The six-year-old, who is recovering from cancer, was given the VIP treatment throughout the week-long holiday.

The trip was funded by the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Lily, twin sister Willow, two-year-old sister Poppy and parents Glyn and Shirley stayed at the Give Kids The World complex.

Mrs Slater, of Toppings Street, Boldon Colliery, said: "We had a fab time. From start to finish we had no stress or worries, as everything went to plan through the excellent care and organisation of Make-A-Wish."

The family flew to London for the eight-hour flight to Orlando and, on the return journey, Lily was invited into the cockpit by the captain and given gifts by the crew.

During their stay, they were given free passes to Disney, Universal Studios, Wet 'n' Wild and Seaworld.

Mrs Slater said: "Lily loved the parades held in Disney's Magic Kingdom and loved having the spotlight on herself at the Monsters Inc show, talking to some of the characters in front of a theatre full of people.

"Willow loved the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney's Magic Kingdom and meeting Darth Vader in Disney's Hollywood Studios.

"We all loved the Indiana Jones stunt show at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and seeing Scooby Doo's Mystery machine and the Simpsons camper van drive past us while we were in Universal Studios.

"Seeing Shamu, the biggest killer whale in captivity, at Seaworld was excellent too. The girls were entranced at the sheer size of the 'fish' splashing all of the audience.

"The best part for all of us was the firework display at Disney's Magic Kingdom, when I cried more than anyone – a truly overwhelming experience."

Lily wrote her name on a star at Give Kids the World, which is now on the ceiling of the castle with 90,000 others belonging to children who have or have had a life-threatening illness.

She was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in August 2007 and had surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but has since been given the all-clear by her doctors.