I never quite understood the reputation it has, either. I've leveled my classes mostly through dungeons, so I've done Aurum Vale tons of times. People more often than not understand what needs to be done after a short explanation. The only time I've had a complete failure was when the healer threw a hissyfit and ragequit after the tank kept repeatedly pulling half the room by accident (which said healer could've prevented by... I dunno, putting up Stoneskin on the tank so she wouldn't be pulled in by the frogs. Y'know, being useful instead of moaning) The rest of the group followed suit, sadly.

If there's anything that annoys me, it's the fact that being synced down a single level makes you lose like 70% of your power with the current gear levels. ;_;