The Saturday Slow-Down: Turtle Talk With Crush

The entrance to "Turtle Talk Theater"

Last time on the Saturday Slow-Down...

...we strolled into the Disney Animation Building in the Hollywood Backlot for some down-time in The Parks.  Today we're going to look at one of the many interactive options within one of our favorite buildings; Turtle Talk With Crush.

Turtle Talk With Crush is one of the very first rooms we went into the first time we went into the Animation Building with our kids many years ago, and so holds some pretty special memories for us (more on that in a future post, so stay tuned). 

The premise behind Turtle Talk is pretty simple.  Audiences gather in a "theater" where they interact, real-time, with Crush from "Finding Nemo".  A Cast Member is on hand to help move the show, which usually lasts between 10 and 15 minutes, along.  The children in the audience typically sit down front with a parent to get a better view of our favorite sea turtle, and so they can be in prime "turtle talking" distance.

Crush makes his appearance much to the delight of children and big children (a.k.a. "adults")

After explaining the process to the guests a computer generated Crush comes on screen to talk to the audience, as well as taking and answering questions from the kiddies.  We won't spoil the entire show by explaining exactly how it's done (you can probably guess much of it for yourself), but it's always great fun sitting in the audience and listening to the different types of questions both the kids and the adults in the audience throw in Crush's direction.  One of my personal favorites was hearing a little boy in front asking Crush if he enjoyed eating fish.  The look on Crush's face was priceless.  And one of our own kid's best was asking Crush where Nemo was to which he replied, "Is that little dude lost again?!"  The kids absolutely love their giant turtle friend, and a lot of times we'll go in for the show even when we don't have our own children with us.

Crush seems to be pondering the meaning of life. Either that, or he's rolling his eyes at some adult's inane question.

So, the next time you're in Disney California Adventure, give Turtle Talk With Crush a look-see.  Just be prepared with a question to ask the big guy should you be called upon.  You don't want to be one of "those people" who stumble, and generally cause a lot of laughter (and not the good kind), when given the opportunity to shine. 

Looking back we've probably spent about 40 minutes in the Animation Building at this point (if not more), but we'll say we've spent 20 minutes in the lobby watching movie clips and listening to music, and 20 minutes in Turtle Talk. 

Next week, we'll move on into the Sorcerer's Workshop and see what that interactive room has in store for us.  Can't wait!

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