Experiences of Outer Mole Dock, Key West

[Kim84]

Hi guys,

We're on the April 25th Magic sailing, going to Key West and we've just read on the Key West Port Schedule that we're set to be docking at the Outer Mole and will need to take a shuttle to the main area of the island.

Has anyone got any experience of this? Is the shuttle put on by the cruise lines, or is it just one of the Trains/Trolleys that usually tour the island for a fee? Can you ride them in a wheelchair?

Any info anyone has would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Kim

 

[BigJon]

About 4 years ago on the Disney Magic, we missed Grand Cayman (high wind...I think?), so the Captain got us a berth at Key West. We docked at the Outer Mole (Naval Pier). When we got off the ship, there was a Conch Train taking guests to the downtown area. I don't remember the exact place, but it was on Front Street and Duval. It may have been at the Conch Tour Train Depot. Just go to google map, and look at the street view at that intersection. You will see a ticket booth (Conch Tour) on the corner, and a white building behind it. That's the Depot for the Conch Tour Train. There is also a Bone Island Shuttle in the parking lot (of the google map street view). The Bone Island Shuttle was also picking Disney guests up at the pier.
On previous trips on the Disney Magic to Key West, we docked at Pier B. Now I would rather dock at Pier B, because it's more convenient. But the Outer Mole Pier is not a problem. I'm going to Key West in May on the Disney Magic, and we are docking at the Outer Mole.

 

[Onkel Hans]

After our cruise was rearranged by weather last October, we berthed at the Mole Pier. As BigJon describes, there are Trolleys and Conch Trains that take you to the respective depot stations for each tour vehicle.

I didn't notice how wheelchairs were handled. I wonder if they also had a van or two for that?

From their websites:

Yes, we do have some trains with ramps that can accommodate scooters and/or wheelchairs. We are happy to provide this service, but ask for a few small accommodations to allow us to do so with the utmost safety and minimal impact on other guests utilizing our service.

We request that you give us as much notice as possible as to your arrival date and the time you’d like to take the tour (24 hours preferred). This will assure that a properly equipped vehicle will be made available for your use. Please arrive at Mallory Square location at 302 Front Street no less than 15 minutes prior to your departure time so that we can accomplish the loading process smoothly and safely.

Indeed, a number of our fleet are equipped with motorized lifts that can accommodate scooters and/or wheelchairs. We are happy to provide this service, but ask for a few small accommodations to allow us to do so with the utmost safety and minimal impact on other guests utilizing our service.

We request that you give us as much notice as possible as to your arrival date and the time you’d like to take the tour (24 hours preferred). This will assure that a properly equipped vehicle will be made available for your use. Please arrive at Mallory Square no less than 15 minutes prior to your departure time so that we can accomplish the loading process smoothly and safely.

We require that you load and unload at one of two locations: Mallory Square or 3491 N. Roosevelt Blvd. This is due to the fact that the lifts are very delicate and require a level surface in order to achieve a safe and smooth loading. These two stops are on our property and we can control the vehicular traffic. This means that you will need to secure your own transportation to one of these locations and that you cannot utilize the ON/OFF privileges on the tour. Because of the high volume of our stops, including significant traffic density and uneven pavement, use of the lift outside of these two locations would be inadvisable.