Anyone done the richard petty exprience?

[3princesses+aprince]

I really want to book this for my dh. He loves race cars, he drives a fast car and would not even know what to do with himself if I surprised him with this.
I would like to do the 8 lap one for $425. Do you know if that has to be payed in full when reserving or can you make payments?

What is your experience with this?

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Oh and are discounts ever offered for this? Thanks for any info.

 

[MrsTink04]

Call them up and ask! DH's family and I did this for him when we were dating for his B'day one year. It was incredible!! I got to hang out in the pits right there with them. I don't know about the payment this, as we paid for it all at one time (16 laps, I think) If you can figure out a way to afford it, it is SOOOO well worthit!!

 

[aubriee]

I booked this for my eldest son several years ago and got a discount with my Annual Pass. I think it was like $35.00 off the driving experiences and $20.00 off the Ride Along. The morning we were supposed to go it was sprinkling rain. I called to check and was told we had to show up and they would decide at that time if it was canceled. Sure enough, after standing around for almost an hour it was canceled. We were told that the fee was nonrefundable, but they would try to reschedule the people that they could. For those of us that were leaving in a day or two (or that they couldn't get in for whatever reason) they would issue a rain check that could be used at any RPDE location. Since we were leaving the next day, we had to take that option and my son had to wait until April and did it at the Texas Motor Speedway in the Dallas area. However, the raincheck is only good for a year and since the RPDE only comes to Texas Motor Speedway two days a year, if that day had been canceled or if we hadn't been able to make it, I would have just lost my money. His younger brother rode up there with us that day just to watch, but I could see he really wanted to do it, so I asked if they had room for him. It just so happened they had two extra spots, so I bought the Rookie Experience for him also. They both loved it and talk about it to this day. Between them, my eldest son had the top single lap speed, but my younger son had the fastest average lap speed. Each still insists that he beat the other.

Just FYI: if you do it, make sure you do it during the first part of your trip, in case it rains and you have to reschedule or else make sure there is a RPDE near you. There was one man there who had booked the Lifetime Experience (over $1200.00 ). He was absolutely furious because he was leaving the next day and there was no RPDE near his home. They basically said 'tough, you were told when you booked it that it was nonrefundable, and they weren't responsible for the weather'. He just lost his $1200.00. By the way, it was not raining hard, just a light rain.

I think you have to pay the full amount when you book. Also if you cancel or try to make a change more than 30 days prior they can charge you a $75.00 fee and if you try to change or cancel less than 30 days prior they can make you forfit the entire fee. They are not very forgiving.

 

[virginiamama]

AAA has a discount for the Walt Disney World Speedway location only, I think it was around 30% off. You do pay up front. We had a great time. I scheduled it for our last full day of our trip since we live close to Richmond, if it had rained we could have rescheduled to do it at that location. I made DH a sign to surprise him. It said "Do you want to go fast???" with a Walt Disney World Speedway graphic below it. (Remember Ricky Bobby - Taladega Nights) There are also other items available for purchase, you can get an in car DVD (it's shot from the passenger side of the car looking at the driver - not the driver's view on the track) and it includes audio. DH said if he'd known about it before he ran, he'd have narrated it some kindof like Ricky Bobby. Anyway, we did buy a plaque with his picture in front of the car.
BTW - I was under the impression that if it rained out, you basically had a non-expiring chance to reschedule at the WDW location or any other participating track. Sure, it stinks to look forward to it and miss it, but if you go on annual trips, you can always reschedule for the next trip.
They are super-nice to deal with on the phone, so just give them a call and check it out.

 

[LadyShea]

My mom got this for my dad (at Talladega) for his birthday 2 years ago. He says it is in his top 10 favorite experiences in his life. Excellent gift for someone who really loves racing.

I believe she paid for it in full, not sure.

 

[Foogahzee]

We have never personally done this, but I just wanted to say, on day we were on the bus coming back from the MK and there was a couple and the wife had purchased it for her husband (they told us they picked the $800 package ). I have to say I have never seen a grown man with such a Poo-eating-grin on in my entire life! Truly, he looked like a kid on Christmas morning who just got EVERYTHING he ever wanted from Santa.

 

[virginiamama]

I just remembered, American Express used to have a rewards item that was for RPDE. FIL is a HUGE AmEx user for work travel and we thought for sure he'd have enough points but for some reason he had not signed up to earn points at the time. He's signed up now so we will check into it for our next trip.

 

[brockash]

Sorry, not trying to steal your thread, but I just had a quick question. Can anyone tell me how long the whole thing takes? I thought I read somewhere that it was like an hour, but I went on the website yesterday and it said 20 minutes here 10 minutes there ect. and then something else taking anywhere between 2-4 hrs.? I guess I'm just confused. Does this basically take up a whole day? I know you have to show up 1/2 before you're scheduled. I would be thinking of getting the 8 lap one. TIA!

 

[TnTWalter]

but we live in Indy so was thinking the Brickyard might be cooler...but really want the AAA discount. I remember last year posting a deal in Feb for 40% off the Richard Petty Experience...does anyone have knowledge about if this is annual thing??

