Adventures of a DisneyWORLDholic! Updated1/24 I was an unofficial WDW tour guide.

[jmskinner]

I lived the play by play on facebook with ya, but it was different reading it all together, the tornado, the resort/date switching problems, etc. Glad everything worked out in the end. I forgot to comment in my first post, that I love the family picture you posted in the beginning of this TR.

The rooms do like really nice, and the night time pictures around the resort are so pretty.

I feel like I drove everyone nuts trying to make that reservation change. Sorry about that. You know, it always works out in the end at WDW as long as you get there. Saying that, that trip goes well and I know it isn't close but hope time goes quickly for ya.

I wasn't having an easy time with the night time shots, you should see the ones deleted. Digital cameras are just the best.

Would you believe we have had the Disney Visa all this time and that was the first time we stopped for our photo opportunity, kept forgetting or didn't have a clue as to where it was. On to another update.

 

[jmskinner]

Phone rings at 5:30am, for once Jonas was closest and had to answer, but of course I had to be the first one up. We all get dressed, Jonas was nice enough to go get us some coffee. I had brought cereal, but hadn't purchased the milk yet, but had some granola bars and stuff to eat. I was a bad Mom and let Jacob have chips...it was his vacation also.

We had decided to drive, wasn't sure if any buses would be running yet. And we weren't sure if we could park at the track, so we headed to the TTC to catch the shuttle. When you register for the RPDE, the site says to be there 30 minutes before start time, and that shuttles run every 15 minutes, so we were at the shuttle stop about 7:00am. Wish I had gotten a pic of the parking lot, we were the 3rd car. There was already another couple there waiting. It was interesting watching all the CM's getting ready for the day.

Saw this while we were waiting:


Can't wait for the movie!



Finally at 7:30, this arrived:


The driver was really nice so early in the morning. And driving through the tunnel to get to the track was fun. This one lady commented "Even this is scaring me!" We all had a good laugh. We had to sign a waiver, I don't know if it was for going to the track or riding in the shuttle, or both. We may have just signed our first born away.

We go in the building, first off AIR CONDITIONING. Jonas had to redo his paperwork for some reason and then he was given a suit:


The above pic was taken inside the instruction room, you could see the track through the windows. There was also chairs set up and here is where the instructor stood:


He had went around and literally sized up all the drivers. They grouped them into three groups so cars wouldn't have to be adjusted between drivers. He called their class "Sunday Drivers!" No one could come up with a better name. Jacob yelled something out and made everyone laugh. He did that several times. Oh, forgot to mention, the families were able to sit in on the class also.

Now Jacob had his DS out the whole time, but he kept making comments related to what the instructor said, so was obviously still listening while playing. Something we are learning about ADHD, doing two things at once actually help him focus.

Finally, the drivers had to go do some additional training up front watching the screens on this setup and listening on headphones:


Have you noticed I keep saying drivers and not men, thats right, there was some girl power. And this poor woman was there her third time, the previous two times the weather had caused them to cancel.

So how this works is each driver has their own lead car with an instructor. That car is there the whole time. You would think they control the speed, but actually the participant does. As they go around the track, the lead car has a red and green light on the back. Participants are told to stay 3 car lengths distance from that lead car. If they get too far back, green light comes on telling them to speed up, too close, the red light comes on. So, if you stay that 3 car lengths, the instructor will keep speeding up. We were told one participant got out and said "that green light must be broken, it was on the whole time." Poor guy missed out on going faster.

Here is one of the lead cars:




My hubby all excited:


Now, while they are inside they are sized for helmets, basically small, medium, large. And they have to be really tight, actually have to have help getting them on they are so tight.

Here is Jonas all excited as he heads to his car (I believe he was the 6th driver.)



And really, this is him in the car:


Looks like a real race doesn't it.

Now, I remember asking Jonas before the trip, if I should pack our old Kodak camera that does video, he told me no because we had our phones. Well, it works a lot better than our phones, my video on my phones doesn't have zoom. But I sadly listened to him. But I did get a little video. In fact, I tried to get him starting the car, started taping (is that what you still call it when using your phone since there is not tape involved?) Anyway, I'm recording...and recording. Finally, I stop and then he starts the car.

I had to laugh when he finally took off, think I recorded it, but deleted it because I knew he didn't want to see such a horrible start. He told me later he wasn't sure how the clutch would be since the Mustang is a short clutch. But he was off:


Yup, that is him. Here he is behind his lead car:


I was trying to get a good pic that I could hopefully zoom in on with Adobe, but I didn't realize how good of a pic I would get:


It looks like he is stopped on the track, you can even read the brand of tires. Seriously, he was moving and I believe by this time, he was doing around 120mph. Which was his top speed.

