Begin with your instincts. If a deal seems too good to be true, or otherwise raises red flags, then proceed with caution--if at all. For example, if a road side stand promises tickets for cheap, but asks you to prove that you are not a resident of Florida, that you're staying in a hotel or that you've traveled by plane, than this is a warning. Likewise, if someone asks you to bring your tickets back at the end of your visit or to keep the origin of the tickets a secret, clearly this is a bad sign. Simply being in possession of such a ticket is illegal, and as such, a little skepticism can save a lot of heartache later.
This may seem like an obvious one, but it has a clear advantage. Theme parks such as Disney World and Universal produce tickets with the owner's name on it. When a ticket to such a theme park is purchased, examine it closely before leaving the presence of the seller. Ensure that everything is spelled correctly (your name, the theme parks, all other words), that printed dates are valid, that bar codes or print are not blurry or incomplete, that the paper doesn't appear flimsy and that it is otherwise undamaged. Also, ensure that it doesn't have such phrases like "Florida Resident" or something similar if you are not. Theme parks require proof of such claims at the gate and will demand additional fees if you cannot produce proof.
Fradulent schemes often come in the form of gift cards, gift certificates and other ways that theme park tickets are not commonly issued. People seeking tickets to places like Disneyland, Legoland, SeaWorld and Universal Studios are often targeted. In addition to being weary of these methods, it's a good idea to call the theme park and ask if an individual or company attempts to sell you a ticket in a form of anything other than an actual ticket. It is wise to educate yourself about the most common scams and to practice due dilligence.
