Richard Petty Driving Experience

[mom2jamie2004]

I just booked the rookie experience for my husband when we go in January. I was wondering if anyone has done this and any info about pictures videos etc. Thanks!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

If I remember, isn't the rookie experience the 3 hour one? If so, DH did it in May. I can't tell you how excited he was. This is a man who is normally very low-key, doesn't get rattled about anything. But when he handed me his sunglasses so he could put his helmet on to get in the car, his hands were shaking, not with nervousness, but he was giddy with excitement. Then he spent the entire afternoon alternating between telling me how great it was and calling all his friends back home to tell them how great it was. There were several picture packages you could buy. They didn't take videos, but I'm sure you could bring a video camera. DH is trying to convince me he "has" to do it again since I didn't take the video camera last time. And I took a bunch of pictures, one of which is now the wallpaper on the computer. Think he liked it?

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

That's a cute story, Simba's Mom. I haven't done it and neither has DH, but a couple we were chatting with at the BWI hot tub did...and his experience was like your DH's. He was so cute...he was maybe in his 50s and very quiet, but his wife was all, "Tell them what you did this week, you know you want to." And he giddily talked up his Richard Petty experience and said it was "the very best thing I ever did as an adult." Praise indeed!

 

[capthooksmom]

mom2jamie-
Thanks for posting this. I was planning to post a thread about it soon. I am trying to plan our next trip to WDW and this is a must do for DH. Everytime we drive by it he pokes his lip out and sniffs. When he did it for the 10th time on Monday I decided it's time to plan this as a surprise for him. I'm anxious to see what others have to say and please come back and post after your DH has the experience.

 

[TnTsParty]

I think this might be the only way I can get DH to WDW - he wants to drive a race car so bad. I am getting tired of hearing him say how he could do that and that one of the NASCAR teams should hire him. I think he would get a kick out of actually doing it even if its only for a short time.

 

[toystorymom]

By dh is doing this next week, along with my brother, and they are both so excited! My husband is like a little kid talking about it. I'll be sure to post a report when we return.

 

[Vavasmon]

We gace DH this for his 40th birthday last December. He did the rookie experience in April when we were at WDW. He loved it!!

My DD and I did not go (we have a girls morning). He still talks about how wonderful it was. At the end you have a chance to purchase a plaque with the driver in the car and standing in their racing suit. DH bought this and it is his very proud souvineer (I think it was $60 -$70).

If you have specific questions let me know - transportation to the RPDE is from the TTC by the kennel. DH took a cab from the WL (just to be sure he was not late) but used Disney transport to come back to the hotel.

In his group it was 50/50 of people who had spouses/family - I don't regret not going DD and I had a wonderful morning with just the 2 of us.

Be aware you need to know how to drive a stick shift (1 person in his group didn't and they we fairly frustrated)

 

[MNSusan]

I, too, am interested in this for some friends who will be joining us next time. I've seen the online info, but is there a place to get a brochure or anything?

 

[capthooksmom]

We gace DH this for his 40th birthday last December. He did the rookie experience in April when we were at WDW. He loved it!!

My DD and I did not go (we have a girls morning). He still talks about how wonderful it was. At the end you have a chance to purchase a plaque with the driver in the car and standing in their racing suit. DH bought this and it is his very proud souvineer (I think it was $60 -$70).

If you have specific questions let me know - transportation to the RPDE is from the TTC by the kennel. DH took a cab from the WL (just to be sure he was not late) but used Disney transport to come back to the hotel.

In his group it was 50/50 of people who had spouses/family - I don't regret not going DD and I had a wonderful morning with just the 2 of us.

Be aware you need to know how to drive a stick shift (1 person in his group didn't and they we fairly frustrated)

I don't really know much about it (DH has read about it but I don't want to ask him because I don't want to let on that I'm looking at this) so I don't know any specific questions to ask right now. I've read the little bit of info that's on wdwinfo.com. I guess my main question right now is: Is it worth the $$ (the Rookie Experience)?

