maranello factory tour

Hey guys, my wife and I are signed up for the factory tour in Maranello for April 3rd. Will be our first time and we are so excited! Could any of you guys who have done this before share your thoughts and experiences - what was the tour like, what not to miss etc.

Also any advice on hotels, restaurants and other things to do while in the area greatly appreciated!

We will have our two kids with us on the trip but have been told that our 8 year old son cannot go (no one below 16 allowed!). Bummer on that one. If anyone has been able to get an exception to this rule, please so share what process worked for you. Thanks in advance for all of your thoughts and advice.

612scag

 

No one under the age of 16 allowed period. Planet Hotel, right across the street from the original factory gate. Cavallino Restaurant also across from the Factory, next to Planet Hotel. Montana Restaurant is excellent.

 

Agree, and basically the tour is the tour and in and of itself, impressive. It includes the factory per se, and impressive ecological building and grounds, and depending on day, race cars in their "stable", and possibly opportunity to witness a car driven on their race track. Any new cars being built will be in plain view, including Spyder, and you can get up close and personal with them. The robotic assembly process, from the "moving" larger robotic sleds to installing the windshield is entertaining (stay out of the way of the robot though). There is also the Ferrari Museum which holds its own special experience and finally the store. Should be fun for all and no stress. Best

 

the should change the rule to "no unleashed children under the age 16"

it is what it is.. probably because of the heavy machinery moving around and cars driving in and out of places. A kid bolting through or playing hide n go seek would present a special kind of PR nightmare.

I didnt stay in town, I drove down from Milan and flew out of Bologna. (in my honest opinion, bologna is not worth spending time in, dirty reminiscent of an eastern european city)

Make sure you spend some time peering over the test track fence. it's at the end of the galleria ferrar museum road if i can remember correctly.

Make sure you don't get lose track of time looking around the museum... i almost missed my bus ride into the factory.

 

Read the creampuff thread - everything is there as well as spread in about a thousand similar threads

Here it is http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=197408

 

great, thanks guys. Really appreciate your help.

 

Ask to have a glimpse in the Classice restoration department. Just one room but always filled with amazing metal!

 

great tip! Will do!

 

Thanks greyboxer. This thread is amazing.....very helpful for planning.

 

i will go there in the summer. please post pic when you come back. what a vacation

 

The tour is fixed you cannot pick and choose. It is a real working factory so naturally it's not a place for kids to be. Save that for Ferrari World U.A.E
Tour can be either 458/Cali build or FF/599. You are not likely to see both production lines as it is one or the other, at their choice.
You come away with a small goodie bag of bits.
You have to park at the museum across the street. Kids can go in there.
Cavallino restuarant was worth the visit.

 

I second the recommendation of the Montana Restaurant - was taken there by the Ferrari guys after my Atelier visit. In my opinion much better food than the Cavallino Restaurant outside the factory gates.

David

 

612, what re you going to do with your kids whie on the tour? I'm planning ap trip there ext yer with my daughters. I'm thinking of leaving my wife nd daughters in olongapo for a cooking lass. They'll be 7&9 then.

 

On a very practical note, make sure to lock your car and hide all valuables from view. We parked our rent a car at a little grocery store next to the Ferrari store and across from the factory. When we came back from the tour, all of our stuff was gone, including our passports, which we had foolishly left in our bags.

Probably out fault, as we were in a huge hurry for our appointment. Lost everything, which made for a real adventure... Someone in Maranello has some really great Apple merchandise right now, including an MacBook, an iphone, an ipad, and about 1000 euros in cash.

The only time in all of out travels abroad, which have been many, that we have EVER had anything stolen. We learned a lot from the experience, however. The irony is that we still lost less in the theft than Ferrari charged me for my race seats

 

If you stay at the planet try not to get your hopes up.

 

The tour is definately on my bucket list! Will be anxious to hear all about it!

 

Do NOT stay at the Planet. Go to the Maranello Palace, on the other side of the factory, opposite the new factory entrance right next to the big roundabout. Different level, different crowd. And yes, the Montana Restaurant is the very best. Not so the Cavallino.

Marcel Massini

 

Forgeahead, my plan is to do the factory tour with my wife while my daughter baby sits our son! she is 17 and not particularly interested in cars so it works out perfectly. I do wish I would take them both in as my son is a huge ferrari fan but I guess we will have to wait a few years before he is eligible to go in!

 

Thanks guys. Sounds like Montana restaurant is a must do. Has anyone else stayed at the Maranello palace? Was planning to go to the planet but sounds like this is a much better option.

 

So am I to understand there is a new entrance to go in? When my wife and I went there four years ago the entrance was just across from Cavallino Ristorante. Is one suppose to enter on the other side of the grounds now for a tour? By the wind tunnel? Going there with my son in June and wondering where you go in now. Thanks ahead guys.

 

We are going in July for our second visit (1990) A lot has changed. We are staying in Florence and driving to the factory.

 

No. The old entrance is the right one for starting the tour. That is the one with the red bricks, opposite the Hotel Planet, the Ferrari Store and the Cavallino Restaurant. But the bigger and main (and newer) entrance is the one near the windtunnel. Do not go there, they won't let you in. In addition there is the delivery entrance (where the factory test drivers exit) on the side of the zone, in Via Musso. This is also where the photographers and spies usually wait for prototypes exiting.
Make SURE to have a proper reservation at Ristorante MONTANA (on north end of Fiorano racetrack). It is always super busy and totally crowded.

Marcel Massini

 

Photo 1 shows the old red brick entrance. Taken September 2011. Right after the fence where the tree is make a right to see the receptionist.
Photo 2 shows the Restaurant Cavallino opposite the old red brick entrance.
Photo 3 shows view from Ferrari Store towards old red brick entrance, on left is Restaurant Cavallino, on right is Ferrari Store (back of photographer), also Hotel Planet. Red California is one of the many rental cars. There are several places in Maranello where you can rent Ferraris and Lamborghinis, 10 minutes for a few $$$.
Photo 4 shows the view from the top floor of Hotel Maranello Palace towards the engine assembly building of the factory. On the left would be the wind tunnel (not visible in photo).
Photo 5 shows the Prancing Horse in the centre of the roundabout between Hotel Maranello Palace and the new factory entrance. If one goes straight on that road in the background, over the bridge, you will enter a newer industrial zone where on the left side is the Factory Training Centre (for mechanics from all over the world) as well as several bodyshops (brand new huge facility of Carrozzeria Zanasi, who do paint and paint repairs on brand new Ferraris).
Photo 6 shows the Ferrari Training Centre at Via Castellotti in the industrial zone of Maranello.
Photo 7 shows entrance of Ferrari Museum (Galleria) in Maranello. Highly recommended.
Photo 8 shows view from the rear of Hotel Planet in Maranello towards the racing department (behind those buildings is the Fiorano racetrack).

COPYRIGHT MARCEL MASSINI
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This is 179674 in front of the Factory Product Development Center.

COPYRIGHT MARCEL MASSINI
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Might be a nice way to do it! How long is the drive?
612scag