Queen Mary Shipwreck Suckfest....Don't Waste Your Time/Money

[socaldude818]

I attended the final discounted preview night this past Sunday. This is the first time I had been to the event in 4 years. Prior to 2005 I attended this event annually, so I am familiar with the product they used to offer. I have read some bad reviews of the event over the past few years from the lack of organization with parking, security, mazes being shortened/less of them and lacking props (that were used to create the fearplex) so I had pretty low expectations. Well I guess they were not low enough. This was the third preview night (while most other haunts do one preview night, not open to the public, and do not charge an admission fee). As urged by the website (arrive by 5:30-6:30) we arrived at 5:45pm to purchase tickets. Out of about 10 windows only ONE was open with a line of about 25 transactions in front of us. We then got into the security line and waited. The security line did not open until 7:30pm, 30 minutes AFTER the event was supposed to be underway. It is horrible customer service to a) not open your security check a few minutes before the event and hold people inside the main gate, b) Not open your 4 hour event on time, and c) not even acknowledge or address your guests in line on the situation. The overall event staff tone made me feel like I was a criminal. From the rude talking down to and condescending tone. It was not a welcoming or enjoyable feeling. The woman spieling to the crowd was totally ghetto. Her grammar and attitude was beyond horrible.

 

Once in the event at 7:50pm many of the mazes were still not open!! The reviews I had read on the event over the past years about props and themeing being sparse were dead on. In the past your 3D house was one of the best I have ever been in and a few years later I was looking most forward to this house. After about a 5 minute wait we were about to be handed our glasses but were held at the glass distribution for a minute. Less then a hour after your event actually opened you were already recycling just used, non sterilized paper 3D glasses. This is unsanitary and just disgusting. Needless to say we did not go into this house. We check back again a little later and glasses were still being directly recycled.

 

I won’t go into each house separately as they were all the same. A bunch of random crap thrown together.

 

A few other issues that did not directly affect me at this point but were still very concerning is that they allow actors to scare people right at the top or bottom of a dark staircase. I was also very surprised that in 2008 how many of the mazes (if not all of them) are nowhere near being disabled accessible or compliant to the ADA act of 1990.

 

DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS EVENT!!! It really sucked on every level. I have been to many small independent events and large theme park events across the US, this one was hands down the WORST EVER ever. The theme (what little of it) of the mazes made no sense. The costumes and make up were horrible. Almost all “actors” had a Scream type costume on. I felt ripped off paying 19 bucks so please do not spend 34. Go to Universal, Knotts or Six Flags…or even just sit in a dark room and scare yourself, you will be better off.

[TheRapidsNerd]

(just shakes head and quietly walks away) wow.....

[RIP Psyclone]

^Have you been on the Queen Mary? And what did you mean by "wow"?

[Jew]

Fearplex is being done by the Spookyhouse people this year, so I have no idea where those props went...

 

But yeah, Shipwreck hasn't been good for a long time now.

[OldJJman]

I went several years ago, and I thought it pretty much sucked then too.

 

Like he said, the 3-D maze "was" good, but that was about it.

 

Every maze aboard ship was an absolute waste. The biggest memory I have of it was the stench or rotting metal throughout the interior. The engine room, boiler room and theater were all pretty rancid. No scare-actors or anything. Just cast members with flashlights point you in different directions.

 

I agree. It stinks.

 

Pass.

 

 

JJ

[TheRapidsNerd]

^Have you been on the Queen Mary? And what did you mean by "wow"?

 

I've taken one of regular tours, but never done any of the Halloween shindigs. The "wow" was over socaldude818's intense anger over the whole thing.

 

In the end, I'm sorry it was such a huge disappointment for him.

[socaldude818]

Not so much anger, but more disapointment. Just wanted to give others a heads up. This is pretty much the same letter I sent directly to shipwreck.

[socaldude818]

I guess word on the street got out. From Shipwreck Productions Myspace page:

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Shipwreck Update pt. 2

Due to unfortunate circumstances beyond our control Shipwreck at the Queen Mary has been forced to relocate. The Gridlock Group has slid in and taken our 14 years of hard work, reputation and event that we created with just 1 maze back in 1995, to the massive event it has become today. This news is just as upsetting to us as it is to you as we have strived to provide a great work environment, unparalleled customer satisfaction and the most Terrifying Place on Earth for millions of guests over the past 14 years. It was never our intention to leave hundreds of our loyal employees and our tens of thousands of guests who have been with us from the start unaware and confused about future of Shipwreck. However, due to the unfairly terminated contract by Save the Queen, we are no longer affiliated with the Queen Mary and must move forward. Rest assured that Shipwreck Productions will prevail and we look forward to reuniting with our loyal monsters and guest at our new location to be announced 09-09-09!

 

Shipwreck Productions would like to thank all who contributed to such an amazing, fun, crazy and successful event! The last 14 years of Shipwreck at the Queen Mary have been unbelievable and we feel very grateful to have had the chance to scare and work with you all!

 

Once again, thanks for all your support!!

 

14 years? I remember when the event was awesome and the scariest around. How could they tottally ruin an event like they did?? Well good news it looks like the new promoters/producers have 5 new mazes and it really can't get any worse than last year!!

 

One Haunted Location...5 Terrifying Mazes

 

Vampire Village: This haunted village dates back long ago, with twists and turns and fog below. Located to the north of the Shipwrecked Queen, some villagers have been known to scream. Alas, have no fear, for there are friendly Transylvanians near.

 

The Graveyard: The Un-dead have awoke from a long blissful sleep, to chase those who's footsteps will not give them peace. Tread lightly if you dare, and are so bold, for from out of the fog may pop-out something cold!

 

Isolation ward There is no escaping this straight jacket of a maze, patients may enter and exit in a haze. Handle them with care with good bedside manner, or be forced to answer to the dreaded Nurse Slasher!

 

Blackbeard's Revenge (Pirate Maze): Angered Pirate Spirits haunt the sea, from years of trying to overthrow the Queen Mary. This maze will delight the scurviest of mates, with a dozen or so Pirates that will give chase. AAAAAARRRRGGG!

 

Paranoia's House of Horror: Take a trip down memory lane, where Classic Haunted Characters are ready to bring the pain! Thru the dark depths of the ships bowels you will be, restrooms are nearby if you need to pee. So run, hide, scream all you want, nothing will stop these Masters of Haunt!