Just in case you want proof that the car is moving(this is video, just click on the pic):


This track is a little odd in that it has 3 turns instead of 4. With the basic package, you get 8 laps. Does this look like a happy man?


Now, for $200 more dollars the drivers could do 8 more laps and would be able to start out faster since they were use to the track. I know Jonas really wanted to, but we just couldn't do it. Remember that one woman I mentioned, she sure did. So did a couple of others. And remember that lady that was scared going through the tunnel, same lady asked if the cars had air conditioning.

We purchased the picture offered, and of course a t-shirt. I think I could start a t-shirt business with all the Star Wars, Mustang, Disney, and everything else we have. They also give you a certificate and a document giving you all of the stats of your laps. Hoped back in the van, which the people waiting before us, who were YOUNGER, hoped in the first two rows so we have to squeeze into the backseat. I was a little miffed. As we head towards the tunnel, Jacob yells "GO FAST". You know what, that driver did. I was totally shocked. We got out of the van and...you'll have to wait for the next update for what we did next. Any guesses?

 

[dismagiclover]

Great report about the Richard Petty Speedway! I've always wondered how that works and now I know! Love the DIS

 

[dancer4life22]

deleted

 

[Luvmepluto]

Wow! I am in Hickory, NC........35 minutes from Boone and Huntersville! I love the seasons up here. Do you visit often?

 

[jmskinner]

Great report about the Richard Petty Speedway! I've always wondered how that works and now I know! Love the DIS

Thanks for joining! I tried to be as detailed as I could about the RPDE, I don't think I've ever seen it mentioned in a TR. I was totally surprised by how many people were participating, drivers and just ride alongs.

Also, didn't mention that anyone can drive over or catch the shuttle if you want to check it out.

love the first post and going back to read the rest

your dog is the same way mine is! all 3 ofmine basically own our couches and refuse to move! luckily there big couches so we all fit

Welcome! Until just recently we had two dogs. Paid a lot of money to a trainer, due to sibling rivalry, who told me they both had to stay off the furniture. You see how well that went over.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Wow, you are such a good wife. What a great birthday gift. Looks like Jonas had a lot of fun.

 

[jmskinner]

Wow! I am in Hickory, NC........35 minutes from Boone and Huntersville! I love the seasons up here. Do you visit often?

No, afraid we don't. We were just there in June for Kara's graduation and before that is was a year and for DBIL's wedding. It is beautiful up there. Jonas doesn't really like going back to Huntersville, doesn't look like "home" anymore. I'm sure your area has really developed also.

Wow, you are such a good wife. What a great birthday gift. Looks like Jonas had a lot of fun.

Would you please tell him that. He did have a great time, if I hadn't been there to give him a conscience he would have been right back in that car....again and again.

 

[let'sgo]

I loved getting the first-hand look at the racing. I was wondering how that worked. DH might like to try that, if I can ever get him back to DW.

 

[Luvmepluto]

Nothing like a little taste of Nascar at Disney World! Yes, I love Nascar.....lol. Living in the Carolinas and in Nascar country.......you learn to enjoy it.

Great pics! I can't wait to hear more.

 

[jmskinner]

I loved getting the first-hand look at the racing. I was wondering how that worked. DH might like to try that, if I can ever get him back to DW.

Saw you have a ticker for 41 days, is DH not going? I was just at WDW and got all excited hearing the Speedway, now I know exactly what is going on.

Nothing like a little taste of Nascar at Disney World! Yes, I love Nascar.....lol. Living in the Carolinas and in Nascar country.......you learn to enjoy it.

Great pics! I can't wait to hear more.

Yes you do. My poor DMIL would get calls from people thinking she was Mike Skinner since she was in the phone book at M Skinner. LOL Oh, and Jonas was just telling us a story how during high school the teacher driving the bus saw Richard Petty's Garage and turned the bus down the road to it, hoped out and asked if he could have a tour. When the guys in the shop asked about the kids on the bus he asked "Oh, can they get one too?" Of course this was about 30 years ago when the garages weren't as big as they are now.

 

[heaven2dc]

Hurray - I found you!! That was such a neat experience for your DH!! He looks like he's in Nascar

 

[jmskinner]

Jonas' favorite park is Magic Kingdom. I guess mine is also, every time I enter any of the parks, I remember why I like it so much. I still find something new every time we go.

So after racing, we headed to the Monorail. Jacob loves the Monorail and we were very fortunate to get to be co-pilots twice before the tragic accident last year. Which I hope one day people can be co-pilots again. Anyhoo, the boys got ahead of me because I had to go through security. I stopped to grab this pic



Side note here, over on the Photography threads here on the Dis, is a photography scavenger hunt. There is no way I will win it, but it's fun to try to get pics for it. 'Ol Glory is one on the list. I keep taking pictures of the Flag, but don't like any of the shots I get. Such as the one above, Flag is going the wrong direction. I know it is just the wind blowing it, but it just bugs me.

