Ninja Turtles Tour near Chicago Review

[IveyAngelo]

Hi everyone,

Here's the story... the scoop... the news....

We all know that the Offical TMNT web site did an add for the Turtles Tour, listing all the places they're going to be and the dates.   That was all they listed, so I called earlier this past week to find out the times on when the Turtles were going to be at both places...  Joliet had the Turtles shedualed from 9am to 11am  and in Aurua was 2pm to 4pm.  So to see these costumes live myself and to be able to let people know what I can about the show.  I decided to go on the trip.  

My mom and dad decided to come with me on the trip.  All the way to Chicago I heard my mom and dad talk about how they can't wait to get into a hot tub and pool.  Once we reached the hotels in Joliet we found everything was booked because of Nascar races (which I did post about already).  We had to find a hotel in the Northern part of Aurura, which ended up not even having a hot tub and pool.  So I did feel sick, my mom and dad came for the hot tub and pool... and yet there's not even any there and it's a drive out of the way... wasteing gas.  If I was alone, I would of slept in my car behind the Toys R Us... save on gas and on hotel fee by doing that.  Though dad was handling the hotel fees.

Once we got to the Joliet Store at 9am, we learned the Turtles were not there yet... "May have been held up by Shredder.." one of the workers said.  Though we waited for two hours, and no Turtles were coming there... so we went got food and drove over to the other Toys R Us for the 2pm show... got there two hours early, so waited around... once again a no show... the stores were both upset.  

Joliet :   Had everything set up for them, had over 100 children + adults.   Though because the Turtles didn't show up they gave out $10 gift cards to all of the kids that came to see the Turtles.  So they lost around $1,000 in gift cards because the Turtles were no shows.   They also spent about $200 in things that they were required to have ready for when the Turtles when they got there.  They also had to spend $300 for the Turtles to even come to their Toys R Us (which better be sent back to them).

Aurura:  They were warned by Joliet of what happened, took down all their signs and put things back to how they belong.  Though still already put the money into what was needed.  So they too lost out.

I watched hundreds of disappointed children , boys and girls that came to see the Turtles.   Also I got to talk to the maganment of both Toys R Us stores I went too.   They were not happy either, and very disappointed... esp with the fact that the people doing the Turtle Mascot jobs did not answer or return their calls.  The company was suppose to call the Toys R Us  places before each Gig to let them know what was going on.

Now we have disappointed fans, disappointed Stores... and soon the news will reach Mirage Studios (I'm going to email them, 4Kids and Playmate toys about this).   All around this Mascot company just really slapped everyone in the face with no answers as to why this happened this way.   I don't know what company they have doing the mascot jobs, though I'm really upset to see that this company is willing to do this, so un business like.  It's not Professional at all!   I use to do costume work, and we NEVER did this to any gig that we had.   We cancelled only one gig in our time, and that was because we just got the court order to stop doing the parties.   We called the party that we had to cancel an hour before the party even started.   If we could of given them more notice we would of.  (Trust me when I say that's another story).

Any how here's some information on what the show is suppose to be about and who's doing what.

The Four turtles are suppose to do a Ninja show, take a break than come back out for pictures and greeting the kids (more details in the Event topic on this).  

Playmates provides the following (Aka the costume characters belong to playmate toys, so the costume people provide this):
Turtle characters and one handler
Templates for In store Signage Graphics
Give a way prizes
Character Photo Sleeves
Bad Stuffer Template


Retailer provides the following:
Event contact with phone #  (hmmm why doesn't Playmates have to provide this as well?)
Dressing/rest area
100 sq feet area for Ninja show
Mic, sound system with CD Player
Polaroid camera and film
In sore signage 10 days before and up to the event
Bag stuffers 10 days before and up to the event.
3 in store personal to assist with the event.


Now the Turtles have MISSED these two gigs, I don't know if they're going to make it to the other spots on this tour, and I don't know WHY they missed the events either.  I'm going to do as much research as I can to find out who did this.  I don't like ANY bad press for the TMNT.   And that's what happened this weekend... bad press.... why?  Because someone didn't even bother calling the places they were suppose to be.... so no one really knows....

