Orlando Kart Center — Attraction in Pine Castle

My in-depth review of the Orlando Kart Center in Orlando, Florida, and only for their arrive-and-drive rental service.

I have visited them many occasions since I found them in 2019. When I am in town, which is usually at least once annually, sometimes more, I make it a point to go to OKC to race. It has always been a pleasant and fun experience.

The GOOD === +unlike K1 and Andretti, this is an outdoor track +track and karts are not child-centric +track has a fast straightaway and increasing radius turn +karts are gasoline powered, meaning you also get experience of the sounds and smell of the engines. +karts have rollbars in case of a flip. +karts have seatbelts. +relatively speaking, the karts are fast... about 48 MPH on the straight, supposedly. +the track is also technical - turns of various types requiring more skill than a non-technical layout.

The BAD === -expensive: $100.46 for 1-year membership ($8) and 3 races. -switched to a new Timing & Scoring vendor and apparently didn't migrate over their customers' history and stats. -the "races" are not races per se, just timed sessions. There's no grid, rolling or standing. -the races are short. According to their own Timing & Scoring System, the sum of my 3 races were a total of 23 minutes. Less than 8 minutes per "race". With each lap being approximately 1 minute and 9 seconds, that's less than 8 laps per race. -if you purchase multiple races and don't request the races by alternated, they will schedule all the races consecutively, which can be tiring.

The REALLY BAD === -to race, they required me to renew my membership, even though my membership still had 2 months remaining.

-they have new karts which are speed limited remotely by the staff. They speed limiter isn't deactivated until you cross the Start/Finish line, which takes about a minute to get to after leaving the pits. Sometimes, they activate the speed limiter before even reaching the last corner before the straightaway which leads to the entrance of the pits.

-when I go to an arrive and drive facility, I am going with two objectives: 1) to be the fastest, and more importantly to race against others. In the 3rd and final race, I let all the other racers pass me on the pace lap. When the Speed Limiter was deactivated, I began to chase everyone down. When catching up to the leader, I spun at a hairpin all by myself... no other racer was nearby and affected. I continued racing, then I am reaching the Marshall's stand across from the pits, they point a black flag at me. Mind you, my spin didn't affect anyone and not once in all 3 races did I hit or bump another racer. Really disappointed they point a black flag at someone for spinning out.

This is all left a bit of sour "taste", and cause for hesitation on returning anytime soon.

I felt compelled to write this review after the changes they made and my...

Edit: increasing star value to 3 after being invited to return by the manager Vitor. He supplied my friend and I 3 free sessions each. It was a vastly different experience with a few improvements. IE. The safety brief video was now on a bigger screen with separate larger speakers and there was a track map review by the pit marshall. The staff was warm and friendly. However, it is impossible to compare my two visits considering this time we were basically the only patrons in attendance vs the wall to wall people for our last visit. Karts were again strong while suffering from the normal disparity of such a venue. I feel my increase to 3 stars is all I can justify since I didn’t have a direct comparison of similar variables. This provides a more neutral rating vs my heavily negative weighted 1 star of previous.

I’ve been to several arrive and drive Karting facilities in the US and abroad. I can tell you this is the most unorganized as well as unsafe facilities I’ve been to. Considering Orlando is a tourist driven area, I would expect a better organized process and more personnel to handle the crowds. Once signed up for a session you have no indication of what session you will be in, and rely on the cashiers estimate of time frame. You are then relegated to watching a tv screen for your name to show up as next up. Our estimate was 40 minutes, after 2 hours we still had not been put on the board. Session numbers were also jumping around with no rhyme or reason. The safety video is dated, and you are forced to watch it while standing in a room so loud you can not hear it. The borrowed helmet selection is a free for all with an insufficient amount of M,L. The only choices available to me were S and XL. Viewing the karts on track the engines sounded strong so I’m sure most people are happy, but I’ll tell you compared to most places I frequent, the safety on track and personnel’s ability to address issues (spin outs) etc was lacking due to size of track and low number of corner workers. Also, the prices are more expensive than anywhere else I’ve been. Including Ocala Gran Prix in Ocala that used to rent...

Orlando Kart Center is the go-to destination for thrill-seekers looking for an exhilarating go-karting experience. From the moment you step into the facility, it's clear that the team takes great pride in the quality of their karts and the level of customer service they provide.

One of the standout features of Orlando Kart Center is the consistently perfect condition of their karts. Whether you're a seasoned racer or a first-time driver, you can trust that the karts will always be in top-notch shape, with engines that are finely tuned and ready to perform.

But it's not just the karts that make Orlando Kart Center such an outstanding destination. The staff is also incredibly knowledgeable and helpful, with a deep understanding of the mechanics of the karts and the track. Whether you have questions about how to handle a particular turn or need help with your equipment, the staff is always willing to go above and beyond to make sure you have a great experience.

In addition to their expertise, the staff at Orlando Kart Center also provides exceptional customer support. They're always willing to listen to feedback and suggestions, and they work tirelessly to ensure that every guest feels welcomed and valued.

And speaking of the track, it's nothing short of perfect. With its challenging curves, exciting straightaways, and well-maintained surface, the track at Orlando Kart Center provides an ideal setting for both casual drivers and serious racers alike. Whether you're looking to test your skills against the clock or simply want to enjoy a few laps with friends, this track is sure to deliver a thrilling experience.

Overall, Orlando Kart Center is a fantastic destination for anyone looking for an adrenaline-fueled adventure. With its impeccable karts, knowledgeable staff, and exceptional customer service, this facility is truly a cut above the rest. If you're looking for an unforgettable go-karting experience,...