled and said, “It feels like yesterday when you were your age.”

Her hand felt much smaller in mine than it did 30 years ago, but the magic was the same.

A one-time vacation? Probably given the price tag, but I dream of returning someday with my own grandchildren. And Disney sure is big on dreams.