Close Banner
GET MY TICKETS
Home / Blog / When to Visit / How to Use Early Entry for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando

How to Use Early Entry for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando

by Leap on August 30, 2024
979 Orlando

Inside This Post Inside This Post

Every year, one of our top tips for getting a hop on crowds at Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando is to take advantage of early entry. In fact, aside from purchasing Halloween Horror Nights Express Passes or doing a private R.I.P. Tour, using Halloween Horror Nights early entry is the best way to see and do more at the nation's premier scare event. While we have a full guide dedicated to this annual event, we wanted to spend more time explaining the ins and outs of early entry and how to get it. Taking advantage of Halloween Horror Nights early entry requires some planning and a few decisions. Luckily for you, we're here to outline everything you need to know, including how to get it!

HHN Early Entry Sign

How Halloween Horror Nights Early Entry Works

Halloween Horror Nights is a separately ticketed event. This means if you have a ticket for the Universal Orlando Resort theme parks during the day but want to attend Horror Nights, you will need separate event admission. But on the other hand, you don't need daytime admission if you just want to go to Halloween Horror Nights.

However, in order to take advantage of early entry, which allows you to enter Universal Studios Florida during regular park hours and remain in the park until it officially reopens at 6:30 p.m. for Halloween Horror Nights, you'll need both regular park admission (whether it's a ticket or annual pass) and a Halloween Horror Nights ticket.

To take advantage of this, we recommend you spend the day at Universal Studios Florida (and Universal Islands of Adventure if you have a park-to-park ticket) experiencing the best the park has to offer. If you want a little downtime, and for the best jump on daytime crowds, we recommend you arrive at the parks ahead of the official opening, tour for a few hours and then take a break in the afternoon when crowds hit their peak. You just need to be back inside Universal Studios Florida by 5 p.m. which is when the park closes to daytime guests (you can see park hours on our Orlando Crowd Calendar).

Scream Early Ticket

If you don't have a regular daytime admission ticket or an annual pass, you can add on a Scream Early Ticket (available directly through Universal) for $55+ tax. This will allow access to Universal Studios Florida, starting at 3 p.m. Then at 5 p.m., you can proceed to a Stay and Scream holding area.

Halloween Horror Nights Holding Areas

HHN Early Entry - World Expo Entrance

For Halloween Horror Nights early entry at Universal Orlando, you'll be ushered into one of the park's "holding" areas. These are designated places for you to wait until the park reopens for the event. Your Halloween Horror Nights ticket will be scanned for entry into the holding area when you enter. While you don't have to enter until 5 p.m. (once the park closes), the two main holding areas open at 3 p.m. to start queuing.

The advantage of the holding areas is that they put you in a prime location for a number of houses! Plus, your specific holding area allows you early access to at least one house, sometimes two or even three, before the event officially starts at 6:30 p.m. With up to three holding areas open, it can be tough to make a decision based on which houses are your top priorities. Keep in mind that the houses farther back typically maintain short wait times within the first hour of the event since a lot of people flock to the first one they see. This year, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, A Quiet Place and Insidious: The Further were consistently the top three busiest houses on Opening Night, and they were all located near the front of the park.

These holding areas are subject to change at any time, so please be aware that they may not all be in operation during your visit ... or may open to different houses than those listed. Always verify with a team member before committing. Our best advice is to check when you get to the park to confirm which holding areas are open. Another important thing to keep in mind is that the early opening time may be different at each holding area. Ghostbusters and Insidious open up at 5:15 p.m., while the Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines and Goblin's Feast lines start moving at 5:45 p.m.

We highly recommend you use the restroom and purchase any desired food and beverages before getting in line and enjoying them while you wait! (Both holding areas have food and drink booths open.)

