The Orlando-based park featuring exhibitions of the Holy Land is getting a complete makeover and marketing support from owner Trinity Broadcasting Network in an effort to boost attendance.
TBN, which acquired ownership of the park last June, plans on giving The Holy Land Experience a top-to-bottom makeover, complete with biblically themed children's playground equipment, fresh live entertainment, and numerous TBN-produced high-definition movies, according to TBN General Counsel John Casoria in an Orlando Sentinel report.
Other stylistic improvements will include fresh carpet, paint and decor such as statues to several new food kiosks, evening lighting and state-of-the-art audio and video equipment.
The park hours will be extended and plans for a TBN TV studio across the street for the network's recently purchased Orlando TV-52 television channel are underway.
Changes to the park, called a "living Bible museum" when it opened in 2001, are much in need. For years, the Holy Land has struggled with sagging attendance and financial troubles including $8 million in debt. In 2006, the park reported an annual attendance of 200,000.
The attraction was also involved in a lengthy dispute with the Orange County Assessor’s office over its tax-exempt status. TBN bought the park for $37 million in the same month Florida Gov. Jeb Bush signed a law exempting the Holy Land from property taxes.
The transition of ownership was described by spokesmen for both sides as more of a handover than a takeover. In the process, more than 50 employees - or a quarter of the work force - were fired or laid off, the Orlando Sentinel had reported in October. Employees, however, had estimated that nearly 100 workers had been cut from the payroll.
Casoria has rejected claims that such changes have adversely affected the park, saying that admissions have grown significantly every month since June.
"TBN is a national marketing machine, just because of what we do," he told Orlando Sentinel. "We have the ability, and have, and are doing, a lot of marketing through our television and broadcast facilities."
Founders of TBN Paul and Jan Crouch, who have been criticized for their subscription to the "prosperity gospel," currently sit on the park's board.
Comments
My family is getting ready to go there in a couple months. We are really looking forward to it.
I took my family and I have to agree that there were not many people there. It is a great place to visit. I did not find it silly. They did an excellent job on the streets and the markets. They have a fabulous model of the temple. They also threw in some apologetics after the resurrection was acted out. The kids enjoyed the animals. It is disapointing that it hasn't gotten more visitors. I am glad we had the opportunity to go, before it may have to close.
I've been a couple of times and it was quite a snoozer each time. It is hard to believe it has stayed open as long as it has. It has a great premise and I hope that with new management this thing can get on the right track. There is a huge scale model of Jerusalem that must be seen.
Jesse
jesserolandministries.tripod.com
I think I’ve seen pictures of this place before… they had a kind of post-raptured feel to them, in other words, there was nobody there. I guess that’s why they’re trying to “boost attendance”
The article states, “more than 50 employees - or a quarter of the work force - were fired or laid off”
Can you imagine what that would do to your ego… “I’ve been fired from the Holy Land!!! Ahhh!” Would you put it on your resume, that you where tossed out of the Holy Land. I wonder if the other employees stoned these losers on their way out.
Dannypoo........relax man!
A "Holy Land" theme park is a lovely idea. I prefer that idea to something like Disneyland.....that realy is silliness...all those costumed comic characters!
I much prefer the "Holy Land" theme park and I really hope to go there one of these days.
Uhh..ya know...I am a conservative Christian, and even I Hate the Idea of a "holy land" park. Just screams...sillyness to me...