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Holy Land Experience
| Review: | In what has to be one of the most unusual choices for a themed attraction in Orlando, the Holy Land Experience is a religiously based attraction with exhibits and live shows. Attractions and Exhibits
The ScriptoriumProbably the best attraction in the park, the Scriptorium Center of Biblical Antiquities is a 55 minute tour of the history of the Bible. The tour showcases authentic artifacts from the ancient Middle East through colonial America. Along the way a recorded narration provides information on the antiques. The artifacts are displayed in elaborately themed rooms which also contain some special effects that add excitement to the tour. This tour is a must visit for all guests to the park. Jerusalem Model 66 A.D This exhibit features a model depicting Jerusalem at 66 A.D which was the height of its glory before the destruction of temple. The elaborate detail of the model is impressive and you can easily spend a few minutes soaking in all the little touches. There are no signs or information located near the model, so it's highly advisable to catch one of the model presentations. The presentation goes into historical information on many of the building depicted in the model, and shows the path of Jesus' last night before crucifixion. Wilderness Tabernacle In the Wilderness Tabernacle, guests sit in an indoor theater and watch a recreation of the ancient rituals performed on the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur. The dramatization is very tastefully done, as the "high priest" simply mimes the motions. Another clever move is that the tabernacle itself is made of a thin fabric, which allows the audience to see inside of it when lit from inside. The "high priest" eventually ends up in the Holy of Holies where the Ark of Covenant was kept. Having a visual understanding of these rituals is very fascinating; this is probably the most informative attraction in the park. Seed of Promise The Seed of Promise is a 20 minute film showcasing God's plan for mankind as written through the Bible. The film depicts many famous scenes in the Bible and may be a little too graphic for sensitive viewers. I would say if it was rated under the MPAA rating system it would probably receive a PG-13 rating. Shows: Holy Land Experience is host to some impressive live productions which rotate throughout the year. Here are some of the highlight shows: Praise Through the Ages This live production takes audiences through the history of worship music from Hebraic chant to contemporary Christian. In between songs a narration gives a look at the development of artistic expression in paintings through the years as well. The southern gospel number is an audience favorite, and the high energy contemporary Christian numbers turns into an audience sing-a-long. Moses The original musical dramatizes the events in Exodus when the Pharaoh of Egypt decreed that all Hebrew male children be drowned. Moses' mother through her bravery and courage saved the life of the man who would eventually free the Israelites from slavery. Centurion Another original musical based on the New Testament account of the centurion who asked Jesus to heal his ill servant. The show creates a back story behind this event and treats the event as a metaphor for all those who feel unworthy to come before Jesus for healing. The music used in the show was quite good and was expertly sung by its cast. Behold the Lamb Passion Drama The longest running show in the park, Behold the Lamb is also one of the most moving. Using songs such as "Via Dolorosa" and "Behold the Lamb" this passion drama tells the story of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Good Points Those who are deeply interested in the Bible will appreciate a lot of the exhibits as they give visual information which is helpful for understanding some details. For example, the Wilderness Tabernacle brings to life many scriptures giving the audience a visual understanding of them. The theming and landscaping around the park is quite lovely, I especially love the signs around plants that give biblical background and scriptures on them. The performers in the live productions are very talented and the shows are generally quite well done. The park is well laid out and there aren't any long lines (or lines at all for that matter). Bad Points The park is very expensive considering it consists of only four attractions beyond its live productions. The food in the park is also overpriced and not particularly appetizing. The exhibits are not very in-depth about their topics so people who are well versed in the Bible or its history may not learn a lot of new information. Everything at the Holy Land Experience ends in some form of an altar call or sermonizing on the topic. While I understand the passion and commitment to the beliefs the creators of the Holy Land Experience have, any guests who do not share the same beliefs as the park may feel very awkward and even those who do share the same beliefs may find it condescending and repetitive. Some guests may find the live shows' depiction of Jesus with white robes and long hair to be offensive and some may be bothered by a human portraying him in the first place. Tips for Touring: Make sure to check out the show schedule as soon as your arrive, shows often do not repeat and you don't want to miss the show you wanted to see. If you arrive at park opening at 10:00 am, there is a guided tour of the entire property. Holy Land Experience is definitely designed to cater to the devout Christian audience. It is a little expensive, but it's also dealing with a specialty audience which makes it understandable. For those looking for an inspirational park with some fascinating information on Bible history as well as some fantastic live shows, the Holy Land Experience offers one of the most unique journeys you'll take in Orlando.
This review is provided by OrlandoVacation.com
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