Theme Park Rangers Radar: Pipeline signs, Holy Land memories, more minion news
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.
Radar is a weekly gathering of news and notes from Central Florida’s theme parks and attractions. It appears on OrlandoSentinel.com on Wednesdays.
Seen at SeaWorld
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.
There have been physical additions since the ride opened, particularly with signs. Among them are conservation messages and long-term restoration goals for coral reefs. It’s also a chance to learn about colpophyllia natans (a k a brain coral). (Fun fact: the term colpophyllia natas is rarely seen in the Sentinel.)
The signs leading up to the coaster are retro highway-sign style but without Burma-Shave rhymes.
Another fun fact, provided by the SeaWorld signs: “Florida’s reef tract is the third-largest barrier reef system in the world.”
On a recent visit, there was a sand sculpture of the Pipeline logo and what appears to be a surfboard on a wave photo op that were roped off.
A slight disappointment: After passing through the turnstiles and walking through the first plaza, you’d be tempted to hang an immediate right to the coaster. It’s right there, just past the gates to the old Bayside Pathway. But no, there’s also a surfboard-inspired sign pointing left, the opposite direction.
This detours folks into Seaport and a walk around Seafire Grill and Flamecraft Bar. It’s not a crisis, barely an inconvenience, but I’m adding that potential shortcut to the official theme park wish list.
A whole lot of Holy Land
It’s jarring to see Holy Land Experience be bulldozed. Sure, the big round building near Interstate 4 looked old, but wasn’t. But it’s not surprising the auditorium (which seated 2,000 people) didn’t fit into the plans of AdventHealth, which purchased the property in 2021.
I visited Holy Land several times over the years. Here are my top five memories.
• Inside the auditorium, known as the Church of All Nations, was an enormous LED wall the width of a stage. It was used perhaps more effectively than I’ve ever seen a backdrop in the parks.
• More amazing was the nearby Scriptorium, an exhibit of manuscripts, scroll and rare volumes of scripture dating back to antiquity. And it was literally steps from the interstate. Holy Land owners never wanted to talk about the Scriptorium for a story.
• On an early visit, there was an end-of-day crucifixion re-creation that was bloody and intense, not sugar-coated. (Visitors angled to get the best photo, which was … uncomfortable.) Later, it was switched to the resurrection of Lazarus, more of a celebration.
• I prefer to think of the charismatic Holy Land Jesus that I saw spiel off a greatest hits of the New Testament for 15 minutes. He gathered the little children around him and talked about giving sight to a blind man and how hard it was for a rich man to get into heaven. At the time, I wrote that Christ was the rock star of the Holy Land Experience and noted that he rocked a “Johnny Depp ‘do.”
• Some readers didn’t like the Depp ‘do comment, although I stand by it as a compliment 16 years later. But one caller back in day said “I can only imagine that you were assigned this story because of the evil that’s contained in your last name.”
Quick hits
• Speaking of evil, the Evil Things store connected to the upcoming Villain-Con Minion Blast attraction is now open at Universal Studios.
• Speaking of minions, a Minion Land statue/sign teeming with the little yellow guys has been erected. (Trivia: There are 21 minions involved, if you count the purple evil minion, and why wouldn’t you.)
• Walt Disney Co. has announced some of the musical talent for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the revamped Splash Mountain ride at Magic Kingdom and Disneyland. PJ Morton, keyboardist for Maroon 5, is writing an original song for the attraction. Terence Blanchard, who played the trumpet parts of Louis in “The Princess and the Frog,” is in charge of musical arrangements for the queue, leaning into “Frog” songs. Morton and Blanchard are New Orleans natives.
Weekend outlook
• Upcoming performers in Garden Rocks concert series include the Spinners (Friday and Saturday) and the Commodores (Sunday and Monday). They are part of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.
• SeaWorld’s Summer Spectacular programming is underway, including “Ignite” fireworks, ClubGlow dance party and “Surf Holiday” stage show.
• Science Night Live, an adults-only event, is set for Saturday at Orlando Science Center. (Advance tickets required.)
• Fun Spot’s online sale on single-day passes begins at 12 a.m. Saturday and ends at 2 p.m. The deal is part of the attraction’s 25th anniversary. Purchases can be made at fun-spot.com.
• The Orange County Regional History Center will display the Pulse memorial crosses Saturday, Sunday and Monday, the seventh anniversary of the nightclub shooting. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Monday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. (Admission to the museum is free during these times).
What’s on your radar? Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com.
