Purchasing options for online tickets abound
CHRISTINE HICKS- USTA Travel
I am in mid-planning stage for a brief trip to Orlando. Last week, I described the tortuous path to locating suitable lodging. Regardless of the criteria (and I had many), it takes dedication, time and creative tracking to find the most suitable place to hang your hat. This particular path to enlightenment will undoubtedly waste some time. I found the research turned up more options, however. This is good and bad, for the urge to run with all of them is inevitable. I recommend that you - at least once - do your own research.

I found a trolley service that operates on International Drive for $1 a ride ($3 all day). I found a marvelous map of I-Drive that locates businesses. You can situate yourself next door to Walgreens or Coldstone Creamery, should you desire. My search allowed me the chance to peruse Florida resident specials and those offered to residents of foreign lands. I took a gander, too, at auctioned attraction tickets on E-Bay.

I went in search of attraction tickets because Universal Studios was calling me back. My self-imposed budget of $500 was going to take a hit on the VIP tour ($125 per person) … and that didn't include admission to Universal Studios. Where could I rack a deal on the admission ticket, since the tour was not negotiable under any circumstances?

It's a given that gate pricing is the highest. My research began there and went something like this: UniversalStudios.com to obtain gate pricing for comparison and advance-purchase online ticket pricing. My sister, a Florida resident, could score the deepest discount - but only for herself. I was still on the hunt … to EntertainmentBook.com, which offers limited admission options, substantially discounted. (No one place offered discounts across the board for all admission options.) On to AAA.com, which offers discounts lower than gate but in some cases higher than online pricing. AARP? Don't bother. These equal or are higher than the Universal Studios online pricing.

I checked to see what E-Bay was offering. While the tickets offered here were the lowest (bidding price), the fear (for me, anyway) is that tickets won't be accepted at the gate, having already been purchased by someone else. With so many places requiring credit cards for proof of purchase or photo identification, it just wasn't a clear and comfortable fit.

I learned that select options include the CityWalk Pass, something you could purchase individually if you're not selective in your ticket choice. There is also a meal-and-drink-pass option for your consideration. It's not valid at Emeril's (do get serious), but if you're traveling with hungry older kids, this could be a bargain.

The best bet for me? Entertainment Book pricing. It only took me two days to figure that out.

If all this sounds too confusing and time-consuming for you, cut to the chase with your local travel agent. They may charge a fee, but if you value your time, think of it as your ticket to the front of the line.

(Christine Hicks-Usta has enjoyed more than 30 years of globe-trotting as a member of the travel industry. Direct questions to her at Bee Group Newspapers, P.O. Box 150, Buffalo, NY 14231-0150.)