Frequently Asked Questions
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The Discover Sarasota Tours Trolley Cottage is open Tuesdays-Thursdays 9 AM – 3 PM, Fridays 9 AM – 9 PM, Saturdays 9 AM – 3 PM, and Sundays 12 PM – 5 PM. We are closed Mondays for private tours.
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Tours that are running are listed on our calendar. If a tour is not listed, it is not running on that day or time, is already sold out, or is booked for a private event. All available tours and seats are listed on the website.
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Cancellation Policy
We run tours as scheduled rain or shine. If you cancel at least 24 hours in advance or miss your tour, we will do our best to move you to another tour based on available space. However, ALL SALES ARE FINAL and we do not provide refunds for no-shows/tours you booked and missed. If your plans change, we will rebook any adult/child ticket for a $10 per ticket fee. If your tour is booked through an Affiliate, then the policies of the Affiliate will apply.
If you book through us directly and need to reschedule, we will be happy to do that for you with a $10 per ticket rebooking fee. This option is not available for tickets booked through an Affiliate like Tripadvisor/Viator. Booking through an Affiliate also costs more money so we encourage you to book with us directly.
If your tour is not able to run, we will move you to another tour of your choice or provide a credit for you to use in future at your discretion. These credits do not expire.
Our cancellation policy for deposit refunds on Group Tours is 50% with 60 days or more notice, and 25% with 30-59 days notice. We will make every attempt to move you to a new date if you need to change the tour.
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Masks are optional aboard our vehicles. We encourage you to wear your mask if you feel more comfortable on our tours.
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All tours depart from and return to our Trolley Cottage, 1826 4th Street in Sarasota (behind The Breakfast House off Fruitville & Osprey).
We have a cute Trolley Cottage Gift Shop where you can browse for souvenirs before boarding.
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Please arrive at least 30 minutes before the tour leaves to check in and check out our Trolley Cottage Gift Shop or The ChillMobile, our vintage ice cream truck, while you wait to board.
Trolleys leave at your scheduled time. If you don’t arrive within 5 minutes of departure time, we reserve the right to resell your ticket.
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Easy FREE on-site parking is available right around the Trolley Cottage!
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You may take still photos on tours—we love it when people share images of themselves having a great time at our tours and events!
Video is NOT allowed, however, as our scripted tours and shows are copyrighted material. Video, audio and film recording by patrons of any tour or performance is strictly prohibited.
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We have a few tours that are specifically designed for kids and families: The BooMobile in October caters to kids 3-11 and bigger people 12+. Please note that strollers and car seats are not permitted on any trolley or van tours.
On all other tours, guests must be 10+; no children under 10 are allowed except on designated family tours designed for children. Young people 12-20 may join the Psychic Sundays, Haunted Sarasota, or Murder Mystery Trolley tours if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
All guests must have a ticket, and (with the exception of The BooMobile and the Christmas Carol Trolley), children under 10 are not allowed; most of our tours are created for adults.
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All tickets must be paid at time of booking.
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We do not allow any coolers or personal alcohol on the tours.
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We have a variety of options to book a trolley tour for a group! See our group tours page for more information on how to book a group tour.
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The handling fee added to each ticket covers a bottle of chilled water, your program and map, and it helps us maintain our public restroom. It is part of the ticket price whether you book online or in person.
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Our tours run year-round, but during the hottest months of the summer, we don’t run all tours every day, so please check the activity calendars. If there is a date not listed, please email us at [email protected].
Also, during the summer months, tours generally run in “Dolly The Trolley” in the morning and in “Vanna White” (our 9-passenger van) in the afternoon, to provide the most cool and comfortable experience for our guests. Check each tour listing for vehicle that will be used.
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Max, our DST mascot and greeter!
Small dogs (under 20 pounds) in carriers are welcome. Please note that a few smaller groups travel in our high-top van and there isn’t a lot of room.
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Our cute Trolley Cottage Gift Shop features curious collectibles and memorabilia curated to complement our eighteen trolley tour themes.
We carry Ringling Brothers Circus, Ghost, Psychic, Sports, and Public Art items as well as a bevy of Old Florida/Old Sarasota books, cards, t-shirts, magnets, flamingos, pins, art boards, drinkware, candles, tablecloths, tea towels, soaps, food items & vintage memorabilia.
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The ChillMobile is our groovy vintage 1979 ice cream truck, which sells cool locally-produced ice cream, popsicles & novelty treats!
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For the safety, comfort and enjoyment of their fellow passengers and staff, all guests must abide by a Code of Conduct while on any Discover Sarasota Tours vehicles or facilities. By purchasing a ticket from Discover Sarasota Tours, guests agree to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Code of Conduct.