Holy Land Experience

[[File:Orlando_crucifixion2.jpg|thumb|right|165px|''Always look on the bright side of life...'']]{{pseudohistorynav}}
'''The Holy Land Experience''' was a 
series of gift shops linked by Biblical tableaux
 theme park located in Orlando, [[Florida]],<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220304221603/https://www.tbn.org/holylandexperience The Holy Land Experience] (archived from March 4, 2022).</ref> run by the [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]] designed to show you (yes ''you'', you miserable [[sin]]ner) the historical Middle East from a [[Fundamentalist Christianity#United States|US fundie]] perspective.

==General information==
While Da Vinci's Notebook calls something else in Orlando the "[http://disneyworld.disney.go.com promised land]",<ref>[http://www.lyricsoncall.com/lyrics/da-vincis-notebook/magic-kingdom-in-the-sky-lyrics.html  Da Vinci's Notebook - Magic Kingdom In The Sky lyrics]</ref> this is the Real Thing.  It featured in  [[Bill Maher]]'s movie ''Religulous''.<ref>[http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-movie-review-religulous-010108,0,4421023.story ''Orlando Sentinel'': Movie review: 'Religulous']</ref> 

The "majestic gates of The Holy Land Experience" opened on February 5, 2001.<ref>[http://www.holylandexperience.com/about/history.html HLE: History]</ref> Initially opening on Sundays, the HLE dropped the practice in 2005<ref>[http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/go2-ver3-tourismnews-holylandsunday,0,5041117.story Holy Land attraction will close on Sundays]</ref> "to give the staff… time to spend that day in worship". (There's nothing like getting a break from work!)

In 2011 entry to the Holy Land Experience would set an adult back $35<ref name="entry">Online discount rate of $31 (July 2, 2011)</ref> for a full day's pass, with concessionary rates for youths (6 to 12 years) and for children (3 to 5 years) of $20 and $9 respectively. In 2012 prices for an adult were hiked 14% to $40, while those for youths increased by 25% from $20 to $25 - although a youth was redefined as 6 to 18 years - and children escaped with a mere 11% rise to $10. 

The HLE was founded by a Jewish-born [[Baptist]] [[Religious leaders | minister]], Marvin ('Marv') Rosenthal. Marv is also chief executive of Zion's Hope, a ministry devoted "toward reaching the Jewish people for the Messiah".<ref>[http://store.zionshope.org/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SSS&Category_Code=DN0000 Silver Shekel Shop - Make a donation]</ref>  The [[Jewish Defense League | Jewish Defence League]] picketed the HLE on its opening day, concerned that the park aimed to convert Jews to Christianity.<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/02/05/national/main269646.shtml CBS News: Controversy at Religious Theme Park]</ref> 
After experiencing financial difficulties and racking up debts of $8m, the HLE was bought by the [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]] in June 2007 for $37m. In order to reduce property taxes by $300,000 it agreed with Orange County that it would provide free admission for one day each year, but the date of free entry remains a closely-guarded secret "out of concern over a possible 'uncontrollable situation'".<ref>[http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-cfborl-beth-kassab-holy-land-06062909jun29,0,4064379.column ''Orlando Sentinel'': Holy Land free day still a mystery]</ref> However, the HLE managed to cope with the maximum daily limit of 2000 in 2010.<ref>[http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/os-holy-land-experience-free-day-20101005,0,4117240.story ''Orlando Sentinel'': Thousands flock to another free day at Holy Land]</ref>

[[Herman Cain]] visited the HLE in November 2011 as part of his campaign for nomination as [[Republican Party | Republican]] candidate for the [[2012 U.S. presidential election | 2012 presidential election]].<ref>
[http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/herman-cain-holy-land-experience-130621445.html Herman Cain and the Holy Land Experience]
</ref>

In February of 2020 the ''Tampa Bay Times'' reported that as of April 18 of that year the park would lay off 118 employees and end all theatrical productions and other entertainment, though the Church of All Nations and the museum would remain open. <ref>https://www.tampabay.com/arts-entertainment/2020/02/18/christian-theme-park-holy-land-experience-will-lay-off-118-workers/
</ref> By March 14 of that year, the entire park was closed. In the following year, the park was sold to AdventHealth, a Seventh-day Adventist health group and hospital network. Ultimately, the property was decided to be used for a new emergency room with the attractions themselves demolished starting in late April 2023.<ref>[https://insidethemagic.net/2023/04/demolition-starts-at-floridas-most-unique-theme-park-cj1/ ''Inside the Magic'': Demolition Starts at Florida’s Most Unique Theme Park]</ref>

==Attractions==
[[File:HLE_live_shows.png|thumb|Not what you might expect.]]
Any visit to HLE was not complete without "HOLY COMMUNION with Jesus" (10:30, 10:45, 11:15, 1:30, 1:45, 2:00, 2:15, 2:30, 4:00) and one couldn't forget:
    
{|class="wikitable", width=800
!colspan=4|ISRAELI HOLY SITES – Authentically Reproduced 
|-
|Garden of Eden
|Bethlehem Bus Loop
|Shepherd’s Field 
|“Eyes of the Lord” & “Pieta”
|-
|The Jesus Boat
|Tiny Town of Bethlehem
|Birth Place of Jesus
|Bethlehem Bell Tower
|}

==Recipes!==
The Trinity Broadcasting Network transmitted a biblical-themed cookery program called ''Manna from Heaven'' hosted by chef Christian Andre Pitre [sic]. A sample Christmas recipe featured on the HLE site comprises authentic Holy Land dishes such as:
*Bacon Breasted Goose (we kid you not) in 
*Spiced Acorn Squash ({{wpl|squash}} being, of course, a New World food)
*Chocolate Cheesecake Pumpkin Pie ({{wpl|chocolate}} and {{wpl|pumpkin}} being, of course, New World foods)

==See also==
*[[Dinosaur Adventure Land]]
==External links==
*[https://archive.is/skcTo Official website] (Archive snapshot, 2013)
*[http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/sns-holyland-themepark,0,3656401.story ''Orlando Sentinel'': The Holy Land Experience; Blending 20 centuries into a living Bible museum]
*[http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2011/dec/23/holy-land-theme-park-florida ''The Guardian'': The Holy Land Experience: Florida's Christian theme park, (23 December 2011)]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}
[[Category:Christian fundamentalism]]
[[Category:Florida]]
[[Category:Pseudohistory]]

Categories: Christian fundamentalism, Florida, Pseudohistory