A Holy Land in America?

Someday I would like to visit Israel, the Holy Land of the Bible. Whether I will get to do that or not I don’t know but I was really amazed to find out that since 2007 there has been a Holy Land right in our very homeland, the United States of America. Of course, it is not the genuine Israel, but it comes in as the next best thing if one is unable to fly to the Middle East.
The good thing about this park is that there are no extensive airplane flights and airport nightmares or costs ( unless you have to fly to Florida), there are no time-zone adjustments (well, maybe a couple of hours depending on where in the U.S. you are coming from), and the atmosphere, weather and climate are much friendlier.
Where is this Holy Land?
It is a fifteen acre faith-based-museum-theme -park called The Holy Land Experience, in Orlando Florida. This park brings the days of the Biblical Holy Land to life in its unique and interactive way with its real to life sights and sounds.
This Holy Land Experience boasts of recreations and presentations of epic Biblically historical places and events, including reenactments and live theatrical performances using ancient and authentic artifacts.
Such as:
The Garden of Eden.
Model of the town of Bethlehem, where Jesus was born.
The shepherds field at Jesus’ birth.
The place where Jesus was born.
One could walk replicas of the streets Jesus’ walked.
Presentations of Jesus’ last days in Jerusalem.
The Garden of Gethsemane.
Jesus’ last day before Pontius Pilate.
Recreations of the dreaded walk down the Villa Dolorosa and the crucifixion.
Recreation of and description of Garden Tomb after Jesus’ resurrection.
Replicas of Israel’s Bell Tower of The Church of the Nativity.
Ancient priestly duties, and a tabernacle presentations including God’s Glory showing up as fire over Ark of the Covenant.
Replica of the temple.
Intricate model of Jerusalem.
They actually perform real baptisms in a crystal clear pond.
There is even an actual Jerusalem Street market with genuine Jewish merchants.
For the little ones there is a child’s adventure land with things to do and interactive presentations. The children enter the adventure land through the mouth of Jonah’s whale.
And the price?
Well, though there are no rollercoaster rides or Pirates of the Caribbean rides, a one day pass for adults is $45, youth $30, and ages 3-5 $15. Children under 3 are free. Pastors and their spouses can get in for free the months of January and February. Florida residents get a discount those same months.
It may not be Disney World, but it’s sure to be a spiritually inspiring experience worth much more.
I will probably visit there sometime in the near future, Lord willing.

http://www.holylandexperience.com/

I read some of the reviews, the majority of visitors really enjoyed it.  Most of the negative comments were regarding too much glitz and glitter in the presentations, once a show began people were not allowed to leave, (maybe because it would be too distracting) many thought that the cutouts of Jesus throughout the park brought the quality down, and did not like the cutout of a Jesus-looking angel sitting on a motorcycle.

Have you ever visited this theme park?  I would love to have your take on it.

By ~ Elizabeth Yalian 2014 ©http://hiseyeisonthissparrow.com.