PlaymoFriends
General => Brainstorming For Playmobil => Topic started by: Rasputin on September 26, 2011, 21:49:02
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Well this weekend we went to San Diego California to a wedding. Since we were there and the kids are the perfect age ( 6, 8 & 10 ) we also decided to fit in a visit to Legoland :o I am not a lego fan but my boys and my wife are so I had no problem kicking down over 300 bucks to go. I really did not know what to expect other that it is an amusement park for younger kids. I was very surprised at how things were. The park was very very clean, tidy well laid out and all the boys had a great time. Since school is in and it was a weekday there were very few people there. The longest line was no more than 5 minute wait. The rides were fun not only for my kids but I too had fun on them. The park itself is nothing more than a traditional park but with lego decorations around. The best part for me was to gather inspiration for my dioramas from the mini-town. It was mindboggling how much talent it takes to not only put the lego sculptures together but the painstaking effort for all the landscaping going on. The whole area was full of bonsais and let me tell you that they are very well taken care of.
Yes I know it is the Evil competition and how dare I go there but it really is a great park and Geobra can learn a few things. You all know that I only collect Playmo, in huge amounts but I can not lie about having a fun time
I was surprised to find out lego does not own these parks but they belong to Merlin corp. Maybe Geobra can partner with some other professionals similar to how they are with the social media venture
What I want to ask is, are the Playmobil parks similar?
Now Geobra needs to open a fun park on the west coast of USA or I will be forced to continue going to Lego
(http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc457/Koretsky/P1010128.jpg)
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i'd love to go to a playmobil theme/amusement park :cloud9: even if it was kid oriented it would be fun to go to
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Interesting topic! I've never been to either one, and am unlikely to ever go to legoland, but it's an interesting idea to compare the two. I'd love to go to a funpark. From the pics I've seen, they look like a lot of fun!
However, unless I'm mistaken, I believe one major difference is that there are no rides at funparks, it's more about interactive and imaginative play. Personally I like that better, rather than it just being a themed ridepark. However, it a distinct possibility that many people consider it a disappointment not to have rides and would prefer legoland for this reason.
BTW, $300?!? :o
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i'd love to go to a playmobil theme/amusement park :cloud9: even if it was kid oriented it would be fun to go to
If this particular park said Playmoland I would have been there years ago. I think this park sells a lifetime membership for 2k or 2.5k and I would consider it if it were in my town and had little blue smiling boxes instead
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I think the Zirndorf unpark is wonderful, but it's the only one I've ever been to.
All other "Funparks" are much smaller and not always situated in the best location as far as I get it.
Others should report their experience for the parks in France, Greece, Malta and the US.
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the one in malta is so-so. there is a play area for children, and an outside area that's not very exciting, and a cafeteria. there is also the shop, which stocks all the current products. what it does not stock is items from the DS catalogue. it stocks a few like animals etc but nothing that i usually want. you have to order things if you want them, which is a bummer.
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In greece there isnt really an outdoors area, all indoors but its really well organised , food is plain but good, staff is very friendly and overall i think is a good day out for kids , especially if they like playmobil. Even though its not big everyone i know who has been there was really pleased as a parent and overall rated the experience and service high. Admission aint cheap but i think its good that they keep that way a certain standard of visitors which is evident everytiem i go there. Also helps that the funpark is situated in Kifisia which is in the northern suburbs which are the dwelling for the middle/upper class of Athens , Greece . All together i would give 8 out of 10 , losing 1.5 poins for not having outdoors and half a point for not having a bit more space indoors ...
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Were the funparks visited set up as an amusement park (rides) or as an interactive play experience like bonnie referred to?
In the Merlin aka Lego park there was stores at the end of a lot of the rides that corresponded to a theme. The individual stores were overstocked with that particular theme. Then there was a bulk area where you could buy by the weight. There were also misc. stores all over. The food was not cheep or good. I did not want it at all as I could get local fresh fish and chips later, mmmmm ahhh. The rides were geared towards kids under puberty but still cheep thrills for an adult.
Geobra could do a lot of the themes and sell bulk parts by weight, sell good local food, sell all items with discounts for members and you have a very happy fan base.
Both my father in law and brother in law also both were very pleased with what Merlin park had to offer.
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all indoors but its really well organised , food is plain but good, staff is very friendly and overall i think is a good day out for kids , especially if they like playmobil. Even though its not big everyone i know who has been there was really pleased as a parent and overall rated the experience and service high. Admission aint cheap but i think its good that they keep that way a certain standard of visitors which is evident everytiem i go there. Also helps that the funpark is situated in Kifisia which is in the northern suburbs which are the dwelling for the middle/upper class of Athens , Greece . All together i would give 8 out of 10 , losing 1.5 poins for not having outdoors and half a point for not having a bit more space indoors ...
i've been to play there when i was a kid around 99' 2000 ,it was horrible all broken parts nothing organized just destorid toys laying around ,me and my friend never went there again ,just to buy ;D ;D ;D i don't know how is it now i hope things are better there 8-) how much is the entrance ?
