My wife gave me the gift of the RPDE just last month and it was just great. It seems a little bit expensive before hand (as I'm sure you already know) but looking back it was worth every cent.
I did the Rookie Experience (8 laps) but there was enough time left over that they offered to add 10 more laps (an upgrade to the Kings Experience) at a substantial discount.
I did the morning session, which starts about 7:30. If you have your own transportation you can just drive to the track, if not their shuttle picks you up at the TTC.
You enter through the tunnel between turns 1 and 2 and go straight to the RPDE building in the infield. It's a nice building with a stock car on display, all the RPDE merchandise for sale, and bathrooms.
They sign you in, check that you have signed all the disclaimers and lead you into the back classroom to fit you with a drivers suit. While you wait for the other drivers to arrive and suit up they show a video of Nascar wrecks - like you're not nervous enough already.
The Staff is great, the leader of the class (Art) is upbeat and fun. They realize that even though it's a twice a day occurance for them, this is a big deal for us and they do a great job of being excited for us. They make you feel like a real driver, not just a tourist in a drivers suit. They introduce the instructors (Brett and Hollywood) and give you the rundown on what your morning will be like. Then it's...
Out to the track! Everybody piles into a van and you take a slow lap of the track. They tell you that you will follow an instructor who is 3 car lengths ahead of you the entire time. He decides how fast you will be allowed to go, (top speed your first time is 125 mph). They show you your marks, where to enter a turn, where to apex, where to lift, how to enter the track, how to enter the pits, explain the flags, etc. I found it interesting because my 8 year old races and I give him the exact same talk every time he gets in his car. The second lap is at about 60 mph, but it seems much faster in a top-heavy van.
Back in the pits everybody gathers around the cars for a safety talk and orientation. They explain the saftey gear & fire systems, belts, oil pressure lights, shift lights, etc.
They were full of comforting thoughts like when explaining the fire extinguishing system; "just because you see smoke don't mean theres a fire. Don't pull this unless theres flames all up in here (pointing to dashboard). Ah, you all look like smart guys. You get on fire I'm sure you'll figure it out."
Quite often during this talk I heard the phrase "I'ts never happened, but it could..."
Back to the tent to wait. I went last out of 15 guys. As each driver went out to his car they played loud music and introduced them to the crowd (familys of the drivers). It was cheesy but fun. I watched all 14 guys run, several stalling in the pits, some running terrible lines on the track, and began to unwind a bit.
I was very nervous in the beginning, but as time went on I became really relaxed and comfortable. After all, it's only a car.
Time to drive. Before you go out they fit you with a Hutchins device to prevent neck injury (they should make one to prevent groin injury - those harnesses loop around you legs in that area and they are tight!), and a helmet. You're sent to your car and climb on in through the window. Ever wonder why professional drivers put their helmets on inside the car? Because they don't fit through the window opening very well and you look like an idiot trying to get in.
I talked to the guy strapping me in and he informed me that his regular job is at the front desk of a resort and he only does this one day a week. Fortunately I was familiar with the 5 point harness and kind of double-checked his work.
Next thing I knew the instructor was pulling out and I was right behind him. I didn't stall, didn't blow any shifts, hit my marks, and pulled back into the pits 8 laps later with a top speed of 123.89 mph.
I've never driven anything that handled like those 600hp stock cars. It's like a video game, just point it and it goes. I went into my first turn thinking "there's no way this car is going to stick" but quickly realized that if there was any doubt about the car's ability to handle the track they wouldn't put us amateurs inside, so I just kept my foot in it and drove it down to the line. I was no where near the limits of that vehicle at any point in the ride - either speed or handling.
After it's all over you meet back in the classroom for a little ceremony where you get your certificates and a chance to buy your pictures. I bought mine
We're going back to DW in May and I hope I can convice my wife to let me spend the $$$ again. Well worth it.
Ok, when I re-read this post I realized it changed from a descritption of RPDE to a trip report , but I had fun remembering my experience and hopefully it will help you make a decision.
I am not sure if this is the right page to use, I would like to know if anyone has done the Richard Petty driving experiance? My husband and I are going to WDW in December and he really wants to do the Petty experiance. Is it any good and which is the best to do?
Thank you all for your responses!
Hi Everyone ! 
