Richard Petty Experience Question - Please advise if you can

[ariel85]

Hi Everyone

I called to book the RPDE today for our February trip. I want to give it to dh as a Christmas present. Anyway, the rep I spoke to suggested that I wait and book it when we arrive in the world. His reasons for this is that sometimes they get into spring showers in February and are unable to run the experience. If that were to happen to us, I would not get a refund but rather a certificate to come again within the year. I am not upset about their refund policy, it is just that we probably won't be anywhere near a RP speedway in the next year and then I would lose what is a pretty expensive treat.

So my question is, have any of you booked in February before? Do you think, I might get down there and find out it is all booked up? Any ideas?

thanks

 

[goofy4dizney]

Hi ariel85!

Great minds think alike

I just called 1-800-BE-PETTY today myself to book a surprise drive for my husband for our FEBRUARY WDW trip too!! (The Rookie Experience)

It's going to be his Christmas present, so I'm getting the gift certificate to wrap up, with a little race car.

I was told that I could book it before we leave, with no problem, so I'll probably take that advice, and not wait until we actually get down there. Fortunately for me, we live in the Chicagoland area, so if we do get rained out, I can redeem the gift certificates here at the Chicago track. Otherwise, I would never get the gift certificates ahead of time, cause no way would we make it back to Florida within a year and I don't have $370 to waste!

When will you be in the World??

 

[ariel85]

Goofy4dizney

That is kind of freaky, that we called on the same day to book the same thing - and what is even freakier is that it looks like we will be at WL the same time as you.

When I called, they told me that they weren't booking February yet. Did they tell you that or did they book it for you?

I am still up in the air about what to do. Gonna mull it over some more.

I'd be interested to hear what they told you. Did they mention spring rains, slick conditions etc?

Ariel

 

[dizneycc]

Hi Ariel!

Last May, I gave DH the experience for his birthday. If I remember correctly, once I made the reservation, the money was non-refundable. So I waited until almost the last minute to book it. Also, there were several people who were "walk-ins" the day we went.

He did the program that cost around $300. There were about 25 people doing it that day. IMHO, it was well worth the money. He had a great time!

 

[goofy4dizney]

Hi again Ariel,

That is freaky! LOL Have you stayed at WL before? We're splitting our stay between there and CSR this time.

As for the drive, no, they didn't book it for me because it was too far in advance. They said you really don't need to call until right before you leave, I guess, since it runs so many days a week, and they always have openings? (Again, I asked specifically about the Rookie Experience.)

The person I talked to did not mention anything about weather condition (spring rains, etc.), but I figured I would book for our free day in the middle of our stay, then if we get rained out, I can reschedule it for our last day.

I'm going to go ahead and get the gift certificates so that's one less thing I have to pay for when I get down there (or add to the credit card *groan*).

If I were you, I would be very leery about booking it ahead of time and not being able to get it in, since the tix are non-refundable. At least we can redeem the GC's up here at the Chicago track, if worse comes to worse...

 

[ariel85]

Dizneycc - thanks for the info

Goofy4dizney - I am a little disappointed because like you I was hoping to clear this expense out of the way and have a gift certificate for Christmas Day. But it is certainly in my best interest to wait. I have tried to make my itinerary flexible so that we can go whenever there is a slot open.

Instead of a gift certificate, I am planning on printing some of the reviews from wdwig.com along with some things from the website and wrapping all that up with something. I love your toy car idea.

We have never been to the world as you can see from my signature. The last time I was there I was very young. I think it was probably around 1977 with my parents. I am so excited to be taking my kids now. Dh has not bought into this yet, but he is being good about it all. That is why I really want to give him something special when he gets down there.

As for accomodations - I have never had so much difficulty making a decision in my life, but I finally after waffling between CSR, AKL, CR, I decided on WL and I am trying not to change my mind...lol.

Ariel

 

[goofy4dizney]

Ariel --

What a great thing - to be looking forward to your first WDW adventure!!

It's become a family tradition now for us to go every two years, and each time we come back with special memories. It's a great way to bring the family together We go with our three kids (6,10 and 11), and Gma and Gpa, so it's a real hoot! Get to see the World from the perspective of three different generations...

Anyway, I just wanted to say, if you have any questions about WL or anything else, feel free to drop me a line. I don't have much time to spend checking the boards, but I'm always happy to answer a question or two if I can

 

[ariel85]

Goofy
Thanks for you advice. Perhaps I will see you over on the WL thread.

take care
Ariel