Key West Conch Train for tall people and young children

[AAAG]

Hi,

We're looking at possibly doing the Conch Train tour in Key West. We would likely stop/get off at the Aquarium, Shipwreck museum, most southern point, and somewhere to eat key lime pie.

my children are 2.5 and 5 years. They love trains, but I wonder if it will be boring for them and they won't want to sit still? Have others taken young children on this train? Was it too long for their attention?

Also, DH is 6 ft 6. Has anyone tall out there taken it? Did you fit comfortably?

One last question. I have read that there can be very long waits to get on. Experiences?

Thanks!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Hi,

We're looking at possibly doing the Conch Train tour in Key West. We would likely stop/get off at the Aquarium, Shipwreck museum, most southern point, and somewhere to eat key lime pie.

my children are 2.5 and 5 years. They love trains, but I wonder if it will be boring for them and they won't want to sit still? Have others taken young children on this train? Was it too long for their attention?

Also, DH is 6 ft 6. Has anyone tall out there taken it? Did you fit comfortably?

One last question. I have read that there can be very long waits to get on. Experiences?

Thanks!

Sit the children in the middle/ middle of the cars as there open.

Like a train the cars connect, do not sit there as its a bit more dangerous for kids,

tall people are ok.

 

[czmom]

This sounds interesting! We have our first trip to Key West in March. Is this something you are booking through DCL? Or is it cheaper directly through the company?

Also, it sounds like you can get off at the stops...do you know how often the next train comes?

Thanks!

 

[lbgraves]

We did the trolley in Key West. DCL wanted to charge for the kids. The trolley's website has a kids ride free deal. Also, we were able to get on and off whenever we wanted, while the DCL excursion didn't allow guests to do so. We went over what was along the way with the kids and they each picked a couple things they wanted to look at. They have always loved historical stuff though.

 

[cedricandsophie]

Absolutely no reason to take the DCL trolley excursion. Once you get into town, which may be just a quick walk or a bus rise, depending on where you dock, you can easily buy tickets and jump on the trolley. Get off wherever you want, can't remember how much the tickets were, but quite reasonable. Have lunch in key west, preferably on Duvall street. Great people watching. Lots of restaurants to choose from.

 

[NAB]

We did the trolley in Dec. They do a whole loop around the island. The train just stays in the old town area.

Kids under 12 are free. There are 13 stops including the Southmost Point.

The driver we had was named Mr History and boy he know a lot.

It might have been $29 per adult but not sure. Didn't really need to see the other end of the island where there was a Kmart and Sears Mall. The lady that sold us the tickets said that part is where most of them live. But we didn't want to walk around that day so we took the full trip.

They have a stand not to far in town at a corner. Lots of people can direct you too it.

 

[mhingher]

I have been to Key West several times (not on a cruise). The trolley would be fun for them! I'm not sure about private cost vs through DCL, but I do remember having a pass for the day and we were able to get on an off as we like. They did talk about the history and other things, but they would probably love being on the trolley! We did a Duck Tour in San Francisco in August and Grand Cayman last month, and they both loved them even though there was a lot of history discussed.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

We did the Trolley with our kids 3.5 & 6 (non-DCL). It was very easy to locate from port. We walked.

The Southernmost Point was s bust. The line as ridiculous. About a 1/2 hour wait for a 2 second picture. IMHO skip it or take a pic as u r driving by.

The kids were very excited in the beginning but about half way through when we were getting back on both boys thru a fit that they didn't want to go on anymore. Full on tantrum -- embarrassing! They just kept asking to go back to the ship. This is the only port in 3 cruises this happened on. They didn't like Key West at all. We decided to get on and just ride the rest of the way and get back to the ship. It was a really hot/muggy day. And I think we were all over Key West at that point.

 

[ErinAndRyan]

We just did the train tour on Saturday (POC on the Disney Wonder). $29 for adults, kids are free. There is a booth where you can buy tickets for the tour literally just steps after you get off the ship (don't bother with the excursion). For young kids, its a little long winded - mine (DS 7, DD 4) feel asleep during the tour. DH and I really enjoyed hearing about the history of the area, and its a great way to see all of the major sites in old town Key West (Southernmost Point, Hemmingway House, Little White House, etc). We only rode the train from stops 1-2 (about 45 minutes) then hopped off and went right to the Shipwreck Museum (kids really enjoyed this). Its only a 5 min walk from the ship. If you buy tickets to the train, entry to Shipwreck Museum is discounted (I think just $9 for adults, reg. price was $13.99). Worth the stop. We didn't visit the Aquarium - the kids were hungry and at this point and eager to head back to the ship to have lunch and swim. HTH!

 

[poison ivy]

It's called the conch tour train, but it's a hop on hop off tram that includes only a few stops, including one at Truval Village to visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Key West Lighthouse, Southernmost Point, and Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory.

These photos were from our trip on 12/7/13. It was a beautiful day and we loved it!

they were selling tickets just off the ship right at the dock.







The train was empty for self tours around 10am in the morning.







here's the DCL excursion - it departed at 12:30pm and included 2 trains. It was pretty full.





two other enclosed trolleys were operating tours as well.






Here's a Map of Key West w/various points of interest.
http://www.trolleytours.com/key-west/key-west-map.html

I know, this doesn't work for your family, but we opted to pay $20/couple for a 1-way bike taxi tour down Duval St. to the Southernmost Point. From there we easily walked back up Whitehead St. on our own passing the Hemingway House and Lighthouse Museum. We then crossed back over to Duval St. for shopping and key lime pie.



Southernmost Point was practically deserted at 10 o'clock in the morning.