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Old 06-06-2010, 12:57 PM   #1
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Key West - Buying Tickets in Advance

I am already planning to do the on/off Old Town Trolley Tour while in Key West this October and while looking at their trolley stops and what's around it got me thinking...should I purchase attraction tickets ahead of time, or just wait until I get there?

In actuality, there are like 4 places I really want to visit that require extra admission:
Key West Aquarium, Little White House, Hemmingway House, Butterfly & Nature Conservatory. All of these places have the option to purchase admission tickets online and for a slightly reduced price.

Other than the chance that I may not get to all of them (which in 7 hours is unlikely) does anyone see an issue with purchasing in advance? Has anyone actually done this?

I figure if I want to do anything above and beyond those 4 places I can just pay for it then, but any little bit of savings helps.
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Old 06-06-2010, 01:05 PM   #2
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This is just me but while the likelyhood is slim that a port would be missed I would be worried that I spent money ahead of time, and then the boat either couldn't dock, we got delayed for some reason or something like that happening. I would wait until I got there, then go to each place and buying as I got there that way if I couldn't get to or decided it was too hot, or I was too tired to do any of them I wasn't stuck with tickets or out the money.

Just my personal opinion your mileage may vary Have a great cruise.
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Old 06-06-2010, 03:04 PM   #3
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I bought our trolley tickets ahead of time. But there really was no wait when we got off the ship, so it wasn't a time saver, just a way to save a few bucks.
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Old 06-06-2010, 04:42 PM   #4
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We were originally going to book the Trolley ahead of time, but about a week before we left, we decided to rent an electric car instead. It was great! We didn't have to circle around areas that we had no interest in, waiting for our next stop and it was very easy to drive around. I would say that you may want to wait (unless you've heard about any of the places "selling out" which I never did), simply because that way you can always change your mind, as well. We went in Oct and it was SO MUCH hotter than we anticipated. We ended up going back to the ship much earlier than planned....
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Old 06-06-2010, 08:23 PM   #5
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I will definately buy my trolley ticket ahead of time, I was thinking more about the places on the tour that I listed above.

Yes, weather is one of those things that is also making me question buying ahead of time. Though, there's nothing to say I can't wait until right before I leave for vacation to do it. I will have to think about it.
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Old 06-07-2010, 10:13 AM   #6
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While getting to all four destinations is possible, it's not a slam dunk. Perhaps you can compromise by getting tickets to the two that you want to do the most.
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Old 06-07-2010, 02:12 PM   #7
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Hey Dave, or anyone else who has done them...

How long does it take (or are the tours) for Little White House and Hemmingway House?
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Old 06-08-2010, 05:37 PM   #8
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The actual tour at Hemmingway House given by the staff takes less than an hour depending on people's questions (there weren't that many in my tour) but you don't have to go on the tour - you can just pay the small admissions fee and walk around the house yourself - there is also time to do this before and after the formal tours. It is VERY relaxed and as far as I could tell no real schedule to the tours - they just waited until they had a group and then announced that we should all gather to start. It was interesting and the staff/volunteers doing the tours love the subject/lore of Hemmingway, so ask questions and you are free to take pictures too!

I spent most of my time taking pictures of the cats, playing with the cats and wishing I could jump in the pool! It was the begining of Sep last year and it was HOT! If you are not a strong walker/standing person or the heat/humidity bothers you then def have some transportation and the electric car is useful that way. My friends rented one and LOVED it! My DH and I walked to Hemmingway House and I almost passed out - I can walk that much here at home but it was too hot down there!

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Old 06-09-2010, 11:50 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HeatherD View Post
We were originally going to book the Trolley ahead of time, but about a week before we left, we decided to rent an electric car instead. It was great! We didn't have to circle around areas that we had no interest in, waiting for our next stop and it was very easy to drive around. I would say that you may want to wait (unless you've heard about any of the places "selling out" which I never did), simply because that way you can always change your mind, as well. We went in Oct and it was SO MUCH hotter than we anticipated. We ended up going back to the ship much earlier than planned....
We've been trying to decicde between the trolley and the electric cars for our February trip. I'd really like to do the cars, but have read that parking can be an issue. Did you find this to be the case?

Thanks!!
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