These are the Halloween Horror Nights early entry holding locations in 2024:

New York 

HHN Early Entry - Minion Cafe

While New York has been a staple Stay & Scream area in past years, there are some new changes for Halloween Horror Nights 33. Instead of entering by Louie's and Starbucks, you'll scan into the holding area right by Minions Cafe. This year, the early entry houses include Ghostbusters and Insidious, which open at 5:15 p.m. as we mentioned before, as well as A Quiet Place (opens at 5:30 p.m.) and Major Sweets Candy Factory (opens at 5:45 p.m.).

HHN Early Entry - Major Sweets

On Opening Night, we did not choose this holding area, as it looked like the lines were already too long by the time we entered the park around 4:30 p.m. However, the exception was Major Sweets, which had very little crowds when we walked by at 4:40 p.m., likely because it was tucked in the very back of the holding area at Fast & Furious. We would've hopped in, but there were barricades as we didn't realize until then that we had to enter by Minion Cafe.

World Expo 

HHN Early Entry - World Expo, Bar Behind Lombard's

This is a brand-new holding area for the houses in the back of the park. You enter by San Francisco Pastry Company and Lombard's Seafood Grille, but it was a little confusing at first. When you initially enter the holding area, there's a bar located on the back patio of Lombard's, which had a long line, and lots of people were waiting around and sitting at the outdoor tables and chairs. However, you could continue and walk past London. The actual line for the houses started on the left side of the Nightmare Fuel stadium, and additional food and drink booths were open over in this area. There was only one big line (including standard and Express) for both houses at first — it wasn't until we walked to where the sprung tents were that we split into the respective house queues (and that's where you'd enter the Express queue if using Express Passes).

HHN Early Entry - World Expo line

The TODAY Show

The TODAY Show restaurant at the front of the park is used as an overflow location. It usually only opens if the other holding areas reach maximum capacity. If you're directed to this holding area, you'll be released after the others are released, but it was closest to Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America.

The main catch for this holding area is that you can't necessarily plan on being here, since it depends on if and when the other areas fill up — which is more likely on Friday and Saturday nights.

Universal Hotel Guest Entrance

While not technically an early entry holding area, if you're staying at a Universal Orlando hotel, there is a special entrance for hotel guests each night from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A valid hotel key card and admission are required.

Our Halloween Horror Nights Early Entry Experience

HHN Early Entry - World Expo scan in

In 2024, we checked out the Halloween Horror Nights early entry procedures on opening night. We arrived at the park around 4:30 p.m. and headed toward the New York holding area, but we could already see that the lines were very long.

So, we pivoted and walked toward the new World Expo holding area, as Central Park is no longer a holding area. As we said before, Major Sweets had the shortest line in the New York holding area, but we didn't want to retrace our steps to enter by Minion Cafe.

Once we scanned into the World Expo holding area and figured out exactly where the line for the houses was (to the left of Nightmare Fuel stadium), we waited there until about 5:25 p.m. Then the team members brought us back to where the standard and Express queues started for each house. We picked Goblin's Feast, which looked slightly shorter. We noticed the first people entered the house at 5:37 p.m., a little earlier than scheduled, and we were inside at 5:47 p.m. and out of the house by 5:51 p.m. From there, we wanted to explore the scare zones and meet the rest of our scream squad at the park entrance. But we could've easily jumped back in line for Universal Monsters or hopped over to Slaughter Sinema 2 or The Museum: Deadly Exhibits, both of which opened at 5:45 p.m. — making it potentially possible to hit two or three houses before 6:30 p.m.

By the way, it can be very difficult to walk through a house when it's still light outside because your eyes don't adjust right away, making it seem much darker. Mommy Frog was in front of me leading the way (ladies first, right?). She went in the opposite direction because she couldn't see and ran into the wall. I thought it was hoppin' hilarious, but she thought it was just as bad as a jump scare and made me go first for the rest of the night.

If you've purchased Express Passes, we don't recommend using them during the early entry timeframe since the wait times are relatively short (depending on which one you go to). Save them for later when the lines are longer and you can go through those houses twice if you have the time! We did not use our Express Pass for Goblin's Feast during early entry, as we wanted to save our Express Pass in case we wanted to come back later.

