Traveling dinosaur show calls Conroe home
Jurassic Quest’s immersive event, born out of Spring couple’s dinner conversation, lets life-size beasts roam cities nationwide
CONROE — Jurassic Quest’s Nick Schaefer describes paleontology — the study of ancient life, from dinosaurs to prehistoric plants and more — as a gateway science.
An interest in paleontology can lead to exploration of the other sciences too like engineering, astronomy and more, because they can all relate back to dinosaurs and ancient plants, he said.
Schaefer is a fossil expert and customer experience specialist for Jurassic Quest, billed as North America’s largest and most realistic dinosaur event. Guests walk through the Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic Periods and experience for themselves what it was like to be among dinosaurs of all kinds. Special lighting, plant settings, sound effects and electronics add to the authenticity of the immersive experience.
More than 100 true-to-life-size animatronic dinosaurs are a part of the traveling show.
And all the artistry and inspiration for these shows begins and ends in Conroe and South Montgomery County. The home office is in Conroe, and several warehouses are in South Montgomery County.
The concept was launched by Dan and Leticia Arnold of Spring in 2013 following a lively discussion about dinosaurs at the dinner table.
Dan Arnold had a background marketing and touring consumer electronics shows. They built the show slowly at first, and then the idea took off.
A second touring show was added in June 2016. In 2019, the show was acquired by the company L2.
In collaboration with leading paleontologists, each dinosaur has been replicated in every detail.
Whether their prehistoric counterpart had skin that was scaly, had feathers or fur, Jurassic Quest has spared no expense in bringing the dinosaurs to life. The exhibits also allow future paleontologists to dig up fossils, ride their favorite life-sized dinosaur, enjoy walking dinosaur and baby dinosaur shows.
A team of 40 travels with the show, and 20 additional workers are hired in each city, said Kim Stoilis, director of communications. Sixteen 18-wheeler trucks “migrate” the dinosaurs from the warehouses in South Montgomery County to show cities across the nation and into Canada.
She said Conroe is a good base because of the ample space and the close proximity to the Port of Houston for international links.
“We feel rejuvenated when we return to Texas,” she said. “Then we take that spirit to the other cities.”
Currently staff is preparing for a show in Shreveport. Their models are in the “repair shop” warehouse in South Montgomery County getting a “checkup” before heading back out on the road.
At the heart of their experience is accuracy and education. “New things are constantly being learned,” Schaefer said of the field of paleontology.
“The love is in the details,” said Stoilis.
For example, Velociraptors portrayed as larger in movies are only roughly the size of a turkey, said Schaefer.
In addition to the shows, the company does do hospital visits and virtual meet and greets. They also partnered with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation to bring exclusive dinosaur-themed experiences to children at pediatric hospitals throughout the country.
The dinosaur experts are always taken aback about kids knowledge of dinosaurs. Stoilis said even the youngest among them know the T-Rex.
“I’m so amazed and enamored by how smart kids are,” she said. “We’re teaching them but they’re teaching us too. The kids are so fun and so smart.”
During the pandemic Jurassic Quest was able to re-imagine their experience into a drivethru event in some cities.
The drive-thru show features over 70 life-like dinosaurs including the very popular T. Rex, Spinosaurus and Triceratops. Jurassic Quest’s herd of animatronic dinos are displayed in realistic scenes that allow guests to experience them roaring and moving from their own vehicles as they drive their way through the tour.
For a schedule of upcoming shows and more information, go to jurassicquest.com.