Richard Petty Driving Experience

[avdeane]

Has anybody done the Richard Petty Driving Experience? Did you enjoy it? Was it worth the money? Do you know if you need to have a pass to enter the sports complex if you have reservations for the driving experience? We are huge Nascar fans and my DH and DS would love to do this! Thanks for your help!

Vicky

 

[1HourAway]

Although I've never done it, I did get purchase a ride for my stepfather at a charity auction. I went with him when he rode it and he LOVED it!! (He's a NASCAR fan)

First of all, the Richard Petty Driving Experience is not located at the Wide World of Sports complex. It is located in the parking lot of the Magic Kingdom. You do not need a pass to enter, just let the CM at the parking plaza know you are going to Richard Petty.

They have several things you can do there. One is ride in a stock car on the track (that's what we got), the others are different versions of learning to drive and racing.

My stepfather was a passenger for three laps around the track. The car was traveling well over 100 MPH. They send a pace car out with you, so you are not the only car on the track. He had a blast!

The also take your picture that you can purchase, and they have a small gift shop with souvenirs, etc.

I hope this helps! Have fun!!

 

[ManicGizmo]

I haven't done it personally but my boyfriend and his father just did it last week while we were away. They both loved it and wanted to do extra laps once they had finished (just a pity my b/f had no more money!). They both did the rookie experience which involves an (i think) half hour- 45 minutes of training, then they went out in a nascar following an instructor for 8 laps.

They both really felt it was worth the money and totally enjoyed the experience. Hope this helps!

 

[avdeane]

Thanks for your input!! It sure sounds like my DH & DS will love it!! Now we just have to decide whether to book the "ride" or "drive" experience!


Vicky

 

[SimbaNoodle]

I did it about 5 years ago and it was great. I did the rookie experience where I drove the car myself following the pace car. If you are really daring, you can turn an average lap of 125 mph, which is pretty fast. any NASCAR fan would love it.

Good luck.

 

[Leota]

In '98, I got my DH & DSS each the rookie experience (8 lap) for their B-Days. They LOVED it. It was sooo worth the money to see how happy they were (and how they strutted around in their drivers suits)
Now they both want to go for one of the longer trainings - after you log so many laps - you get to race, instead of following the pace car - I don't think they do that at the Orlando track, but at one of the others.....

If you & your guy are really into NASCAR, spend the extra bucks to drive. I think you'll find it worth every penny!

 

[avdeane]

I am definitely a huge Nascar fan but I think I will leave the driving to the guys!! *L* I'd rather watch!!

Sounds like this is a definite "must do" for DH & DS for sure!! Hubby has been already hinting that it would be a wonderful birthday present. Since his birthday is Dec 16 and we are leaving 10 days later, guess that would be a perfect gift!!


Vicky

 

[clkelley]

A friend of ours just did the rookie experience in April. He had a blast!! The grin on his face was pasted there all day. He managed a top speed of about 135.

Even to watch is fun and free!! We expected that we would be somewhere up in a grandstand, but spectators are right there next to the pit row. It is loud, but there is shade and some bleacher seating.

The location is in the rear of the Magic Kingdom parking lot. If you are using Disney Transportation, go to the Magic Kingdom from your resort, then take the monorail to the TTC, then walk over towards the kennel. There is van transportation to the racetrack from the kennel and back.

 

[Debs Hill]

My husband would love this as a b'day gift. Can anyone tell me roughly what the prices are, he would want to drive himself, not just be driven. Many thanks

 

[TiggerInNY]

OK, someone wanted to know the prices:

Ride-Along Program: passenger driven by an instructor for 16 laps - $89 + tax

Rookie Experience: drive yourself for 8 laps; you must be 18 yrs old - $349 + tax

King's experience: drive yourself for 18 laps. Package lasts 5 hours, must be 18 w/ valid drivers license - $699 + tax

Experience of a lifetime: drive 30 laps. Package lasts 5 1/2 hours - $1199 + tax (that's if your wife REALLY loves you) hahaha

You can look up this info at www.wdwinfo.com under recreation. We're going in October and I'm getting the Rookie Experience for my husband for our 10 year anniversary. I think he'll love it. BTW, we're DJ fans #88.

Hope this helps. Happy racin'.

Maria

 

[TammiMcMan]

I'm thinking of surprising DH when we take our trip in January. I know that he would love to drive the car himself, but has had only cars with automatic transmission and he's never driven a standard. Does anyone know if that affects the driving experience?

