Driving Experience?

[The Sweetness]

HAs anyone here actually done the driving thing (the 3 hour thing where you get to drive a *real* race car?) DH40 is really a little boy in his heart, if its really worth it, I may splurge and surprise him

 

[kilee]

I bought this for my DH this past spring. The rookie expierence. Where you go through and intructional/safety class and then get to drive the car for 8 laps.

He LOVED it!!!! He would love to do it again. He really enjoys Nascar. It's pricey but they won't quit smiling all day long!

 

[Simba's Mom]

My first reaction is to yell "SPLURGE! SURPRISE HIM! HE'LL LOVE IT!" DH did it (the 3 hour one, where you drive 8 laps) and the smile is still there when he finds someone new he can tell about it. And he's got a picture from it as wallpaper on his computer! I wasn't going to go with him, but at the last minute I changed my mind and did, and I'm so glad I was there-the look of giddy excitement as he handed me his sunglasses just before he put on his helmet was priceless. This is a man who's always calm, never gets excited about anything-until he experienced this. Now he says he's got to do it again so that I can video-tape it. If he won the lottery, there'd be no doubt that frequent trips to the Richard Petty Driving experience would be part of his future.

 

[The Sweetness]

I may surprise him, he surely deserves it, but I couldnt watch. I have a lot of anxiety when it comes to all forms of transport. (not rides but cars, planes etc...) There are moments driving to the mall when I think I may pee my pants or throw up

 

[momxx5]

We are considering doing this for DH this summer too!

My question would be, what do we (me & 5 children) - do for 3 hours while DH is doing the safety/instructional class. We, especially the boys, would love to watch when he drives, but I worried that the girls (2 & 5 yrs old) will get restless.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Simba's Mom]

That was one of my concerns,since I hate the heat. If you go with him for the full amount of time, there's an office/classroon building where they hold the first 45 minutes of training. If I remember, when the participants go out to get their instructions we were offered a van ride around the track, but no one took it. All the spouses hung out in the building until the actual driving started-inside are chairs, air conditioning, rest rooms, etc. The actual part where we stood outdoors (but under a covered tent was about 45 minutes long. A couple families came just before the driving. I think some participants had cell phones, their spouses had dropped them off, then came back when it was closer to the driving time and DHs called.

 

[hotrodtigger]

My DW bought the 30 lap experience for me last year for our 10th anniversary. It was great! There were only three drivers in our session, which may be less than normal.

I am a big NASCAR fan and I have always fantasized about driving a race car. Getting to drive a race car really fast was a huge thrill. It was fun, but also challenging. Basically, the closer you can follow the instructor, the faster they will take you. They kept telling me to follow closer, but it felt like I was only inches away from the instructor's bumper.

When you get there, they will offer additional laps for a discounted price. I don't remember how much, but one of the other guys bought ten extra laps after he did his first eight. The first eight laps go really fast and he wanted to improve his speed.

My wife was able to ride in the van around the track with me and she sat under the tent and watched all my laps. I was very glad that she was there to share the fun with me. I really enjoyed telling her all the details after.

If your DH has ever wanted to drive a race car or drive fast, then I'm sure he'll enjoy it. I would strongly encourage you to go along and support him and share in the thrill. From the viewing stand, the cars don't really look like they're going that fast. They spend a lot of time going over safety and the cars don't ever run side by side.

 

[funhouse8]

We gave this to my DH for christmas this past year. He loved it. While you are waiting for them to do their laps the CM keep you busy with songs and the three hours went by really fast. If you get an orlandomagic card off the website you can save 10%.I told them I had one when I made the ressies and they discounted me right away. I had a card but noone ever asked to see it. Gina

 

[PrinceGoofy]

I've done it twice, but not at Disney. Once at Charlotte, Lowes Motor Speedway, and once at Chicagoland Speedway. If your husband likes racing and going fast, he'll never forget it.

My DW got it for me on two different Christmases. I used to watch the races and my wife would ask if I would like to go to one(she's not really into racing). I always replied that I didn't want to watch one, "I wanted to drive".

Well, one Christmas she got me the "Rookie Experience". That's the eight lap program. I remember opening it up and thinking "Oh my God! She called my bluff."

We went to Charlotte and it was one of the most exciting things I've done in my life. The adrenaline rushing through your system is unreal. I don't think I stopped smiling for hours.

A couple of years ago she got me the "King's Experience". That's 18 laps with a break in the middle where you can get pointers to help you go faster.

Again, unreal! I still smile thinking about it.

She went both times to watch and said she had a good time. She was smiling quite a bit too.

Definitely take the ride around the track. They will explain what your husband will do and you'll have a better appreciation of what he will be seeing and doing.

I hope you do it and you both love it.

 

[Muushka]

We also had my husband do the 'rookie' at Lowes Motor Speedway. He had a great time. I did the ride-along. We (the experienced driver) and I got up to 150 mph. Surprisingly, it was not that thrilling! Perhaps if Jr or Mikey had been at the wheel it would have been a little more exciting!

Anyway, I just wanted to add a couple of thoughts to this great thread. We went on a Saturday and there were a lot of 'rookies' driving that day. Spouses were not invited in the van to ride around the track, and extra laps for an additional fee were not offered. Just in case anyone has their heart set on these little gems, they may not be offered. Great memories though.....

 

[FireRescueMom]

I booked my DH for the 18 lap experience at WDW for 8/2/04.....

So, cant give you any feedback yet, but I can say that I arranged it for the morning that I am doing Cinderella's Royal Table for breakfast with the kids (DH didnt mind missing that), hang out at MK for a bit, then head back over to the track to watch him drive.

Figured that would keep the kids happy for a bit and they wouldnt get bored at the track while he was in the class.

Good Luck!

Peggy in CT

 

[TooBoyz4us]

I'd love to hear more about the Rookie experience! I just finished reading this thread, and now my wheels are turning as I am looking at our Disney itinerary , and I see a couple mornings that I could schedule my DH a surprise ;-)

What time does the rookie experience usually start/end?
I read somewhere that they will send a shuttle pickup to your Disney resort, is this true?

I'm thinking if DH could be picked up, the kids and I could lounge by the pool for an hour or so, then head over and watch him drive.That would be so cool!!

Also, what is the $$$$$ ?

 

[TooBoyz4us]

bump

 

[Miniefan]

You can get all the info you need by calling 1-800-be petty or by visiting the web site at www.1800bepetty.com. I am thinking of surprising my dh with this as well, and on this site is states that the ride along is $99 the rookie experience is $379 the king's experience is $749,and the experience of a lifetime is $1249 all not including the 6.5% sales tax.
HTH
Kim

 

[flipturngirl]

what is that?

 

[funhouse8]

Don't forget to get the orlando magic card it wil save you 10%!!!!