By Jenny Robinnson
It’s no secret that my favorite Halloween haunt in the Los Angeles area has always been The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor. Watching it evolve over the past eight years (with a few missed seasons due to the pandemic) has been an absolute pleasure. This year once again proved just how spectacularly this event continues to grow.
One of my favorite features has always been the secret speakeasy bars tucked away within the mazes. In past years, finding them was a full-on scavenger hunt — you had to earn special coins, track down the right cast member, and then discover a secret door. This year, the experience shifted to a paid-access model, where spotting certain symbols on the walls granted entry. It made the process easier, but I did miss the thrill of the no-cost treasure hunt from before.
That said, the cast in the hidden bars more than made up for it. The bartenders fully embraced their characters, and the monsters and goblins roaming through added an extra layer of fun chaos. Plus, thanks to the extensive renovations the Queen Mary has undergone in recent years, guests now get to explore even more of this legendary ship.
This year, I made it farther down into the vessel than ever before — one of the speakeasies was accessible only by an elevator descending around 36 feet underwater. The eerie atmosphere combined with the novelty of being that deep below the surface made it one of the absolute highlights of the night.
The event also introduced some creative new effects. Instead of the classic “swamp” scenes, one maze reversed the perspective to make it feel as though you were drowning at the bottom of a swimming pool. The visual design was incredible — it truly felt like walking along the pool floor, looking up at a floating corpse.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: what makes Dark Harbor such a must-visit Halloween attraction is the sheer coolness of the environment. You’re exploring a haunted ship, for Pete’s sake!
We at Atomic Geekdom highly recommend adding The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor to your list of Halloween haunts if you’re in the area. It never fails to deliver thrills, atmosphere, and pure spooky fun.