by Magic Maker® Danny Cox

The Walt Disney World® Speedway has always been a place of thrills and excitement, but over the course of the past 18 years…things have “slowed” down a little. Everyone at Walt Disney World® Resort realized this and knew it was time to “speed things up” once again. Driving a stock car is one incredible piece of excitement and not something that guests get the chance to do elsewhere, but an update was long in the making. Now Walt Disney World® Resort has done so and added a touch of flash and dash to the mix.

Starting on January 16, 2012, guests were able to visit the Walt Disney World® Resort and have the chance to drive the Speedway’s new line of “Exotic Cars.” This isn’t just something those in the field of mechanics will be interested in either. That line includes a Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera, Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, Audi R8, and a Porsche 997 S.

Guests are going to have the opportunity to do one of two options:

• $99 for a ride-a-long with a professional instructor driving them around the track.
• $199, guests can drive themselves with the instructor sitting in the passenger seat beside them coaching them and offering feedback.

Upon arriving at the facility, guests will be shown a short training video and get instructions/rules from certified professionals. Please do yourself and all those around you a favor – Follow these rules. This is a dangerous place and trying to be a show-off or big shot could result in serious injury or worse. Walt Disney World® Resort wants to keep you safe so help out and keep them safe as well.

Oh, don’t worry if you’re someone that doesn’t know how to drive a manual transmission vehicle because none of these cars have a clutch or stick shift. Every car can be driven in “automatic” mode or by shifting gears with hand paddles located right behind the steering wheel. Coming from someone having no idea how to drive stick, the hand paddles really are quite simple. After your training, you’ll be taken outside where you can pick which vehicle you’d like for your drive or ride. We as press had to draw randomly from a hat and I was lucky enough to draw the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. It is an absolutely gorgeous vehicle and handles like you wouldn’t believe.

After all is said and done, a photo taken by a crew member is available to purchase. You can also buy a video of your trek around the course on DVD ($89) or a computer jump drive ($99). This video shows the whole ride from two angles – a camera pointed inside at you and one pointed outside at the road.

Trust me that the video is a great keepsake because you not only get to watch the course but your reactions as well while driving. There is a ton of information that also is shown including lap times, lowest rates of speed, highest rates of speed, lap times, and so much more. It’s great to check out your speeds too because you aren’t able to do so while driving. The speedometer is covered up so guests aren’t distracted.

If you’re looking for something new to try at Walt Disney World® Resort, please do yourself or someone you care for a favor and head to the Speedway. Six laps around the one-mile course in any of these beauties will have your adrenaline pumping and your hands shaking.

Ready to shift your next vacation into “high gear?” Ask your Magic Maker® how to add the Exotic Driving Experience to your upcoming Walt Disney World® Resort vacation!