better than the real thing

January 31, 2003 2:41 PM

It's been 2,000 years since the world has seen anything like this! As it says on the site: "In concept, The Holy Land ExperienceTM is an idea whose time has come . . . In quality of construction and theming, The Holy Land Experience compares favorably with some of the finest museums found anywhere in America. And in terms of Christ-honoring Christian venues, we believe it sets a new standard." I've never been, but you can bet I will be on my next trip to Orlando! (link via Mobtown Shank)
posted by _sirmissalot_ (17 comments total)

It's like Ned Flanders' amusement park!
posted by pjdoland at 2:44 PM on January 31, 2003

Does this theme park include it's own intifada?
posted by Loudmax at 2:46 PM on January 31, 2003

I may be wrong in this and memory may be shortchanging me, but isn't this the spot where the Jews for Jesus guy from NJ set up shop, much to the chagrin of many Jdws without Jesus folks?
In any case, it is one of the beautiful things about Florida that if you can't always get what you ask for you can try
http://www.floridasplendidchina.com/ and get perhaps what you need.
posted by Postroad at 2:58 PM on January 31, 2003

That's not a joke, is it?
posted by xmutex at 3:06 PM on January 31, 2003

posted by entropy at 3:06 PM on January 31, 2003

Yes, folks. This is the town whence I hail. Revel in its splendor.
posted by grrarrgh00 at 3:10 PM on January 31, 2003

HolyLand USA was located in Waterbury, CT. You can still see the giant cross on the hill if you are driving west on I-84 from Hartford.
posted by Joey Michaels at 3:22 PM on January 31, 2003

that's not right. i mean, just scroll down to the soft drink menu.

everyone knows that god prefers coca-cola.
posted by grabbingsand at 3:43 PM on January 31, 2003

"The $10 million project is being funded and built by Zion's Hope Inc., a Christian ministry to Jews, and should open — the Lord willing — in 2000. [11/14/1999]" Interesting. Thank-you Roadside America

Guess that explains the Jaffa Hotdog. Umm. Nevermind. I would love to see actual pictures of this place. I have a feeling the Flander's map isn't doing it justice.
posted by Zoyd Wheeler at 4:02 PM on January 31, 2003

Spoke to soon. Actual PIC of THLE. Not exactly a full house....
posted by Zoyd Wheeler at 4:08 PM on January 31, 2003

Praiseland
posted by eddydamascene at 5:06 PM on January 31, 2003

well thats the venue for the world metafilter meetup
sorted then!
posted by sgt.serenity at 5:16 PM on January 31, 2003

well thats the venue for the world metafilter meetup
sorted then!

consider me there . . . and save me a Goliath Burger!
posted by _sirmissalot_ at 6:09 PM on January 31, 2003

"Six Flags over Jesus".

Really, someone please tell me this is a joke.
posted by Zonker at 6:17 PM on January 31, 2003

I'm reminded of the letter I got years ago from a friend of mine who'd visited Jerusalem, and ranted in disgust about 'The Holy Land Mini-Golf' and other excellent manifestations of belief amongst the faithful in the cradle of christianity.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 8:10 PM on January 31, 2003

Holy Land™ attractions:
The Wild, Wild, West Bank Stunt Show Spectacular
Tower of Babel Rollercoaster
Big Thunder Mountain Hejaz Railroad
Earthquake: Jericho!
The Amazing Adventures of Lieber-Man
The Golgotha
Hadj to Mecca Maze
Honey, I Parted the Red Sea
7 Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor
Fievel's Playland
Silk Road Go-Karts
Ben-Hur Bumper Cars
Job: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Terminator 2: Judgment Day 3-D
Whirling Dervish-Cups
Zoroaster's Wild Ride
Dead Sea Waterpark
posted by steef at 8:52 PM on January 31, 2003

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I leave with you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you." (John 14 or so, I think)

It takes about 5 minutes of listening to KLOVE (or most other Christian radio stations) to realize that they may have missed this passage. How a subculture that mercilessly reviles modern media values has also managed to completely immitate its forms without a shocking moment of introspection is one of the big mysteries to me.

Maybe I'll set up a booth with tracts about the idea outside the theme park.
posted by namespan at 10:36 PM on January 31, 2003