What?! I know what you’re thinking. “This isn’t the NASCAR blog, Lisa. This is a Disney blog. You know, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Magic Kingdom and EPCOT Center.” Well, fasten your seat belts, folks! Walt Disney World has it’s very own speedway complete with the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Are you ready to ride with The King? Buckle up!
Sure, you can spend your days at Disney World riding teacups and roller coasters but why not strap yourself in to a 600 horsepower, Nextel Cup car, put the pedal to the metal and live out your NASCAR dreams? After only a one-hour class, you can suit up like the big boys of NASCAR and satisfy your need for speed at 145 mph.
There are four different programs to choose from at the Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Walt Disney World Speedway:
Ride Along
The Ride Along program currently costs $99 plus tax. This program gets you the shotgun seat with a professional driver in a two-seat stock car for a NEXTEL Cup qualifying 3-lap ride.
Rookie Experience
This experience costs $399 plus tax and you get an amazing 8-lap ride around the one-mile speedway including warm up and cool down laps. Classes are held twice daily in the morning and afternoon and the total time for this experience is three hours (including the one hour of classroom time).
King’s Experience
You don’t want to drink a Big Gulp before going on this 18-lap ride! The King’s Experience is a five-hour program (including classroom time) and classes are held only once per day. The King’s Experience will cost you $799 plus tax but what a thrill!
Experience of A Lifetime
This 30-lap experience includes classroom time and three driving sessions where you’ll learn skills like building speed and maintaining a driving line. Classes are held only once daily and this Experience of a Lifetime will cost you $1,249 plus tax.
No matter which experience you choose, you’ll receive your lap sheets and a certificate of completion documenting your top speed. You’ll also have the opportunity to purchase a photo of you and your very own NEXTEL Cup car.
*Drivers must be at least 18 years old, licensed and able to drive a stick shift. The track is closed for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, inclement weather and for testing or private events so be sure to call ahead and book your experience in advance.
You can call ahead to 1-800-Be-Petty or book your experience online at www.1800bepetty.com