ORLANDO, Fla. – Thousands of people are enjoying a free day at one of Orlando's theme parks.
[TRAFFIC ALERT: Check traffic conditions near you]
Holy Land Experience on Wednesday allowed visitors into the park without paying the regular ticket price. It's something the park has to do once a year in order to keep a tax-exempt status.
But Wednesday is the second time the park has hosted a free day. Jane Wilcox, the parks Guest Services Supervisor, says the last one held on January 28, 2014, was to meet tax requirements but that Wednesday was simply a charity day.
"It's a gift, it is a gift, I know that's hard to understand but it is a gift," said Wilcox.
Tickets to get into the park off of I4 and Conroy Road in Orlando usually cost around $50.
"We've just decided that this year, and in fact several years we've given a second day that's totally free of any strings connected with anybody or anything except that we want to do it," said Wilcox.
People started lining up hours before the gates opened at 10 a.m.
"We came here a few years ago and when we came that time, the interstate was a parking lot. We didn't get in but we decided to try it again," said Dana Holladay.
Holladay is with a small, local private school called the Woodruff Academy. She says teachers heard about the free admission Wednesday morning and made a last minute decision to go.
"We got all the parents permission, piled the kids in the cars and we came," said Woodruff.
Those who decided to brave the wait time, say they'll make the most of it.
"It's a good opportunity to meet people and take selfies, make the best of every long wait," said NJ Coolness.
Holy Land closes at 6 p.m. The park says everyone in line will get the chance to make it inside.