My husband and I decided we would take our grandchildren (ages 12, 10, 7 and 5) to the Daytona 500 Experience at the Daytona International Speedway.This was definitely a plan that did not excite me, especially taking the children and the possibility of us not being able to keep up with them and that they may wonder away from us, jeopardizing their safety.

Once there, I noticed that the staff were very attentive to everyone who entered, especially with children.All exit doors had at least one staff member (most had two) there to assist all who wanted to exit, making sure no children were allowed out of the building alone.They also watched the entrance, seeing which children entered with what adults.When it came to going outside to take the Speedway Tour, I noticed that the doors were not opened for the children to go out until we arrived to go out with them.This was great!I then began to relax and enjoy myself.

The tour was excellent and very informative.I learned so much about the track and the high banks that the race drivers must tackle when they are racing. (The driver stopped at points of interest to allow pictures to be taken.)

After the tour we went back inside to enjoy the museum which took us back to the days cars raced on the beach, they even had a "winners" layout with lots of information to update us.The kids joined in with other visitors at acceleration alley, where they drove car simulators and were pulverized by the other teams (the two younger kids were passengers in cars with their sisters).The entire family then went on the IMAX Experience which was a combination of a movie playing while the seats went up and down and rocked from side to side to simulate the banks and curves on the tracks.The older children were able to go on a couple of other rides/items which they enjoyed.

When we were leaving, the ladies at the exit door stopped us and said that because the two younger children were probably not tall enough to participate in a few of the "rides" due to height restrictions (they are really short for their ages), there was a game room just outside the PIT shop (the memorabilia store) where they could play video games.They each then reached into their pockets and pulled out fist fulls of tokens and gave them to them to play for free.This was really a special moment for us - knowing that people actually cared that everyone had fun before leaving.

My name is Steve Deal, and I have been a quadriplegic in a wheelchair since 1990. I live in the Daytona Beach area, and I do some consulting re: accessible travel. I also do a bit of writing for the Daytona Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau for the Accessible Daytona Beach section of DaytonaBeach.com. I pretty much get paid to take Daytona Beach family vacations. I visit area hotels, restaurants, attractions, parks and anything else I can find and I write about the places I like that are disability-friendly. For more information visit http://daytonabeach.com/accessible.cfm. The purpose of the site is to provide visitors to the area that have disabilities an insight to some of the more accessible Daytona Beach attractions, establishments and recreational areas.

 

When I write these articles, I usually don't break out a ruler and take measurements. Instead, I visit the place and actually take a ride around and see how accessible it is for me. For Daytona Beach hotels, I'll also make sure there is equipment for visually and hearing impaired. Nothing I do is scientific, but it is fun to visit these places and help others at the same time.

 

For example, I recently visited the Main Street Pier in the heart of Daytona Beach. You know, 18 years ago I could climb the stairs to get up on that pier. But since I've been in a chair, this has been impossible. I really enjoy the nearby Daytona Beach Boardwalk because I can experience the beach without the risk of getting sand and salt water in the electronics of my wheelchair. But I always looked up at that pier and the tall set of steps that led to it, and wished there was a way for me to get up there. Now, there is!

 

Recently, the city of Daytona Beach built a new park, Breakers Oceanfront Park, directly next to the Main Street Pier. Included in this project was a brand-new ramp that leads up to the pier. I was pretty excited about this, and I couldn't wait to get up there. My electric wheelchair had no problem going up the ramp, but I believe that some people in manual wheelchairs, who aren't very strong, may have to be pushed.

 

It is easy riding up there on that pier, and the view is spectacular! I went with a friend, Lori, and decided to check it out and have lunch while we were there. Did I mention the restaurant? As we strolled out on the pier, we first saw the sky lift. This is just like a ski lift and it will take you high above the pier out to the end and then back. People love this, but I could probably never get in one. We continued and passed by several kiosks selling gifts such as T-shirts, jewelry, tattoos and more. I also spotted a viewing telescope that will let you get a close-up of anything for only $.50.

 

In the middle of the pier is the restaurant and gift shop. As we approached this building, I noticed a Tiki bar that is probably only used at nighttime. Lori opened the door for me and we went in to take a look around. I saw lots of interesting old photographs of how Daytona Beach looked in the past. I like seeing the old cars and styles of the early to mid 1900s. I'm pretty glad bikinis caught on like they did.

 

We passed a full bar on our way in before going into the gift shop. The shop was large enough for me to maneuver around and it was like most other gift shops. We could have paid a small fee to walk through the gift shop to the other half of the pier. This is where people fish or just hang out, but we opted to go ahead and just have some lunch. The only seating I saw was a narrow strip of tables and booths on the outside overlooking the water. The aisle was definitely wide enough for my chair to get through, and we chose the booth closest to the entrance. It was pretty cool seeing the surfers right next to the pier.

 

I had clam chowder, a fried fish sandwich with fries, and some iced tea, and Lori had a grilled grouper salad. Everything was absolutely delicious. On the way out, we passed a magician who was about to perform up there. Since we were both on a schedule, we decided to head out.

 

I'm really glad they put that ramp up, and they've added a new parking lot, too, with plenty of handicap spaces. The pier gives you a view you cannot see from anywhere else, and it's nice to feel the wind and to actually hear the waves break beneath us. I'm sure that every time I visit the boardwalk, I'll have to cruise up there and take a look around.

 

This is just one of my favorite Daytona Beach spots. Let me know if you have other aspects of the Daytona Beach area you think I should check out. I'm always up for a road trip!

Writer and blogger Kara Williams recently paid a visit to Daytona Beach to take in some sun, fun, and exciting activities. She wrote about her experiences at Daytona International Speedway -- and the high-speed thrills of the Richard Petty Driving Experience -- on her Travelling Mama's blog, where she suggests the area as a great family vacation spot.

Click here to see the post.

Have you ever experienced the speed of the Richard Petty Driving Experience? If so, jump in with your comments and let us know what you thought -- and how many friends you'll bring with you when you come back!