Halloween Horror Nights Early Entry Strategic Advice for 2024

HHN Early Entry - New York

Go to the New York holding area if ... Insidious, Ghostbusters or A Quiet Place is at the top of your list. Based on our data from Opening Night when we looked at the wait times in the app, Insidious had the longest initial wait time (60 minutes), while A Quiet Place had a 50-minute wait and Ghostbusters opened at 25 minutes (jumping up to 40 minutes by 5:53 p.m.). Major Sweets had a 5-minute wait that turned into 55 minutes by 6:06 p.m. (which we think happened after people were done with their first New York house and started migrating toward the back). Insidious dropped to 45 minutes between 6 and 6:30 p.m. before jumping back up to 60 minutes by 6:51 p.m. A potential strategy could be jumping in line for Ghostbusters, then immediately getting in line for Insidious.

Go to the World Expo holding area if ... you want to get through as many houses as possible first. It has the most potential to knock out at least two houses, maybe three or even four before the crowds get to the back of the park.

Of course, wait times can vary by night, especially as it gets busier throughout the season and on Fridays and Saturdays (which tend to be the busiest nights).

If you end up in the TODAY Show area ... you'll be closest to Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America, which opens at 6 p.m.

Overall, we think early entry inside the holding areas is the best way to get the most out of Halloween Horror Nights for the least amount of money! If you can't use Halloween Horror Nights early entry, definitely be at the gate by 5:45 p.m. (We even saw a small crowd already camped outside the gate when we arrived at 4:30 p.m.) Sometimes, guests are allowed in before the 6:30 p.m. start time.

Have a question about Halloween Horror Nights' early entry? Share it in the comments below! Do you have a favorite holding area for Halloween Horror Nights? Share the location and tell us why you like it! 

Related: Guide to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando

Keep hopping!

Keep hopping, Leap!
View Comments

Comments

1–50 of 898 comments
Sep 1, 2024 at 11:44 p.m.
Susan Says...

Once in a holding area do people start lining up straight away to leave to enter the houses, or is there no need to do that? Thanks

Reply
Sep 3, 2024 at 10:03 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Susan!

The Stay & Scream holding areas open at 3 p.m. but you do not have to enter until 5 p.m. However, you will see that most people start lining up for the houses early, but the queues will not move until a few minutes before each house opens (the exact time depends on the house — in the New York holding area, select houses open at 5:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. while the houses in World Expo open at 5:45 p.m.). There are food and drink locations within the holding areas, so you can choose to get something to eat or drink before you hop in line. So the shorter answer is yes, people do queue up early, but you do not need to get in line until 5 p.m. Though if you wish to be closer to the front of the line, then we'd recommend keeping an eye on the holding areas when they open at 3 p.m. and entering the holding area once you see the lines quickly forming.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Aug 25, 2024 at 2:20 p.m.
jessica Says...

What is the earliest time you can start getting in the stay and scream areas? I have daytime tickets also so I was wondering how early I can get in line for the holding areas.

Reply
Aug 31, 2024 at 8:22 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Jessica!

Just an update after we attended the first night (early entry was a bit different this year so we will update this post soon!) — the Stay & Scream areas opened at 3 p.m.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Aug 26, 2024 at 10:45 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Jessica!

For those with Scream Early tickets, they are allowed into the park at 3 p.m. so the Stay & Scream areas wouldn't open before then. Officially, they open at 5 p.m. when the park closes for normal guests, but they usually open earlier so people can start to queue (and in fact, depending on crowds, can reach capacity before 5 p.m.). We'd recommend checking around 4 p.m. if you want to hop in early.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Nov 10, 2023 at 6:33 p.m.
Helio Says...

I went for HHN in the end of October/23 and I didn't see any checking for HHN tickets. Disney give you a wristband, how universal check guests?

