General Fairground / Amusement Park theme discussion

Steve_J_OM · October 2019

I couldn’t find a thread for general discussion, so I thought I’d open one. Though it is prompted by a rather specific question I have.

Recently I picked up the Roller Coaster (very excited about the build ahead). I have the Ferris Wheel and the Fairground Mixer, but not the Carousel. I’m all out of LEGO budget for the foreseeable, so I’ve been pondering going the trade route for the Carousel. And it’s the Fairground Mixer I’ve been thinking of putting up for trade.

Thing is, I think I prefer the ‘core’ of the Mixer, but I was never as fond of all the appendages (the trucks, dunk tank, etc.). The tidiness of the Carousel appeals to me. It also looks like a better fit with the others, which I know is a discussion that has been had around these parts before.

Can anyone who has both sets give me a balanced view? I know we generally don’t do “should I buy this” discussions, but still...

And in keeping with the more ‘general’ discussion idea - are folks hopeful for a 2020 addition to the theme?

DB361 · October 2019

The great thing with a lot of the fairground sets is that it’s fairly easy to take the inner core of the ride and MOC around it to create a better finished product. Although I’ve not got around to doing it for the mixer yet, it does seem like one of those where you could do so much to it.

The Carousel is probably hardest to MOC as it already has a very elaborate and beautifully decorated finish, and the very specific cloth pieces for the roof, though of course you could swap put the animals for horses etc. As a stand-alone set, IMO it’s the best of the lot and if the Ferris Wheel retiring last year is anything to go by, if I didn’t already own it I’d be trying to get my hands on it ASAP.

As for 2020, who knows. I was very hopeful for a 2019 addition, but alas nothing in the Creator Expert line, though more generally there was loads of amusement sets in Friends, Creator 3 in 1, Jurassic World, the City People pack and the Legoland exclusive park set.

timmeyh · October 2019

I hope that 2020 will feature the Starflyer / Skyflyer (following the shadow-in-the-background-on-the-box hints)

Brainslugged · October 2019

Don't know if this helps, but I didn't like the look of the Mixer until I realised it all packed away on the truck. Absolutely genius! If you want tidy, it's amazing how the whole lots packs away onto two trucks. Although I agree with you in that in general, I dislike all the little ancillary builds you get with a lot of sets.

autolycus · October 2019

I will probably end up buying the Carousel set soon, but I’m very disappointed that none of the animals are equine. What real carousel doesn’t have a horse or at least a zebra?!

Has anybody seen or attempted a MOC of different animals?

luckyruss · October 2019

The old carousel #10196 has brick built equines as a potential template - might be harder to make a stripy version though...

autolycus · October 2019

luckyruss said:

The old carousel #10196 has brick built equines as a potential template - might be harder to make a stripy version though...

Duh. Didn’t even think to look at what animals that one had! Looks like there’s a printed piece involved though. But at least it gives me a starting point. I’m not the most creative builder!

herbyderby · October 2019

The mixer is great. Between it's transforming nature, the mesmerizing motion, and the glow in the dark parts, it is one of my favorites. Find something else in your life to trade :-)

AySea · October 2019

autolycus said:

luckyruss said:

The old carousel #10196 has brick built equines as a potential template - might be harder to make a stripy version though...

Duh. Didn’t even think to look at what animals that one had! Looks like there’s a printed piece involved though. But at least it gives me a starting point. I’m not the most creative builder!

The eyes on the horses of #10196 were stickers. If I remember correctly, the only printed parts were minifig torsos, etc. and everything else was stickers.

piratemania7 · October 2019

This is a superb thread thanks for creating! I would say the fairground theme is one of my "consistent" themes which I will continue to buy sets from each year. I think the past couple of years have yielded more of the 3-in-1 sets like others have stated and we have not had a large "display" type set. But who knows! Perhaps it is on it's way...

SumoLego · October 2019

My only issue with the Carousel is the scale - it's a bit humongous as compared to the Rollercoaster, Mixer and Ferris Wheel.

Don't get me wrong - it's the best of the collection, but it's girth and grand scale doesn't quite fit with the rest of the collection.

And I'd agree to trade a different set than the Mixer - particularly if you're going to display the proper fairground.

gelkster · October 2019

I have #10196, Fairground Mixer, & MOPped the Rocket Ride. Hope to eventually find the UFO Ride & Ferris Wheel.

KungFuKenny · October 2019

gelkster said:

I have #10196, Fairground Mixer, & MOPped the Rocket Ride. Hope to eventually find the UFO Ride & Ferris Wheel.

I would be tempted to add in #41375 (perhaps de-mini-dolled) also...

