Richard Petty Driving Experience

[Atchley]

Has anyone done the Richard Petty Driving Experience where you actually drive? Was just wondering. DH would love to do it but is it really worth the money? Any info will help.

 

[Wendy1953]

Has anyone done the Richard Petty Driving Experience where you actually drive? Was just wondering. DH would love to do it but is it really worth the money? Any info will help.

My bosses husband loves race cars, so she purchased the"experience" for him...he loved it...she brought in pic'sand it seems that they actually drive around the track that you can see off the road in WDW! Hope this helps!

 

[Nikki_Mouse]

My DH did the 8 lap driving in Sept. He LOVED it. For $400 he said he would definately do it again! I figured it isn't eveyday he could experience this, so why not! He purchased a placque for $75 more dollars and it hangs in our rec room! Try it!!!

 

[lynr]

Does anyone know if they are still giving the 20% discount for AAA members?

My son just asked me to ask if they restrict how fast you can drive around the track?

Thanks,

 

[Lorelai]

My husband did this about 5 years ago. We chose the early morning experience, because it can get quite hot in a racecar when the sun is high.

First they have a training session, and then they go out and race (one at a time of course - no pile ups on this track!). They clock the speeds so that the fastest time is noted. But there is a pace car in front of you that you have to stay 1 & 1/2 to 3 car lengths behind. My husband actually "won". I think he topped out at about 145mph.

The family members sit in the little covered bleachers and cheer everyone on. It was fun.

Also, they took the kids & I around the track in a van, so that the kids could feel what it's like to be out on a track, in a safe way.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Are there any restrictions on being able to drive? My husband is a diabetic, but would love to do this. Was wondering if they allow anyone to try it or if they restrict people with different diseases like diabetes or seizures?

 

[Atchley]

They are still offering a 20% AAA discount which brings the total with taxes to around $340.00. Worth the AAA for this discount and the room discount!

 

[jngwright]

My husband did it on our honeymoon and loved it loved it loved it (he races stock car and says there is nothing like RPDE) The top speed is 128ish mph.

 

[PrinceGoofy]

I've done it twice and I'm doing it again this year. First time was at Charlotte and second was at Chicago. I think I'm going to do it at Disney this summer.

Unbelievable! Fantastic! What a rush!

He'll love it.

 

[cowtownmom]

Oh he will love it! I bought this as a surprise for DH for Father's Day last year (we were at WDW on Father's Day). He had a blast! It is fun to still hear him tell people about the whole experience.

Be sure to have him buy the plaque with his picture by one of the cars. It makes a great souvineer.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

There is another thread on the same topic and I responded to it with pictures, if you'd like to see them.

Here is the link to the thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1093157

 

[lynr]

Ok you talked me into it. I just booked it for my son in August. I didn't care for the fact that it was a $75 cancellation/change fee or that if they cancel for bad weather you get a certificate good for one year to reschedule. But for my son anything goes.

 

[Atchley]

Anyone know if the family should go for the three hours prior or just come over for the last hour or so? I have two children and wouldn't want them to come and sit for a couple of hours where they won't be able to watch anything. Does it take the three hours for all of the participants to "race". Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[PrincessGeorgie]

I got this for my DH a couple years of ago and he loved it! As did the kids. It is kind of a long wait for the family, but they do simon says and take the kids around the track. It was alot of fun. Book a morning session though, it got really hot at the track and we were there in November. The entire Petty organization in WDW were friendly and family oriented--n ot pushiy about buying the extraas( we did though!)

Enjoy and bring the video camera-- sometimes comical as the burly men are putting on the gear and squeezing into the window of the car!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Has anyone done the Richard Petty Driving Experience where you actually drive? Was just wondering. DH would love to do it but is it really worth the money? Any info will help.

DH LOVED it! He's normally a very easy-going person, but I've never seen him as excited as he was when he did this (and for hours afterwards!) He also did it in the morning-just one caution, don't plan anything important for the rest of the day. DH spent the rest of the day, skipping around with this big grin on his face, alternating between calling everyone he knew (and I think a few he didn't) describing it second by second and then telling me again how much fun it was. I'm sure he wouldn't have remembered anything else I'd planned that day. Like I said, he's normally so calm, this was amazing!

 

[NYDisGuy]

Do you need to know stick shift to ride the car? I know Nascars are stick but I was wondering if they had automatic cars too.

 

[dangler]

Hi,

My brother just did the ride along experience and had an absolute blast! He said the driver takes you around the corners at 170 MPH and the wall is about 3 feet away! He was so excited that I would say go for it!

 

[lucky978]

For those of you who did this, did you do the 8 laps or the 18? I'd like to get this for my DH for our anniversary, but don't wan't it to be a waste if he only gets to do the 8. Know what I mean? I've heard people say that you're just getting the "feel" for the car in 8 laps. That it's definately worth the money to go for the 18.

What do you think?

 

[Devil_Dog99]

I personally did the 8 lap experience at Loudon in NH (masters graduation present from DW). In a word - OMIGAWDITWASAWESOME!!!!!!!!! In answer to some of the questions:

- I am not sure if Disney does anything special for the families, but the first two hours I think are pretty boring for the families.
- Yes you do need to know how to drive a stick - BUT - you only need to know how to go up through the gears. At the end they will tell you to just put it in neutral and coast back to the pits. I did not know how but one lunch hour in my friend's car taught me all I needed to know. If you have a driving simulator (i.e. EA sports) and you have the steering wheel, you can practice 'shifting' - getting a rythym for when to shift.
- I seem to remember having to sign a waiver that included the phrase 'race car driving is a dangerous sport and I may be injured or even killed even if I do everything properly'. So if you want to sign, they will let you race.
- They send you out with a pace car. The idea is to keep up with the pace car driver. If you get closer than the desired distance (3-4 car lengths), and you seem to be doing well, the pace driver will actually speed up. If you are going too fast, he will wave at you to slow down.
- In hindsight, I wish I had more time. Just as I was getting the hang of it (and getting through the emotional overload - driving a stock car on a real NASCAR track, going faster than I ever had) - it was over. I would LOVE to do it again.

Enjoy!!! Have fun!!! Turn fast and go left!!!!!

 

[Devil_Dog99]

For those of you who did this, did you do the 8 laps or the 18? I'd like to get this for my DH for our anniversary, but don't wan't it to be a waste if he only gets to do the 8. Know what I mean? I've heard people say that you're just getting the "feel" for the car in 8 laps. That it's definately worth the money to go for the 18.

What do you think?

8 laps is most definitely not a waste!!!! IF you can afford it - do the 18 (or is it 16) - you get two sessions and its almost guaranteed you will do better. Butu if the cost is too much, the 8 lapper is most definitely worth it - it will almost guarantee you will do it again!!!!