I'm upset, I'm depressed, and really disappointed...   I will post info as I learn, and I really hope someone can check out one of these events to see if their local stores get this show or not.  Please if anyone can find out anything, please do update us!

[Leonardo_Mystic]

This is very strange. Wonder what could have happened. Hope everything is straightened out soon. Maybe they'll do a raincheck show for those that were missed. It'll put them behind schedule, but they have to do something to make up to all those poor kids.

[Michaelangelo]

Yeah, this really didn't go over well with the people there  and if they do another one, how would I know it's for real... I can't just drive out to IL everytime they say they're doing a show, after seeing how serious they take their work.  This trip cost my family a couple hundred for gas, food and hotel stays.

[Fugitoid]

That just sucks. It's amazing how some people can be real boneheads. Especially when children are involved. I had a bad weekend myself... but not nearly as bad.

It was really nice the Toys R Us gave out those gift cards. But it's dumb that they have to cover for someone else.

Did you catch the name of the company that was supposed to do these events? Was this company hired by Playmates? I really hope someone catches crap for this. Being incompetent at your job is something that I really can't stand. And hiring incompetent people is just as bad! If you get an address, let me know. I'd be more than happy to go "Casey Jones" on them.

Also, I'm curious if any kids displaced by Hurricane Katrina were there to have some fun and lift their spirits. I really hope not...

[Michaelangelo]

The company had to be hired by Playmates, since it was one of their sets of costumes that was suppose to be on this tour.  So as of now, I don't have an address or name of the company that was suppose to do the costume work.  I'm going to have to start working on the letters tomorrow.  I didn't get home till evening and I'm really tired... the idea of writting these letters right now is upsetting... and just can't handle it.  Though I will at least get a letter to Gary (CEO at Mirage) tomorrow.

I do not know where all the kids came from, I barely got to talk to any... parnets are very protective of children... they see a strange older girl who loves the Turtles... they get freaked out for some odd reason.  *shrug*  So I didn't get to talk to too many of them.  I did try.

[Michaelangelo]

I have written to Gary Richardson, CEO of Mirage.

Thanks for the heads up on this problem, and I'll look into it further and see what additional info I can find out, if any.  Regards, Gary Richardson.

I've also written to both 4Kids and Playmate toys, no replies from them.  Though I feel they should know what has happened with this weekend.  Since all of them could be effected by this.  People will blame the ones they know... this little no name mascot company which messed them up, won't get the blame as much as them.  So I have to make sure all of them know, and at least hear from a fan about it.

I'll reply as more comes in.

[TurtleNinja]

Wow. That's just...beyond wrong and terrible.

I'm almost tempted to make the trip up to the MOA in November to see if the same thing happens there or what. Wouldn't require a hotel stay on my part, and I've done this sort of thing before where I've gone up there for something and came back the same day.

But if it's a no show, not even worth it, even if I probably could do holiday shopping on the side.

Not good at all...

[Michaelangelo]

Yeah, this is why I'm trying to dig in on what's going on.  I'm going to make sure everyone is updated on anything I receive about this event.  It's really upsetting... oh and by the way, the list dates and stuff that Toys R Us had is different than what's on the Offical web site.

[TurtleNinja]

Wow. So is the appearance for the MOA still scheduled for November or when?

Just in case I decide to try to make a run up there, see if they show and such.

Can't guarantee I will in the end, but seeing this mess, I might make a try for it. The MOA is a really major mall, so that'd be just the pits if even a big place like that ends up with a no-show.

And during the holiday season, too...

[Michaelangelo]

Here are the different dates they have.

9/3-9/4 Minneapolis, 9/10-9/11 Chicago, 9/23-9/25 Dallas (1 day)/Arkansas (2 days), 10/1-10/2 Boston, 10/8-10/9 St. Louis, 10/15-10/16 Atlanta, 10/22-10/23 New York/ New Jersey Metor Area, 10/29-10/30 Miami, 11/5-11/6 Tampa, 11/12-11/13 Lost Angeles/Orange County Metro Area.

