Old Universal pro with HHN question

[larryhog]

I have been going to Universal and IOA for years but this will be my first trip to HNN. Wanted to ask some questions after looking thru the topics on this board. I will enter the park during regular hours with with my AP. Then since I am already in the park and I will already have my HHN tickets I can either stay in Universal or IOA until they are ready to let people start doing the houses. At that time the people staying in Universal and IOA will be allow to start doing the houses as the people waiting outside with their HHN only tickets start coming in the gates. If this is correct is it better to stay in Universal to beat the rush or if I am at IOA can you get back into Universal before the rush from the people outside the gate get into the park?
Also, is there anything I have to do while in the park during the day to be allowed to stay in the park before HNN starts- like getting a wrist band or something? What will October 24th and 25th crowd levels be like? I just saw on here that the schools will be out for a fall break starting the 24th.

 

[atricks]

It's usually a safer bet to stay and scream in the studios. Historically there have been Stay & Scream areas in front of Finnegans (across from Mummy) and by Jaws.

The Jaws wait area seems to be the less populated one, and the one we wound up waiting at most of the time. The one by Finnegans is better if you want to do the Soundstage Houses first. Jaws is nice for getting into the Jason house, and for Bill & Ted.

How it works is they rope or barricade off an area and scan your ticket with a hand scanner, wait until security clears the park, and then lets you go. They may still do wristbands on "peak" nights, but usually not on the other nights.

 

[Akdar]

We had wristbands last year in the Finnegan's area, that was the last Friday in October. We had a great time at Finnegan's and then did 3 houses with hardly any wait at all.

Here is what the wristbands looked like

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

I would really like the answer to this question also. Hopefully whoever has gone this weekend will also write back when they come back. Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

I seriously doubt they will have a S & S area in front of Finnegan's this year...Vampyr: Blood Bath is right across the street. They still had the Jaws area (which was packed tonight) and the concert area beside Jimmy Neutron (that's where I was tonight).

Larry - Go to IOA during the day and then head over to the Studios around 4pm. Tonight security was sweeping the park around 5pm and having HHN guests head over to the S & S areas. No problems at all tonight and you will have first shot at several houses.

 

[larryhog]

I appreciate the info.

 

[Akdar]

I seriously doubt they will have a S & S area in front of Finnegan's this year...Vampyr: Blood Bath is right across the street. They still had the Jaws area (which was packed tonight) and the concert area beside Jimmy Neutron (that's where I was tonight).

Larry - Go to IOA during the day and then head over to the Studios around 4pm. Tonight security was sweeping the park around 5pm and having HHN guests head over to the S & S areas. No problems at all tonight and you will have first shot at several houses.

Thanks for the heads up Metro, as long as there are refreshments available in the holding area

We'll have have dinner at Finnegan's before they herd us over to the S&S area.

 

[Mommy Poppins]

So, if you are just attending HHN and will not be in the parks that day, then you are not admitted until opening at 7PM, correct?