Richard Petty Driving Experience

[VWL Mom]

It seems anyone interested in taking a ride will have to do it soon. The Orlando Sentinel is reporting they will close business about June 28th. Evidently Disney will be using the property for transportation improvements. Any ideas?

[BrerGnat]

Yes this was announced about a week ago maybe. I have read a rumor that Disney is considering creating another entrance onto the property from the north, behind MK. This racetrack real estate would presumably be a new parking lot entrance/toll plaza. Another rumor is a new central bus hub/dispatch location.

[SandmanGStefani24]

wow! boy am I glad I drove the Exotic Racing Experience this past visit. I had a blast...

[Melanie]

Not sure if there is truth in this, but I heard that the popular course now for RPDE is the road course, and that they are looking elsewhere in the Orlando area for more room.

[BrerGnat]

Not sure if there is truth in this, but I heard that the popular course now for RPDE is the road course, and that they are looking elsewhere in the Orlando area for more room.

Yes they are wanting to open up elsewhere in Orlando, but it was Disney that chose not to renew their contract. Disney basically gave them the boot.

[Tekneek]

The track will be 20 years old when retired, so I suppose it had a good run. It had more potential than Disney ever realized.

[SandmanGStefani24]

The track will be 20 years old when retired, so I suppose it had a good run. It had more potential than Disney ever realized.

True, but they kinda sealed their own fate by making a track for IRL and Nascar with no permanent grandstands, no permanent bathroom and food facilities, and no extra parking to handle these events. Not to mention the track was too small to handle IRL events and the speeds capable. It's too bad too, bc the track itself isn't bad. Well suited for Nascar trucks, ARCA or smaller tiered stock cars or modifieds.

[SBETigg]

We're going to WDW this coming week for my husband's 50th, and I surprised him in advance with a Richard Petty experience that he would have done on Tuesday. The paperwork came, and the disclaimers were pretty intense. The risks seemed pretty incredible. I know they are protecting themselves from potential lawsuits, but there was even a bit about the tires, that they could use old and used tires and if something happened regarding the tires to cause an accident, they had no liability. If my husband was in better shape, he probably would have taken the risk anyway but... he has had a few heart surgeries and back surgeries and determined that he was better off skipping it.

All this to say... they were so fantastic about refunding the money and working with us. The customer service was outstanding. In that respect, I'm sorry to see them go. It's something he might have enjoyed had he been in better physical condition. I know they have other locations, but I hope they find a new Orlando home.