Roobot · October 2019

I’m tempted by #41373 Funny Octopus Ride, too (minus mini-dolls).

jhuntin1 · October 2019

This is the bricklist I created with the sets I own for my future amusement park. It's obviously not all-inclusive and some sets are long out of print, but it might give you some ideas:

The Friends sets can be easily modified for minifigures by adding 1x2 plates or 2x2 plates instead of the tiles. The positioning will look a little weird sometimes because minifigs sit higher than minidolls, but they still work well.

autolycus · October 2019

@jhuntin1 That's going to be an awfully big (and amazing) amusement park! I love all the rides, but I just don't have space for such a setup. I'll only ever have one or two up ride sets at a time.

A couple of the other Toy Story 4 sets could be nice additions (particularly 10767 and 10770, but maybe also 10768). Keep an eye out for those on clearance. I scored most of them for 70%+ off at Michael's.

The Pirate Roller Coaster (31084) is fun too, and should be available on deep clearance now or very soon. Although it did take up a surprising large bit of desk space, so I took mine apart.

Jenni · October 2019

The Mixer is an incredibly clever build but less impressive as a display piece. I found the mechanism of the Mixer a lot less reliable also.

So what do you want in a set? Something with a unique build? A dramatic display? Something that runs reliably (if so don't ever go near the first carousel) ?

I think it would be a lot harder to MOD the Mixer. I'm not sure you could do much at all if you still want it to fold up and the mechanism is so touchy that changes might be more than it can handle. If you want to keep only the core turning part you can do interesting things like this

Obviously a lot of work went into changing this to four arms and having the secondary motion be up and down but it's the same idea (build by Edward Sampson TNVLC, the Dumbo ride in the background uses the same mechanism)

On the other hand, as long as you're not a purist regarding the cloth pieces, the carousel is an easy, and forgiving, set to MOD. My steampunk version is essentially a colour swap, scrapbook paper roof panels, and different riding items.

If you're interested in where you can take the amusement park theme you can check out this Flickr album from our LUG display at BrickFair AL 2018, it has a lot of Edward's builds.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tnvlc/albums/72157693094170125/

(Anything girly and/or poorly built in the amusement park is probably mine)

piratemania7 · October 2019

I am struggling with making a good “transition” of sorts between my city layout and the amusement park layout. Has anyone had good luck with making their display flow nicely?

CaptainRogers · May 2020

So... There's quite an interesting development, judging by the Lego leaks hashtag on Instagram. But I don't want to give any spoilers away... Where's the proper thread to discuss them? I knew I saw a post of leaks a whole ago but can't find it for the life of me.

KungFuKenny · May 2020

CaptainRogers said:

So... There's quite an interesting development, judging by the Lego leaks hashtag on Instagram. But I don't want to give any spoilers away... Where's the proper thread to discuss them? I knew I saw a post of leaks a whole ago but can't find it for the life of me.

You may be thinking of this thread...
https://forum.brickset.com/discussion/24229/leaks-and-more-leaks#latest
Not sure that it is a spoiler, but there is lots of discussion about the new...

amusement park Haunted House

madforLEGO · May 2020

Interesting now that they are also calling it part of the Fairground Collection series

MCNwakeboard · May 2020

Now we can debate if the previous theme park sets, especially the mixer, are part of the “official” fairground series.

Brickchap · May 2020

I know I thought the diner was fake when it was released but the writing for the Haunted House on the box just doesnt seem Lego to me, I know its spooky and all but something's just not right about it.

Bumblepants · May 2020

Anyone else find the 18+ thing a bit much? I get they are trying to make it appear adult/collector but this evokes an id check for getting into a club or buying cigarettes. What 12-17 yr old would struggle with these sets?

The_Rancor · May 2020

I guess that TLG thought on balance it will make adults feel better and less self-conscious to bring a set to the till with 18+ on the box, rather than the potential negative of making kids possibly think they can’t build it due to the age rating. Apart from Architecture and Star Wars helmets, these age ratings are only being applied to pretty big sets so far so not likely to be bought by kids on their own.

mustang69 · May 2020

Yay, black 2x2x3/73 corner roof tiles are coming back!! I can finally correct my #10228 (once they are on BnPs that is).

Also, loving the new fairground haunted house. Definitely going on the want list!

Bumblepants · May 2020

Lots of fun Adventurers references inside. Makes me a lot more tempted to get it.

Charmiefcb · May 2020

My only question about the haunted house is when can I get my hands on it.

mustang69 · May 2020

@Charmiefcb June 1st for non-VIPs, May 20th for VIPs.

SumoLego · May 2020

Maybe there's a market of unknowing parents that didn't want to buy a 'Creator Expert' marked box, but are fine to buy something marked 18+?

This seems silly to me.