Thanks for the help,
Tammi

 

[Msslaydbug]

I bought this for my DH as a surprise for his birthday last year before our trip to DisneyWorld. This was all he talked about before and afterwards. He did the Rookie Experience and can hardly wait to go back and do the longer training sessions. He said it was worth every penny plus some more !!

It was also worth it to me to see how much fun he was having. The grin as he got out of that car after driving for 8 laps is priceless !!

 

[tinaw]

My husband entered a contest a few months ago and won a free ride along gift certificate but he is giving it to ME!!!! I am so geeked! I have always wanted to do this. I actually want to drive the car but I'll take what I an get.
Am I the only girl out there who is a speed demon?
I don't even like Nascar, I just want to go vroom vroom vroom around that track!!! By the way my husband is awesome! (In case he reads this!)

 

[jimmytammy]

I have never done the Richard Petty school at WDW but I have been to the 3 day Buck Baker Racing school at Rockingham NC. I drove all 3 days and also rode a VERY fast lap with an experienced driver. Both were thrilling.
The lap w/other driver will definitely give you goosebumps. Driving the car yourself will give you a new found respect for Nascar drivers and what they experience (minus hitting the wall at top rate speeds, I hope).
I never had asspirations of being a race car driver, and after that I KNOW I dont want to do that for a living. I feel safer on a roof with a steep pitch than being in a racecar at 125 mph.
Dont get me wrong, I would do it again, just not with 40 other cars out there with me.
Bottom line, they will love it, especially being Nascar fans.

 

[avdeane]

Ever since I told my hubby about it he's been giving me little subtle (yeah right) hints that he definitely wants to do this so I guess I had better plan this into our vacation! I am very excited about seeing his face as he does this too!! I think it will be worth every penny too!!

tinaw...congrats on winning the contest!! That is great!! Yes your husband is wonderful to let you do it instead of himself! Hope you have a fabulous time and make sure to post to us what you though of it!!

jimmytammy....I don't think you could even get me into the car for the lap with the driver!! *L* I get anxious when my husband drives I75 through MI!!!


Vicky

 

[phorsenuf]

I gave this to my DH as a present and he did the rookie experience on July 9th! He loved it! He wanted more, more, more! His top speed was 125.68mph. We got some great pictures. It is something he will remember and talk about forever. I also did the ride along program. 3 laps with a driver. It was the best! You go about 145 mph (it really doesn't seem that fast) and they take you real close to the wall. Awesome!!!! You have to do it!!
Also, if you are an AP holder you get a 10% discount and if you purchase the Ride along at the same time you get even more savings. I believe it was about $430. for the rookie experience and ride along program.
have fun!!!

 

[markºoº]

I've done RPDE and Buck Baker at Rockingham, NC.

The RPDE Rookie Experience is a great introduction to driving fast. If at all possible, I would suggest trying to do it Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte instead of WDW. Charlotte is a bigger and faster track and has steep banking. The Rookie Experience is up to 145mph and the ride along does about 165mph. For the Rookie Experience you follow a pace car for 8 laps and no passing is allowed. The day we were there, they were doing the ride along with two cars racing side-by-side all the way around the track at 165! Imagine sitting in the passenger seat and looking out the side window and seeing another car 3 feet away at 165mph on 24 degree banking!

Buck Baker is more for the die hard racer. Their half day program includes about 30 laps. You ride along for 10 laps, they you drive with the instructor riding along for 10 laps, and then they let you loose on the track on your own for about ten laps as fast as you feel comfortable. No pace car here! I even got to pass another car! If I remember correctly, Buck Baker cost about the same at RPDE Rookie Experience.

 

[aladdinsgirl]

TammiMcMan,

I've never done the RPDE, but I was just reading the Unofficial WDW guide, and it said that you will need to know how to use a manual (standard) transmission to drive the cars.
My DH thinks he is Richard Petty himself when he gets behind the wheel of any sort of go-kart, so I'd like to get this package for him sometime to see just how well he can really do.

 

[avdeane]

Those who have done this at WDW. Did you make reservations beforehand? Did they require a deposit, and if so how much? Thanks so much!!


Vicky

 

[momxx5]

Ok - DH would love this. I am considering doing it as a surprise. We are going 7/28 thry 8/4 and it would be an early birthday present - 8/26. I would get the Rookie pkg.

Would he go alone to it? I heard the training takes 2 hrs. We would want to see him drive, but what would we(me & 5kids -9 and under) do for the training time? Could we video him driving?

Thanks, any info would be very helpful.