Holy Land Experience in Orlando

[Brich1]

Has anyone ever gone to the Holy Land Experience in Orlando?

As a Christian it looks very interesting - but not sure if it would be worth the expense and time??

Any advice?

 

[cleo]

Hi Britch, and welcome to the DIS!

I have not been to the Holy Land, but I am going to bump you over to Orlando Resorts and Attractions to see if someone can give you an answer.

 

[rlyrehc]

We went to the Holy Land Experience this past October. We had wanted to visit is several times in the past but felt the same way that you did. This time my dad was with us and as a former preacher it was very important to him to get over there so we made sure that we made the time.

I would suggest it on a short day (ie the first or last day or a day that you need a break.) It had some GREAT shows-the crucifiction of Jesus starts right in the streets and passes through the crowd on the way to Calvary. There is also a petting zoo which is fun for the kids-watch out for the camel, he spits. There is a museum that has ancient scrolls (1st century scroll of Esther is Beautiful!) There is also a replica of an Old Testament tabernacle.

Every Christian or Jewish person would enjoy this park. (Although a Jewish person wouldn't like the Crucifixian play, they could skip that if they wanted to.) It isn't nearly as active as Disney but it is neat to visit so that you can visualize certain parts of your Bible.

One thing that was fun was...about 20 minutes before the Crucifixian show, the Roman centurians came out and stood at attention at the outer parts of the crowd. Although everybody took pictures nobody approached them. I tried to talk my family members into taking a picture with them but everyone was embarrassed. Finally I got exasperated with everybody and said "FINE! I'll take the picture with them." and stomped over and stood between the two nearest us and smiled. Both guys turned inward towards me and gave me a menacing look and growled. I busted up laughing and saud "Hurry up! They are growling at me!" That broke the ice. Everybody realized that they wanted people to approach them and they continued to play with anybody who came to take a picture. It was a fun way to pass the time while we waited for the show to start.

If you've done Disney before and you aren't afraid that you'll miss too much being away, this is an great side trip.

 

[2minny]

that's very interesting information, we may just have to visit on our next trip, we'll have a bit more time. Thanks for the details!

 

[kimbac3]

I'm hoping to go on our trip. I'll have 13,10 and 7yr olds with me. Would they enjoy it? Is the crucifiction really intense? We are going here before Disney so the kids won't be disappointed with it.
Thanks!
Kimba

 

[ncbyrne]

DH and I did this on our last trip and truly enjoyed it! There is a lot to see and do and much of the timing is scheduled throughout the morning and early afternoon. If you want to get the full benefit of the admission price, be sure to be there when it opens and plan to stay thru so you can see it all. There is a huge replica of the Holy City inside one of the buildings - there is a speaker who stands in the middle of it and points out everything and puts it into perspective with distance and time frames. VERY interesting!!! The museum is also really neat, with things you'd never expect to see this side of the Jordan! There are a few fun Christian plays too. These are held in an outdoor theater and the day we were there was brutally hot. Several people used rain umbrellas for shade - a really good idea! There are neat things throughout the park to look at, but you really need to experience the planned things on the schedule to appreciate the Holy Land Experience. They also have a really good gift shop. I bought some really nice Christmas cards on a clearance rack.

 

[GorshGoofy]

I just got back from WDW and went to the HLE on Monday January 31st. I found it to be a well designed park with a couple of exceptions. The scale model of Jerusalem was "behind that red door on your map" ... no signage. I also felt rushed through the "Scriptorium" exibit. Having said that I'll also say that it was a great way to bring Biblical history to life. I was impressed and would encourage its support. I was there on an off-season day but would like to return on a holy season day.