Location: The Queen Mary - 1126 Queens Hwy. Long Beach, Ca. 90802
Dates: Oct 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 22-24, 27-31, 2009
Hours: 7 pm - midnight, later some nights
Cost: Oct 2-3 $19, Oct 9-31 $29, Fast Pass $40
Parking: $15
Info and Tickets: www.queenmaryshipwreck.com, (562)-435-3511
View Queen Mary Shipwreck Photos
Bottom Line
The venerable ocean liner is transformed with five spooky mazes, some on the ship, others on land, and an all-age dance party with live band performances under the Dome. Go early if you don't want a long wait to park and to get into the mazes. There's no waiting for the dance party once you're parked. Consider taking the free Passport Bus from downtown Long Beach to avoid the line for parking, or arrive early and dine on the ship.The Fright
Everyone knows the Queen Mary is haunted, so where better to throw a Halloween scare fest. The cheesy black box mazes are gone, replaced by a foggy graveyard, and the English cottages make a nice setting for Vampire Village. The indoor mazes through the bowels of the creaky ship make this venue unique, even if the costumed characters that stalk you may look familiar.I went to opening night with a couple haunted house virgins, and they found the mazes very scary (the 13-year-old said she wouldn't want to do it again). I'm more jaded, but I think most of the CSULB drama students are doing an excellent job of staying in character, with the mental patients in the infirmary being especially effective.
The Party
This year's bash is in the 20,000 square foot space inside the Queen Mary Dome, which also houses the Long Beach Cruise Terminal. A DJ keeps the tunes flowing, but like most places, dancers don't hit the floor until pretty late in the evening most nights. Don't let that stop you!Logistics
From the parking lot, head towards the ship to get your tickets. there's a separate line if you already have pre-sale tickets, but everyone has to go through security and get a wristband. Once you have a wristband, you can either start with the mazes on the ship or head to the back of the parking lot to the Vampire Village near the Dome and work your way forward.The mazes on the ship were not marked on opening night, but they should have resolved that issue. One is through the Ghosts and Legends entrance at the front of the ship; one is in the Isolation Ward accessed up an exterior (not working) escalator at the back of the ship, across a ramp onto the ship, then across the aft deck, down a stairway, around or under the stairs and back inside; the third is accessed from the middle of the ship at ground level.
There is a food and beverage court between the Vampire Village and the Graveyard. If you're planning on arriving late, get the Fast Pass to avoid the long lines.
Poll:
Have you been to Shipwreck? What did you think?- Best fright in town! Don't miss it!
- Scary Fun. I recommend it.
- Better than staying home.
- Not scary. I wouldn't pay full price.
- It's lame. Skip it.
View Queen Mary Shipwreck Photos
