Mechanized Dinosaurs Come to This Area - TribPapers
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Mechanized Dinosaurs Come to This Area

Children ages ten and younger who weigh 140 or fewer pounds can ride on Jurassic Quest dinosaurs. Photo provided.

Greenville, S.C. – The traveling Jurassic Quest exhibit for families is coming to an hour’s drive of many Hendersonville-Asheville area residents this coming weekend.

The mechanical “animatronic” dinosaurs will be in the Greenville Convention Center in Greenville, S.C. on March 24-26. Promoters bill it as the “largest and most realistic traveling dinosaur experience in North America.”

The herd of life-size, detailed dinosaurs includes a huge Tyrannosaurus Rex (T-Rex), which was the king of the prehistoric world, an 80-foot-long Apatosaurus, and a super-tall Spinosaurus.

There are various life-sized dinosaurs. Each one’s skin varies in how soft or firm it feels to the touch. Many move about. Some can be ridden while they walk. Only youths aged ten and younger who weigh 140 or fewer pounds can ride on “walking dinosaurs.” Riders must wear socks to prevent ankle scrapes. Other dinosaurs are stationary while being ridden, to keep youngest children at ease.

Jurassic Quest’s mechanized dinosaurs vary in size. Photo provided.
Jurassic Quest’s mechanized dinosaurs vary in size. Photo provided.

A Bungee Pull and Dino Bounce Houses are among play areas. Children can touch baby mechanical dinosaurs in the Baby Dinosaur Show. Babies include Tyson the T-Rex, Trixie the Triceratops, and Cammie the Camarasaurus. There is training of a bird-like mechanical raptor.

Youngest children can frolic in the Tricera-Tots “soft play space,” while others can enjoy the Crafts and Coloring Station.

Educational Aspect

The educational element includes the Fossil Experience and fossil digging. People of all ages can enjoy seeing a life-size replica T-Rex skull and what promoters say are authentic fossils such as T-Rex teeth and a horn from a huge Triceratops.

The Quest at Jurassic Quest is an interactive challenge with ten clues, and a reward for finishing all of the activities. During the exhibit, patrons can text their questions about dinosaurs to “Park Ranger Marty” at (844) DINO-411/844-346-6411.

The self-guided experience typically takes one to two hours. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Greenville Convention Center is near U.S. 385 and North Pleasantburg Drive (S.C. 291).

Ticket prices vary by age for Jurassic Quest. General admission is $22 for people aged 11-64, $19 for those aged 65 or older (showing an ID), and $22 for standard (ages 2-10) children’s daily admission. Ride and activity tickets are bought on-site. The unlimited child’s admission includes unlimited rides, all “inflatable attractions,” and such activities as fossil digging. Toddlers younger than age two get in for free. To buy tickets online, go to: https://jurassicquest.shop/greenville-sc.