Discovery Cube OC Review and Thoughts

I have no idea why we had never been to Discovery Cube OC. Though after visiting just recently, we are now excited to return. 

 We had a magical time ( Can I say that, or is that reserved for a place that has a mouse?) 

The Discovery Cube is a nonprofit organization.

They inspire, educate, and impact.

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The boys had so much fun. It did get a little overwhelming, but that is nothing new in our autism world.  Plus, it was our first time there, and they did great, not knowing what to expect.

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I wanted to get there when they opened. But the morning didn't run as smoothly as I hoped and we got to the Discovery Cube a little later than planned. 

Getting to places when they open makes things less hectic in our world (autism). There's usually not that many people/ kids, and by the time people do start coming in, my boys have already acclimated themselves to the environment.

There was so much to see and do at the Discovery Cube — so many hands-on things.

There was a first floor, a second floor and outside.

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Wow! It was amazing. My youngest did, at one point, get over simulated and tried to bolt from me. Though with the help of my oldest, we caught him before he went too far.

He wanted to run and do his own thing. It is hard at times when there are many other kids, and they don't understand the overstimulated, anxiety of my happy, and bouncy boy.

My boy was on sensory overload and loved it. 

He even found sensory time in the quiet corner of the reading area and rolled around on the floor that had shag carpet.

I was highly impressed with the family bathroom.  It was a reasonable size. It even had a cute little potty for the little ones. Our huge disability stroller also fit, and we even had room to move around. 

Ok, that was a mom thing loving the bathroom, I doubt the kids were as impressed as I was. 

Each end of the building, they had elevators. We had to take them since it was all stairs (we had a stroller)  to move from one floor to the other.  

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Their cafe was busy, and it looked terrific, though we didn't stop to eat, the line was a little long for us. 

My little one does suffer from anxiety, and I didn't want him to feel crowded with many people around.  Maybe next time.

Being an autism mom, I would highly recommend Discovery Cube OC. It is hands-on, educational, with plenty of space, and all the staff that I encountered were fantastic.

This autism mom is most definitely looking into a family membership with parking added. 

It's an excellent place for the kids.

I would love to see Discovery Cube have a "special needs hour."  But that's just my wishful thinking. 

A "Special needs hour" is time typically before a place is open to the public.

Some places we attend have it once a month on a Saturday or Sunday, another place we go to have it every Saturday. 

 I love that hour of quiet before places open to the public. The kids could go at their speed, and if they flap or drop to the floor, we are among others that understand the anxiety of others.

Right now Discover Cub Oc has 

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CASTLE BUILDER: BUILD YOUR KINGDOM!

OCTOBER 12, 2019 - JANUARY 26, 2020

Age Group: All Ages

Included with General Admission

Kids and families are transported to a kingdom where they become master castle builders, building their own castle brick by brick! It takes creativity and skill to plan, build, and run a castle. Explore the world of Castle Builder to learn the planning skills necessary to build a castle able to sustain your kingdom and ward off attacks. The king and queen of the realm need a new castle and have summoned the best castle builders in the land to create a new home for their family.

Build, Build, Build!

Builders of all ages and skill levels can construct castles, learn about real-world castles and their building secrets, and plan their ideal castle’s defenses. The Builders Guild is divided into three age-appropriate build areas: 7+, 3–6, and Toddler.

Explore a Giant Castle

Explore the inside of the royal castle full of decorations and the king and queen’s thrones.

Aim a Catapult

Build a fortress wall on-screen and test its strength with a virtual catapult.

Defend the Castle Walls

Climb into a lookout tower and slide back down to the ground.

See a dragon

In the dragon’s cave, children and adults can create and share their own fantastical stories that feature castles as the setting.

coming soon 

THE SCIENCE OF GINGERBREAD

NOVEMBER 29, 2019 - JANUARY 6, 2020

Age Group: All Ages

he sweetest season at the Cube returns this winter. The Science of Gingerbread is the Discovery Cube’s annual holiday tradition that runs from November 29th to January 5th, 2020. Join us for Southern California’s largest Gingerbread Competition and Display. We’re accepting gingerbread structures November 23rd through December 8th at both campuses.