If AAA is best I can do, you can only get the discount at WDW? 30% is great....hmmmm....

Thanks.

Trish

 

[virginiamama]

We planned for around 3 hours. I think the earliest time I could get was around noon, so we spent some time as HS and then went to the TTC and the van met us at the kennel to take us to the track. It would take way less time if you are driving yourself. We didn't rent a car that trip. We got a quick bite to eat before we went since we knew we'd be there for a while. Then the van delivered us back to the TTC when we were done and we went to MK for the rest of the day (lugging around a big bag with a plaque in it!). It definitely did not take up the whole day but it did take a while. There are other folks who are going through the same training, dressing out, and driving or riding along with your driver. So when it comes to the driving part, the take turns, and when everyone is done, they come back inside and do a little "graduation". While they were in the training before driving, the kids and a few moms got to ride in the training van around the track a few times. That was a blast! Then they took a picture of all of the kids in front of one of the cars and gave those to us for free. DH said it was the highlight of the trip for him, and he loves WDW as it is.

 

[brockash]

We planned for around 3 hours. I think the earliest time I could get was around noon, so we spent some time as HS and then went to the TTC and the van met us at the kennel to take us to the track. It would take way less time if you are driving yourself. We didn't rent a car that trip. We got a quick bite to eat before we went since we knew we'd be there for a while. Then the van delivered us back to the TTC when we were done and we went to MK for the rest of the day (lugging around a big bag with a plaque in it!). It definitely did not take up the whole day but it did take a while. There are other folks who are going through the same training, dressing out, and driving or riding along with your driver. So when it comes to the driving part, the take turns, and when everyone is done, they come back inside and do a little "graduation". While they were in the training before driving, the kids and a few moms got to ride in the training van around the track a few times. That was a blast! Then they took a picture of all of the kids in front of one of the cars and gave those to us for free. DH said it was the highlight of the trip for him, and he loves WDW as it is.

Thanks for the info. If I do it for my DH; I think I'd go with the 8 am one. We won't be renting a car either. I'm guessing someone from the Richard Petty thing meets us at TTC with the van? We have a 7 year old and will be 2 year old with no car seat; would that be a problem as far as transportation to the raceway? Also, I'm assuming it's pretty loud, since you've been could you tell me if you think it we be okay for the 2 year old? Is there any place to walk or to be inside? Sorry for all the questions, TIA.

 

[virginiamama]

Yes, a RPDE van met us out in front of the dog kennel at TTC. I don't think we drove on any main roads to get to the track so I was not too concerned about 3 year old DS being without a car seat, and I'm a car seat fanatic! We also rode in the van on the track without car seats. (Please don't get the idea that I'm especially proud of that fact!)

There is a building inside the track (you go through a tunnel that goes under the track to get to the middle if I remember correctly). This is where the training, dressing out, and graduation takes place. There is a bathroom in this building. There are a few items inside to purchase, t-shirts, hats, etc. Not much stuff in the "store" area. Outside there is plenty of room to run around, areas with concrete, and grassy areas. I carried a few snacks along to give to the kids while we were waiting. After being in the parks all week, it was nice to have some slow time to sit in the grass and take it easy. Then there is a set of bleachers for the family to sit on and those who are participating in the program sit on another set of bleachers. It is very family oriented. The drivers spend some time in the building training, then they go out on the track in the van with the instructors, and then they begin taking turns driving. If I remember correctly they do not get to choose which car they drive, it depends on the size of the driver. Certain cars are set up for taller drivers. The noise level was not that bad, but I'm used to going to Nascar races with 40+ cars on the track. You could always pick up some of those little ear plugs and pop them right in if needed.

 

[bellebud]

my dh did the passenger experience once and really loved it! he paid when we got there, as it wasn't preplanned (we stumbled on the race track when driving the kids around for naptime. it was really worth it to him.

 

[brockash]

Yes, a RPDE van met us out in front of the dog kennel at TTC. I don't think we drove on any main roads to get to the track so I was not too concerned about 3 year old DS being without a car seat, and I'm a car seat fanatic! We also rode in the van on the track without car seats. (Please don't get the idea that I'm especially proud of that fact!)

There is a building inside the track (you go through a tunnel that goes under the track to get to the middle if I remember correctly). This is where the training, dressing out, and graduation takes place. There is a bathroom in this building. There are a few items inside to purchase, t-shirts, hats, etc. Not much stuff in the "store" area. Outside there is plenty of room to run around, areas with concrete, and grassy areas. I carried a few snacks along to give to the kids while we were waiting. After being in the parks all week, it was nice to have some slow time to sit in the grass and take it easy. Then there is a set of bleachers for the family to sit on and those who are participating in the program sit on another set of bleachers. It is very family oriented. The drivers spend some time in the building training, then they go out on the track in the van with the instructors, and then they begin taking turns driving. If I remember correctly they do not get to choose which car they drive, it depends on the size of the driver. Certain cars are set up for taller drivers. The noise level was not that bad, but I'm used to going to Nascar races with 40+ cars on the track. You could always pick up some of those little ear plugs and pop them right in if needed.

Thanks so much for all the info. And to the OP, again, sorry for stealing the thread a little