Encounter the Wonder at the Ark Encounter

Encounter the Wonder

Our massive 510-foot-long Noah’s Ark (that’s over one and a half times the length of a football field!) will become a screen for a remarkable animated program that will play three times each evening of ChristmasTime (at 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m.). The first images will be of the Creation account, then the Flood—including a cutaway of the inside of the Ark, animals going up the ramp, and the floodwaters rising—then the babe in the manger, and finally the Cross and Resurrection of Christ.

If you’ve been to Disney World, you’ve probably seen their video projection on the castle. Ours will be of that quality (though the program will not be as long). But ours will have a powerful Christian message that will proclaim the gospel. It will be spectacular, and we pray it will be life changing for our guests.

Get a Sneak Peek

Here are two behind-the-scenes videos about this jaw-dropping program that have been put together by our very talented video team.

This first video shows a “motion capture” session that records action. An actor puts on a motion capture device connected to a 3D rig in the computer, so anything the actor does is recorded on that rig. The information can then be applied to the 3D characters of Adam, Eve, Noah, and many others who will appear in the final production. This method is a huge time saver for animating characters.

This second video shows how the production team actually records physical elements to create some of the effects that are incorporated into the show. In the video, the artists record the flow of black ink to simulate some of the fluid, watery motions that will be needed for the depiction of the Flood account. This footage is then brought into the computer and composited into the final video, along with many other amazing elements.

Here are two sneak peeks of what this stunning show will look like on the side of the Ark:

Free Event Admission

And did I mention that admission to the Ark Encounter grounds for ChristmasTime is free? Come see our stunning “Encounter the Wonder” video program—along with everything else we have planned (see below)—for just the cost of parking! Parking is $10 ($15 for oversized vehicles). So load up your car and bring as many people as you can to this gospel outreach.

Lights, Shopping, Food, and More

In between the showings of our video program, enjoy strolling around the Ark grounds and viewing the beautiful lights and seeing the Ark lit with the rainbow colors. You can also grab some delicious food or a warm beverage in Emzara’s Buffet or at any of our other delicious food vendors, shop in our massive fair trade market, ride a camel, meet the goats decked out in Christmas sweaters, explore the Ararat Ridge Zoo, or tour the three decks of exhibits inside the Ark. While admission to the grounds is free, a ticket purchase is required to tour the world-class exhibits in the three decks of the Ark or ride the camels.

And that’s not all—the Ark grounds are open for free (except for the parking fee) from now until February 28, 2018, so you can come and enjoy the zoo, go shopping, or grab a bite to eat throughout the winter.

ChristmasTown at the Creation Museum

And, of course, you’ll want to come to the Creation Museum, 45 minutes away, for ChristmasTown, December 8–30 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) 5–8 p.m.

This annual Christmas program has become a tradition for many families. Enjoy our stunning garden of lights, a live nativity, roaming Bible characters in period costumes, delicious food and festive drink options, concerts on many evenings, camel rides, zip line adventures, and more!

Admission to ChristmasTown is free (ticket purchase is required to tour the Creation Museum’s walk through history exhibit)—you just pay a minimal parking fee of $5 ($10 for oversized vehicles). We encourage you to bring your family and friends to the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum this Christmas for our special family-friendly events.

Plan your visit, and learn more, at ArkEncounter.com/christmas and CreationMuseum.org/christmas.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.