New Exotic Cars at Walt Disney World speed up the excitement for guests

Saturday, January 21, 2012 danny No comments

The line of Exotic Cars that guests can now take a few laps in.

There is no denying that the Walt Disney World Speedway could use a little “speeding up” so to speak after not really seeing much change in the past 18 years. Driving a stock car is one incredibly piece of excitement and not something that guests get the chance to do elsewhere, but an update was long in the making. Now Disney has done so and added a touch of flash and dash to the mix.

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

On Friday, January 13, 2012, the press was given an early look at these Exotic Cars and given a chance to enjoy them first-hand. I personally got to do this and coming from someone that isn’t a huge car buff…this is easily an excursion worth putting the money out for because it is an experience like no other.

Guests are going to have the opportunity to pay $99 for a ride-a-long with a professional instructor driving them around the track. For $199, guests can drive themselves with the instructor sitting in the passenger seat beside them coaching them and offering feedback. Either way is highly enjoyable, but the true rush comes from being able to sit behind the wheel and floor it.

The morning for our press visit started off with a short half hour class that will also begin your training session. You’ll be introduced to instructors, watch a short training video, and be given the rules of the Speedway.

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.

TOPimage New Exotic Cars at Walt Disney World speed up the excitement for guests

Only one of the gorgeous "Exotic Cars" to be driven at the WDW Speedway.

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.

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 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.

You’ll also see your speed, lap times, and a lot of other technical stuff that is quite cool. You may want this to see your speeds because you can’t look at it while driving due to possible distraction.

If you’re looking for something new to try at Disney World, 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.

Mine surely were, but I’m already prepared to go back for another few go-rounds.