I planned to bring my child on the Hop on/Hop Off Trolley Tour in St Augustine yesterday. We are both having a hard time walking at present, so I called... twice... ahead of time.
On the first phone call, I explained that we would have our small lap dog (leashed) with us and would that be ok. They said, "yes, as long as she stays in your lap and leashed". No problem I said. I called a second time (these calls were 3 days ago, 2 days prior to going there) to inquire about some of the stops- what would the walking be like at "x" stop, that kind of thing. They told me what they could and then reminded me to "park at the Old Jail and purchase my tickets there at the Old Jail... parking is included".
We drove there, parked and when I tried to purchase tickets for myself and child, two separate employees told me "we don't take dogs". I explained that I had called- twice- to inquire about this exact thing and I was reassured bringing the small, lapdog was not an issue. I additionally explained the reasoning behind needing this particular tour as we can't park elsewhere and have to walk around all day due to our limitations with ambulation. They did not care and additionally did not offer any alternative solutions for us.
Our only option was to go down the road to Ripley's and catch the Red Trolley. Still a nice lay of the land trolley tour, but hop on/hop off option was not there and hence, my child and myself did not have the flexibly or ability at all to get off and walk around a little before getting a ride again.
The Old Town Trolley company needs to both train ALL of their employees in a ubiquitous manner so as not to give out erroneous information BUT ALSO work with their customers who did their due diligence before traveling and had walking limitations. I was beyond upset, disappointed and let-down. I will NEVER travel with said unprofessional company again.