Richard Petty Driving Experience Question

[mckeonfive]

Hi Everyone!
I am tempted to reserve a spot (if possible) to the Driving Experience as a surprise to my husband. Does anyone know:
-Am I too late to make a reservation?
-I will have 3 children with me , DD8, DD2 and DS 9 mos. Will it be impossible to have to wait for him with the three kids? Is there an A/C'd place to wait?

-How long does it take? How much time to allow?
-I can really only afford the "ride along", is it worth it?
-The website says $99 , are there any extras to anticipate? I read somewhere there are photo plaques, are there cheaper photos to purchase?

-He's not a die hard nascar fan (like his dad), but he does love fast cars (lol) and it sounds like something he'd like, any opinions??

Sorry for so many questions, I just wanna make sure I'm not making a mistake.

Thanks to anyone who can help!
kasey

 

[Simba's Mom]

DH did this a few weeks ago (the Rookie experience, though). He still gets all excited talking about it! I don't think you're too late to reserve-they have a toll free phone #, so you can call and check. Actually, I don't think you need reservations for the ridealong. But since you're going in July, it will probably be real HOT! Participants have to wear the driving suits they provide, which are long sleeved. I know you can wait right inside the building, which has an area to sit down, restrooms, and most importantly, air conditioning. Sorry, I can't answer more of your questions, since the experience was different. But I'd really encourage you to try to go with him. I wasn't going to, but at the last minute I changed my mind and went, and I'm so glad I did.

 

[extreme8]

If you're planning on the ride along I don't think you're too late to make reservations. I think people were just walking up and getting a ride the day I was there. In fact they offered the wives of each person doing the RPDE (all men) an offer for a discounted ride along so they can't be too picky regarding reservations.

Whether the ride along is worth it or not would be dependant on your husbands personality. I know if I did the ride along I would be wishing to get my hands on the wheel the entire time and be disappointed that I didn't get to drive. I'm sure others are entirely happy to just make some fast laps (about 150 mph) and call it a day.

I don't know how much time to allow for a ride along, but it seemed like people were getting in and out in an hour or so, maybe a little longer.

You can wait in the shade of the large tent in the bleachers with big fans blowing on you, or wait inside the RPDE building with the AC if you choose to. I'm sure the 8 year old will enjoy watching dad in his racing suit and helmet

There are no extra costs, and yes you can buy less expensive photo packages, from just a picture in a plastic bag, through pics in cardboard frames, up to the wooden plaque. You are close enough to take your own pictures as well so that might save you a few $$.

 

[mckeonfive]

Thanks so much for the info! I think he'd be happy with the ride along, I wish I could come up with the $ for the driving one! That sounds good, I guess I will go call and see if I can do a reservation and prepay, so we don't have to wait as long.

Thanks again,
kasey

 

[northern michigan]

Please post what you and Dh think of ride-a-long experience. I too am considering this for a surprise for DH. He doesn't get into race cars either, but likes thrill rides. WDW rides apparently aren't thrilling him anymore, so I've been searching for new twists. The ride-a-long is the only one I'd consider because of cost. My DH would divorce me if I surprised him with any of the other Petty experience on cost alone. I can't wait to hear from anyone else that might have had a ride-a-long experience to share with us.

 

[eljojo]

I want to surprise my hubby, too, for Father's Day. I don't think he'd like the ride-along, but I'm scared he'll be mad if I spend $379 on the rookie experience. He's not into Nascar either, but loves fast cars. I have one more day to decide, lol. My kids say "go for it!"

 

[kilee]

My DH wanted to do this for a long time. Only, I was suprised that he had no interest in the ride along program. Eventually (thanks to an unexpected work bonus right before our last trip) I was able to book the rookie expierence as a suprise at the last minute. Anyhow, that day they were still accepting ridealongs-- so I don't think it will be too late to book that. The waiting time on the ride-alongs doesn't look to be that long, unlike the rookie program-- so you should be fine w/ the 3 kids.