fdecker said:This attraction was new when we saw it and we did not know any better than to wait in a ridiculous line. It is a great thing for very young children, but I think that people should be warned exactly what this is so they aren't disappointed like we were. It is a very cool special effect where a computer generated "Crush" on a large projection screen interacts with the audience.
If it weren't for the "wow" factor of a computer animated character with lip sync and clever programmed moves like "surprise" and "run and hide" able to react in "real-time", it would be no different than a guy in a turtle costume answering questions from kids sitting in the front of the very small theater. Once you know the secret, it's a pretty easy trick, though it took a lot of computing smarts and today's fast machines with advanced graphics rendering to accomplish. Some of the secrets are published in Disney's patents over the last 10 years, so anyone can figure out the "magic" of the control system if they so choose.
Imagine a classroom with small stadium benches and a large screen up front. A cast member with a microphone introduces Crush and then he takes questions from the audience. Obviously there is another cast member with acting and improv skill and a decent SoCal surfer accent listening and watching from a hidden location. He has control over the characters movements such as lifting a flipper, spinning around, talking, etc. He will say things like "yeah Dude, the boy with the red shell (baseball cap), do you have a question?" Then if a child asks something like "how old are you", the actor can give an accurate fact about how old turles of his type can grow to be. So it is part science lesson, part child character greeting.
We hade a 1 y/o a 16 y/o and a 12 y/o. We left about halfway through as once we saw the effect to say we did, it just was not our cup of tea. I would imagine that anyone over the age of about 8 or 9 would be terribly bored and very disappointed after waiting in such a long line when they could have seen something more fun. Then again, if you have little ones and revel in their sense of wonder and can be entertained by watching their reaction, you may find it worthwhile.
julia & nicks mom said:Well - I am 33 - went with my inlaws and mom who are all in their 60's and we were as in love with the show as our kids
fdecker said:This attraction was new when we saw it and we did not know any better than to wait in a ridiculous line. It is a great thing for very young children, but I think that people should be warned exactly what this is so they aren't disappointed like we were. It is a very cool special effect where a computer generated "Crush" on a large projection screen interacts with the audience.
If it weren't for the "wow" factor of a computer animated character with lip sync and clever programmed moves like "surprise" and "run and hide" able to react in "real-time", it would be no different than a guy in a turtle costume answering questions from kids sitting in the front of the very small theater. Once you know the secret, it's a pretty easy trick, though it took a lot of computing smarts and today's fast machines with advanced graphics rendering to accomplish. Some of the secrets are published in Disney's patents over the last 10 years, so anyone can figure out the "magic" of the control system if they so choose.
Imagine a classroom with small stadium benches and a large screen up front. A cast member with a microphone introduces Crush and then he takes questions from the audience. Obviously there is another cast member with acting and improv skill and a decent SoCal surfer accent listening and watching from a hidden location. He has control over the characters movements such as lifting a flipper, spinning around, talking, etc. He will say things like "yeah Dude, the boy with the red shell (baseball cap), do you have a question?" Then if a child asks something like "how old are you", the actor can give an accurate fact about how old turles of his type can grow to be. So it is part science lesson, part child character greeting.
We hade a 1 y/o a 16 y/o and a 12 y/o. We left about halfway through as once we saw the effect to say we did, it just was not our cup of tea. I would imagine that anyone over the age of about 8 or 9 would be terribly bored and very disappointed after waiting in such a long line when they could have seen something more fun. Then again, if you have little ones and revel in their sense of wonder and can be entertained by watching their reaction, you may find it worthwhile.
fdecker said:Once you know the secret, it's a pretty easy trick,