'Thomas & Friends' Rides Into SoCal at Discovery Cube

Will was in train heaven at the "Thomas & Friends" exhibit at Discovery Cube Orange County.

Kids who love Thomas & Friends will want to get on board the newest exhibit, Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails, at Discovery Cube in Orange County. The lovable tank engine and some of his trusty pals have arrived at the science center in Santa Ana and will be staying through January 4.

Will was thrilled the moment he walked into this magical space, filled with everything from large versions of Thomas himself and fellow train Percy to tabletop train sets and photo booths. He loved boarding the Thomas and pretending he was an engineer, as he worked the knobs and buttons like a pro.

Will takes in the view from the Thomas window.

Kids also had the opportunity to dress up as a conductor and sell tickets, load up Percy's coal box, fix his wobbly wheel and just play with the dozens of toddler-sized train sets that dotted the exhibit.

One highlight was meeting Sir Topham Hatt and catching a screening of "Thomas & Friends: Tale of the Brave." While Will was a little too wiggly to watch the entire hourlong film, CC caught the fun movie, which finds Thomas and friends finding some very large, very mysterious footprints after a huge storm creates a massive landslide.

Will, CC and I meet Sir Topham Hatt.

And while the Thomas exhibit was definitely a huge draw (particularly for the train-loving Will), CC was drawn to other parts of the Discovery Cube, including the insect section and the eco-friendly grocery store.

Get ready, parents! You're in for full, fun-filled day.

Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails
Discovery Cube Orange County (Through January 4)
2500 N. Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Tickets: $16.95 (adults), $12.95 (kids 3-12), Free (kids 2 and under)