Richard Petty Driving Experience- Who has done this recently?

[WHIT1]

In Oct my dh is doing the Richard Petty Rookie Experience and would like some imput on anyone who has recently done it. How was it and how long did it take?

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

My DH did the experience at WDW in 2003. He was in the morning session (Rookie Experience) & had to arrive at 7:30 am. The session got started around 8 am with instruction & then driving. The program end with the presention of certificates that include the drivers lap speeds. I'd say we were done by 12 pm or so.

The amount of time it takes for your DH will depend on the size of his class & the experiences. His was less than 10 drivers, of which 2 had the Kings experience. They do the ride-a-longs at the same time. Which I did & thought was a fun & fast!

While it took up the morning, we still had most of the day left to do as we wished.

PS -- Schedule the experience early in your stay, just in case it rains. On a prior visit, we scheduled it for our last day. When it rained, he had to reschedule. Luckily, we had a return trip planned. They will issue a raincheck that is good for 1 year & can be used at any of the tracks that have the Petty Experience.

[WHIT1]

My DH did the experience at WDW in 2003. He was in the morning session (Rookie Experience) & had to arrive at 7:30 am. The session got started around 8 am with instruction & then driving. The program end with the presention of certificates that include the drivers lap speeds. I'd say we were done by 12 pm or so.

The amount of time it takes for your DH will depend on the size of his class & the experiences. His was less than 10 drivers, of which 2 had the Kings experience. They do the ride-a-longs at the same time. Which I did & thought was a fun & fast!

While it took up the morning, we still had most of the day left to do as we wished.

PS -- Schedule the experience early in your stay, just in case it rains. On a prior visit, we scheduled it for our last day. When it rained, he had to reschedule. Luckily, we had a return trip planned. They will issue a raincheck that is good for 1 year & can be used at any of the tracks that have the Petty Experience.


thanks for the info. dh is scheduled oct 3rd the first one. he is excited and so am i because i will be at mk doing what i want alone. this is what he gets for letting me come to dw all the time and don't complain. its the least i could do.

[isla bonita]

I would like to purchase this for my husband. Can you tell me where I can get further information on this exp. How old do you have to be to ride along? Thanks!

[WHIT1]

I would like to purchase this for my husband. Can you tell me where I can get further information on this exp. How old do you have to be to ride along? Thanks!

i called 1-800-237-3889 or go unline 1800-BePetty.com and if you call write down all your questions so you can get them answered. i rather talk to someone. plus i got 10% off using the magicard. they didn't know anything about the card but have the book and it is listed. just have to make sure the dh takes my card. they did go ahead and give it to me. it cost about $361 rather than $379. hope this helped.

[dgaston]

My DS24 (now 25) did the Rookie Experience in April 2005. Much like earlier posters, he had to be there at 7:30. He had the class first and then everyone drove. He was done between noon and 12:30. I used AAA and got the price down to around $320. Only problem is that now DH wants to do it. :confused3 Guess that's his BIG Christmas present!

[bengalbelle]

Just a note of caution, if you schedule this and for some reason you are unable to go, they will not refund your money or give you a voucher for another time.

[nybound]

Just to clarify what bengalbelle wrote. If you do not show up, I believe you forfeit everything. If the experience is cancelled due to rain, you get a voucher good for one year at any RPDE track (same experience level).

I did the Experience of a Lifetime (30 laps getting progressively faster) back in April and loved every single moment of it. I was there from 7:30 am to around 11:30 am.

AAA members get a 20% discount (which can pay for the yearly membership right there depending on the experience you get).

The website is a big help with information, and the people you talk to on the phone are very nice as well.

I'd do it again in a heartbeat (and the DW may do the ride along on our August trip).

[bengalbelle]

Just to clarify what bengalbelle wrote. If you do not show up, I believe you forfeit everything. If the experience is cancelled due to rain, you get a voucher good for one year at any RPDE track (same experience level).

I did the Experience of a Lifetime (30 laps getting progressively faster) back in April and loved every single moment of it. I was there from 7:30 am to around 11:30 am.

AAA members get a 20% discount (which can pay for the yearly membership right there depending on the experience you get).

The website is a big help with information, and the people you talk to on the phone are very nice as well.

I'd do it again in a heartbeat (and the DW may do the ride along on our August trip).
Yes, I was talking about you (the purchaser) not being able to attend, not RPDE having to cancel. There is a window of time before your scheduled date (30 days, maybe, I forgot the number) where you can make a change by paying an additional fee. Once that window has passed you would have to forfeit the money.
The voucher (in case RPDE has to cancel) is for the same level AND you would have to pay the price difference for Talladega, Indy or Daytona.
I gave this to DH for our anniversary, but we're not scheduling until closer to our trip. I'm just going to drive the poor RPDE people crazy by calling every week to make sure our week is still open. If it starts to fill up, we'll just have to make a decision then.

[tinatark]

DH and his BF did this in Atlanta in February - it was AWESOME! I think you should go with him ...DH was so happy he had someone to *share it with*. I did the ride along - it was great, too! We have great pics and video!

[Melisa1]

DH did the rookie experience in February and can't stop talking about it still!!!!!
I would recommend going with your husband, I loved it too and videotaped it for him as well.