
Sure, the big round building near Interstate 4 looked old, but wasn’t. It’s jarring to see Holy Land Experience be bulldozed. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) A whole lot of Holy Land A worker hoses down debris as the demolition of the 2,000-seat Church of All Nations auditorium continues at the former Holy Land Experience theme park near the Mall of Millenia in Orlando, Thursday, June 8, 2023. It’s not a crisis, barely an inconvenience, but I’m adding that potential shortcut to the official theme park wish list. This detours folks into Seaport and a walk around Seafire Grill and Flamecraft Bar. (Fun fact: the term colpophyllia natas is rarely seen in the Sentinel.) It’s also a chance to learn about colpophyllia natans (a k a brain coral). Among them are conservation messages and long-term restoration goals for coral reefs.

There have been physical additions since the ride opened, particularly with signs. Pipeline, the Surf Coaster is settling in a SeaWorld Orlando, greeting visitors with consistent screams - particularly during that first flat launch - near the entrance to the theme park. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel) Seen at SeaWorld A surfboard sign at SeaWorld points toward the entrance of Pipeline.


Radar is a weekly gathering of news and notes from Central Florida’s theme parks and attractions. We’re strolling through Orlando attractions past, present and future in this week’s Theme Park Rangers Radar as Holy Land Experience comes tumbling down, SeaWorld’s Pipeline coaster makes itself at home and there is movement around Minion Land at Universal Studios and the Tiana ride at Magic Kingdom.
