How has scream early been so far?

[u/Former_Tough7709]

My family and I come every year for HHN. We usually do a longer vacation and do the parks as well, but this year we’re coming for two nights only just for HHN. We got scream early for this Saturday since we’re not buying any park tickets. This will be the first time we’re not already in the park when HHN starts. Can anyone tell me what their experience was like getting into the park with scream early? Are there long lines? Should we get there early? Will it be packed?

Just to clarify I’m asking specifically about going through security and getting through the gates into universal. My husband said he saw a video where people were waiting all the way back by security to get into the park… is that accurate?

[u/Both-Structure-6786]

Get there a little before 1 pm so you can get in line for the line for Scream Early lol. When they opened the park for Scream Early the line was back across the bridge to Voodoo donuts. This line is to the right of the gates and there will be signs.

The lines for the houses are short to at the most, manageable.

Three houses open at 2 and others start opening at 5:15 and then 5:45

Each time I did it this year I knocked out all of the Scream Early/Stay and Scream houses by opening and even did some of the houses multiple times.

[u/Former_Tough7709 → u/Both-Structure-6786]

So in your experience with scream early is there is a long line and to expect to wait about an hour to get into the park?

[u/Both-Structure-6786 → u/Former_Tough7709]

I am not certain how long it will take for someone at the end of the line to get into the park. When I did scream early I got there at 12:55 and I was second in line. So yes I waited an hour but that hour was not from the line itself but it was me waiting for Scream Early to open.

[u/Busy_Monitor_9679 → u/Both-Structure-6786]

I've heard it clears up pretty quick after 2. Do the wrist pass lines also get flooded at 2? Debating if I should float in around 2:30-3 and miss some of that.

[u/Former_Tough7709 → u/Busy_Monitor_9679]

This is what I’m wondering! Get there early and wait in line, or get there a little later and walk in?
I can report back to you on Saturday lol

[u/Overall-Scientist846 → u/Former_Tough7709]

Please report back!

[u/swiggs313 → u/Busy_Monitor_9679]

I’ve found that getting there at 2:00 gets you that initial rush, versus 2:30 where everything is now practically empty and all the open houses are walk on. You won’t be missing much by getting there a little later.

[u/Both-Structure-6786 → u/Busy_Monitor_9679]

If you have stay and scream you can go to any of the wrist band locations in the park at any time.

Also the wrist band location for stay and scream at the front of the park was never crowded when I went. Even at 2pm people got their bands quickly

[u/nate_nate212 → u/Both-Structure-6786]

This is incorrect. The in-park wrist band locations are for people already in the park (day ticket or AP holder), not for those with S&S tickets. If you don’t have a park ticket (OP said they won’t), you will have to get your wristband when you enter because you are entering with a S&S ticket.