Thinking about surprising DH w/Driving Experience ???

[mommystieg]

Just received good news at work --- woo hoo a bonus!! I have been thinking about surprising my DH with the Richard Petty Driving Experience as soon as I had some extra money. Do you think it is worth it? Any suggestions on how to organize this surprise? How far in advance can I make reservations? Any help would be greatly appreciated.....TIA

 

[Elbow642]

bump, i would also love to know the scoop on the experience...i too am trying to surprise dh with the smalles package that allows him to drive.

Should we go watch, how long after the class starts is the actual driving? Is it worth $400? He really wants to do it, but figures we should never spend that kind of money on it...little does he know, i have been saving for it.

 

[dgaston]

I've read that there is a AAA discount on any Driving Experiences. I'm counting on that for my DS24 in April.

 

[kakiegirl]

I gave my dh the ride along experience for father's day last year and he loved it, it wasn't nearly as expensive as the driving experience. He used his at Daytona so I don't have any experience with the track at Disney.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

I did this for my speed-freak DH last year (speed as in "fast", not the drug, lol).

I too was worried about him finding out before I wanted him to, so when I made the reservation (about 6 months in advance) I told them not to send the paperwork until after Christmas, because that's when I would tell him about his surprise.

I don't remember how the charge showed up on our statement, so I can't help you there. If you think your DH would see it, maybe you could use a money order instead.

The way my DS and I surprised DH was to wrap up a little "Hot Wheels" style car with a homemade "gift certificate" that I made on the computer, and we gave it to him on Christmas Eve. He loved it! When the official paperwork did come, it had a gift certificate in it, so if you wanted to use that one you could, but you would have to make sure that you got to the mailbox before your DH.

The Driving Experience itself was wonderful! They only schedule it a couple of days a week, so make sure to schedule it as early in your trip as possible. That way, if your first "reservation" rains out (like ours did) you'll have a little bit of flexibility to reschedule for later in your trip. If it rains out and you can't fit it later into your schedule, they give you a certificate good for up to one year later at any participating track.

The entire experience takes about half a day. While the drivers were in their class, the crew took the kids around the track in the van for a couple of laps...they went pretty fast too! My DS (6 at the time) loved that part, and he got such a kick out of watching DH drive. It was pretty funny, because everyone in the class had their own little "cheering section" with them, and when they finished driving and got out of the car, their group would cheer and clap, and the driver would be beaming from ear to ear like a kid. All the other drivers would slap them on the back, and then they'd all stand around comparing lap times. So much testosterone! All the wives were standing around, with our cameras and camcorders, filming them. It was sort of like you'd do with your child, lol.

They have a little graduation ceremony at the end, where they get a certificate with their lap times and average speed.

If you get the Orlando Magicard (free), you'll get a 10% discount.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have a friend that just did this a month ago. He used to race SCCA cars and he had a ball!!! I'm thinking about doing it for my dh also.

 

[shatzjsl]

He will love it!! I say go for it!

 

[Simba's Mom]

DH did the Rookie Experience(the 3 hr one) last year on Memorial Day. When I called for info a few months in advance, the lady told me I didn't have to call for reservations until 3-4 weeks in advance. And at that, on the day of the experience, there were still plenty of openings. I think she said max class size is 30, and there were about 15 people. DH LOVED it!

 

[Elbow642]

so if he goes at 8, what time would the girls and i show up to watch him drive? Do we have to sit there the whole 3 hours?

 

[MouseClubMom]

What is the price of doing the ride along?

Thanks!

MCMom

 

[DisOrBust]

I think there is also an AP discount available...

 

[BunsenH]

so if he goes at 8, what time would the girls and i show up to watch him drive? Do we have to sit there the whole 3 hours?

It depends. The first driver will probably start at about 9:15. Based on the number of drivers, and where he is on the list (random) he could go anywhere between 9:15 and 11:30. I was last in a group of 16 and there was a lot of waiting around for myself and my wife. It was worth it, but plan on using a half day for everyone.

 

[nybound]

The Ride Along is $99 (+tax).

AAA members get a 20% discount.

I'm doing the Experience of a Lifetime in April.

 

[Elbow642]

thanks everyone, this thread is most helpful for me. I love being sneaky

Bunsen, that sounds perfect....i was hoping to send him off early, let the girls sleep in a bit, then head for the track around 9.

I am hoping we can be in epcot(international gateway side) by 11:30? I have a ps for the new character lunch in norway. Should i change it to 12:00, or am i alloting enough time(even if he happens to be the last driver)?

 

[stingmom]

Took DH and our 2 sons (left 3yr DD old then at home due to length and noise), and it was a half day event. We had to drive almost 3 hours to get there and DH still had NO idea (I had the confirmation letter sent to my office). I told him we were taking him to lunch at Rainforest for his B-day. Well, we were just on the north side of Orlando and wouldn't you know we hit a DEAD STANSTILL. The traffic was backed up from the off-ramps. He was SO annoyed and was about to turn the car around and go back home. I had to plead and say, we already got THIS far and we have these lunch ressies....Luckily, having lived there before, I was able to take some back roads and we got to RC just in time for our lunch. I had purchased a little boys "hot wheels" type b-day card and gave it to our waiter to bring w/ dessert. It had his letter for the RPE in it. He was SOOOO excited!! We ditched RC REAL fast then and went over. It was VERY cool and family oriented. The kids and I hung out in the A/C building, where we could watch the track, while the drivers finished their "class." When it was time, after the "big kids" got a tour of the track, they loaded up the cans for the young spectators and took them for a quick spin on the track too. Then, when it was time to race, they let the kids announce the drivers. It was such a fun time for ALL of us! There wee OTHER drivers on the track at the same time, so that really added to the "coolness" factor. They did offer "ride-alongs" for family members, slightly discounted, but still too much for my budget after spennding $300-something for DH. It was COMPLETELY worth it. We even purchased the photo at the end of DH in his "driving jumpsuit."

 

[PatriciaH]

Just FYI there were a lot of woman doing the ride along and driving the other day. DH and I went to the track to check it out and get some pictures. It is not just for men

 

[aubriee]

If you book this be sure to book it early in your vacation. I booked the Rookie Experience as a surprise for my adult son for the last full day of our vacation in January. Unfortunately it was raining that morning. We called and they said we had to show up. We paid $20.00 for a taxi (who got lost) and when we finally got there, we were informed that it was nonrefundable. They were willing to reschedule for later in the week, but unfortunately we were leaving the next evening. I'm taking my other son (and D-I-L) to WDW in late Sept/early Oct and asked if I could transfer it to him. I was told no, that only my older son could use it. It did work out for us though because they finally offered us a raincheck and my son will be doing it in April at the Texas Motor Speedway. Unfortunately they will not honor the discount I got with my AP though, so we're having to pay extra to do it in Dallas. It did not work out so well for others who were leaving the next day like us and who didn't have a RPDE near them. They just lost their money. There was alot of very unhappy, angry people in that room (including one who had booked the Experience of a Lifetime and didn't have a RPDE anywhere near him--he lost over $1000.00)

 

[Elbow642]

i was hoping to send him off early, let the girls sleep in a bit, then head for the track around 9.

I am hoping we can be in epcot(international gateway side) by 11:30? I have a ps for the new character lunch in norway. Should i change it to 12:00, or am i alloting enough time(even if he happens to be the last driver)?

I was afraid this would get lost on the other page, so i requoted myself!
Any comments on my plan? I hope i have allowed enough time, but i can't be sure.