The “deal” is for a VIP ticket to Ringling Brothers circus.  At first it sounds great, but look at the price per ticket:  $40 (instead of the usual $85!).  Oh, and throw in the Ticketmaster fees and all service charges, facility and handling fees.  What handling fees?  Are you going in there with the tigers?  I suppose the $40 charge is understandable when you calculate the sheer number of people/animals involved, but again, unless this is something you will do as a family outing (and it’s your BIG family outing for the year – outside of vacations), it’s a little pricey.

Well, just checked out the Ticketmaster site for actual prices – holy crap am I out of the loop!   The show prices start at $13 (plus $4 service fee); don’t get the meet and greet part, but you will see the show.  My take?  Unless you’re winning on the scratch ‘n win lottery tickets (and you know you never will), go with the cheapo package – the kids will be so overwhelmed by the sheer spectacle that they won’t even miss the rest.

If the kids want to meet and great a clown, take ’em to Mickey D’s.