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AttractionPros brings you into the room with the top leaders, executives, and influencers in the attractions industry, to gain the widest possible perspective of all areas of the industry. Most people are only exposed to the practices of their own organization without seeing how the rest of the industry operates. By following AttractionPros, you will gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed and learn from the best of the best, whether you are the CEO or just beginning your career.
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Tuesday Mar 18, 2025
Tuesday Mar 18, 2025
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Allen Greene is the Senior Design Director at Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum. With a background in theme park design and experience working at Kings Island and with firms like Jack Rouse Associates, Allen brings a wealth of expertise in immersive storytelling and attraction development. The Ark Encounter, a life-size recreation of Noah’s Ark in Williamstown, Kentucky, and the Creation Museum, located 45 minutes away, are part of Answers in Genesis, an organization dedicated to faith-based educational experiences. In this interview, Allen talks about building the ark, designing through the lens of the guest, and faith-based attractions.
Building the Ark
“It was a unique goal for our team to try to recreate as real as possible Noah’s Ark, but also in such a way that it’s a themed experience that anybody can walk into.”
Constructing the Ark Encounter was a massive undertaking that combined biblical history with modern building techniques. The Ark itself is the largest timber-frame structure in the world, standing at 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet tall. Allen describes the meticulous planning process, including consulting with shipbuilding experts and using standing-dead Engelmann spruce harvested from Utah. The project required a balance between authenticity and modern guest expectations, incorporating accessibility features such as elevators and ramps while maintaining the look and feel of an ancient ship. The design team worked in parallel with fabricators to build immersive exhibits inside the Ark, ensuring that guests could engage with the story of Noah in a meaningful way.
Designing Through the Lens of the Guest
“Having a frontline exposure, and seeing what guests naturally do, the questions they ask, the desires they have, that comes into the designs that we think about every day.”
Allen’s early career in ride operations at Kings Island helped shape his approach to attraction design, giving him first hand insight into guest behavior and operational challenges. This experience influences his design philosophy at Ark Encounter, where guest flow and storytelling are seamlessly integrated. The Ark’s three decks follow a structured narrative—preparing for the flood, life on the Ark, and life after the flood—providing a mix of immersive sets, historical exhibits, and interactive displays. Balancing thematic integrity with practical functionality, the team ensures that guests not only experience the story but also navigate the attraction comfortably. By continuously evaluating guest feedback and operational pain points, the team refines exhibits and pathways to enhance the visitor experience.
Faith-Based Attractions
“What we’re trying to create is more than just a fun day at a park. It’s more than just escapism. We want people to experience an encounter, not just with the Ark, but with God.”
Faith-based attractions like Ark Encounter differ from traditional theme parks in that they strive to provide a deeper, more meaningful experience for visitors. Allen explains how their mission extends beyond a single visit, offering resources such as books, educational programs, and Vacation Bible School materials to help guests continue their journey at home. He also acknowledges the challenges of catering to a specific audience while maintaining an inclusive environment where all visitors, regardless of faith, feel welcome. The team aims to balance entertainment and education, using modern tools like virtual reality to bring biblical stories to life in new and engaging ways. The demand for wholesome, family-friendly attractions continues to grow, and Ark Encounter seeks to meet that need by providing a space where guests can both enjoy and reflect.
For more information about the Ark Encounter, the Creation Museum, and upcoming events like Spark at the Ark, visit arkencounter.com, creationmuseum.org, or answersingenesis.org. You can also connect with Allen on LinkedIn.
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- Scheduling and correspondence by Kristen Karaliunas
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