Doing "other" stuff on your Disney vacation?

[Golden Rose]

What is that like? How much is it? This sounds like something DH and his step-father would love.

I think the Tom Petty Driving Experience is closed. An announcement was made last month.

The Richard (not Tom - he's the singer ) Petty Driving experience is closing, but not closed. We did it less than 2 weeks ago. It is supposed to be closing sometime over the summer, though, and I'm not sure about the current final date. (It was end of June, but they may have changed it.) I think Disney wants the space back.

They have (soon to be had) several different experiences, some driving, some ride-alongs. The one that my husband did was the Exotic Driving Experience, which let him drive a "exotic" sports car around a track something like 6 times, with a coach seated in the seat next to him giving tips and encouraging him to go even faster. The course was a mix of a race track and a "street" course. They take photos and video tape your drive, which they will sell you for too much money, but since DH got such a kick out of it, he went ahead and bought the video and plaque with his photo on it.

He absolutely loved it. I'm really sorry it is closing, but glad he got to try it before it actually closed.

 

[starsweeper]

We only go for 4-5 days each trip during school breaks in spring or fall, so we max out our days at WDW. However, my ODD keeps asking to visit Sea World, so we may drop a park day or do that on our arrival day next time. My DH grew up near Cocoa Beach, so we've visited family there before and my kids are too young to appreciate Kennedy Space Center.

 

[JanaDee]

I think the Tom Petty Driving Experience is closed. An announcement was made last month.

LOL Richard Petty.

 

[disneyseniors]

We are starting to mix it up a bit, but still 'keeping it on Disney property' (partly because we fly in and part of our holiday is not having to drive at all). Last year we spent a day at DTD to see LaNouba and this year we are going to try to get on the hot air balloon. We love staying on-site and all of the Disney that goes with it.
But... for years when I was a kid/teen/young adult, my parents took us to Florida for two weeks and we did Old Town (very cool), Busch Gardens and watched baseball games (also an old theme park that was called Boardwalk and Baseball in Haines City). If we were there in the winter we'd go to see the Tampa Bay Lightning. We even saw the Orlando Magic play once.
Lots of stuff to do there for sure.
Have a great holiday

Yes, we too, like to stay onsite. My husband hates to drive in Florida, so a big part of his vacation is not having to drive. I respect that! We have seen LaNouba twice, and it was not the exact same show. Love it. We also are planning on the balloon ride, but I'm a little squeamish about it We have planned this the past 2 years, but one time it was shut down (don't know why), and the last time there were high winds, so no ride then. It sounds like you do what we do too. We are staying 9 or 10 days this fall and are going to Universal one or two days, with the rest spent in the parks, and visiting various other resorts. Looks like we like the same things to do.

 

[Cormoran]

LOL Richard Petty.

Maybe they should change it to the Tom and Richard Petty driving experience!

 

[JanaDee]

Maybe they should change it to the Tom and Richard Petty driving experience!

I think that concept is covered by Rockin Roller Coaster.

 

[hooch11bear]

We have also gone to Cocoa Beach. It's a pretty short drive. A couple of other things we have done is gone on a zipline tour and went on a hot air balloon ride. Both were extremely fun!! On property we have rented boats, went on a Segway tour, done the fireworks cruise at MK, La Nouba, mini golf, waterparks. Even if you don't leave the property, there are several things to do.

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

Yes, we too, like to stay onsite. My husband hates to drive in Florida, so a big part of his vacation is not having to drive. I respect that! We have seen LaNouba twice, and it was not the exact same show. Love it. We also are planning on the balloon ride, but I'm a little squeamish about it We have planned this the past 2 years, but one time it was shut down (don't know why), and the last time there were high winds, so no ride then. It sounds like you do what we do too. We are staying 9 or 10 days this fall and are going to Universal one or two days, with the rest spent in the parks, and visiting various other resorts. Looks like we like the same things to do.

You do sound like you do Disney exactly like usFunny enough, the last 2 years we've tried to get a balloon ride in, but the weather has been against us too! Trying again for a third time this year. After reading your line about being 'squeamish' about it I will admit that I will NOT be in that balloon ride ... only DH and DD's lol. I too am squeamish
Interesting to hear that your LaNouba shows were different. We loved the show but assumed it was the same performance every year. It may be something that we do again since it was so impressive.
We haven't ventured to Universal yet (my DD's haven't asked about it yet ... they are big Disney Fans, but I'm assuming we'll make the trip to Universal one day).
Enjoy your fall trip. We're back in late August