My 1998 Legacy Outback fails to release my key after I've come to a complete stop, but it in park and switched off the car. The tumbler will rotate to just before the lock position but then stop. If anyone has any ideas as to why this would happen, I'd appreciate to hear them.

I had a very similar issue with mt 97 impreza. What happened with mine was that there is a little switch under the shifter that when the shifter is moved to park will hit that switch and allow the key to be turned completely back and removed from the ignition. For some reason my switch fell off it's hanger under the shifter. When you move the shifter to park you should hear a click coming from the steering console. if you don't hear that then the switch was not hit. 

My two cents from past experience. 

Could be the console switch mentioned above, or could be the interlock solenoid for the key cylinder isn't releasing properly. It could be gummed up from dust/soda/coffee/ etc.

Thanks. I'll have to pull it apart and see. We did buy the vehicle from grandpa and was rather dirty around the console.