BarryH Posted January 13, 2008 Posted January 13, 2008 Source: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080110/30807_Holy_Land_Theme_Park_Gets_Makeover.htm By Elena Garcia Christian Post Reporter Thu, Jan. 10 2008 03:23 PM ET The Orlando-based park featuring exhibitions of the Holy Land is getting a complete makeover and marketing support from owner Trinity Broadcasting Network in an effort to boost attendance. This image shows the main entrance of The Holy Land Experience, described as a 'living, biblical museum,' in Orlando.TBN, which acquired ownership of the park last June, plans on giving The Holy Land Experience a top-to-bottom makeover, complete with biblically themed children's playground equipment, fresh live entertainment, and numerous TBN-produced high-definition movies, according to TBN General Counsel John Casoria in an Orlando Sentinel report. Other stylistic improvements will include fresh carpet, paint and decor such as statues to several new food kiosks, evening lighting and state-of-the-art audio and video equipment. The park hours will be extended and plans for a TBN TV studio across the street for the network's recently purchased Orlando TV-52 television channel are underway. Changes to the park, called a "living Bible museum" when it opened in 2001, are much in need. For years, the Holy Land has struggled with sagging attendance and financial troubles including $8 million in debt. In 2006, the park reported an annual attendance of 200,000. The attraction was also involved in a lengthy dispute with the Orange County Assessor’s office over its tax-exempt status. TBN bought the park for $37 million in the same month Florida Gov. Jeb Bush signed a law exempting the Holy Land from property taxes. The transition of ownership was described by spokesmen for both sides as more of a handover than a takeover. In the process, more than 50 employees - or a quarter of the work force - were fired or laid off, the Orlando Sentinel had reported in October. Employees, however, had estimated that nearly 100 workers had been cut from the payroll. Casoria has rejected claims that such changes have adversely affected the park, saying that admissions have grown significantly every month since June. "TBN is a national marketing machine, just because of what we do," he told Orlando Sentinel. "We have the ability, and have, and are doing, a lot of marketing through our television and broadcast facilities." Founders of TBN Paul and Jan Crouch, who have been criticized for their subscription to the "prosperity gospel," currently sit on the park's board. Damn, I was hoping for the "Holly Roller" Intamin Gigacoaster, the "Hades" woodie, or the "Jesus Juice" Flume ride!
CycloneMan Posted January 13, 2008 Posted January 13, 2008 I don't think I'd ride something called Jesus Juice
TheRapidsNerd Posted January 13, 2008 Posted January 13, 2008 "Come forth and be absolved...of parking fees." "Ask and you shall receive...a frozen coke." "Be HEALED! of high admission costs and bad hamburgers" "Come Play Holier Than Thou on the Midway!" "See the World's Largest Collection Plate!" "Confessional: The Experience. Leave your guilt at the door..." "Try out new Leap of Faith...waterslide." "Guilt Trips conveniently located throughout the park." "In case of moral emergency, break glass to retrieve Bible. Quote liberally and thump repeatedly." Well, I'd go see it... DISCLAIMER - While kidding about some of the experiences one might have with various religious followings, I whole-heartedly respect people's faiths and their relationships with what the deem higher powers and the means to better themselves and their fellow human beings.
HerBlackWings Posted January 13, 2008 Posted January 13, 2008 ^can seriously identify with, and understand christian MARKETING.
Team Thriller Posted January 13, 2008 Posted January 13, 2008 Sounds..um...intressting...um...a park themed after THAT! Um..like I said...intressting. --James
dewthedew Posted January 13, 2008 Posted January 13, 2008 I think they should put in an escalator ride,Like the one in Parque Espana. and call it stairway to heaven!
John Peck Posted January 13, 2008 Posted January 13, 2008 How about the "Jump for Jesus Trampoline ride" (Taken respectively from "Fletch Lives")
montezooma Posted January 13, 2008 Posted January 13, 2008 I hope that they sell big swirls of pink cotton candy, just like Jan's hair!
AlmereStars Posted January 13, 2008 Posted January 13, 2008 This park was an item on RTL Travel, a tv-program where the hosts go around the world. Chris Zegers went to Orlando and visited this place. looked really cool if you believe in god. but the question I ask is why do you wanna go there if you got the happiest place on earth just around the corner!
steel Posted January 13, 2008 Posted January 13, 2008 I've never been to this park and really don't have much desire to. I am a Christian and my faith is a big part of who I am, but sadly, a lot of christian music, christian movies, and in this case, christian theme parks usually represent poor quality. *agrees whole-heartedly*
UniversalGSHo22 Posted January 13, 2008 Posted January 13, 2008 The Holy Land is right across the street from my Super Target so I pass by it often. They have all the buildings wrapped in white lights and all the trees and signs. It looks really pretty. From what I understand from people that I have talked to about the park when you get there you have a tour guide of sorts that you follow around and they tell the storys of Christianity from beginning to end. You have to be with the guide the whole time and if you leave the guide then you miss out on the time line type tour. I have never been nor have any of my friends or family. I guess you see the birth all the way through the death of Christ. I am sure it is amazing for the message it sends out but I can't see myself spending a day there.... *shrugs* just not my thing.
TheRapidsNerd Posted January 14, 2008 Posted January 14, 2008 Ooooh. So this isn't a typical free roaming amusement park, it's a guided tour/Christus Gardens sort of thing. Bummer. And I was looking forward to battling Satan's minions on the bumper cars...
BarryH Posted January 14, 2008 Author Posted January 14, 2008 ^^ & ^Actually, there's a photo trip report from my visit in April 2005: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1565&highlight=holy+land It's also listed here: http://www.ioacentral.com/columns_archives/barrys_backwater_bar_stool/2006_02_04/
TheRapidsNerd Posted January 14, 2008 Posted January 14, 2008 Glad you posted this very unique experience. I still don't quite know what to make of it, but I do respect it, and the landscaping and detail is very pretty. This seems like it would be a hit with the various ministries and youth groups who travel around the nation. Interesting.
UniversalGSHo22 Posted January 14, 2008 Posted January 14, 2008 Thank you for the link to your TR! It was very interesting and the space is very pretty. I just dont think it is a place for me but based on your tp I will deffinatly not be so closed minded when people come into Guest Services and ask my opinion or ask what I have heard about it! I do know that during the time of year that Universal does Rock the Universe and Disney does Nights of Joy ( Christian Rock Festivals) that they do offer a huge discount for groups at Holy Land and they usually end up closing the park due to the volumes comming in! Good for them on that account!! Now THOSE stories are some interesting ones... those little prestine Christian kids at a Christian Rock concert are NOT SO PRESTINE!!! I really need to write a book!!!! Thanks Again for a GReat TR!!!
All Clear Posted January 28, 2008 Posted January 28, 2008 I almost went there the other day (1/26), but I couldn't find the place. I guess I had bad directions. I would've done Universal, but I only had a couple of hours to kill before my flight back home, so I popped in to SeaWorld again for a little lunch and Shamu. (I have a BGE platinum pass.) I guess I'll get down to the Holy Land next time, after the revamp.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now