Casper_vd_Korf · May 2020

The sets are basically the same, so if LEGO think they can sell more this way, good luck to them.

bpk2300 · May 2020

I've always wanted to build a Halloween scene to display during the season. I'm struggling to decide if this new Haunted House will help me tick that box.

drdavewatford · May 2020

I really wanted to love the new haunted house, but I'm sorry to say that it just doesn't do it for me. The interior has some nice touches, but the exterior looks simple and uninspired, and it profoundly lacks the "wow" factor that I normally associate with LEGO's adult-oriented designs. It's no Modular, that's for sure, at least on the outside.

Having set a pretty high bar with 2012's #10228 Haunted House I had hoped this set would be a step up, but it just isn't.

:-(

Maybe it'll look better up close and personal....

leetshoe · May 2020

l really like the house, but one thing l don't like is it doesn't really LOOK like it fits with the theme. And l don't like how it needs to be opened to enjoy the features. The roller coaster, mixer, ferris wheel, all don't need to be opened.

Wonder how it will look next to modulars

Lordmoral · May 2020

That house is not just an eventual Fairground addition to my City, it's a Museum of past themes and a functional home. I will surely add it pronto.

KungFuKenny · May 2020

drdavewatford said:

I really wanted to love the new haunted house, but I'm sorry to say that it just doesn't do it for me. The interior has some nice touches, but the exterior looks simple and uninspired, and it profoundly lacks the "wow" factor that I normally associate with LEGO's adult-oriented designs. It's no Modular, that's for sure, at least on the outside.

Having set a pretty high bar with 2012's #10228 Haunted House I had hoped this set would be a step up, but it just isn't.

:-(

Maybe it'll look better up close and personal....

I’m in agreement design wise... it also just doesn’t look very haunted! #10228 is scarier and more dilapidated - even the real Tower of Terror has a run-down, cobwebby, abandoned feel to it...

Fauch · May 2020

I have similar feelings. It looks pretty impressive, particularly the size, and I guess it wouldn't be a bad display, as a non haunted mansion it could almost work. The build looks pretty straightforward, like the drop function is the only advanced build. It's cool, but feels like it could have been noticeably better. Also minifigures are no incentives at all, should have included a Hotep minifig.

Basty · May 2020

The exterior looks far too clean and polished to give the impression of a haunted house which is a shame. I do look forward to seeing a Brickset review of this set. I’ll most likely buy it since I love fairground rides but my first impressions aren’t one of love at first sight.

WatfordScottyM · May 2020

First impression is that it's just a bit bland on the outside. The subtle Adventurers details are cool, but it's really not giving me that feeling of needing to have it.

autolycus · May 2020

Not all haunted houses are dilapidated. The ones at Disney certainly aren't, at least on the outside and in the entry areas. In the ride portions, sure. The one at Knoebels isn't. The Tower of Terror is, but it's got a specific inspiration.

SumoLego · May 2020

The WDW Haunted Mansion is not particularly 'spooky' in the traditional sense.

Although looking at this now...

Maybe there is a subtle Magic Kingdom subtheme...

MCNwakeboard · May 2020

I guess there are different types of haunted houses. The monster fighter version falls under the Dracula run down type while this is the Baron Von Baron’s house that is haunted due to his collection of cursed artifacts but he still keeps it relatively clean/dusted with occasional visits by the exterminator. I like the build and probably add an extra level to the tower from bricks and pieces.

CaptainRogers · May 2020

I called it in another thread... A Lego designer 'killed' Tiago in the Haunted house! He confirmed it via Instagram message.

KungFuKenny · May 2020

Designer video is up... damn LEGO for including vintage Adventurer’s references! (I might be marginally more interested than I was before...) ;-)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L4-7fZO5HcY

autolycus · May 2020

SumoLego said:

The WDW Haunted Mansion is not particularly 'spooky' in the traditional sense.

Although looking at this now...

Maybe there is a subtle Magic Kingdom subtheme...

IMO, It looks the most like Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris. It has a worn wood exterior, a front porch, and a bit of a tower vibe going at the front.

https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Phantom_Manor

GIR3691 · May 2020

I feel like this design team is high on their own supply. They spend more time in the design video gushing about the 90s than they talk about their own set.

It's a very technically impressive build, and I'm a sucker for haunted houses and 90s throwbacks, but this set is just meh to me. The Monster Fighters haunted house is so perfect that it's kind of unfair. That's one of my white whales I regret skipping.

There's no striking "wow" factor. The big play feature is hidden inside (hur hur). The elevator ride is out of place in a home as opposed to the Tower of Terror hotel setting...

I dunno. The Adventures references seem out of place here. Feels forced. Like they couldn't decide whether to make a fairground set or a modular. Looks like a fun build but as a display piece, it's kind of whatever.

The minifigs are pretty uninspired too. Shouldn't it be kids or teens? Just all seems really inside-jokey.

