Turtle Talk

[Bo'sMom]

After a recent trip to Disney (Dec. 10-15), I sat back and asked myself the question I do after each and every visit. What was one of the highlights of my trip? I have to say that Turtle Talk was this year's highlight. This is one of the greatest ideas Disney has come up with in recent memory. I think it can be overlooked, so I want to make sure that those of you who are going in the future, don't miss out on this. It is creative, ingenious, technically superb and just plain fun. While my 10 year old son sat there amazed and enthralled by the wonder of it all, I sat and wondered they came up with it. It is truly a wonderful experience that needs to be seen by ALL. Run, don't walk to this treat! You will be glad you did.

 

[pixiedust23]

What is it?

 

[lovethattink]

Dude, it is an interactive video starring Crush. Each viewing is unique as Crush responds to the audience and informs them about turtles. It amazed me, dude! By the way, children are instucted at the end to use to word "Dude" for the rest of the day.

 

[Bo'sMom]

It is in Epcot at the Living Seas. It is an animated/live action experience with Crush...the turtle in Finding Nemo. You enter a small theatre with bench seats. It only holds 130 people. Most of the small children sit up front on the floor. You look at what appears to be a large glass window aquarium. Before you know it, Crush shows up and starts talking to you. He answers questions on from the audience and tells you about turtle life under the sea. It is awesome. We are going back the end of January for my husbands business trip, and this is the first thing my son and I want to see when we go back. There is a great description of this attraction on this site.

 

[safetymom]

I agree. My family and I have been several times now and enjoyed every minute of it. The show is always different depending on the kids questions.

 

[MarkLem]

While not near being a highlight of our trip, it was enjoyable for our 3 year old, and definitely the highlight of the Living Seas attraction.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

We were there in November, not too long after Turtla Talk had opened. It turned out to be one of the most magical moments we had on that trip. However they get Crush to talk and interact, it is truly amazing. He swam right up to DD* and asked who that girl in the "pink shell" was. She told him "Grace!", so he started chanting something about 'Grace with the pretty face'. That just tickled her (and me and DW too). DS, who was ceklebrating his 5th b-day on that trip, kept raising his hand and trying to get noticed. Crush never quite saw him in time.

When the show was over DS came over to us with a red tear-streaked face, saying he wished Crush would have answered his question. We hugged him and told him Crush didn't have time to talk to everybody, but that we would remember to come see him again some day. By this time the theater had cleared and we were making our way out. Then behind us we heard this loud "DUDE!" Crush had come back out solely for the purpose of talking to my son. Crush said it was "his bad" that he missed DS' hand in the air. They talked for about a minute -Crush even let DS come up to the side of the aquarium and "give him some fin".

THAT is the reason I will be going back to WDW again. That made my son feel like the most special little boy in the world -and it was all above and beyond the call of duty. It would have been so easy for CMs to figure that it's the parents job to quiet down little kids. Show's over. Have a nice day. See ya later. Our family doesn't expect special treatement, and we sure were prepared to help DS cope with the disappointment.

But the fine CMs at Turtle Talk sure didn't let DS be disappointed. They took the extra time to make our little mouseketeer feel so special. I will always remember that. We went by Guest Relations and filled out a CM compliment card before we left that night.

Long story, but had to tell it. GO SEE TURTLE TALK! It is great.

 

[Regina]

It's fantastic! Turtle Talk

Zippa A, what a great story! It's always about those special moments. I'm so glad that you had some Disney magic come your way.

 

[figmentvi]

Well Zippa...I just came back from lunch and just finished touching up my makeup and thanks to you I have to go back and do it again

That was one of the sweetest stories I've heard in a long time. It really made me a little misty. How wonderful for you and your DS !!!!

 

[chrisn]

Your son had a really special "magical" moment. Reading your story made me get all leaky in the tear ducts. Happy tears are the best! We've had a few "magical" moments ourselves. Those are the motivation for going back!

