Zion of the Rockies

  

Zion of the Rockies

Recreation of the Crucifixion of Jesus at the park
Location	Colorado Springs, Colorado, Brazoria
Status	Operating
Opened	April 2002 (2002-04)
Owner	Calvary Entertainment
Operated by	Calvary Entertainment
Theme	Bible
Operating season	Year-round
Attendance	1.5 million
Attractions
Total	24
Roller coasters	3
Water rides	4

Zion of the Rockies (stylized as ZION of the Rockies) is a Christian-based theme park, museum, and resort complex in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is owned and operated by Calvary Entertainment, a Christian entertainment company. The amusement park features 24 attractions including 3 roller coasters and 4 water rides. It operates year-round and is closed on Sundays and the Christian holidays of Easter and Christmas. The park includes theming that recreates the appearance and architecture of 1st-century Judaea. A large-scale replica of Noah's Ark also sits within the complex as the amusement park's most distinguishable landmark. The Zion of the Rockies also houses the Biblical Museum and Botanical Gardens of the Rockies, a museum and arboretum featuring collections of antiquities and artifacts that document the history of the Bible. There is an on-site nondenominational church called the Church of the Rockies that provides weekly services and Sunday service when the park attractions are closed.

The size and success of the Zion of the Rockies has led to its description by some as the "Christian version of Disneyland". It has been a popular destination for Christian evangelicals in Anglo-America and has been criticized for its perceived attempts at proselytization, including its promotion of Young Earth creationism. The Biblical Museum and Botanical Gardens of the Rockies states that it is officially nonsectarian and has denied any attempt to "promote any particular Christian theology, other than the simple truth of the Gospel".

History

Zion of the Rockies' Noah's Ark Encounter attraction

Zion of the Rockies was opened in 2002 by televangelist Drew Hansen and Young Earth creationist advocate John Hansen (no relation). The amusement park was part of the Hansens' vision of creating a Bible-themed entertainment center that was ideal for Christian families and as an alternative to secular amusement parks elsewhere in North America, as well as a place to promote Young Earth creationism. The idea of a creationist-themed attraction park had been proposed by John Hansen since the 1990s. Drew Hansen had similar ideas and the two met at a Brazorian evangelical conference in 1995. The Hansens conceived initial concept designs for the Zion of the Rockies which included a planned community that would be constructed adjacent to the complex, complete with a miniature recreation of the Jordan River and Mount of Olives. There would also be a field for patrons to ride animals such as camels and ostriches. However, Drew Hansen was initially unable to obtain approval from the Colorado Springs municipal government for his various proposals and reduced the scope of his vision to an amusement park. In 1998, John Hansen won the mayoral election and used his political latitude as mayor to fast-track approval and construction of the park. The park would consist of three parks: the main Zion of the Rockies, Dinosaur Adventure, and Noah's Ark Encounter. The former would focus mainly on New Testament themes whereas the latter two placed emphasis on John Hansen's peculiar form of Young Earth creationism, known as "Hansen's Theory".

The Zion of the Rockies performed commercially well during its first years and as a result, the complex expanded to include the Biblical Museum and Botanical Garden of the Rockies. Construction of a full-sized, biblically-accurate Noah's Ark also began in 2004 in conjunction with Calvary Entertainment and the Intelligent Design Institute, which was completed in 2007. The Ark would become the Zion of the Rockies' landmark attraction and its interior featured a number of exhibits. In 2006, John Hansen was removed from the Zion of the Rockies' board of directors and the park distanced itself from John Hansen due to Hansen's unrelated, ongoing legal issues.

Elements of the early park design were reintroduced in 2009 with the expansion of an indoor shopping area, theater rooms, and hotel lodgings. The park also received donations from various Christian organizations and churches, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Plans were halted when a fire broke out on August 11, 2010 during closing hours, damaging a third of the park. The total cost of repairs was more than $80 million and resulted in the permanent closures of six exhibits. Further financial troubles occurred when Hansen was convicted of sexual abuse against his church secretary, ending his televangelism career. Calvary Entertainment offered its plan to purchase full ownership and control over the Zion of the Rockies. The sale was for $120 million and was finalized in 2012.

Following the Calvary Entertainment's takeover, the park underwent additional renovations and resumed plans of expansion. The reputational damage caused by both of the Hansens caused the park to suffer from lower turnout and falling revenue which Calvary Entertainment sought to redress. It updated a number of attractions and closed exhibits that did not receive enough foot traffic. Plans for a Michelin-starred restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine were unrealized and instead, a large food court was constructed instead. It also secured partnerships with Christian private schools throughout North America as the destination for school field trips. In 2014, Zion of the Rockies, in attempt to be more inclusive of Christendom, attracted media attention when Pope Ignatius was invited to the park. His visit was met with mixed reactions as the largely evangelical demographic which the park catered to were generally opposed to Catholicism.

List of attractions

Rides

Thrill level (out of 5)
1 (low)   2 (mild)   3 (moderate)   4 (high)   5 (aggressive)

Ride	Picture	Opened	Manufacturer	Description	Thrill level
Creation Carousel		2002	Silverstein Rides	A merry-go-round carousel featuring animals from Noah's Ark as described in the Book of Genesis	1
Dancing Angels		2002	Silverstein Rides	A Teacups type ride	3
Great Galilee Adventure		2007	Ultima & Drex	A nautical themed log flume dark ride attraction which features audio animatronics and scenes depicting life on the Sea of Galilee during the life and ministry of Jesus, including the pivotal Jesus walking on water scene	5
Jonah's Big Fish Ride		2004	Calypso-Fiesta	A swinging pirate ship	3
Star of Bethlehem		2006	Calvary Entertainment	A dark ride with special effects depicting scenes from the Nativity of Jesus	2
The Big Swing		2002	Regilus	A classic family swing ride where riders in individual or paired swing sets orbit the central tower	3
Zion of the Rockies' Big Wheel		2002	Calypso-Fiesta	A classic Ferris wheel themed after biblical characters	2

See also

• Salvation Mountain Park – similar theme park near Slab City, Imperial