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General => Report & Review => Topic started by: rufusxavier1977 on December 06, 2010, 05:05:19

Title: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: rufusxavier1977 on December 06, 2010, 05:05:19
I picked up the new zoo sets at Toys R Us recently. I'm not sure why they got these new zoo sets so early compared to the rest of the US. The playmobil website doesn't even have them. I got this one for free during a buy two get one free deal, so I can't complain about the price!  ;D I think it was about $35. There are some things I really like and others I really dislike about this set. Overall I find it more visually appealing than the previous petting zoo, but it has some problems for me. I like the new fence with posts for birds (and a grip area for larger bird claws) and two have a plug for some flowers by the base. To start here is an overview shot with lots of birds, the figures, and the larger animals for petting.
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: rufusxavier1977 on December 06, 2010, 05:08:37
I find it strange that there is no gate. Once you set up your enclosure the zoo visitors would have to walk through the pond to enter the petting zoo. I also find it hard to accept that the pond would be enough to keep the animals from wandering off. I really like the pond and stream sections, especially the little tree stumps.
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: rufusxavier1977 on December 06, 2010, 05:13:15
I was surprised by some of the child figures. First, I have never seen sandals molded on the feet like this before. I really like it. Second, I'm not so sure I like this new hairstyle for the boys (I'm assuming he's a boy, since we have seen new girl styles already in the zoo and the pony tail is popping up more too). I'm calling it Justin Bieber hair!!!  :lol:
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: rufusxavier1977 on December 06, 2010, 05:18:55
Now for the part I really hate. This has to be the ugliest building playmobil has made in a long time. The structure uses the same fence structure used in the animal clinic, but this time in red. These pieces only look good from one side, and the directions have you put the good side of the large one to the back as my pictures depict. I have since changed it around. the roof is also ugly with the back side being flat with system x holes, but if we aren't supposed to look at that side, then why put the good side of the wall piece back there? There is a weird structure added to build up one side of the roof too. Very ugly indeed.  :(
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: rufusxavier1977 on December 06, 2010, 05:22:51
My favorite thing about this set is the waterfall, stream, pond section. It is really very pretty. I popped off the bird feeder and wheel and added some other rocks and trees and it looks really good as part of a forest scene. It will go very well with my fishermen's cabin. As you can see in the picture, however, the gray is not the same as the light gray rockies system, but it still looks nice. Overall I like the set and it was worth the price for me. The only part I didn't like was the structure, but even that is currently being used in my Christmas Nativity/Attack of the Santa Clones display. So even it served a purpose.  ;D
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: rufusxavier1977 on December 06, 2010, 05:40:09
Justin Bieber!
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: flatcat on December 06, 2010, 09:30:14
Wow thanks for this great review :elf:

Those new klicky kids look weird, and that building sure is horrible :-\

But I love what you did with the stream - it looks great 8-)

Took me ages to work out how you got that pic of Justin Bieber :lol:

Damo :rudy:
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: Gis on December 06, 2010, 09:43:45
Thanks for the great review!! It was already on our list...but seeing the stream upclose makes it irrisitable :-)
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: playmofire on December 06, 2010, 09:51:43
Nice to see you hear again, rufus!,  :wave: and thank you for a great review.  That structure really is terrible!  Goodness knows what Playmobil were thinking of.  

Strange the set should appear in the US as it's shown as "new" on the German Playmobil site.

The stream and waterfall are great additions and the difference between the grey rocks of the stream and the previous ones isn't a problem, just different geology!
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: Wolf Knight on December 06, 2010, 10:31:45
Thank you for the lovely review and pictures!!! Truly this is a great set!!!
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: Clong on December 06, 2010, 13:22:17
bonnie has one for her zoo and she loves it, i think  :-[ .
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: bonniebeth on December 06, 2010, 17:32:40
Well, actually, I agree with your review very much. First things first. I HATE that new hair for boys. It was a total miss as far as I'm concerned. Though shaggy is the style now.

I agree about the building being... sort of... awkward. And the fencing situation is dumb. All in all, it's hard to remember why I bought this until I look at the waterfall. It is lovely. And aside from the shaggy headed boy, I love the klickys that come with it. The lady even has a neat little purse.

The waterfall and the people are the only parts I'll be using in the zoo. My  petting zoo is going to be made out of this set: http://playmodb.org/setpics/4344.jpg , the animal nursery.
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: Tiermann on December 06, 2010, 22:41:36
Thanks for the nice review. I much prefer the previous version. The structure was much nicer.
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: skypurr on December 06, 2010, 23:47:29
Thanks for a great review  :clap:
I do like the stream and waterfall.
Must show the picture of Justin Bieber to my eldest son - he'll love that!

Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: rufusxavier1977 on December 07, 2010, 00:03:55
Nice to see you hear again, rufus!,  :wave: and thank you for a great review.

Well, I'm actually here about everyday. I'm just really a lurker by nature.  :-[ I love this site though, always so informative, creative, and friendly!
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: Heronimus on December 07, 2010, 00:46:38
Great review. I especially love how you put the waterfall / rapid in the forest.  :love: :love: :love:
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: Tiermann on December 07, 2010, 17:31:44
wait, wait...Attack of the Santa Clones???
I hope you are going to post pictures?
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: rufusxavier1977 on December 09, 2010, 03:49:45
wait, wait...Attack of the Santa Clones???
I hope you are going to post pictures?

Well, here is a tiny peak. I don't want to offend anyone. Just a bunch of silliness really. A friend noticed I had a lot of Santa figures and we started giving them weapons and cracking up at how funny that image was and it all went down hill from there.
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: bonniebeth on December 09, 2010, 04:17:32
It's a very funny idea.  :lol: Makes me think of the santa mafia in Jingle All the Way.
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: Luis on January 10, 2011, 15:56:09
oops i missed this wonderful review!

when i first saw this set in a catalog a though: this does not match the rest of the zoo sets ???
it looks more like it was taken out of that horrible current farm theme...

however i think the pieces can be cleverly used in a separate way - in my opinion, both the building and the waterfall fit perfectly in a nativity set
i do like the figures for any modern or zoo display - the blond boy looks strange to me as well...his hair seems to be inspired in a female hairdo from the 60's-70's :hmm: - and why is JB wearing the same t-shirt? i didn't get that part! ???

anyway, i would definately get this set, i think it's the box picture (as many times now) what doesn't make much justice to it - thanks for the review, Rufus :) it's good to see you posting around! and i LOVE your new avatar's stare ;)
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: bonniebeth on January 10, 2011, 21:49:13

 and why is JB wearing the same t-shirt? i didn't get that part! ???


I think it's the magic of photoshop.  ;)
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: rufusxavier1977 on January 11, 2011, 00:13:15
Yeah, it was just for fun, to illustrate how much he reminds me of   JB. He's the only clicky I know of that has that hair, so I imagine him as the "super cool" Justin Bieber, with all the rest of the child clicky world as his look-alike adoring fans.
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: Luis on January 11, 2011, 04:58:43
ahh ohh how silly i am - i didn't take a closer look earlier today to spot the photo shopped yellow pic on his t shirt lol

i think JB's hair is not that blond though? i like his (their) hair anyway ;D (i actually think JB is a cool guy btw, i don't know why so many ppl hate on him)
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: Playmoholics on January 11, 2011, 13:18:16
Great review!  :thanks: I love the waterfall! We customized ours as well and now it fits into the forest perfectly  :love:

I love the picture of Beiber/klicky you posted  :lol: They look EXACTLY alike  :lol:

Bieber aside, I actually like the hair....we have it on our royal prince. I think it makes him look fancy  ;)
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: bonniebeth on January 11, 2011, 15:15:38
(i actually think JB is a cool guy btw, i don't know why so many ppl hate on him)

People always hate teen idols for some reason. I don't know why they have to be so hard on them. Those kids lead very difficult lives.
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: Luis on January 11, 2011, 16:03:43
People always hate teen idols for some reason. I don't know why they have to be so hard on them. Those kids lead very difficult lives.

true
we're also being hard on this child klicky just because of his hair, not fair :( ;D
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: bonniebeth on January 11, 2011, 16:05:38
 :lol:
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: Playmoholics on January 11, 2011, 17:00:48
People always hate teen idols for some reason. I don't know why they have to be so hard on them. Those kids lead very difficult lives.

Probably just jealous. I guess I am a little too...think of all the Playmobil that kid can buy ;)
Title: Re: Children's Zoo 4851
Post by: rufusxavier1977 on January 12, 2011, 03:15:35
true
we're also being hard on this child klicky just because of his hair, not fair :( ;D

Oh I think this child klicky has got it made. I have placed him in my school where he can strut his stuff and be the envy of all the boys with their boring old hairstyles. He can hang out by the bathrooms with cool kids and give a knowing nod as the girls go giggling by. ;D