I think you can do this event at your own pace. If you're done for the day dealing with goblins you can just park one (or another beast) and go about your business.
I find this event quite fun, as a long time player I finally have something to spend my excess energy on. Looking forward to new deco or other things, I really don't mind what it brings, the surprise is lovely in itself. I guess we all have a different persepective on this mini game.