Tag Archives: long beach

Review: The Queen Mary’s ‘Dark Harbor’ 2019 (Long Beach, CA)

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Ahoy!  It’s time to set sail on the spoooooky and haunted (yeah – it’s said to be really haunted) Queen Mary in Long Beach, California for their 10th anniversary of Dark Harbor!  I was lucky enough to go on opening night, and it was the perfect way to kick off my Halloween season.

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From the opening moment when The Captain bellows to his fellow monsters to open the gate – you’re immersed into a world where you can walk by a snarling Scary Mary (my fav), before getting spooked by a 10-foot-tall creepy clown.  The atmosphere is top notch here (something that Universal Horror Nights is lacking), and Dark Harbor not only brings it in terms of that atmosphere – but also with the mazes.

With a total of 6 mazes in all, Dark Harbor has unleashed Rogue this year as it’s newest addition and it lived up to the hype.  My personal favorites Lullaby and Circus are back, with a few new twists that attendees from previous years will appreciate.  The scare actors really go for it in all of the mazes, which makes the interactions with them all the more fun (and terrifying).

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Once again, Dark Harbor satisfied all of my haunt needs this year and did itself proud for its 10 year anniversary!  If you find yourself in the Long Beach area or are looking for something to satisfy your own haunt needs this Halloween season, then go HERE for more info on the schedule and ticketing for The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor experience! Scare ya, later!

All Severed Hands On Deck: The Queen Mary’s ‘Dark Harbor’ Launches September 26th!

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One of my favorite Southern California haunts is the famed and spoooooooky Dark Harbor which takes place on and around The Queen Mary ship (rumored to be heavily haunted) in Long Beach, California.  And……they are about to set sail for their 10th year and are bringing along a new terrifying maze to celebrate!

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Yes, that there is Scary Mary and she will be back this year – along with The Captain, The Chef, The Ringmaster, and more!  As I mentioned earlier, there will be a brand new maze called Rogue to go along with 5 other spine-tingling mazes.  One of the things I love about Dark Harbor is that some of the mazes are actually located on The Queen Mary which gives you an even more unsettling feeling while you shuffle nervously from room to room.

In addition to the mazes, there will be numerous ghouls and ghosts roaming the grounds – as well as other entertainment to make you feel all the more welcome (or unwelcome if you wish).  Bottom line:  It’s going to be spooky.  It’s going to be fun.  And you need to go HERE now and grab tickets for Dark Harbor in Long Beach if you’re going to be in the area between September 26th-November 2nd.  Happy Haunting!

Review: The Queen Mary’s ‘Dark Harbor’ (Long Beach, CA)

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There’s nothing creepier than going through a haunt on something that is actually said to be haunted.  Such is the case on the legendary Queen Mary ship in Long Beach, California.  You can go on real ‘haunted’ tours year-round, but around Halloween……things get kicked up a notch with Dark Harbor! (said in super scary voice)   Continue reading →

Review: Midsummer Scream Halloween Festival 2018 (Long Beach, CA)

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Yessssss!  It’s finally time for the Halloween convention season, and what better way to kick it off this year than with a trip to the Midsummer Scream Halloween Festival in downtown Long Beach, California!

This was my third year going to Midsummer Scream, and it keeps getting bigger and better every year.  And unfortunately more crowded.  It’s a gift and a curse.  But yes, everything that made last year’s convention stand out was back this year:  The Hall Of Shadows (individual mini haunted houses in a darkly lit massive area), The Black Cat Lounge (where you can pet and play with a bunch of adorable kittens in a creepy circus environment), and of course……all of the creepy costume-goers who roam about the area eagerly awaiting your arrival to give you a good fright.  Oh my god – here comes one now!

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Nothing gets me more into the ‘spirit’ of Halloween than a good convention, and specifically Midsummer Scream.  Focusing on the haunts and everything that is Halloween – there were also tons of vendors selling their ghoulish goodies, a picture and meet & greet opportunity with Elvira herself (Cassandra Peterson), and you could even get a hot pretzel with cheese sauce!  Ok, the last thing was not impressive – but everything else this year was.  Except the aforementioned size of the crowd, which keeps getting bigger each go around.  If they can find a way to make it a little less claustrophobic in the vending aisles, then I feel that would make a big difference.

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Other than that one little negative, Midsummer Scream was frightfully good this year and they’ve already announced next year’s dates of August 3rd & 4th!  Plenty of time to think and prepare a good costume and plenty of time to think about an escape plan if you get too scared in The Hall Of Shadows.  Spooooooooky.  Thanks again to Midsummer Scream for another BOOtiful convention!