Frequently Asked Questions
As The Scream Zone is outdoors, inclement weather may cause us to close due to safety reasons but WE WILL MAKE ALL EFFORTS TO STAY OPEN!
If there are light or intermediate showers, we can typically stay open. If it turns into a storm or heavy rain, we will have to close.
If the official decision is made that we must close, whether it is before opening time or at some point during the night, it will be posted on our Facebook page. If you bought a ticket for a night that we have to close, we will include on that post when you are able to return with that ticket for entry.
This update/info will also be on our website as soon as we are able to put it up but Facebook will have the quickest update.
Parking at The Scream Zone is $10 or free to drop off patrons. Use the main Fairgrounds entrance gate off of Jimmy Durante Blvd, follow the main road into the Fairgrounds (west) towards the back of the property, where signs will guide you to the parking lot.
You are more than welcome to wait out front of the main entrance/ticket booth where there are a few food trucks and tables. If you need to drop off kids, but don’t feel like waiting for them in your car, you can come in, enjoy the atmosphere, and watch the brave souls run screaming out of each attraction.
The Scream Zone has 3 separate haunts that you will go through, all 3 are included with your admission. It is estimated that The Passage and Hell-Billy Hootenanny should take approximately 10 minutes each, and the Haunted Hayride about 15 minutes. This does not include the wait in lines.
The Ticket Booth & Timed General Admission entrance lines can be a little more crowded on busy nights. We strongly recommend that you buy your ticket online in advance.
Your wait in line depends on what night you are going, if you purchased online in advance, and what ticket type you have purchased. Typically, if you go the first 2 weeks of season and/or on a Sun-Thurs, the wait is not too long. If you go on a later weekend or around Halloween night, the Ticket Booth & Timed GA entrance line can be a bit more crowded on busy nights. Ticket booth may also sell out on busier nights.
What to expect when you arrive: There is a separate line to PURCHASE at the Ticket Booth (if we are not already sold out) and then you will need to wait in the Entrance Line. VIP Admission will have the shortest wait.
All tickets are date specific and subject to selling out. We strongly recommend that you purchase online in advance and do not wait to get at the ticket booth night of.
When purchasing the Timed General Admission Ticket, you will select a time of arrival. This is the time that you will enter the LINE for the first haunt. If you purchase VIP Admission, you can arrive anytime during hours of operation on your selected night.
As long as you arrive on time and have your ticket already purchased, we will make all efforts to make sure everyone in the entrance line is able to get through. If the line is simply too long or we have reached our time limit for operating, we will honor your tickets on another night when we are open.
Yes! We STRONGLY recommend buying your ticket online in advance. Haunt is subject to nightly capacity and may sell out.
An added benefit to buying online is that you are not subject to wait at the ticket booth, you will go directly to the entrance line.
While you do not have to worry about a ticket booth line, you will need to wait in the entrance line for the ticket type that you purchased.
Please see the Tickets page for ticket options/descriptions.
Printing your online tickets is the safest option! However, as long as you can pull up the Barcode and do not have a cracked screen, we will be able to scan from your phone. You may want to take a screenshot of your ticket beforehand as many customers have issues finding their ticket order in their email and have to get out of line.
Please note, sometimes the wait in line is long, if your phone battery dies and you cannot access your tickets, you will need to purchase new tickets to enter.
TIMED GENERAL ADMISSION TICKET: If you need to Reschedule your TIMED GA Ticket, you can do so up to 2 hours before your reserved time. In your ticket email, click on the to “print your tickets” and click on the Reschedule button.
VIP : If you need to reschedule your VIP ticket, you can do so up to 11:59pm on the night before your chosen date. EX: if you have a ticket for Saturday, you can reschedule up until 11:59pm on Friday. In your ticket email, click on the link to “print your tickets” and click on the Reschedule button.
VIP Admission will allow for you to use the Fast Pass at 2 of the haunts: The Passage & Haunted Hayride. There will be a short regrouping upon exiting The Passage and entering Hell-Billy. Your overall wait in lines will be significantly less. You also have the luxury of arriving anytime during hours of operation, on your selected night, and going directly to the VIP entrance. (arrive at least 30 minutes before closing to ensure entry).
If you are looking to upgrade your already purchased ticket, you can get a Fast Pass at the ticket booth (subject to availability and price increase on busy nights).
Your ticket is valid for entry ONE TIME to all 3 haunts at The Scream Zone. If you want to go through again, you will need to buy another ticket.
Sorry, no refunds or exchanges.
We do not offer refunds for unused tickets or patrons (including children) who are too scared to go through. If you have an unused ticket, you are more than welcome to give it to a friend to use before the season is over.
*The voucher card is NOT your ticket for entry, you must reserve tickets online*
If you have a voucher to redeem for tickets, you will need to follow the instructions on the back of the voucher to retrieve your tickets online. TIP: When you are viewing the calendar to choose your date, you will need to enter your promo code in the promo code box and hit “apply”. Your specific ticket will then appear as an option listed at $0.00. Follow the instructions to add to cart and complete your order.
YES! Group Discount Tickets are available when you buy at least 20 tickets in advance through the office.
Group Tickets are valid for entry through Oct 27.
NOT VALID on FRI & SAT.