Charmiefcb · May 2020

They could have brought back some the old glow in the dark ghost that used to be in old Castle sets. Ah well.

im2cre8iv · May 2020

I’m excited to look at the mechanics of the build and see how possible it would be to have just the tower by itself. Then it won’t look as out-of-place with the rest of my fairground

msanders · May 2020

I`m looking forward to the set and the drop ride. I agree that the interior space is limited but I think that they have done an amazing job within the price range and piece count.

Others may have been wondering but there is a roman number written on one of the shield pieces (and referred to in the designed video). I managed to work it out. It looked like the number was VMVII, which didn`t make any sense, but on closer inspection the V has a line about it to indicate 5000. Then you add another 1000 (M), plus the 7 (VII). Therefore, the set it refers to is #6007 Bat Lord, released in 1997 in the Fright nights subtheme.

https://brickset.com/sets/6007-1/Bat-Lord

Legoboy · May 2020

drdavewatford said:

I really wanted to love the new haunted house, but I'm sorry to say that it just doesn't do it for me. The interior has some nice touches, but the exterior looks simple and uninspired, and it profoundly lacks the "wow" factor that I normally associate with LEGO's adult-oriented designs. It's no Modular, that's for sure, at least on the outside.

Having set a pretty high bar with 2012's #10228 Haunted House I had hoped this set would be a step up, but it just isn't.

:-(

Maybe it'll look better up close and personal....

Yes. I agree. The bar for #10228 was set incredibly high. One of my favourite sets.

I think LEGO got lazy here however. They're trying to make more of a rubbish attempt of a new haunted house by introducing a 'death drop'? That's what they've put forward for this year's playground theme this year? Not quite a roller coaster or carousel is it? They've produced a death drop and a bit of interest for those stood in the 3hr long queue.

LEGO know that people want another haunted flagship model, but they also know they give it enough appeal to fall into multiple genres. There's the completest of us that needs this to sit alongside their Mixer. Clever, but 'feeling robbed' marketing.

Brickchap · May 2020

Question: In Australia Myer and David Jones usually have a sale on modular buildings at the end of the year. Does anyone know or think this Haunted House set will also get a discount? I believe previous fairground sets may have got a discount? For $250 AU id get this, but $350 is wayyy too much.

I agree with Lego boy that Lego was lazy and went with too many themes/ideas. This is a really nice mansion, especially for adventurers which is why Im interested (plus as a musician and Bach fan I need that organ!). However it is ruined by the drop tower.

Now Im not a fan of either haunted houses or drop rides but I know lots of people are and I feel like all of those people are let down.

As a drop ride, yeah okay it works well but it doesnt really make sense. The rest of the house isnt really much of a ride. I know its meant to be a haunted house but one would think there would still be some things to make it fit a tad better with the rest of the fairground collection. You cant even see the drop ride. (I know the doors open at the top but all the other rides theyve done its obvious what they are whether they are working or not)

As a haunted house, I personally like that theyve not done another Mansard Victorian house (I think thats the proper name), since haunted houses have come in many different shapes and sizes. However, I can see a great house but wheres the haunted?

The ghosts are a joke. I really dont know what was wrong with the 'old' ghost piece (Monster fighters one). They also dont do anything in the build. Spooky twins? Thats pure laziness on legos part, surely they could have had one wearing a different hat at least or actually made a new minifigure. Cmon, its not that hard to design a minifigure.

Theres a skeleton people cant even see (from a minifigures perspective) and an organ. (awesome for me) but...okay it can be spooky but...thats it.

Any other 'spooky' things like Ogel's orb are just artefacts to do with the Barron, not the haunted house and the light brick curse thing is cool but again, as jangbricks would say, how are the minifigures supposed to interact with it? Why not put a trapdoor in one of the attics and have the skeleton come down and spook people as they walk in?

The most terrifying thing about this set is the price. $350 AU. Those armchair accountants can rant about how its correct with exchange rates and inflation and all that but its still $350. Thats not cheap. Especially when an awful lot of people dont have a job, or are hard of cash.

Hence why I ask if the Myer, DJ sale will possibly apply.

After all, as a house its really nice, Ive always wanted a mansion/manor house in my city plus Im lucky enough to have a proper Baron Von Barron figure and some Egyptian CMFs.

Id like to make this into a private collection museum of ancient Egyptian artifacts. Unfortunately, that tower will be a pain. Now for me, this will provide an interesting project however I do really wish lego had released this as a adventurers tribute like Pirates of Barracuda Bay or just as a cool mansion.

To sum this set up:

Since its got a drop ride, it ruins it as a manor house.

As a pretty normal manor house, it ruins it as a haunted house

As a drop ride, its ruined since the ride is just sort of plonked in the middle of the house with no relevance.

General Fairground / Amusement Park theme discussion

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