First thing the boys want to do is PoTC. There was a little bit of wait, guess too long for these guys:



We exit off the ride, hang around the shop for a little bit, drag the boy out of the shop (he loves to play with the guns, and then with the rubber fingers you can fill the treasure chest with). About this time Jonas' phone rings. Its work. Turns into about a 15 minute phone call about something he took care of before leaving and then the caller apologizing because he didn't realize Jonas was on leave.

Remember how I said I see something new each time I go, well here is one of them.


I don't know how I have never noticed a restaurant there. Think we pick up halloween candy during MNSSHP there. Before Jonas' phone call we had decided we both needed food. This place was burritoes and nachos. Sounded good to me, but Jonas said he had taco salad the night before. Off we look for something else.

We end up at Pecos Bill's? Not really sure the name, it is on the corner across from Splash Mountain there in Frontierland. Never eaten here either. I got a Chicken Ceasar Salad and can't remember what Jonas had. Jacob didn't want anything. I kept asking, which kept making him mad. We finally finished our meal and headed for HM. Another favorite of the boys. The wait was about 30 minutes. The line was actually standing in the sun. We stood there for about a minute when I realized how tired I was. Jonas said he was tired also. Jacob said he was HOT! So we decided to leave, not just leave the line, but leave the park.

On the way out of the park we caught this band performing:

Quick pic on the way out:


Something else on the scavenger hunt...

Balloons.

Didn't like that one either. Keep trying.

But we decided to ride the boat back to the TTC and what is on a boat:

Think I can use that one.

We found our car, it was no longer lonely in the parking lot. It was completely surrounded by this time. And we headed back to the hotel where Jonas and I napped, and Jonas watched more Hannah Montanna.

Hmmm, what did we do after our nap? It didn't involve a resort or park? Any guesses.

 

[jmskinner]

Hurray - I found you!! That was such a neat experience for your DH!! He looks like he's in Nascar

It really is a neat experience. And the instructors have a good time and make it a lot of fun.

One of the instructors mentioned he had earned his Master's Degree and the same lady that asked about the air conditioning in the cars, stated "what does that say that a guy has his Masters and does this for a living?" I say, he is LIVING his DREAM!!!!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

I LOVE that you are doing a photo scavenger hunt, how fun. That sounds right up your alley. Can't wait to see how you do.

I love your flag picture.

I wish you had eaten at the Mexican place, I had read about it and had considered it.

Can't wait to see what you do after your naps. I'm guessing DTD.

You will be in Florida for one more year right? moving next summer? Hope we get to meet up.

 

[let'sgo]

Saw you have a ticker for 41 days, is DH not going? I was just at WDW and got all excited hearing the Speedway, now I know exactly what is going on..

Nope, this is my first solo trip to Disney. I told DH I was going and would he like to join me and even when I told him I was planning parasailing, jetski tour, fishing, and the other things of a one night premium pkg I couldn't convince him. I'm not sure he believes that I'm going, but there's no way that I would ever cancel with the deal that I got. I can't wait!

I think that on the next trip I would like to do a Platinum Pkg for one night and do the Speedway, spa, tours, and other things that are offered with that. I figured that he would probably do the Speedway, but I'm not sure if I can get him to go. Oh well. Looks like I would then get the Speedway!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

I would say DTD, too. Did ya eat at T-Rex? I want to try that place, sometime.

It's funny how all of a sudden, you just get tired. It just hits you -- that long line at HM made you realize it! And it's like the story about the trip to Abilene that no one really wanted to go on -- unless someone pipes up and says, "no, that's it," everyone will keep stumbling on! Good for you.

I saw you say, you "needed food." I know I got that from you!!

Strangely...I don't remember ever seeing those skeletons at the PoTC ride. And I am always popping my head around corners, through bars, etc. !! That will be bugging me until I can see them for myself!!

 

[natebenma]

Hi Melissa.

I'm visiting you over here. I love your trip report so far! Great flag photo! I took a few pictures of the balloon guys on Main Street on this trip and I didn't even know there was a scavenger hunt.

Look forward to hearing more about your visit!

 

[Madisonsmom45]

I love the pictures of POFQ. We always stay at POR so it's nice to see what the other side looks like.
Bonnie

 

[Luvmepluto]

I am sure that happens a lot. lol... It's funny (and not) like any of the drivers would have their numbers listed. ...it is nothing to walk into a store, restaurant (or anyplace else) and see the drivers. My ex actually works for one of the teams.

I can't wait to read more! We will be in POR in September.