Never knew I really wanted to drive on a racetrack, but dang was that cool! The "lap pass" that lets you drive once around the track in a group of cars (with a leading staff car setting pace) was the coolest part of the whole event. You won't go above 40 mph, but it feels like you're going 80. Windows down, hair whipping, it's a really unique, cool experience.
That was the first thing we did when there, and everything else was a bit of a letdown after. The Peppermint Parkway itself is a mile, but goes by super quickly. There were some nice lights (pictures attached), but after a childhood of strolling through light events, it seemed to go by too quickly. You were supposed to go 3 mph, which would have made it 20 minutes, but we were definitely going 5 mph trying to follow the traffic ahead of us. Because there are two lanes of cars it also means you miss some of the lights, particularly as the driver. There were singing trees on the right side of the road and I had no clue till my friend showed me the video later. That experience plus the Peppermint Plaza games and rides selection led me to believe it is 100% an experience designed for children (save the "lap pass").
Some of the rides at Peppermint Plaza were down, including the roller coaster, with lights turned off. I appreciate that Peppermint Plaza is the one free item of the night, and that it might be a cheaper way for families to celebrate the holidays, if you come just for the short North Pole Palooza show, take some pictures, and head home. The rides are $4 to $20 a ride ($4/ticket, up to 5 tickets a ride), so that can add up quickly for families with multiple children.
Logistics: if you're going to be doing the lap ("lap pass"), seat passengers on the left side of your car, since you'll be in the left lane throughout the Peppermint Parkway, and it's easier to take photos if you're not trying to navigate your camera between the other row of cars. If you're not doing the lap pass, seat everyone on the right side of your car for the same reason, as you'll be in the right lane. Bonus points for trucks with beds to hold extra passengers, or cars with a sky roof. Keep in mind that if you have more than eight people in a car (or a car that can fit more than eight) you'll need to buy two tickets instead of one.
I'm torn on if you should buy the fast pass ticket if you have kids, or not. I'm leaning towards no, because they have screens set up showing Christmas classics while you wait in line. [They were showing Frozen the night we went and I would debate them on if it was a "Christmas classic" or not, but that's a different story.] But on the other hand, you might have to wait 45-60 minutes to ride through Peppermint Parkway (and do the track lap, if you bought that add-on). With the fast pass there was no wait and only three cars ahead of me when I got there, so you're in and out within 15 minutes, all told.
If I had to find a criticism, I'd say they missed a trick selling items right before you get on the track. If I were them, I'd have people wandering the rows trying to sell the cotton candy and popcorn to individuals trapped in their cars, waiting in line. You want to watch the lights when you're on the Peppermint Parkway, not be monitoring the opening and sharing of snacks. Plus, bonus distraction opportunity for young kids while they wait.
I was also disappointed to find out it's an extra $10/person to climb the "Candy Cane" (race track tower). I feel that should be included in at least one of the package options, or at least notated on the website as an extra cost so you can plan ahead. There were signs to the Candy Cane, but no more information on it till you walk all the way there. Felt they were trying to sway you into buying tickets using the logic of "well, I already walked all this way."
Their website in general is my biggest complaint. I didn't get clear instructions on what to do and where to go until the reminder email an hour before the event. As someone who likes to plan ahead and print out instructions, that caused a slight grumble.
Overall I enjoyed going as something new and different, and definitely had fun on the track lap ("track pass") portion. Would not do it again, and that's a combination of price plus the time cost to get out to COTA and back. If you're going for your first time and have children who can stand the wait, I'd bring some healthy snacks for the car while you wait and do the Candy Cane Cruise package, which gets you onto the Peppermint Parkway and access to one track lap for $65. That gets the lights for the kids enjoyment and the track lap for your enjoyment. You will have to wait 45-60 minutes on line, but if you have a car full of kids (even if you splurge for $8 cotton candy right before you drive the parkway), it's a reasonable night out. [Think $65 divided by 8 people = just over $8/per person.] read more