How to win as the Zoo changes its ticket pricing method

Don’t monkey around with the gate prices

The Indianapolis Zoo is now adjusting ticket prices based on that day’s projected attendance. In simple terms, this means that the gate prices won’t always be the same, and what you pay depends on how many visitors the Zoo expects to have on a particular day. They are changing the pricing method because they believe that they can boost revenue while also keeping the crowds on the busiest days from being too overwhelming.

Any change like this can lead to confusion, but we have some advice on how to win with this new system. First of all, try to keep in mind which days will be the most popular and avoid those. We recommend sticking to week days rather than weekends. You can find decent prices if you purchase tickets online in advance; so far, the prices have tended to vary from approximately $15 to $30 per adult ticket (with kids tickets costing less). If you like a price, purchasing the ticket on the spot will lock that in — waiting is almost a guarantee that  you’ll pay more.