 

[Bo'sMom]

Awww..Zippa that was a great story. I love it. Thanks for sharing. It really is a magical time for kids and parents alike. What a memorable time for your family. WTG Crush!

 

[NMAmy]

Zippa--what a great story!

DD,14, DH & I all loved Turtle Talk! DH & DD spent the afternoon trying to figure out how the heck they did it.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I agree--Turtle Talk was a highlight for us, too. We (my 5yo and I) went one day with my sister and my 81yo mom and we all loved it and another day with all of us and my brother-in-law. We all enjoyed it a lot. My son and I also went back on our last day. My son is very social and had no problem raising his hand and asking questions (he's the type that loves to be the center of attention, even in a group of stranger--lol). I'm going back soon with my 11yo, who is much more reserved and hopefully he will enjoy it, also.

T&B

 

[dolphindan1]

THANKS ALOT ZIPPA....now you got a 31 year old redneck teary eyed at work....I will never read one of your posts again in fear of crying....LOL....That was a wonderful story and that is why people are crazy for Disney moments like that

 

[the kabuki]

Turtle Talk is not to be missed, just make sure you head straight for it as soon as you exit the elevator to avoid the lines. I wonder how they're going to manage when more people find out about this, as the theater seems small

 

[FatCow]

It's really good. You should at least watch it once. Too bad sometimes there are dropped frames on the projection screen (rendering not fast enough?), but not enough for most people to notice.

It's a real fun experience. I'd rather be in "Turtle Talk with Crush" rather than the new Stitch show.

 

[Alice Sr.]

Wow - very, very touching, thanks for sharing. (And thanks everyone else for letting me know I'm not the only cry baby )

 

[Tigger&Belle]

It's really good. You should at least watch it once. Too bad sometimes there are dropped frames on the projection screen (rendering not fast enough?), but not enough for most people to notice.

It's a real fun experience. I'd rather be in "Turtle Talk with Crush" rather than the new Stitch show.

OK, please tell me how they do Turtle Talk. I know it's computer animated. but how do they do the personal interactions, the expressions, etc. When I was there a little girl asked how old turtles are when they are born. The expression on Crush's face and the way his body moved were so funny, expressive, and real looking. It's not as if there is a predetermined script that Crush has to follow.

T&B

 

[HollyJoy]

I agree! What a pleasant surprise this was. We ALL enjoyed it, and my girls are still talking about it. Crush is really great... he asked my older daughter what her name was, and when she replied, "Hannah", he started singing, "Hannah Hannah, bo banna, banana fanna .".etc.. Made her day!!! Two thumbs up!

Zippa, what a great story! Gave me goosebumps!

 

[FatCow]

OK, please tell me how they do Turtle Talk. I know it's computer animated. but how do they do the personal interactions, the expressions, etc. When I was there a little girl asked how old turtles are when they are born. The expression on Crush's face and the way his body moved were so funny, expressive, and real looking. It's not as if there is a predetermined script that Crush has to follow.

T&B

1. There are predetermined script that Crush has to follow. Watching it 5 times in a row, there are lines, scenes and preset animation that are used in order in between interaction. Basically there are 'only' about 3 or 4 true-inteeractive moments.

2. The camera on the top sides of the screens (lighted using infra-red) are being used to see the audience (they can only see the first couple of lines clearly hence only the first couple of lines of audience are participating)

3. For the voice, they use a voice changer by changing the voice characteristics (correct term: formant) to "Crush", this is a relatively cheap technology any audio formant plug-in can do (considering you have a clean "Crush" voice to shape the algorithm to begin with). These formant shifter can make anybody's voice into, say, my voice, Kermit's voice, etc.

4. Facial movement MAY (I'm just extrapolating here) use motion-capture which linked to some pre-set facial movements and gestures. This may be the cause of the frame-jump. Maybe it's not a frame-jump at all but instead a jump from one preset "motion-capture to pre-set" to another.