Kristina Goetz, and Bobby Shipman

The Courier-Journal

WILLIAMSTOWN, Ky. – As visitors bustled about the third deck of an imposing Noah’s Ark replica, Faye Toler sat in quiet reflection.

She rode a bus all the way from Pensacola, Fla., with other seniors from East Brent Baptist Church for opening day of the Ark Encounter, which features a full-size ark as described in the Bible's book of Genesis.

“It actually takes you – and I was surprised to see this – from the beginning to the very end for the crucifixion" of Jesus, Toler said, looking across the vast expanse of timber. “To me, it’s seeing God’s word fulfilled. … It’s awesome just to see the size of it. We have electricity, equipment. And they were doing all this by hand. To me, that is unimaginable.

“It’s a place you’ve heard of. You want to go see it. Just like the Great Wall of China.”

RELATED: What to know if you're visiting the Ark Encounter

After six years of legal, financial and public relations battles, the Ark Encounter welcomed more than 4,000 visitors by mid-afternoon Thursday, its first day open to the public, and officials expected many more before the ark closed at midnight. On the preview days for Ark supporters, crowds reached 8,300 on Tuesday and 7,000 on Wednesday.

The $100 million first phase of the attraction, with the ark as its centerpiece, is billed as a family-oriented experience. Visitors see Noah's family in prayer at the start of the flood. Screeching, roaring and tweeting noises can be heard as guests make their way through exhibits that show the different types of creatures aboard the ark.

Another part of the exhibit shows how Noah's family lived on the ark and took care of the animals.

The attraction is the latest outreach effort of Answers in Genesis, a nonprofit ministry that believes in a literal interpretation of the Bible from the first verse.

People from across the United States and the world – Scotland, Switzerland, Australia and England – traveled to the controversial attraction in Grant County to see Disney-worthy displays and meet other like-minded believers.

The explanation-heavy displays aim to convey the belief that the Bible is factual, not just allegorical.

The Ark Encounter and its sister attraction, the Creation Museum, present a biblical view of creation and what the organization describes as "the truth of Scripture."

In a view that runs contrary to mainstream science, the group believes the account of the Earth's origins presented in Genesis is a simple but factual presentation of actual events: that the world was created in seven consecutive, 24-hour days, that it is 6,000 years old, and that the great flood described in the Bible was an actual, worldwide event. The group believes that fossils were created by the flood and that dinosaurs and humans lived at the same time.

RELATED: Creationists, protestors debate at Ark Park grand opening

Though the zip lines weren’t yet ready, guests did find their way to the on-site restaurant and petting zoo after exploring the ark. More zoo animals – a kangaroo, zebra and camels for riding – are expected to join the alpacas, emus and donkeys soon.

Matthew Thomson, who traveled from Riverside, Calif., was first in line. He had been following construction of the ark online and said he had to be on hand for opening day. He said he hopes it brings people to the Christian faith and strengthens the faith of those who have lost their way.

“I’ve been very encouraged,” he said.

Along with the believers and those just curious about the architecture of the ark, about 150 protesters stood with signs along the highway exit just up the road from the park. They included atheists, free thinkers and others opposed to the up to $18 million in state tourism tax incentives the Ark Encounter may receive.

“This is an important protest,” said Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists, a national organization. “This is the mass dumbing down of children at taxpayers’ expense. This is one man’s vision of his personal religious beliefs plus $100 million. And they’re using that money to push something that is provably wrong onto our children in this country."

Silverman said the ark makes Christians and Christianity look ignorant.

“I’m here to ask the Christians of Kentucky to rise up and realize that they are being hurt by something that is promoting ignorance in the name of their religion,” he said.

Reporter Kristina Goetz can be reached at (502) 582-4642 or at kgoetz@courier-journal.com. Reporter Bobby Shipman can be reached at (502) 582-7079 or rshipmanIV@louisvil.gannett.com

IF YOU GO

Ark Encounter

Address: 1 Ark Encounter Drive, Williamstown, Ky.

Hours: July 7 to Aug. 15, daytime admission is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., evening admission is 5 p.m. to midnight. Starting Aug. 16, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets: Ages 13 to 59, $40; ages 60 and up, $31, children 5 to 12, $28, children under 5, free.

Information and tickets: 855-284-3275 or arkencounter.com