Since the houses are what most people come for — and see the highest waits! — they are our first priority. We recommend getting to the park at least 45 minutes ahead of the official opening at 6:30 p.m. to make the most of your time. Typically, Universal opens the gates earlier than the official starting time.

For the 2026 season at Universal Studios, the absolute best time to arrive for Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) is during the "Stay and Scream" period, which begins around 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. By entering the park before it officially closes to daytime guests, you can wait in designated holding areas (like Finnegan's or Springfield) and gain a 30-to-60-minute head start on the haunted houses before the front gates open to the general public at 6:30 PM. If you aren't doing Stay and Scream, aim to arrive at the turnstiles by 5:30 PM. Once inside, the most efficient strategy is to hit the high-demand houses in the back of the park first. Conversely, if you prefer lower crowds and shorter wait times without paying for an Express Pass, the "witching hour" after 11:30 PM is ideal. Many families and tourists head home after the first showing of the lagoon or stage shows, causing wait times for even the marquee houses to drop significantly in the final two hours before the 2:00 AM park close.