HHN Stay & Scream and Holding Areas?

[MartDM]

How late can we enter Universal Using our regular ticket in order to Stay & Scream for HHN (we have HHN tickets as well)?

A few years ago we arrived late in the day, about 1/2 hour before regular posted park close, and they had already closed off regular admission lines & were only letting in those with a pass for an early party event. We were able to get in with some persistence, but I'd like to avoid the argument this year yet still minimize our waiting around time before HHN.

Also, were will the holding areas be? Last year we couldn't find one employee able to point us in the right direction. We just kept wandering until we finally found one at Finnegan's Pub.

TIA!

 

[Metro West]

How late can we enter Universal Using our regular ticket in order to Stay & Scream for HHN (we have HHN tickets as well)?

A few years ago we arrived late in the day, about 1/2 hour before regular posted park close, and they had already closed off regular admission lines & were only letting in those with a pass for an early party event. We were able to get in with some persistence, but I'd like to avoid the argument this year yet still minimize our waiting around time before HHN.

Also, were will the holding areas be? Last year we couldn't find one employee able to point us in the right direction. We just kept wandering until we finally found one at Finnegan's Pub.

TIA!

You should be IN the park by closing (5pm). The S & S area is the area beside Jimmy Neutron complete with midway games and drinks available.

 

[MartDM]

You should be IN the park by closing (5pm). The S & S area is the area beside Jimmy Neutron complete with midway games and drinks available.

I know we have to be in the park by closing, but my question is how late can we arrive before that. Obviously, from our past experience, arrive 1/2 hour before park close doesn't cut it. Anyone have any insight on what the real "cutoff" is?

And my understanding of the S&S area you are referring to is that it is only for AP holders...is it really open to the general public (we just have a regular park ticket & regular HHN ticket)?

I'd really appreciate some clarity on this. Thanks!

 

[Luv2Roam]

If you have a regular day park ticket and a HHN ticket I think once you are in the park you can stay.
I can't say this for certain as we have always stayed as AP holders.
But once we are in, we stay and have to show our HHN tickets numerous times while waiting for HHN to officially begin. (Always have your tickets handy and on each individual.) But no one has asked how we got in to wait.

 

[MartDM]

If you have a regular day park ticket and a HHN ticket I think once you are in the park you can stay.

Yes, thanks, I know this is how it works, we've been there & done it many times . I guess I'm not being clear (sorry!) so I'll give it another shot...

We have a regular day ticket but don't wish to spend the day at the park. However, we do want to use that ticket to arrive during regular park hours so we can take advantage of S&S and get a jump on the crowds at the gate when they open the houses.

So, my question is, how late can we arrive at Universal and enter the park with our regular day ticket?

As I mentioned, a few years ago we arrived 1/2 hour BEFORE park closing & were denied admission with our regular park ticket. With some persuasion, we did convince a gate attendant to let us in, but it was difficult and I don't want to chance being denied admission this year.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I think the absolute cut off time is 5:00 when the park closes. But I would not wait until the last minute like that.
One time last year on a Sunday HHN even as passholders we BARELY squeeked in. We were the second to the last couple to enter once the gates were closed.
Entering in by car often takes a lot longer late afternoon on HHN. I think that night that alone took us 20 minutes and we were lucky enough to get in a "faster" moving lane. (Just wanted to mention this in case you are getting to USO by car. When traffic is backed way up that alone can be 20 minutes of sitting. Then you still have to park and walk to the main gates which could be another 15 minutes, esp if crowded.)
I personally would not waste a day ticket and would arrive at least by 2 or 3.
But if I was wanting to wait last minute and REALLY wanted in I would be at the gate no later than 4 to be on the safe side.

 

[Metro West]

So, my question is, how late can we arrive at Universal and enter the park with our regular day ticket?

As I mentioned, a few years ago we arrived 1/2 hour BEFORE park closing & were denied admission with our regular park ticket. With some persuasion, we did convince a gate attendant to let us in, but it was difficult and I don't want to chance being denied admission this year.

Mart...if that was your experience in the past then make sure you get into the park before 4:30.

 

[MartDM]

Thank you both for the entry info & for the info about traffic too! We usually valet park because it's easier but I'll allow extra time for traffic backups!

To explain my over-concern about time, we're traveling with an infant who will be babysat while we attend HHN so we want to minimize the time we are away. Given that we only have one night to attend, it's worth it to us to "waste" a day ticket (free with our credit card points anyway) just so we can get a jump on the crowd coming in at the gate (many times, we've found that doing S&S has allowed us to see all the houses once, then go around again using our Express Pass).

So the holding area you described Metro is open to the public?

 

[Metro West]

So the holding area you described Metro is open to the public?

Yes...it's open to anyone who has a valid HHN ticket for that particular night...not just passholders.

 

[MartDM]

Great! Thanks so much for the inside track from "the voice of experience". It's a big help!