- Disney World's Richard Petty Driving Experience - Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
Walt Disney World (WDW) is the home to much more than its four major theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom). It has resorts water parks, golf courses both regulation and miniature, a Downtown Disney area for shopping, dining, and entertainment, and plenty of sports and recreation opportunities for all tastes.
Richard Petty Driving Experience at Walt Disney World
For Disney guests who like their sports experiences fast and (nearly) out of control, especially those who like stock car races, WDW offers the Richard Petty Driving Experience (RPDE). In 1997, North Carolina-based Richard Petty Driving Experience began offering Disney guests the opportunity to live out their NASCAR fantasies. Guests can experience the thrill of driving a race car – or riding in one – around the one-mile tri-oval speedway at speeds at 120 m.p.h. and faster (depending on the experience).
At the Walt Disney World Speedway, located just outside Magic Kingdom, offers guests four driving experiences and a ride-along program.
- Rookie Experience: Eight driving laps of driving are the highlight of the 3-hour program.
- King's Experience: When once is not enough…this option features one 8-lap session followed by a 10-lap session of increased speed for 18 driving laps total.
- Experience of a Lifetime: This more extensive experience allows participants to work on their driving skills, building speed and control over a series of three 10-lap sessions.
- Speedway Challenge: A Walt Disney World Speedway exclusive, this 50 lap program includes five 10-lap sessions, a Ride-Along, shop tour with tech talk, and lunch with an RPDE and Crew Chief.
- Ride-Along Program: This passenger option offers guests a 3-lap experience with one of the professional instructors.
Experiences follow this general itinerary: check-in and signing of liability wavier and participant information (medical) form; orientation and meeting with RPDE staff; mechanical and safety instruction; mandatory driver’s meeting for questions and driving orders, and where souvenir photos are taken; the driving experience itself, in which participant receive feedback from RPDE instructors; and closing ceremony.
Total times for each RDPE varies, but participants should expect to spend at least 3 hours from check-in to closing ceremonies. The Richard Petty Driving Experience, then, is a solid option for a travel day, rest day, or half-day spent away from the WDW theme parks.
Eligibility and Restrictions for the NASCAR Packages at Disney World
The Richard Petty Driving Experience at Walt Disney World Speedway runs daily from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., except for for certain holidays (Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas), inclement weather, testing, and private events. Theme-park admission is not required for the RDPE, and parking is free at the Speedway. Visitors are also welcome, and pit entry is free.
Driving experiences are available for Disney guests at least 18 years old who hold a valid driver’s license and have the ability to drive a standard transmission vehicle. Guests need to be a minimum of 14 years old, with identification that establishes their age, to participate in the Ride-Along Program.
For current pricing, more information, and reservations for the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Walt Disney World, call 800-BE-PETTY (800-237-3889) or check with the RDPE websites. Guests under the age of18 years must have parent or guardian permission to call.
For Disney guests and NASCAR sports fans who want to participate in sports and recreation activities during their Walt Disney World vacation, the Richard Petty Driving Experience offers the chance to get right in the middle of the fast-paced action of stock car driving.
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- Guests interested in Disney Sports and Recreation during their vacation might enjoy Disney Running – Races for Runners and Walkers.
Debra Peterson - A freelance writer and scholar, Debra Peterson specializes in Disney Studies, with particular interests in Walt Disney World and ...
