This has been very consistent for the past few months - when the park opens (either EPA or regular) Hagrid is a standby ride. The volume of people that go directly to it means that the wait time will immediatedly be posted at 60 minutes or higher. Because of the amount of people, the line is extended to the talking fountain which has become the de facto starting place all day. If it is EPA, the VQ doesn't start immediately, but at regular park opening unless there are so many people in line that they have to cut it off. If you go to US first, you will be behind all of the poeple who have fast walked (or run) from the gates, which normally open about 15 minutes prior to posted time. The Hogwarts Express does not run immediately during EPA at US, as many of the other rides open at staggered times too. Going to US first means the only way you will get on Hagrids is VQ, and if you get the first set of VQ's could mean anywhere between 9:30 and 10:55 as your return time. It takes a bit of time to to get over to Hagrid from US, and even if you use the HE, it will be close to half an hour if the line is short. The line for Hagrid will still be a minimum of 30 minutes, and longer when it is not running properly, which is pretty often. You can tell if it is glitchy in line by how ofter you move forward. You should move about 8 "stand here" markers every couple of minutes. If you are standing still for 5 minutes at a time and only move sporadically, it is not running properly. If it goes down, you hear an announcement about the lesson being delayed, and that means sit down, because you have 20 minutes of nothing (at least). Remember that EP does not work on this ride ever, so it is standby at Rope Drop, or VQ only. and if you want rope drop, be there 60 minutes before the official gate opening time - this will get you on and off in the first 10 minutes of park open as long as the ride is running.