Magical Kingdoms Disney Blog

You’d be forgiven for giving it little more than a second glance as you inch the hire car ever closer to the decorative parking lot booths of the Magic Kingdom, the excitement of being just a short tram and ferry/monorail ride away from skipping down Main St dominating your thoughts. However, the Walt Disney World Speedway circuit, neighbouring the Magic Kingdom’s acres of parking lot is home to one of WDW’s less exposed thrill-ride experiences.

The Richard Petty Driving Experience, offering ride-along or hands-on, full throttle packages depending on your need for speed was something I’d had little knowledge about prior to my visit back in the spring of ‘06. I’d been given the gift of a ride-along experience a few months earlier and admittedly, was unsure what to expect. 

I arrived sometime in the afternoon along with my wife, (I thought it best since we were celebrating our honeymoon at the time!) and together we approached the visitors desk so I could register my arrival. Once the formalities of checking in were complete, I was asked to sign several liability forms and then handed an adequately sized, red, blue and white boiler suit to change into, before being given the obligatory safety spiel.  With that out of the way, I was led outdoors to wait my turn for the next available car.  A group of guys nearby were being briefed, ready to do the more advanced driving experience, however I was kind of glad, as a stranger to such surroundings, that someone else would be handling that side of things for me. A couple of the R.P. crew told me a little about what to expect and made me step into a safety harness, this would then be hooked on to the chair whilst in the car. To complete the dress-up, i was then handed a helmet to put on.  A few minutes later and I was being beckoned over towards an idling stock car.

If you’re not familiar with this type of vehicle, the bodywork is virtually one big lump of carbon fibre, thus no doors to open. Instead, you sort of jump in through the window. A bit tricky for a first timer but I managed ok. I was then strapped in tight, ensuring i wasn’t going anywhere should we roll (highly unlikely i might add) at which point a photographer arrived and snapped the ‘ride photo’ as I suppose you could call it.

With everything set and the adrenaline rising, the driver gave me the thumbs up and we pulled out to await the green light. Moments later and we were off, the beginning of 3 flying laps around the Walt Disney Speedway track, at speeds approaching 165 mph or thereabouts, although I never took the time to check the speedometer. The heat inside was intense and it would prove a welcome relief to return to the modest temperatures in the low 80’s at the end. Most of the journey was somewhat of a blur, an enjoyable blur but one which seemed to be over before it began. I can see how driving around an oval whilst jostling with 30 or so other cars would be quite a challenge, but the skill of doing it on your own on a virtually empty track seemed a little lost on me. Perhaps I need to try getting behind the wheel myself to truly appreciate it. 

With the track time over, we pulled back into the pit lane and I clambered out unceremoniously through the window, the next participant ready and waiting to take my place. I met back up with my wife and headed back indoors to back into my regular attire. We had to wait around while my photo was prepared and displayed on a souvenir plaque, evidence of my time on the tarmac. Unfortunately, this is not included in the price of the ride-along and will cost you extra should you wish to purchase it, I forget the exact price.

With my wallet a few dollars lighter, it was on with the day and off to the equally fast-paced walkways of the Magic Kingdom. 

For someone who has spent a lot of time exploring Walt Disney World, it was great to try something different and see a part of it that I might not have taken the opportunity to visit otherwise. Although quite a short program overall, its probably the most accessible of those on offer, at $116* per person (at time of publication).

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For those with the need for speed, and a desire to get behind the wheel themselves, packages start from $424* (Rookie Package) and upwards for more advanced driving experiences.
*includes tax

Check out http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/wdw/rec/rpetty.html for more information on the Richard Petty Driving Experience at WDW.

Have you taken part in any of the Richard Petty Programs? Leave us a comment!

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