I am going on a two week Italy vacation on May 20. I have been reading this forum and other Websites regarding museums in Florence and I have a couple questions:

What are the advantages to prepurchasing tickets online? Are they cheaper? Are the lines this time of year very long?

If I do purchase tickets before I arrive, do I have to pick a day or are they good anytime?
Do I have to pick a time? I'm not sure I want to be that locked in to specific times unless it's really worth it.

Do I have to stand in line to pick up the prepurchased tickets or can I print them out at home?

Thanks in advance for your help!

They aren't cheaper in Florence, but they do allow you to bypass the line which can be very long at the Uffizi (other museums don't have long lines usually although the Accademia may have a short line). If you purchase in advance online, you will be getting tickets for a certain time/day. There is a 4€ online booking fee. If you call, I don't think you have to pay until you pick up your tickets. Some people call and then don't pick up the reserved tickets if there isn't a line when they arrive.

This if the official website for the museums in Florence.
http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en/musei/index.php

Travelbug the first time we went to Florence we took our chances with the Uffizi and waited in line for 3 hours. Definitely worth to prebook, even if it means having to schedule your time IMO.

When we went to the Accademia one morning at the end of last September, the wait would have been more than two hours. In the afternoon, late, it gets a lot better.

I've been to the Accademia several times in the afternoon and never waited more than five minutes. Most museums are more crowded in the mornings as the big tour buses seem to have their groups go early so they can get on the road to their next city.

Thanks for your replies. Definitely makes sense to book online. I'd hate to waste all that time in line. You guys are the best!