Are you trying to decide if the Halloween Horror Nights Stay and Scream upgrade is worth it for you?
Fall has arrived, and the witching season is upon us.
So if you are ready to be immersed in the spine-tingling horror of your favorite movies and TV shows, look no further than Stay and Scream at Halloween Horror Nights.
The best way to experience this exclusive, heart-pounding evening is to enjoy early access to select haunted houses and scare zones, beating the crowds to the most chilling thrills.
As the sun sets, the fear intensifies, and you’ll find yourself at the center of the Halloween horror spectacle.
Don’t just attend Halloween Horror Nights, become a part of it with Stay and Scream early entry to embark on the ultimate horror experience – if you dare!
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO. Which means if you click on certain links, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.
What is Stay and Scream Halloween Horror Nights?
If you are wondering how to gain early entry to Halloween Horror Nights, you have come to the right place.
As a separately ticketed event from general admission at Universal Studios, Halloween Horror Nights can be met with arrival queues with everyone wanting to make the most of the experience.
Stay and Scream is a great way to beat the queues to haunted houses and scare zones. It also gives you early access to the spooky corners of Universal Studios.
It allows guests with daytime admission to the Universal Studios Florida theme park to remain inside select designated areas of the park after it closes to daytime guests.
And BEFORE Halloween Horror Nights officially begins for the evening! You then have first access to the event once it starts.
Get your discounted HHN Tickets on Groupon TODAY!
How Does Stay and Scream at Halloween Horror Nights Work?
Stay and Scream allows daytime guests of Universal Studios with a Halloween Horror Nights ticket for that evening to stay in the park after park closure.
During the overlap period between park closing and the start of Halloween Horror Nights, guests with tickets to the event will head to a holding area.
Daytime guests clear the park and Universal staff set up for the event.
There are many designated zones in the park and while you can’t freely roam the park during this period, you will have access to dining locations and, in some cases, entertainment.
Why We Love Halloween Horror Nights Stay and Scream Early Entry to HHN
Once the event starts, Stay and Scream guests will have first access to the haunted houses, scare zones and attractions with the advantage of already being inside the park.
If you use Stay and Scream, you can enjoy shorter lines before the event really kicks off and gets busy.
This makes it an attractive option for those looking to maximize their Halloween Horror Nights experience.
Halloween Horror Nights Stay and Scream Tickets
Stay and Scream is not a ticketed part of the experience and not included in your Halloween Horror Nights ticket.
To take advantage of Stay and Scream at Halloween Horror Nights, you need BOTH a ticket for Halloween Horror Nights AND a general admission ticket for Universal Studios.
Your general admission can either be a day ticket valid for the same date as your booked Halloween Horror Night, a seasonal pass or an annual pass.
So, you do not need to purchase a “special” general admission or Halloween Horror Nights ticket as the Stay and Scream is an additional upgrade for the event.
However, it is crucial for you to be within the Universal Studios park prior to the park closing time, otherwise you will not be permitted entry until the start of the event.
Get your FREE Universal Halloween Horror Nights Vacation Package quote TODAY!
Stay and Scream Early Entry Locations
The holding areas for Stay and Scream vary year by year at Halloween Horror Nights.
If you have attended the event before, make sure to check the holding areas and their proximity to the haunted houses and scare zones before visiting, as they may be different to before.
For 2023, the Stay and Scream holding areas can be found in the following locations:
- New York – Close to Finnegans and Revenge of the Mummy
- Central Park – Close to Springfield
- San Francisco – Close to Richter’s Burger Co./Chez Alcatraz
- The TODAY Show
- Sound Stage 18
Hipster Power Tip: It is worth noting that the Stay and Scream areas are subject to change at any point. But rest assured, all holding zones are well signposted and easy to find.
Top 5 Tips for Halloween Horror Nights Early Entry Stay and Scream
Now let’s get into the top tips for early entry at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights.
1. Purchase a Scream Early Ticket
There is also an option for anyone with a Halloween Horror Nights ticket who does not have daytime admission.
When purchasing the Halloween Horror Nights ticket, you can now select a Scream Early add-on for $40.
This allows you to gain access to Universal Studios at 3 pm and move to the holding area at 5 pm, ready for the event to start.
Get your Halloween Horror Nights ticket TODAY!
2. Skip The Tribute Store
While The Tribute Store is a great spot to bag yourself some HHN’s merchandise, you are best off saving time and skipping a visit to the shop during the event.
The Tribute Store gets extremely busy during the event, but you will also find that it is open during general park hours.
If you are wanting to explore the store and grab some souvenirs, you are best stopping by during the day.
Check out my latest theme park adventures on Instagram TODAY!
3. Choose the Holding Area Closest to Your Top Haunted House
As the night goes on, the wait times for every haunted house can become quite high.
If there is a haunted house that is your top priority, you will want to head straight to this one as soon as the event begins.
As you are already inside the park, you will have a head start over a lot of the other attending guests and can experience the shortest wait time of the evening.
Plus, if the holding area you are in is the closest to this house, you will get there quickest.
4. Eat While You Wait
While Stay and Scream is a great advantage, from experience, it can feel like you are in the holding area for a long time with nothing to do.
However, each holding area has multiple dining locations within it.
This is the perfect time to grab something to eat before the big event, rather than wasting precious Halloween time once the event begins.
5. Passholders Receive Exclusive Benefits
If you are a Universal Studios Passholder, don’t forget to make use of your exclusive benefits for Halloween Horror Nights.
Passholders can save money on September event dates, while Premier Passholders can enjoy one free event admission on select nights of the season.
WATCH NEXT: 13 Weird (but true) Halloween Horror Nights Secrets 🎃 (History of HHN)
My Final Thoughts on the Halloween Horror Nights Stay and Scream Option
Halloween Horror Nights Stay and Scream is a relatively simple concept, but can pay off big if you use it.
It is an exceptional way to enjoy early access to the haunted houses and scare zones of the event. With the bonus that it costs you no extra money!
Make the most of this thrilling experience and take full advantage of Stay and Scream at Halloween Horror Nights.
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
Steph is a UK-based freelance travel writer and theme park enthusiast.
She currently lives in England with her partner and son but is passionate about exploring the world.