These are different than the dates posted in the Events topic which were taken from the "Offical TMNT Web site"  What ever is going on with this, it's not being done professional at all.

[TurtleNinja]

Indeed. According to this, I've already missed the MOA appearance. Wow. Suckage.

Definitely gotta find out what's going on, if it's November or what. If it's in November, I might actually go, but, sheesh, if it's such a mess like this, I might not even bother.

Somebody's gonna be in deep doo-doo over this one....

[Michaelangelo]

Still waiting for a reply from 4kids and Playmates toys, and I'm sure Gary has been busy digging info over there at Mirage.  It's really upsetting that it's this big of a mess, I want other people in the areas of their Toys R Us or other retail stores to check and see what's going on in their area.  If the Turtles are coming or not, or if they even heard about what happened at Joliet and Aurora.

[Michaelangelo]

I got a reply from Playmates toys today, here's the reply.

I manage the Turtles toy line for Playmates.

Your letter was forwarded to me and I wanted to write back personally and apologize.

I was very dismayed at the mix-up that occurred at TRU in the Chicago area.  It was a communication mix-up on the part of Playmates and TRU that unfortunately should not have occurred.  The costume company, NPA, had nothing to do with it and they are wonderful to work with.  We were under the impression that TRU had canceled the event and they obviously hadn’t.

It is very disheartening to me that all the kids (and adult!) fans were disappointed and I wish there was a way we could make it up to all of them personally.  My understanding is that TRU gave out some $10 gift cards, but I’m sure that didn’t do too much.  We are looking into having the Turtles go there on another weekend and seeing if there is anything else we can give away to help make it up to people.  We’ll see what is able to happen between now and Christmas.

I appreciate your honest feedback and am sorry you made the trip for nothing.   We saw your story on VH1 – your rendition of “Follow your Heart” was certainly memorable!

It's interesting to see them take the responablities... took away my picking on the new guys  Though it was really cool of them to reply and explain things.  I'm glad I was able to write and get through for the fans.  And I'm a bit weirded out that they know who I am!

Any how, as promised here's the update.... hopefully things won't get messed up again.  I still want to know if anyone could check out the next show to see if it happens.

[Danceingfae]

That's kind of funny, they know who you are, lol. At least you got a reply and a little bit more of a better understanding on what's going on.

I'm tempted to get the address so i can write to them and ask about possible shows on the west coast. That'd be nice.

[Mily]

Wow... that was really sloppy on their part for the Turtles missing the tour dates, I wonder what happened? I still wish they were coming to Canada though!

[Michaelangelo]

As quoted from the Playmates person who manages the TMNT Toy line, there was a mix up between Playmates and Toys R Us and they thought that show was cancelled.  They are trying to make up for it.  I did sort of ask in my reply letter to him about getting a show near the Detroit area.   If this works I may have an idea of how to get this tour to be a little bigger than it is.  

First of all, start asking your local Toys R Us stores if they've thought about it.  Yes, even people who are not in the U.S. ask about it.  Hopefully things will be fixed with the rest of this tour and there will be no more mistakes.  And the more places that get the request the more Toys R Us might start looking into it.  Right now it's a really small tour, it would be great if we could get it going to a few more places.

[Michaelangelo]

Hey everyone,

Just realized I never posted the pictures from this trip.  Even though the Turtles didn't show up, there's still these pictures and memories of the trip.    So enjoy the pics!!


Turtle Bug packed and ready to go.


Mikey's in the car and ready to go.


Pictures of the Moon on the way out there.


The Turtles enjoying a car ride.


My mom at the hotel the night we got there.


My dad writting a letter to the hotel the following morning.


Here's the note he was writting up.


My mom in the room in the morning, heh it's already stripped... I try to help house keepers sometimes by taking the sheets off the bed for them.    I remember how much work it was being a house keeper, so the beds being stripped is my fault.


This is at one of the Toys R Us stores, waiting for the Turtles to show up.  I stood next to the card board set up they had giving away coupons for Turtle Toys.

There's the pictures from this event.   Sorry it took so long, but I guess when the Turtles were a no show, I wasn't so inspired to post them, esp with all of the other events that have been going on.