Reply
Nov 17, 2023 at 2:18 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Helio!

The park closes at 5 p.m. and HHN begins at 6:30 p.m. At 5 p.m., daytime guests would need to leave the park. If you have an HHN ticket and you're already inside the park before 5 p.m., you can go to one of the Early Entry areas, which requires your ticket to be scanned in order to enter. So those who are not in Early Entry areas will need to leave the park before the gates officially open for the event.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Oct 4, 2023 at 5:57 a.m.
Jay Says...

I bought both scream early and HHN express pass. Does my express pass work on the other rides before HHN starts? ( let's say I want to ride the Simpsons before the park closes, can I use my HHN express pass for that ride?)

Reply
Oct 4, 2023 at 9:04 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Jay!

The HHN Express pass would only work for rides during the evening.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Sep 24, 2023 at 11:13 a.m.
Catherine Harris Says...

Thinking of going to the Halloween evening at Orlando and thinking of going for the day as well is there a deal to buy both? Thank you

Reply
Sep 29, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
Sammy Says...

This was super helpful thanks for your expertise.

Reply
Sep 26, 2023 at 10:50 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Catherine!

We offer discount tickets for both daytime general admission and Halloween Horror Nights, but there isn't one combo ticket that works for both. The closest option is purchasing the Scream Early ticket (available directly through Universal), which allows you to enter the park at 3 p.m., and an HHN ticket if you just want to explore the park in the daytime for a little bit.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Sep 23, 2023 at 10:29 p.m.
Diana Says...

If we got the scream early and we arrive to the park at 3:00 can we get on some rides or will they usher us to the holding areas right away?

Reply
Sep 26, 2023 at 11:01 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Diana!

You're welcome to hop on some rides before you have to enter a holding area by 5 p.m.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Sep 17, 2023 at 8:49 a.m.
Deb Hearon Says...

Hello, If I have a premier pass and I go to universal for the day on one of the free admission days, can I do the early entry spots? Because my pass gets me in for one free admission. Thanks for any info.

Reply
Sep 18, 2023 at 2:47 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Deb!

Yup! You'll scan your pass to get inside the park before 5 p.m. and then present your pass again at the holding area entrance where they're scanning tickets.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Sep 14, 2023 at 5:58 p.m.
Jennifer Says...

If we already have a pass for the daytime at universal….do we still need the early pass??

Reply
Sep 14, 2023 at 1:05 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Jennifer!

No, no need! If you already have daytime admission with your pass, you can head directly to a holding area with your HHN ticket.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Sep 14, 2023 at 12:16 a.m.
Natacha Says...

Hey what if I forget to add the scream early pass to my purchase? Can I still buy them separately and use them the day I go?

Reply
Sep 14, 2023 at 8:20 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Natacha!

Yes, you can purchase Scream Early tickets separately.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Sep 11, 2023 at 5:51 a.m.
EVIE B Says...

GREAT INFO

Reply
Sep 11, 2023 at 5:15 a.m.
Rebecca McCourt Says...

Soooo ready for Halloween now!!

Reply
Sep 11, 2023 at 4:49 a.m.
Rajee Pandi Says...

I need to visit there

Reply
Sep 11, 2023 at 4:20 a.m.
Zaheer Says...

I'm ready!

Reply
Sep 11, 2023 at 4:12 a.m.
codimarie Says...

lots of great tips and info in here

Reply
Sep 11, 2023 at 4:08 a.m.
Kelseyw513 Says...

Sounds like a good way to do things.

Reply
Sep 11, 2023 at 4:04 a.m.
Rose Ellen Epstein Says...

Early entry is such a great deal!

Reply
Sep 11, 2023 at 3:46 a.m.
brian Says...

I don't wanna wake up early for early entry

Reply
Sep 11, 2023 at 3:45 a.m.
Vickie Hite Says...

This helps out so much with planning.

