2 Adults, 3 teenagers how long should I schedule to spend there, we start at 10am and are taking the VIP tour. Any ideas ?

I was there when I was about 19. It's fun, but I wouldn't do it again at my age (I'm 21 )

Still, I think it really takes most of a day to enjoy it, assuming you and your teens are into that sort of thing and not doing it just because it's sort of "required reading."

Well, I'm 40 and my husband is 50 and we spent three days at Universal and IOA and had a blast. IOA is much more fun than Universal but we are big thrill ride junkies.

Are you talking about US in California or Florida?

We went to the one in Florida and spent 3 days there. That was about right. We bought the fast pass for one of the days and hit all of the adventure rides. The other days we saw shows and redid our favorite rides. Stay in a Universal hotel and have a fast pass built in by using your room key. Short waits for all the rides. We had to pay 150.dollars for two adults and two kids for a one day fast pass. I would definitely stay on property next time.

L.A. park !

The "VIP Tour" reference should have made it clear: The OP was referring to the actual Universal Studios Hollywood-- the one that, despite the theme park that they've stapled to it, is and always has been a real, live, working film and TV studio.

Marko, I would make a fairly long visit out of it-- after the tour, do some rides, see a show or two, then have dinner over at Citiwalk and head back to your hotel and think about the adults going out for drinks somewhere to recover....

rjw_lgb_ca,

Universal Studios in Orlando also has a VIP tour.

Well, I'll be...! So it does.

A VIP tour of the theme park, including front-of-the-line entrance into attractions and backstage views of the studio Universal runs in Orlando.

Still, when people mention the Universal VIP tour, they're usually referring to the original facility-- the one that has existed since 1915. That Backlot experience (and the Prop Department!) can't be equaled.

From what I understand the VIP experience also includes front of line to the rides. So If we start at 10am do I aim to finish at say 4pm, get the ride back to the hotel, knock back 4 or 5 champagnes and prepare for dinner ???

That's a reasonable scenario. I think after six hours you might be "theme park-ed" out. The teens, on the other hand....

Watch out for all that bubbly. Depending on what it is, you're likely to get a nasty headache. Try something high-end like Taittinger or Veuve-Clicquot.... And remind us: Where will you be staying?

LUXE sunset blvd

I appreciate all comments and suggestions !

With the VIP tour & front of the line passes, yes, you can be finished by 4 p.m., no problem. Did you ever figure out what you were going to do NY Eve?

We have wimped out and have just booked a table where we are staying. The concierge where we are staying( who has been really helpfull !!) tried to find somewhere for the 5 of us that would have been easy , but it ended up being a bit logistically difficult ! Not to worry we will all get dressed up and share the experience with some local folks....hope the aussie accent doesn't put them off