Richard Petty Driving experience

[rsschneck]

My DH will be 36 on August 1st. We will be at WDW the end of the month. I know he would like to do the Petty Race Track. I am not sure of which experience to purchase.

Ride along: No reservation (first come first served)
No money up front in case he decides not to do it!
Takes about an hour
No experience needed just hold on!
Cost $108

Drive: Reservation needed
Cancellation forfeit $75.00
Takes about 3 hours for class, practice and 8 laps
Cost $371

I am on the fence. $371 is a lot of money and the $75 cancellation fee is step if he really doesn't want to do it. He has mentioned that he would like to do it some day. The ride along is with a professional who knows the track. No money out of pocket in case we get busy doing somethin else. $108 seems more economical to me.

If you or someone you know has experience the ride, drive or both. Let me know if you think the experience is worth the cost and which experience I should purchase him for his birthday!

 

[plutolovr]

I see that you live in Oregon, so I know there aren't any very near to you, however, I myself would wait and do a Richard Petty experience at a REAL NASCAR track. You can go on their website and the locations are listed. I think for the money the experience you get at a real track is much better.

I did Las Vegas Motor Speedway for my 40th birthday and it was awesome. Big track. I would suggest driving to Daytona and doing it there, but...it's closed due to construction.

Plutolovr

 

[Simba's Mom]

If you can see your way to do the $371 one, I'd really recommend it. Dh just did it in May, and he was so jazzed up, I think the grin is still on his face. He called up everyone to tell them about it, and made the computer wallpaper into the picture of him in the car. I can honestly say I've never seen him nearly so excited about anything. DH is normally very laid-back, quiet, and yet from the time he put on the suit, for the next 2 1/2 hours, he was giddy with excitement. Without question, he'd do this again anytime he could.

 

[zulaya]

How often do they schedule the $371 package? Is it every day? What times are available?

My sis is NASCAR crazy and thinks she may do this when we are down in December.

 

[rsschneck]

Call 407-939-0130 and ask for reservations.

I believe she said Tuesdays and Thursdays they do not have the track open.

I called today for 8-29-04 and she had morning and afternoon available. I was going to schedule the Rookie for 8 laps until I found out about the $75 non-refundable fee.

I have purchased him a kids Hot wheels card and I will give him the choice. Whichever experience he wants I will pick up the tab! Seemed to me I would have no problem booking the drving experience for sometime during the week we are there. The $371 was at the AP discounted rate (10%).

Anymore comments on either experience would still be helpful!

 

[momxx5]

I would like to get this for DH too.

From what I have heard, anyone who likes Nascar or even just fast cars will want to do the 8 lap drive. A drive along just doesn't cut it - its not the same as driving.

Plutolver- Thanks for that tip. We live in NC and Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte is just 2 hrs away. I think I will get that for him for his birthday instead of doing it at WDW.

 

[MinnieGi]

Why not do the drive along for this trip and then if he really likes it you can sign him for the drive on your next trip.

My parents have both done the ride along and were thrilled. My Dad now wants to do the driving part too so they are thinking about that for their next trip.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Originally posted by zulaya
How often do they schedule the $371 package? Is it every day? What times are available?

My sis is NASCAR crazy and thinks she may do this when we are down in December.

At least a few months ago, they were doing this on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and you could choose either 8:00 or 1:00. The lady I spoke with said 3-4 weeks ahead is sufficent to book, but even that day there were far from the maximum # registrants. That seems to be the case most days, from the other people I've talked with who've done it.

 

[ZuZugal]

The drive-along experience is awsome, but lasts for what seems only a few minutes compared to the actual driving experience.

My DH is a HUGE nascar fan, so I bought him the $300some dollar experience a few years ago (in St. Louis). He did it w/my DBIL. Since my sis and I were there watching, we decided to buy the ride-along when the guys were done. What fun!!!

DH wants to do the "longer" experience next time.

 

[Firepower]

I haven't done the Disney track ride along, but I did the Daytona ride along and it was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!! Disney's track is 1 mile, Daytona is 2.5 miles, the price is exactly the same. At Daytona I did 3 laps at 175 mph. Unfortunately they are doing some construction at Daytona so a ride along there is out.


Fire

 

[hogie1]

I've done the Rookie Experience 2 times and a 3rd in about 2 weeks on our next trip. Have no experience other than WDW Speedway (which was a real track till the IRL skipped out) and having helped dry out the track at New Hampshire Intl Speedway, I think the 1 mile tri-oval is plenty fine. You're doing laps very fast and the turns come quick right after the straight aways. Plus WDW Speedway can be used quite a bit more because nothing else is occupying the tracks time. Anyways, all you wives & girlfriends out there, do what my wife did and get him behind that wheel!!! He'll say your a keeper!!!

 

[pjpoohbear]

Check out this thread!

199.00 driving experience

A friend of mine will be doing this over the xmas holiday. Now you can let him have a great experience for about half the price.

Good Luck, Have a blast!

Penny

 

[zulaya]

Thanks! My sister booked it and is excited about the $199 deal.

 

[rsschneck]

DH birthday was yesterday. I gave him a choice of which he wanted to do the drive or ride. Later on in the day I checked my emails and looked at the $199.99 deal. DH said if I could get the Rookie drive for $199.99 that is what he wanted.

Called this morning and booked him the rookie for $199.99 plus tax.

He is so excited. Thanks for those that posted. I saved a couple hundred dollars!!!!