A Trip to the Holy Land Experience - Orlando

Guest bloggers Frank and Vivian Scott share their trip to the Holy Land Experience in Orlando Florida.

My wife, Vivian, and I have always wanted to go to the Holy Land, but she won’t sail on a ship and I won’t fly.  How could we get there?

---

We decided that the next best thing would be to visit Old Jerusalem at the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida.  We headed out the last week of February with camper in tow.  After a stay in Woodbine, Georgia for a week we moved on toward Claremont, Florida.  After getting the camper set up and all settled in we ventured on over to Orlando to scout out the Holy Land and to buy our tickets.

It was real important to buy the tickets in advance because by the time the gate opened the next morning, there was a very long line waiting at the ticket window.  The price of the ticket was $32.00 each and by purchasing them the day before we could advance quickly through the gate into Jerusalem.

---

The next morning with camera in hand we met Moses at the gate to Jerusalem. He gave some instructions to the crowd, prayed that all would have a wonderful visit and blew his Shofar  (Ram’s horn). The gate opened at 10:00 a.m.  Once inside we were free to move around the grounds at our leisure.  The grounds were beautifully maintained and attendants dressed in the attire of that time period greeted us everywhere we went. There were multiple shows happening so we had to decide which we wanted to see, for you cannot see them all in one day.  

---

After being shown the replica of old Jerusalem we were told about many things that happened during the days of Jesus. We purchased the video of the presentation and a drawing of Old Jerusalem.  By that time, we were feeling a bit hungry.  The snack bar offered a variety of good food and the prices were very reasonable. 

We enjoyed views of the “water dance,” the shops, took many pictures and saw more shows in the afternoon.  The last show of the evening was the “passion of Jesus” which is breathtaking to say the least.  There was live interaction with the cast and it all appeared so realistic.  The grand finale was the resurrection of Jesus as He took His place on the Throne in heaven.  The gates closed at 6 p.m.  The Holy Land Experience in Orlando was definitely the highlight of our trip.

We may never set our feet on the soil that Jesus walked upon, but we are looking, watching and waiting with anticipation, for the return of our Savior.  That is our “Blessed Hope” which the Bible calls the “anchor of the soul.”   

---