Richard Petty Driving Experience?

[Samar]

Hi all

DH would LOVE to do the Richard Petty Driving Experience while we're in Disney. Is the Rookie Experience worth it for the money?

 

[Sfmarine]

Are they still offering this since they now have the Exotic driving experience?

 

[Samar]

Exotic driving experience? Could you elaborate, please?

The site doesn't give much detail but I was hoping someone who has done the experience before (driving, not being driven) had some insight before I offer to go halfsies for him to do this as my anniversary gift to him.

 

[Sfmarine]

http://www.exoticdriving.com/

From what I've heard, the stock cars are still there and it is still run by the same company but they've just switched to Exotics now.

 

[Samar]

http://www.exoticdriving.com/

From what I've heard, the stock cars are still there and it is still run by the same company but they've just switched to Exotics now.

NICE! I think he might actually like these cars better since he either drives his beat up bachelor Civic or the "family van". Thank you for the link, I will have him check it out

 

[Sfmarine]

Haha..yeah it's a nice selection. I haven't signed up yet but I will probably go with the Ferrari.

 

[JennyWren]

DH did the rookie experience for his 40th birthday and he LOVED it. It was definitely worth the money and we all got to stay and watch, it was a lot of fun. It does take several hours, so you might want to send him along and meet up with him at the racetrack in an hour or so. Also, they have rain delays. DH had just got in his car when it started to rain, so he had to get out and wait for the rain to pass. So if you book this, steer clear of booking ADRs for that evening unless you plan on eating late.

(On a side note, we booked our WDW package through AAA and one of their perks was 20% off all Richard Petty Experiences--so it may be worth checking into whether they still offer this.)

 

[Sfmarine]

The time issue is what I'm worried about. I don't want to be tied up for an afternoon at the track for 6 slaps. I may have to push this off to another visit.

 

[Samar]

DH did the rookie experience for his 40th birthday and he LOVED it. It was definitely worth the money and we all got to stay and watch, it was a lot of fun. It does take several hours, so you might want to send him along and meet up with him at the racetrack in an hour or so. Also, they have rain delays. DH had just got in his car when it started to rain, so he had to get out and wait for the rain to pass. So if you book this, steer clear of booking ADRs for that evening unless you plan on eating late.

(On a side note, we booked our WDW package through AAA and one of their perks was 20% off all Richard Petty Experiences--so it may be worth checking into whether they still offer this.)

We booked through a TA Thanks for the heads up on the time consumption. I'd make him do it on a "resort day".

 

[tpettie]

Can someone help me to work out where this is?? I thought it was at ESPN Wide world of sports... How do you get there if your using Disney Transportation??

 

[ChrisParker]

I have just booked the King's experience as a Honeymoon surprise for DH to be...would love to hear some reviews from people who have done this.

 

[Sfmarine]

I participated in this last week. It was a thrill to drive the Ferrari but it really isn't a lot of time behind the wheel. I didn't even have a chance to marvel at the fine leather interior.

To get to the speedway you have to go through the magic kingdom gates. Tell them you are going to the raceway to avoid paying for parking. It's located near the Hess station and you basically take a right and drive next to the track and wind around the corner and "under" the track. You literally drive under the track to access the speedway. I did not see Any buses dropping off people but I read on the Internet that a bus does leave from the TTC.

Once you arrive, you are given a USB device to log your times and video as well as a lanyard with you driving number on it. There's a bit of paperwork you must fill out and have a witness sign beforehand. There's a naughty crash clash that they've devised..basically you pay an additional 35$ ontop of the amount of the car you are driving. So the Ferrari was 419+$35. My total including taxes was 483$.

You are then taken to a general seating area where you are given basic instructions and an interactive view of the track as well as real time to see what turns it has etc. it's about a 30 minute class. There were 5 cars available to drive and each with 3 assigned drivers so it is a good chunk out of your afternoon so be sure not to have any ADR's scheduled around that time because you could be there for 2 hrs. There's a quick photo opportunity before the cars pull onto the track. A photo is taken of you next to the car and seated inside. It's a shame they only snap a total of two. It would have been nice to have a few options. At the end of the drive they have the pictures already in a nice plaque for you to take home..of course for an exorbitant fee of 70$!

Everyone gets fitted for a helmet and then it's just a waiting game until your turn. They only allow a certain amount of cars on the track. Some take it slow and others such as myself go full throttle. I got to pass a Lamborghini so that was quite the rush.

So you are assigned an instructor who basically tells you when to shift if you opt for the paddle shifters which I suggest everyone do. You get 6 laps but they go by very fast and the first one is basically a beginner lap. I think the first one shouldn't count since you are not experienced with the track yet. It wasn't until lap 4 or so that I finally became fully accustomed to he car. The first lap you are basically getting a feel for the car and trying not the crash it.