Reply
Sep 11, 2023 at 3:41 a.m.
Lindsey Hendricks Says...

Thanks for the info!

Reply
Sep 11, 2023 at 3:28 a.m.
Gerald Dillon Says...

This is amazing!!

Reply
Sep 11, 2023 at 3:08 a.m.
Jessie g Says...

Nice

Reply
Sep 11, 2023 at 2:36 a.m.
Lauren Reynolds Says...

Would love to go!

Reply
Sep 11, 2023 at 2:10 a.m.
Angie Says...

Cool!

Reply
Sep 11, 2023 at 2 a.m.
Camimeco Says...

Great tips! Thanks!

Reply
Sep 11, 2023 at 12:45 a.m.
Ellen T Says...

Yassss! Get me in on early entry! These tips are great! Thank you!

Reply
Sep 11, 2023 at 12:33 a.m.
Barron Says...

I can't wait to visit

Reply
Sep 11, 2023 at 12:11 a.m.
Milo garfein Says...

Good luck on the giveaway everyone!

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 11:43 p.m.
David Fink Says...

I got the R.I.P. tour so I’m pretty much set.

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 11:35 p.m.
Claribelvlza Says...

It is a wonderful experience! Halloween is my children's favorite time!! we love it !! we are excited for our next vacation!! they will be so soon!!! thanks for the opportunity ????????

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 11:22 p.m.
Christopher A Says...

Would definitely take advantage of early entry

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 11:15 p.m.
Addie Says...

So exciting!

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 11:08 p.m.
Jennifer W Says...

knowing there's early entry makes it more attractive

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 11:02 p.m.
Veronica R Says...

Didn't know about capacity. Great article with lots of informative information

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 10:59 p.m.
Virginia Alworth Says...

Early entry is always good to use.

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 10:47 p.m.
Jordan KM Says...

Love the tips on where to go depending if you're after a certain area first!

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 10:30 p.m.
Angel Sharks Says...

Whenever we stay at the disneyland resort we do early entry so I couldn’t imagine going to universal and not doing the same!

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 10:16 p.m.
Laura Says...

Thank you!

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 9:36 p.m.
Caroline Says...

Love this!

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 9:32 p.m.
NN Says...

Ooh! Thanks for this info

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 9 p.m.
Cody Cockerham Says...

I want to go!

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 8:59 p.m.
Samantha G Says...

I’m keeping all this info for our upcoming trip in October!!!

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 8:50 p.m.
Lauren Says...

Wish I could go!

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 8:41 p.m.
Christopher D Says...

Interesting info! Do you have similar information for Hollywood?

Reply
Sep 11, 2023 at 3:31 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Christopher!

We do have a main guide for Horror Nights at Hollywood, along with additional posts about tips for maximizing your time, a first timer's guide, food and a post about Early Entry coming soon.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 8:35 p.m.
Jennifer Says...

Love that HHN is a special ticket event! Limited tickets! Lower crowds!

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 8:22 p.m.
Aborn Says...

Nice!

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 8:07 p.m.
Hung Huynh Says...

This is good to know about early entry into the parks for HHN !

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 7:57 p.m.
VChacon Says...

Early entry could give you such an edge over regular entry! Such a deal!

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 7:56 p.m.
bandito Says...

so neat!

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 7:45 p.m.
Jessbuchanan79 Says...

Smart thinking!

Reply
Sep 10, 2023 at 7:29 p.m.
Carolyn Says...

My favorite time of the year!

Reply

Leave a comment

Search blog articles

About Undercover Tourist

Undercover Tourist is the leading supplier of online discount tickets to Orlando, Florida-area attractions, including Walt Disney World® Resort, Universal Orlando Resort™, SeaWorld® Orlando, LEGOLAND® Florida Resort and more.

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get the inside scoop on theme park news, planning tips, concert and sports announcements, special offers and much more!

Park Plans

Our step-by-step guides will save you up to 4 hours a day.