For more details or to place an order, please email groupsales@thescreamzone.com
Get your $5 OFF Discount Coupon at participating San Diego County GOODWILL Stores! (No purchase necessary, while supplies last)
Valid towards General Admission, SUNDAY – THURSDAY from 9/25/22 – 10/27/22.
Discounted tickets are subject to availability.
Thank you for your service!
You can receive a Military discount of $5 off of the Timed General Admission Ticket if you are attending the event SUN – THURS through 10/27/22 and buy your tickets at the Ticket Booth. You will need to show your Military ID and the discount will be good for 2 tickets per ID.
Discounted tickets are subject to availability and may not be available if the ticket booth has sold out.
Discount is not valid on Fri/Sat or 10/30-10/31. Not valid towards VIP tickets.
The Scream Zone is NOT recommended for children under the age of 10. They will be allowed in if parents choose to bring them, however you will NOT be allowed to carry them. They must be able to stand and walk on their own two feet.
NO Babies, Strollers, or Children being carried will be allowed entry.
Children need a ticket to enter and we do not offer special pricing for children. There are many emergency exits throughout each attraction in case anyone gets too scared to continue, but please be warned, scared patrons/children who need to exit (or choose not to enter) will not receive a refund.
Sorry, but no pregnant women, infants, or children being carried will be allowed entry to the haunts. You can wait/hang out just out front of the main entrance where there are food trucks and tables setup. This attraction is not recommended for visitors who have heart conditions, are prone to seizures, or are in general poor health. We reserve the right to determine if you are not allowed in due to safety reasons.
A service animal is permitted for individuals with a disability. Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability. All service animals must remain on a leash or harness and may not be left unattended. Service animal behavior is the responsibility of the owner and you will be asked to leave The Scream Zone if their behavior becomes a threat to the safety of another guest or employee. We do not have accommodations for pets at the The Scream Zone. All other will need to stay home where they are safe from our ghouls.
The DOJ/ADA does not qualify “Emotional Support or Companion Animals” as service dogs.
NO. As you walk through, our zombies and ghouls will appear, disappear, and come very close, but they will not intentionally touch you or grab you. Please do not touch the actors. We reserve the right to prosecute any patrons who strike or harm our actors.
Phone are the most commonly lost or broken items at the haunts!! You can take personal photos/videos while going through the haunt but please be advised, we strongly suggest you keep your phone securely put away! We are NOT liable for lost or damaged phones nor will we have a search party to find it while we are open. Many phones get lost or broken so please be aware!
NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY OR LIGHTS! For the safety of our actors, as well as not ruining the experience for other patrons, we do not allow any type of FLASH photography or flashlights while you are walking through the haunts. You may be asked to exit early should you use flash or have any type of light turned on while going through.
If you are trying to film for media purposes, you will need to contact sue@hauntedhotel.com for inquiries and permission.
You are allowed to wear costumes however, masks or elaborate/professionally done makeup is not allowed. PLEASE NOTE: if your costume is offensive or involves nudity, you will not be allowed in. Any props that you are carrying will need to be left at the entrance.
Absolutely!! We do not allow foul language, pushing, vulgar behavior, weapons of any kind, alcohol, harming our actors or employees, etc. We do not allow babies or children to be carried through. Smoking and alcohol are not allowed. We reserve the right to remove any patron from the event if we feel it is necessary.
Violation of these rules will usually bring a warning and then being asked to leave without a refund.
Items NOT allowed include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Skateboards
- Backpacks
- Large Bags
- Pets
- Weapons
- Props
- Alcohol
- Cameras
- Laser Pointers
- Flashlights
- Lighters
- Food or Beverage
- Babies/ Strollers / Children being Carried
- There is no smoking or vaping allowed anywhere on the premises.
There is a Bar Vendor/Truck just out front of the main entrance with the other food truck vendors. No outside alcohol is allowed. We reserve the right to remove any individuals who are too intoxicated or a safety concern.
Smoking is not allowed inside the Scream Zone compound.
Yes! The Scream Zone is wheelchair accessible. There may be some areas where it is difficult to maneuver a wheelchair; in those areas we typically provide a bypass.
YES! This attraction contains high impact scares and strobe lights which may not be suitable for people with heart conditions or prone to seizures. Attraction may include the use of fog juice as well as spraying water.
Hell-Billy Hootenanny and The Passage are both walk through haunts however you will ride in a wagon when going through The Haunted Hayride. Rooms may very dark and some may be pitch black but the entire attraction will not be pitch black, you will see the actors and sets.
Yes, there are food trucks and tables right in front of the Ticket Booth/Entrance. Food Vendors are typically selling: soft serve ice cream, kettle corn, burgers, hot dogs, sausages, cheese fries, and smoothies. There is also a Bar Vendor.
Yes. A private security company has been hired for the safety of our patrons and actors. Lighters, alcohol, or anything that could be considered a weapon are not allowed on The Scream Zone property. Patrons may be subject to a random search prior to entering The Scream Zone compound.
Running is the main cause of minor injuries. Make sure to follow the rules and DON’T run and you should be fine!
Yes, bring a change of underwear! The Scream Zone feature live actors, loud noises, flashing lights, and other scary elements designed to scare the “yell” out of you! We do not recommend for children under 10, pregnant women, or those sensitive to strobe lights, artificial fog, loud noise, or dripping natural elements.
For media inquiries, please e-mail: sue@hauntedhotel.com