 

[toystorymom]

vavasmom, I have a question for you - My dh wants me and the kids to go so we can take pictures and things but I'm not too thrilled about hanging around for 3 hours. I was actually thinking of checking out Downtown Disney. Is there a set time we could be there so that we could see him actually drive and just take a couple of pictures?

capthooksmom - I was wondering the same thing about the $$$. But I booked this gift for dh a few months ago when they were running a special for $199. That was the deciding factor for me although I've read that the guys usually think it's worth the money no matter what the cost. I don't know how often they run specials but I read about that one here on the Dis!

 

[capthooksmom]

capthooksmom - I was wondering the same thing about the $$$. But I booked this gift for dh a few months ago when they were running a special for $199. That was the deciding factor for me although I've read that the guys usually think it's worth the money no matter what the cost. I don't know how often they run specials but I read about that one here on the Dis!

Gosh, I'd pay that in a heartbeat. I'm sure I'd do it at the regular price if I had to. DH never asks for anything, so this would be a really nice surprise for him. Thanks for the tip, though. I'll keep my eyes open for any specials!

 

[Vavasmon]

I paid about $399 (with tax) for my husband's rookie experience. We feel it was worth it. He always wanted to drive a race car. It was a total suprise for him. He had seen it on one of the Travel Channel specials but never dreamed I would schedule it for him during our vacation. I think family members could split the cost by buying RPDE gift certificates that could be used for payment. They have a web site www.1800bepetty.com (i think) that had all the details. The people on their 800 number were very helpful - but when I called I spent over 30 minutes on hold.

Concerning the scheduling to come back - it depends on the group and where he is in the group. They do a saftey briefing and a practice drive then go out in groups of 2 or 3 cars follwoing instructor cars. You keep up with your instructor who goes faster (or slower) based on your handling of the car. This would make it very hard to know when to come back. He may drive first or last. All the participants are in the car area while the others are driving.

 

[mom2jamie2004]

Were the pic packages worth buying or will I be able to be somewhere in the vicinity to take pictures with my own camera? Thanks for the info. He says he doesnt mind paying the money because he always wanted to do this used to race stock cars as a kid. Still a kid at heart of course.

 

[Vavasmon]

You can get in the grandstand to take pictures. My understanding is that it is close to the driver area - I don't know if they will be as good as the Petty shots.

 

[Melisa1]

My husband is doing the Rookie Experience in February and he can't wait!!!

 

[ljones]

2001 DBF did the rookie experience and loved it. I got so excited that he was driving a car I decided to pay for a ride in the car. The CMs were impressed that I knew what a 5 point harness was. Got my picture taken and all. I don't think that I exhaled until I got out of the car. I laughed the entire time. Well worth the time and money. Great adult memory of DW.

 

[Maleficent13]

My mom did this about 2 yrs ago and still hasn't stopped talking about it. She thought it was so worth the money, and has been talking about doing it again, but the longer one (don't know what it's called).

I can't drive a stick or I'd be soo there. My SO says he's going to teach me so we can both do it!

 

[E&B's Mom]

Does anyone remember how long in advance the Rookie package has to be booked? Also, my DH drove a standard car several years ago, so is aware of how to drive one, but hasn't driven one for about 8 years. Will this be a problem?

 

[Tinkerbelle'sMOM]

You don't have to drive a stick...I believe they have automatics too. My DH just did this and it was awesome. We were there about 3-3.5 hours. You can get great pics..you are near the track and we got great pics of them getting him ready and some wonderful video! Well worth it!

 

[perdidobay]

I just booked the rookie for my DH... it takes about 10 days for them to mail the papers you need to bring signed with you, so I would book at least 2 weeks in advance of your trip. I got a AAA discount on the rookie (20%) and got the ride along for 50% off.
He's gonna be soooo happy!