Richard Petty Driving Experience and Disney Spas

[shmoogrrrl]

We will be at the World September 27- Oct. 4 and my husband wants to try the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Has anyone done this? If so, did you enjoy it?

As a trade off, I will get to do some Spa treatments on a different day. I can tell you almost everything there is to know about the Spa on the Disney Magic, but I am clueless about the Spas at WDW. I know there is one at the Grand Floridian, but is that it? If not, is one preferred over the other?

Thanks!

Kathy

 

[Disnsyncey]

I did a project for school reorganizing the Grand's Spa so I got to know a couple things about Niki Bryan (the Disney Spa Management Company)

the Grand is the coolest one in my opinion, but I do believe they have others all over......some they just have massage rooms attached to the health club, and others there is actually the spa......The Coronado and the Grand are ones that are big I am almost positive and then they have smaller versions at The BoardWalk and Wilderness Lodge....(one of my group members is working for them)

 

[PatriciaH]

There are Spas at the Grand Floridian, Disney Institute (Saratoga Springs soon) and Wyndham Palace. There are small ones at Coronado Springs and Animal Kingdom Lodge. DH and I went to the GF spa last November and they messed all of our treatments up. They did give us a discount though. We may try WPalace this August since we will be close at the Mariott DD. Most people seem to like the DI spa the best.

 

[cleo]

From what I'm hearing, the Saratoga Springs Spa should offer some really unique experiences, and sounds well worth looking into.

We did the Richard Petty Driving Experience last year and it was quite the amazing ride! If your husband is a race fan at all, this is just the ticket for him. The attendants are wonderful guys, very knowledgable and encouraging, and the sense of camaraderie between the guests as each takes their turn at the wheel gave the feeling of it's being a real team effort. Everyone cheered for each other and the drive itself was quite hair-raising!

I would highly recommend it to anyone who has had the dream of being a race car driver. You can't go over a certain speed, but it's still quite the rush to be whipping around that track creating a racket in those noisy cars!

 

[AllAboutDisney]

I gave my DH 30 laps for his 30th Birthday two years ago and he is still talking about it! His top speed was 132 MPH. Wow, that's fast!!! He said he would highly reccommend it!!!

 

[Oh Kay!]

A quick question about R.Petty.

DH will be doing a rookie exp. when we leave in 10 days, and I was wondering if we can bring our DS4 and DS2 along. How long is the whole session? How is the waiting area for the non-drivers? Should my DH go by himself or should we all tag along?
He's signed up for 2 pm session.

Thanks!

 

[bunnyfoo]

If you have a DC, you'll get 15% off services at Saratoga Springs!

 

[AllAboutDisney]

When we went, I dropped DH off and went back to the hotel for about 1 hour. They have a classroom session before they drive. I arrived just as he was starting around the track. There is a waiting and viewing area for spectators. The 30 laps last 30 minutes or so then a little ceremony and presentation of certificates. Your little ones should be Ok unless they get restless easy. The cars go by sooooo fassssst and it is very, very loud. Be aware of that too. Have fun. He will love it!

 

[clkelley]

A friend of ours just did the rookie driving experience a couple of weeks ago. He did the early morning thing and had to be at the track at 7:30 am.

They began driving at 9am so we got there about 9:15. We really had a good time watching everyone drive. The viewing area is right there with the pit area and you can really get a good view.

We were really not sure at first that we wanted to watch because we thought we would be up in a grandstand, but it is nothing like that.

He really enjoyed the experience and had a great time!!

If you don't have a car, the only way to get to the track is by going to the kennel at the Ticket and Transportation Center. There is a courtesy van that will take you to the track from there.

However, for your spa treatment, you can receive complimentary taxi transportation from your resort.

 

[Oh Kay!]

Thank you AllAboutDisney and clkelley!

I especially appreciate the info regarding the noise level. I had rather hoped the boys could nap while we waited at the track, but now I know that's not going to happen.

One more question: Is the waiting area shaded?

Thanks!

 

[dsanner106]

Hmm, sounds interesting. Does anyone know the cost structure for the driving experience?

thanks
Drew

 

[AllAboutDisney]

Try the Richard Petty website for all the answers to the price questions!

http://www.1800bepetty.com/

 

[clkelley]

Yes the waiting area is shaded and has some bleacher type seating

 

[vicb]

My DH is planning to do this next trip, he really wants me and the 2 kids to come watch him (we really want to see him too). I will have the kids bring their gameboys to keep busy during the class time. I read another poster who said the family members got driven around the track once in a van just to see it up close... has that happened to anyone else?