It seems every year, Universal Orlando Resort changes Stay & Scream for Halloween Horror Nights as they continue to fine-tune the offering. Here’s everything you need to know about Stay & Scream at Halloween Horror Nights 35.
What is Stay & Scream at HHN?
Stay & Scream allows eligible guests to remain in Universal Studios Florida after it closes to day guests but before Halloween Horror Nights officially begins. This year, guests taking advantage of Stay & Scream can enjoy early access to select Halloween Horror Nights houses starting at 2 p.m.
Stay & Scream Eligibility
To enjoy Stay & Scream, guests must have both valid daytime admission to Universal Studios Florida and valid Halloween Horror Nights admission for the event that same night.
This means Universal Orlando Resort Annual and Seasonal Passholders are already eligible for Stay & Scream.
Non-Passholders can access Stay & Scream if they have single-day or multi-day tickets for both Universal Studios Florida and Halloween Horror Nights, or if they have a Halloween Horror Nights Scream Early ticket.
What is a Scream Early Ticket?
The Scream Early add-on allows entry to Universal Studios Florida starting at 2 p.m. to enjoy attractions and select haunted houses. It previously granted access starting at 3 p.m. It’s in addition to a same-day HHN ticket. Pricing starts at $70/person.
Stay & Scream Wristbands
Prior to 2025, guests utilizing Stay & Scream had to remain in holding areas. HHN 2025 introduced a wristband system so guests could roam the park freely, continuing to enjoy attractions.
Guests participating in Stay & Scream will need wristbands to access haunted houses that open at 2 p.m. before HHN officially starts at 6:30 p.m.
New this year, guests will be able to pick up their wristbands near Guest Services starting at park open.
At 2 p.m., additional in-park wristband locations will open at Hogwarts Express: King’s Cross Station and Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast.
When Will Haunted Houses Open?
Here’s the timeline for haunted houses opening:
- 2 p.m. — Three haunted houses open
- 4 p.m. — Select haunted house queues open
- 5:15 p.m. — Select additional haunted houses begin opening
- 6:30 p.m. — Halloween Horror Nights officially begins, all houses open
Note that at 4 p.m. only select house queues open, not the houses themselves.
Universal has not announced which houses will open when. They suggest guests use the Universal App for the latest and most accurate house opening times.
Halloween Horror Nights 35
Halloween Horror Nights 35 at Universal Studios Florida is on select nights from August 28 through November 1, 2026.
This year’s haunted houses are:
- Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control
- Sinners
- Stranger Things
- Hellraiser
- Evil Dead Burn
- Cybergoria
- H.R. Bloodengutz Presents: A Halloween Fright-Tacular!
- INVASION: Alien Abduction
- MADLANDS: Caged Cannibals
- Ozzy Osbourne
This year’s theme is the “Infernal Carnival of Nightmares,” centering around a scare zone of the same name starring Jack and Oddfellow.
Other scare zones include Sideshow of Decay and Killer Klowns from Outer Space. There will be a Stranger Things lagoon show. This year’s stage show will be Nightmare Fuel: Blood Noir featuring sword swallower Auzzy Blood.
Are you attending Halloween Horror Nights this year? Let us know on social media!
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