Timed Entry for Harry Potter determines the time you are allowed to enter the area. If you are just interested in Harry Potter alone, I would suggest you to go really early and run into Harry Poter area before they close the gates. If you manage to get in as the first batch right when the park open, you don't need tie time ticket. (This is what I read online, have not personally encountered it)
Otherwise, you will head to the ticket machines to get a timed-ticket to determine your entry to the Harry Potter area.
The hours of queue at Harry Potter is referring to the rides. The last time I went, the estimated waiting time ranges between 240 to 300 minutes. However, people who have personally queued for it, mention that the real wait time is usually shorter than the estimated time.. but it can also mean a 3 to 4 hours wait instead of a 4 to 5 hours wait.
The other rides in the park has queue ranging between 1 hours to 3 hours, depending on the popularity and timing of the day.
If your aim and main focus is only harry potter, I won't suggest you to buy the express pass and you can try to run in first thing in the morning and spend the whole day there and queue.
How does the timed entry for Harry Potter in USJ work? After seeing the available rides in USJ, im only interested in a few of them like 4? hence don't quite feel like getting express 5 pass. even with a timed ticket, it's still hours of queue?
Sent from bored hole using GAGT