Review: Wal Mart TMNT sneak peek event

Most Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle events are not easy to get too.  San Diego Comic Con, New York Comic Con, Nickelodeon Universe, Nickelodeon Resorts, and so many other conventions and locations that hold TMNT events are located in one place.  People take a lot of work, making sure their workers know how to handle the crowds and giving those of us who can make it to their events fond memories to cherish forever.  Though what of an event that can cover the entire country?  Can they do the same with their workers and attendants?  One company just tried, having a TMNT event all the way across the country.  This is my review of Wal Mart’s showing of a sneak peek for Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles season 3.

The news came out earlier in the week.  I first saw it through the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Fan Club.  Wal Mart was going to have a sneak peek on Saturday September 27th at 2pm.  After learning of this news I checked my local Wal Marts to see which one I would be attending.  Seeing that the one in Rochester Hills, Michigan was on the list, I knew I could attend that location.  I promoted this event here on Cowabunga Corner through the website, facebook and twitter.  Hoping that Wal Mart would do their part and be ready for the fans.

On the day of the event I showed up at my local Wal Mart.  Never going to an event at Wal Mart, the first thing I did was ask the doorman where to go.  He knew nothing about the showing of the sneak peek.  So I went to customer service where I talked to a manager, who also knew nothing.  My folks went to the entertainment section, I decided to join them back there.  All the TVs on the back wall were showing Wal Mart ads.  None of the workers knew anything about the video, my dad guessed that it would start playing on it’s own. 

We stayed around and saw as the video started with some ads for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at Wal Mart, once the ad was over the episode began.  They played about five to six minutes of the episode, and finished with a note saying to see more watch on Nickelodeon October 3rd.  After the note faded, they played a handful of Ninja Turtle clips from ads to videos seen on www.nick.com  then they played the episode piece again, followed by the same ads.    One of the workers told us that they looked into this and was suppose to have popcorn too.  Though none was ever brought out.

My family was the only people that showed up to this location for the video. I did watch as others stopped and watched some of what they were showing.  Then would go on their way.  Workers were nice enough to turn up the sound for us, so we could hear.  Though it did not feel like an event.  A part of me was hoping that if people traveled to a store for a sneak peek that we would get the full episode.  Spending gas, and taking time out of our day.  I was also hoping that they would have each store that was hosting the event, informed on what was going on.  So they could be ready.  I did receive two more reports of other Wal Mart locations that I’ll like to share. 

A Wal Mart near Orlando, Florida that was hosting the event did not know anything was happening.  The viewer that went to watch it, found the TVs as well.  Though when the video came on, the workers refused to turn up the sound.  He had to watch it muted.  This was no way for a business to host an event.    The other location I heard about had the popcorn and masks, though the video never came on.  The viewer found out through a worker that the clipped played at 1pm, instead of 2pm.  There was about 30 kids there to watch a clip that  never aired.

It’s one thing for a company decide to host an event.  It’s another thing to make an event run like a well oiled machine.  While I love it that Wal Mart is giving the Ninja Turtles so much love with their ads, toy department and even trying an event.  It would’ve been a lot better if they sent out a mass message to their stores to make sure that each store included in the viewing knew what was going on.  Start the popcorn and mask giveaways to inform people and send them to the right area.  As well as having the video start at the right time.   

I did enjoy seeing the clip, I just wish it was a little more for the hassle it turned into just to find out where the clip was being shown and waiting to see if it was happening or not.  I will be watching October 3rd for the rest of this episode.

My thoughts on the clip shown.  This section of the review has spoilers. 

They show the end of the last episode of season 2.  Then show the Turtles arriving at the farm house.  Leonardo is placed in the bath tub.  Michelangelo is doing farm chores.  Donatello made a lab.  Casey is working on a truck.  Raphael is keeping an eye on Leonardo.  April is writing and drawing in a journal.  It shows the others still train while Leo is down.

Leonardo wakes up and comes down to the living room.  His voice is different, Casey addresses this as Donatello explains that Leo’s throat was injured.  Explaining his new voice.  Which behind the scenes is Seth Green.  It is a new voice for Leonardo, and may be a little bit to get use too.  I personally find it cool that they acknowledge it. 

Looking forward to see the rest of the episode.  A big thank you to Wal Mart for hosting an event, though please next time let your stores know about upcoming events so that your visitors can have a pleasant experience.

Did you go to your local showing of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Season 3 sneak peek at Wal Mart?  Was your Wal Mart informed of this event?  Please share your reviews, comments and questions below.