It seems the rule of thumb for EP Wait Times with the exception of Despicable Me, will be
between one quarter and one-third the regular wait time (
https://goo.gl/JKf8k8). So if the regular line is 90 minutes, expect the Express Pass line to be 20-30 minutes. Despicable Me will be more like half the regular wait time.
But something tells me during Christmas the EP lines may be a little longer than usualy, though UO jacked up the EP prices significantly during this week, likely to limit the amount of EPs. Though it's still possible that EPs can sell out for the day ($140/person/day 2-park Add On).
All I have been reading is that the
EP is HIGHLY recommended during any of UO's busiest times. I also took a look at the regular line wait time history for last year's Christmas (touringplans.com) to see how long we would likely have to wait on the regular lines (see below). Last year's observed regular line wait times, plus the cost of the EPs as an add-on, coupled with Christmas being one of THE busiest times at UO, we heeded the recommendation and bit the bullet to stay on property at RPR which includes EP.
Observed Regular (Non-Express Pass) wait times 12/25/16:
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, USF, Diagon Alley, Avg=53 mins, Peak=120 mins @ 3pm
Hogwarts Express – King’s Cross Station, USF, Diagon Alley, Avg=29 mins, Peak=65mins @ 3pm
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, IOA, Hogsmeade, Avg=45 mins, Peak=90 @ 10:30am
Hogwarts Express – Hogsmeade Station, IOA, Hogsmeade, Avg=14, Peak=60 @ 3:45pm
Observed Regular (Non-Express Pass) wait times 12/26/16:
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, USF, Diagon Alley, Avg=72 mins, Peak=120 mins @ 3pm
Hogwarts Express – King’s Cross Station, USF, Diagon Alley, Avg=40 mins, Peak=100 mins @ 10:30am & 120 mins @ 3pm
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, IOA, Hogsmeade, Avg=65 mins, Peak=75 @ 11am
Hogwarts Express – Hogsmeade Station, IOA, Hogsmeade, Avg=29, Peak=60 @ 3pm
Observed Regular (Non-Express Pass) wait times 12/27/16:
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, USF, Diagon Alley, Avg=111 mins, Peak=120 mins @ 12:30pm
Hogwarts Express – King’s Cross Station, USF, Diagon Alley, Avg=42 mins, Peak= 120 @ 11am
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, IOA, Hogsmeade, Avg=95 mins, Peak=100 mins @ 12:30am
Hogwarts Express – Hogsmeade Station, IOA, Hogsmeade, Avg=35, Peak=75 @ 5pm