I have an upgraded annual pass for Universal Studios and I like that I can cut the long line for the tram tour whenever I go. The trick to the VIP tickets is to get them before they sell out. It's well worth it if you think about it. Otherwise you've spent $80 (plus $15 parking) to go on 3-4 rides and spend the majority of your time in waiting in lines. With the VIP, you can hit every ride in the park in one day, which is great for those that only have one day to spend there.
The line-cutters I hate are the Chinese tourist groups. One or two of them may be in line ahead of you, so then the entire tour group of 50 think that can cut in front of you to join their friends.
The best pass is the lifetime pass at Legoland. I think it's like $2500 per pass now, so it gets very pricey when you buy one for everyone in the family, but I love the convenience of it. I know that I can go at will, get the best parking spots, be invited to exclusive events and never have to renew. And given that I was paying like $1000 per year over and over again to get Disney annual passes for the family, it seems like a better value.