Heads Up! A Big Change is Coming to Halloween Horror Nights This Year!

Halloween Horror Nights season begins in Universal Orlando in just a few short weeks, and we couldn’t be more excited!

There are some great new houses and scare zones to check out this year, as well as TONS of new merchandise, but now there’s a change you need to know about if you’re a fan of the resort’s Stay & Scream Procedure!

Stay & Scream is an early entry offering that allows guests to get a head start on all the terror. With the “Scream Early” add-on, you can check into Hallloween Horror Nights as early as 3 PM.

Typically, guests were held in holding zones before the event officially began, but you DID still get to enter before other people. You would choose the zone you wanted to be held in, and when it opened, you’d be the first to experience the Haunted Houses or scare zones in that area. However, that’s all changing this year, because there are no longer holding areas for guests!

Instead, guests will obtain a wristband at one of three in-park locations, which tells Team Members you are allowed to stay in the parks and can experience the rest of Universal Orlando before Halloween Horror Nights officially starts. Anyone without a wristband will be asked to leave the park once it’s officially closed to regular guests. It’s very similar to how Disney handles guests entering the parks early for their Halloween or Christmas party events!

You’ll get a wristband as early as 3 PM and will be free to explore the park’s other offerings, such as rides, shows, and more. Then, starting at 4 PM, you’ll be able to start entering Haunted Houses. The three locations you can get your wristbands are:

- Lombard’s Seafood Grill
- Illumination’s Minion Café
- Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast

We love that we don’t have to wait in one certain area after we check in, but can enjoy more time in the parks! We’d much rather hop on another ride than have to wait in a crowd.