Should you buy tickets to that theme park online or at the gate?

If you’ll be visiting a theme park this summer – buy the tickets online.

In most cases, tickets cost more at the gate and you’ll be losing valuable time in line. Be very wary of buying tickets from a source other than the park such as Craigslist or eBay. Some parks, like Disney and Universal, use finger scans to identify people with passes. Buying unused ticket days from someone else might leave you in the parking lot.

It’s also a good idea to check the price of an annual pass. In some cases, special deals could get you that pass for less than regular admission, even if you’re only going once. Most annual passes include in-park discounts on food and souvenirs, as well as free or reduced-price parking. Do the math.
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