My review is getting quite long so I will end it here. It's a lot of money. I only hit 113mph which is quite slow considering the length of the track. You can really wind up the rpms. My take on it is these cars are not operating at their full potential. They are probably de-tuned and running on cheap gas. It is Disneyworld after all and if you are set on driving a super car then don't think twice about it. I still enjoyed it but it is one costly adventure. You are better off renting a Ferrari for a day in Miami wih no restrictions.

 

[Samar]

I participated in this last week. It was a thrill to drive the Ferrari but it really isn't a lot of time behind the wheel. I didn't even have a chance to marvel at the fine leather interior.

To get to the speedway you have to go through the magic kingdom gates. Tell them you are going to the raceway to avoid paying for parking. It's located near the Hess station and you basically take a right and drive next to the track and wind around the corner and "under" the track. You literally drive under the track to access the speedway. I did not see Any buses dropping off people but I read on the Internet that a bus does leave from the TTC.

Once you arrive, you are given a USB device to log your times and video as well as a lanyard with you driving number on it. There's a bit of paperwork you must fill out and have a witness sign beforehand. There's a naughty crash clash that they've devised..basically you pay an additional 35$ ontop of the amount of the car you are driving. So the Ferrari was 419+$35. My total including taxes was 483$.

You are then taken to a general seating area where you are given basic instructions and an interactive view of the track as well as real time to see what turns it has etc. it's about a 30 minute class. There were 5 cars available to drive and each with 3 assigned drivers so it is a good chunk out of your afternoon so be sure not to have any ADR's scheduled around that time because you could be there for 2 hrs. There's a quick photo opportunity before the cars pull onto the track. A photo is taken of you next to the car and seated inside. It's a shame they only snap a total of two. It would have been nice to have a few options. At the end of the drive they have the pictures already in a nice plaque for you to take home..of course for an exorbitant fee of 70$!

Everyone gets fitted for a helmet and then it's just a waiting game until your turn. They only allow a certain amount of cars on the track. Some take it slow and others such as myself go full throttle. I got to pass a Lamborghini so that was quite the rush.

So you are assigned an instructor who basically tells you when to shift if you opt for the paddle shifters which I suggest everyone do. You get 6 laps but they go by very fast and the first one is basically a beginner lap. I think the first one shouldn't count since you are not experienced with the track yet. It wasn't until lap 4 or so that I finally became fully accustomed to he car. The first lap you are basically getting a feel for the car and trying not the crash it.

My review is getting quite long so I will end it here. It's a lot of money. I only hit 113mph which is quite slow considering the track length I had to really wind up the rpms. My take on it is these cars are not operating at their full potential. They are probably de-tuned and running on cheap gas. It is disneyworld after all and if you are set on driving a super car then don't think twice about it. I still enjoyed it but it is one costly adventure. You are better off renting a Ferrari for a day in Miami wih no restrictions.

Excellent review!!!! Thank you!

 

[Sfmarine]

Not a problem. Let me know if you have anymore questions. As far as what car to pick..I'm sure your husband has a favorite that he'd like to drive but the top dog is definitely the Ferrari 458.

It was definitely a good time and the staff is wonderful but this is an expensive venture. I kept contemplating whether it was worth it or not and I finally decided on it the week I went down. I finally got to drive a Ferrari so at least now I can say I did! But think about all the Disney souvenirs I could have gotten if I didn't rent the car?

 

[tpettie]

Not a problem. Let me know if you have anymore questions. As far as what car to pick..I'm sure your husband has a favorite that he'd like to drive but the top dog is definitely the Ferrari 458.

It was definitely a good time and the staff is wonderful but this is an expensive venture. I kept contemplating whether it was worth it or not and I finally decided on it the week I went down. I finally got to drive a Ferrari so at least now I can say I did! But think about all the Disney souvenirs I could have gotten if I didn't rent the car?

so how would this differ from the nascar driving experience thing?? if there were to be friends and family is there much for them to "watch"...

 

[Sfmarine]

so how would this differ from the nascar driving experience thing?? if there were to be friends and family is there much for them to "watch"...

They still offer the Nascar experience which is cheaper but just not popular right now. I saw one person doing it. You've gotta wear the flame suit and of course no A/C or doors. The guy got out of the car and looked happy but flustered.

There is a small viewing area but you can only see when they pass by which is unfortunate. They should have a higher area for seating. The exotic track is much more personal and you get to see the cars up close and see whoever is driving negotiate the turns.

 

[fedexflyboy]

I did the Richer Petty Experience, but left me wanting more so did the Jeff Gordon racing school. Much better cars, much faster and all around better experience.