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Queen Mary Dark Harbor 2015 Media Night!


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Dark Harbor is an annual Halloween event held at The Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA. Every year the harbor comes to life with a rich set of characters and mazes inspired by the real-life history and ghost stories of The Queen Mary ship. The ship provides a perfect eerie backdrop for the event, with several mazes actually located in its abandoned walkways and rooms. Several new additions and changes for 2015 keep the event fresh and exciting. Check out our full media night report below to see everything that's in store for 2015!

 

 

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We're at The Queen Mary's Dark Harbor to check out what's in store for 2015! The Captain welcomed everyone and officially kicked off the event.

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Once inside we were greeted by many of Dark Harbor's monsters.

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There are lots of unique characters.

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And they all have their own unique personalities.

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Graceful Gale stared gracefully at Spears.

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Many of the monsters at Dark Harbor have special talents.

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This guy was mocking me for taking photos.

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Stop monkeying around Spears, we have work to do!

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Scary Mary seemed happy enough to pose for a photo with me.

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Open up and say ah!

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Spears is having none of it.

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The Captain and Graceful Gale arrived in style at the RIP lounge! Those who purchase VIP admission can chill in the lounge and enjoy some drinks.

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The humans ate the slider burgers, and the monsters ate the humans.

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The RIP Lounge gives a great view of the event.

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Fire! Ooooh, ahhh.

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There are also decorations throughout the lounge.

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It's maze time! First up, Soulmate!

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There is extra emphasis this year on helping guests understand the stories behind the mazes. Throughout the lines you can now learn the backstory of the mazes while you wait. We thought this was a nice touch!

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A pre-show video was also added to Soulmate to introduce the story. Graceful Gale is trying to create the perfect man by piecing him together!

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There are lots of nice details throughout the maze. Graceful Gale lined this wall with photos of men, and has circled the part that she likes from each man.

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Building the perfect man!

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Does she get her perfect specimen? You'll have to check out the maze to find out!

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Next up, Lullaby! This maze is new for 2015!

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The maze begins with a funeral service for Mary where we learn that her death wasn't an accident.

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She was murdered in the pool room of the ship, and ever since her death her spirit has been lurking the ship near the pool.

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You come face to face with Mary's ghost throughout the maze, and the only way out is to play her games!

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She challenged Spears to a game of hide and seek!

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Creepy hallway with wall-walking monster? No thanks!

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Mary lurks in the pool room, asking if you want to play.

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She follows you out, taunting you as you leave!

 

Check out our full POV of the new-for-2015 Lullaby maze!

 

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As we were walking to our next stop, this contortionist stopped us and asked us to name two body parts. We said "ankle" and "ear"...

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She touched them together! Pretty awesome! I could play this game all day - but alas, we had to move on!

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Next up, The Curse of Anubis Paintball Adventure!

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In this brand new up-charge attraction you get to shoot zombies with paintballs!

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Spears says "Bring on the zombies!"

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There are targets that pop up that you can shoot as well. But honestly, if you're smart, just save your ammo...

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And then when a zombie walks out, unload!

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I think we know who the "worst job of the night" award goes to!

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After we killed off the zombies, we walked around a little to check out the atmosphere. I love how talented all the monsters at Dark Harbor are! So many of the monsters have special skills and unique personalities!

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Wherever you wander there are monsters lurking.

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There's also lots of entertainment. All throughout the night there are great performances on the main stage. We stopped to watch Mudd the Magnificent magician!

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Guess who got called on stage?

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Spears helped with some magic.

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And did some tying up.

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Mudd adds some flair to the typical straight jacket escape.

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We loved the show!

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Next up, the Sideshow of Freaks and Oddities! This up-charge attraction is always one of our favorite things to check out at Dark Harbor!

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Spears isn't sure about this.

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Lots of freakish characters and relics are on display when you enter.

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You get to have a chat with this skeleton.

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And then meet some freaks!

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When I asked her for a photo she grabbed a nail and hammered it into her face!

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You can witness some magic.

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And grab a drink in a light-up Dark Harbor skull mug!

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Look, it's my personal favorite Dark Harbor character, The Ringmaster!

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The Ringmaster hosted a mini show where she introduced all of the freaks.

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I happened to be wearing the colors, so what the heck - I make a great ringmaster, right?

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Some of the freaks also put on their own mini shows to entertain you.

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You can meet the freaks and snap a photo with them.

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There are also a few freak show mini-mazes where you get to come face to face with a freak in each one. These are so much fun!

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Next we got a super special treat - We got to do the Circus maze with the Ringmaster herself!

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In she goes!

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New this year was a ball pit in the middle of the maze. This was so unexpected and fun!

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The Ringmaster fell and got stuck in the balls, so Spears is helping her up!

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Thanks to the Ringmaster for making our trip through Circus extra fun and unforgettable!

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Next lets check out Deadrise.

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The scares come at you from all directions in this one - including above you!

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(Report continued in next post...)

Edited by ILoveRides
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Continued from above!

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You never know who you’ll run into in the mazes!

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Back on the ship...

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B340 is next!

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Nap time!

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Finally, lets check out Voodoo Village!

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This maze is very dimly lit, so there was a lot I couldn’t photograph. You’ll have to experience it to see it all!

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Back outside we hung out with the monsters and performers.

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If you want, you can even take a spin on this ride from Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch!

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The monsters really bring this event to life. Dark Harbor has the best cast of characters I’ve encountered at a haunt. There are so many memorable characters and amazing performers!

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They give their characters the freedom to enjoy themselves, interact with guests, take photos, move throughout the mazes, etc! It’s as if these characters really do live in the harbor, and you’re a guest in their world.

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We always have a blast at Dark Harbor, and I’m happy to report that this year continues that tradition. Dark Harbor often doesn’t get the same level of attention that Knott’s Scary Farm and Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights command in So Cal - but it should. The Queen Mary provides the perfect backdrop for a haunt, and they’ve integrated mazes in and around the ship that immerse you in the creepy world of the harbor. Add to that some of the best characters and performers you’ll find at a haunt, and it’s easy to see why Dark Harbor is always one of our favorite Halloween attractions.

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Thanks to the Dark Harbor team for throwing such a great event and inviting us to attend, and thanks to you for checking out our report! Dark Harbor runs through November 1st - be sure to check it out!

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Dark Harbor has been my personal favorite the last few years! Not as detailed of sets as HHN or Knotts (but close), but the talent sets them apart! So many unique scares and things the other haunts (like the ball pit and the "brain" room in B340) could never get away with!

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^I was thinking the same thing while I was reading this. As uninterested as I am in the Orlando Horror Nights Event I'd love to check out Hollywood's once just for the terror tram. HHN Hollywood, Knotts Scary Farm, Dark Harbor would be a pretty nice little weekend. Maybe Mickey's Halloween party, Home Depot, maybe Bed Bath and Beyond, don't know, don't know if there'll be enough time.

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