Benefits of participating in the competition:

Enter for the chance to place and win a one-of-a-kind prize.Practice your engineering, math, and creativity skills.Get invited to an after hours awards ceremony where winners will be announced.Design, bake, and build with your family, co-workers, or friends!

Download entry form and contest rules here.

The Science of Gingerbread daily program includes:

Can You Build it? Show: Using only wooden building blocks, families are invited to build and compete together in a variety challenges.Gingerbread Man Escape: Families and kids help the Gingerbread Man run, run as fast as he can by designing, building, and testing his escape vehicle.Design a Food Model: Kids practice the engineering design process by inventing and designing their own food model.Cookie Decorating: Kids learn about the primary and secondary colors as they mix their own colored frosting and decorate their own sugar cookies.Tallest Tower Challenge: Families use only spaghetti and marshmallows to build the tallest tower. (Weekends only)

*Activities, times and dates subject to change without notice.

HOLIDAY FAMILY NIGHT – DEC. 7

DECEMBER 7 @ 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Age Group: All Ages

Holiday and science festive cheer everywhere! This event features delightful carolers, mulled wine for adults, an early learner activity, stage shows, Gift photo with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and all of our Science of Gingerbread activities and more.

This one-night-only exclusive event is sure to bring out the Holiday spirit in you and your family. So throw on your best Holiday ugly sweater and come party with us! Rare are the places where you and your family can experience science and holiday cheer under the same roof.

Cost: (per person)

Non-Member $40

Member $35

Ticket Includes:

Complimentary ParkingExclusive access to the entire science centerA complimentary glass of mulled winePerformance from festive carolersFree souvenir photo with Mr. and Mrs. Santa ClauseEarly learners storytime and activityLED Ornament making activityElectrifying Holiday Science Stage ShowHoliday movie shortsCookie DecoratingGingerbread Man Escape workshopCan You Build It? Interactive Stage ShowPlaydough Creation workshopLight refreshments and dessert barBean Sprouts Café – Open for Dinner 6PM – 8PM

Check their website for so much more.

BECOME A MEMBER

Whether you’re repeating an experiment or pursuing an awesome idea to its conclusion, further study is at the heart of science exploration. An annual membership embraces this by giving families a chance to come back, again and again, throughout the year. An annual membership allows you to try out another activity, see a new exhibit, or polish your skills on a favorite exhibit. The learning fun continues, as does the adventure that families enjoyed during their previous visits.

So break out your calculators: It’s a terrific value that usually pays for itself in less than two visits and is fully tax deductible. Our members enjoy discounts, as well as benefits and exclusive offers.

To learn more about membership benefits, click here.

MEMBER BENEFITS

Unlimited admissionAccess to THREE awesome campuses!Discounted guest ticketsFREE or discounted admission to 300+ ASTC Science CentersSpecial invitationsSummer Camp priorityE-newsletter and Discoveries magazineScience Store and Bean Sprouts savings!3-D Movie discountsBalboa Fun Zone!

Your membership also entitles you to attraction discounts at the world-famous Balboa Fun Zone in Newport Beach, California.

Download Visitor Guide

MEMBERSHIP LEVELS

Dual Membership $79

Includes 1 named Adult or Child Member and 1 Free Guest Pass per visit.

Already a member? If so, click here.

Family Membership $124

Includes 2 named Adults and 4 named Children (3-17) living in the same household. Add up to two additional children for $20 each.

Already a member? If so, click here.

Family & Friends Membership $203

Includes 2 named Adults, 4 named Children (3-17) living in the same household, and 2 Free Guest Passes per visit. Add up to two additional children for $20 each.

Already a member? If so, click here.

Discovery Cube OC Discovery Cube LA Ocean Quest

Annual Parking Pass $15

Visit Discovery Cube OC three-or-more times in a year and you’ll save on stowing your car.

Discovery Cube is a 501©3 nonprofit organization. Your annual membership is 100% tax-deductible!