Dark Harbor 2024 - Theme Park - Queen Mary - Long Beach CA

Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor 2024 Returns to Frightening Success!

Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor 2024, one of Southern California’s most iconic Halloween events, has made a triumphant return after a four-year hiatus. This haunted attraction, set aboard the historic Queen Mary ship in Long Beach, offers a unique blend of maritime history and contemporary scares. The Queen Mary, with its storied past and long-standing reputation for paranormal activity, provides an unparalleled backdrop for three haunted experiences on the ship and two off the ship. As visitors traverse the ship’s decks and corridors, they’re not just walking through meticulously crafted sets – they’re exploring a genuine piece of history, where the line between staged frights and real ghostly encounters blurs intriguingly.

 

Dark Harbor 2024 - Theme Park - Queen Mary - Long Beach CA

 

Dark Harbor 2024 brings a brand new maze to the ship called The Infirmary. This maze adds a new character to the roster, Dr. Edwin Master, and explores his relationship with Graceful Gale (from Soulmates, which ended in 2018). This maze plunges guests into the nightmarish world of a ship’s medical bay gone horribly wrong. This was easily our favorite maze of the night and we experienced it three separate times. From the surgical operating rotunda to the expansive medical bay to hallways filled with television sets–and ultimately up the stairs to a New Year’s Eve party with Graceful Gale herself singing–this maze is full of optical illusions and gorgeous sets. Oh, and don’t forget the band, where a demented monster plays the neck of a victim like a cello. Definitely attend this first as navigating the labyrinthine halls with no other guests around can easily make this one of the most memorable haunts of the 2024 season.

Lullaby, centered around the ghost of a young girl who allegedly drowned in the ship’s pool, offers a chilling journey through one of the Queen Mary’s most notoriously haunted areas. The maze expertly combines the innocence of childhood with the macabre, creating an unsettling atmosphere that plays on primal fears. Ghostly apparitions, eerie lullabies, and the constant presence of water elements keep visitors on edge throughout this deeply atmospheric attraction. There’s even characters to engage with, like Scary Mary’s father and a lifeguard who failed at his job to add some added layers to this maze. The best part is appearing at the bottom of the swimming pool, where bodies float above you in one of the best optical illusions of Dark Harbor 2024.

 

Dark Harbor 2024 - Theme Park - Queen Mary - Long Beach CA

 

Feast, which debuted in 2017, takes guests into the depths of the ship’s kitchen and dining areas, where cannibalistic cooks and ravenous ghouls await. This maze plays on fears of contamination and being consumed, with scenes of culinary horror that assault all the senses. The use of actual ship spaces adds authenticity, while the creative set design and committed performances from the scare actors make for a truly stomach-churning experience. Sadly, this was my least favorite maze of the night–not because of the sets or the actors–but rather because of the conga-lines formed due to an optional crawling section through the oven. At multiple points, the line stopped completely, and we were left waiting (in the hot halls of the ship) for the line to once again start. It was a disappointing moment for an otherwise fantastic maze.

Big Top Terror brings a twisted carnival theme to Dark Harbor 2024, providing a stark contrast to the ship-based mazes. This land-based attraction is a riot of color and chaos, with demented clowns and circus freaks populating a labyrinth of fun house mirrors and carnival games gone wrong. The sensory overload of flashing lights, calliope music, and raucous laughter creates a disorienting experience that’s as thrilling as it is terrifying. Some of the sets of Dark Harbor’s predecessor (Shaqtoberfest) were seen here, including an entire outdoor area with pumpkins and zombies (Diesel’s Pumpkin Patch). Yet, the highlight of this maze was the ball pit, which luckily caused no conga-line situation, and was a favorite from year’s past.

 

Dark Harbor 2024 - Theme Park - Queen Mary - Long Beach CA

 

Breakout is the first and longest maze of the night. But quantity does not always mean quality. This maze feels like a mish-mash of many previous mazes, weaving through a prison, the hulls of ships, a fishing village, an old barn, a church, a swamp, and a maze of other set pieces. This would be fine and fun, but it also seemed to be the maze with the least amount of performers as well. They make up for the lack of engagement with plenty of wonderful animatronics, gigantic set pieces, and impressive lighting. This maze alone can continue for ten to fifteen minutes, creating the feeling of Samuel’s breakout, as he escapes from prison and travels back to the Queen Mary.

Beyond the mazes, Dark Harbor 2024 transforms the area surrounding the Queen Mary into a Halloween carnival with a party atmosphere. The grounds are dotted with numerous bars, food vendors (think carnival food), and entertainment zones, creating a festive environment that contrasts with the intense scares of the mazes. Carnival rides, photo opportunities, and street performers ensure there’s always something to see or do. VIP areas offer a more exclusive experience for those looking to elevate their night. Our favorite bar area was the Bayou Barrel Bar, which borrows some set pieces from Shaqtoberfest’s Pirates Cove maze. This was so gorgeously decorated with fire pits and smores, some of the best drinks, and a voodoo theme that oozes personality and creep factor.

 

Dark Harbor 2024 - Theme Park - Queen Mary - Long Beach CA

 

A unique feature of Dark Harbor 2024 is its secret bars, hidden throughout the event. While these bars add an element of excitement and exclusivity, some visitors might find them easier to locate than expected – perhaps by design (just look for the projected symbol and the attendant waiting to escort you in). Entry requires a special token, and once inside, drinks must still be purchased. Despite this, the secret bars offer a more affordable drinking option compared to the main outdoor bars, where drinks can range from $17 to $24. For budget-conscious visitors, it’s recommended to skip the outdoor bars and invest in tokens for the secret bars, where drinks are priced between $5 and $7. However, accessing these bars often requires waiting in maze lines, adding an extra layer of commitment to the experience.

Finally, there is a theatrical, seated experience called The Summoning of Samuel, where Lady Mabel attempts to summon the infamous killer from the B340 maze. It’s a great way to bring the famed Savage back to the Queen Mary (even more so than Breakout). The experience combines some great auditory effects, impressive lighting, some water effects, and strong acting from Lady Mabel and Samuel himself. While the entirety of the experience takes place while seated, it is scary with some in-your-face fear and moments of pure darkness. This is a great way to break up the mazes and get a rest in while not letting the adrenaline fade.

 

Dark Harbor 2024 - Theme Park - Queen Mary - Long Beach CA

 

Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor 2024 stands out as a must-visit Halloween attraction for thrill-seekers and history buffs alike. Its unique setting aboard a genuinely haunted ship provides an atmosphere that can’t be replicated by traditional haunted houses. The combination of well-crafted mazes, immersive theming, and the ship’s inherent mystique creates a Halloween experience that is both terrifying and captivating. While the event caters to a wide audience with its varied entertainment options, it’s particularly well-suited for those who appreciate the intersection of history and horror. Whether you’re a seasoned haunt enthusiast or a curious newcomer to Halloween attractions, Dark Harbor 2024 offers a night of unforgettable scares and entertainment, making it a standout choice in Southern California’s competitive Halloween landscape.

For more information about Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, check out their Facebook, Instagram and website. For information about similar events, check out our Event Calendar.

 

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About The Author

Taylor Winters
Taylor has loved immersive theater since his first experience at ALONE in 2013. Since then, he has written, produced, & directed immersive theater, consulted for numerous immersive companies, acted in others, and attended even more. He has his PhD in Bioengineering, an MBA in Organization Leadership, and currently works fixing broken hearts.

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