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I've been to the Malta and France Funparks. They're very much alike, and as bolingbroke and playmo1989 said, there's nothing interesting in there but broken PM and some nice dioramas too. No rides.
The only good point of the France Funpark is that they stock DS sets. Everything from the catalogue, but they don't have spare parts, of course. Those you need to order.
The entrance is cheap, and obviously, you can access the shop for free (it's when you leave the shop that it gets expensive ;D)
Best,
Arnaud
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Were the funparks visited set up as an amusement park (rides) or as an interactive play experience like bonnie referred to?
The Zirndorf funpark is a theme-oriented outdoor park with a huge glass hall (HOB-Center) and a shopping area (you usually pass through there when you leave the park).
The outdoor areas are knights, pirates (a 60ft version of the 3940) dinos (12ft tall T-Rex), adventure, construction, western and farm.
Every areas has activities to offer (getting "gold nuggets"/small precious stones from a huge sandpit for Western) that kids between 5 and 12 will be able to enjoy (There are full-size Playmo-cows and horses to milk and wash in the Farm area (for the little ones) and slack-slines and 4 different balancing courses in the adventure section).
One area (a new one every year) has a quest with the chance to win Playmo-sets (you hand in the found codeword and there are winners for each month or maybe week - Prizes will be sent to you because you have to leave your address)
ENtry fee is 8Euros for everyone (except under 4 year olds), but we have always thought it's a GREAT deal.
Because all other activities are free.
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...(continued)
The indoor area is huge and there are tables where children can try and play with virtually all sets (even 1.2.3 can be found in toddler-safe surroundings). Staff is present and will try to put sets back into order when one of the tables is left by a group of children.
Food or drink are NOT expensive in the restaurants (and you can bring your own food/drinks and have a break at the numerous tables, benches or on the lawn areas.)
The best deal is the child's menu: For 4-5 euros you get something like a "Happy Meal" There is a warm main course (chicken nuggets with fries or a small pizza or pasta e.g.) + a drink (0,33l) in a Playmobil Holo-cup that is yours to keep + a dessert (custard or fruit salad) + one free klicky in a plastic bag. When we go there, even we parents go for that menu, but you can get real full-sized meals for 6-8 Euros as well.
A lot of the outdoor area has got water involved so you should bring spare clothes AND/OR bathing suits/trunks for the kids. Don't go make them go there in their sunday clothes. ;D
There are also tumblers to dry your kid's clothes but there may be a fee on them.
The shop area has got ALL regular, MOST German exclusive and ALL DS sets on shelves. They have got a section with special offers (usually sets that have just gone out of sale (even some DS ones if you're lucky)). The prices are NOT so special but the variety of sets is just wow. You can buy some small Playmo items that you can get in the fun park action areas in the shop as well. (treasure chests; marine animals; baby dino eggs; huge shells) for 1 or 1.5€ there so for adult collectors there is no need to go to the magic shells among the 6 year olds to fish for the exclusive marine animals.
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We usually go there for a whole day (my brother lives nearby so we have never been to the theme hotel that is right next to the park - Maybe others can report their experiences - Looks like there are gifts for kids if you stay there with your family) and it's no problem spending 6-8 hours with 5-9 year olds.
There is a minigolf course (extra fee) bewteen the park and the hotel and even a diving range for adult golfers if I remember correctly in the same area.
There are no "rides" but there are interactive games for kids at a certain schedule where kids can participate (knights' tournament with costumes; softball cannon shooting at the castle wall; mini-club disco in the indoor area form 4.30 to 17.15 pm)
The indoor area has a climbing section
Indoor parking is 3€ for the whole day.
More questions? I'll try to answer them.
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More questions? I'll try to answer them.
I am SOOOO JEALOUS. I wanna go there. Though having stuff for kids only SUCKS BIG TIME.
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Though having stuff for kids only SUCKS BIG TIME.
Why ? Playmobil is a kids toy after all and that is expected i suppose. I think we need to remember that us collectors is a minority and the key customers are kids and also that kids also present here. i think the above statement is a bit ott actually :) :)
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Why ? Playmobil is a kids toy after all and that is expected i suppose.
Well, I see no point. And it's annoying. IMO. What if I wanna play with the cowies? :hissyfit:
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Though having stuff for kids only SUCKS BIG TIME.
You can play golf and minigolf outside.
And there ia a coffee bar inside for us - next to the kids' playing tables.
And at the moment there's an exhibition on the second floor gallery inside the HOB center with 3 collectors' dioramas and the history of geobra products (130 years - Oh yes, it existed before Playmobil)
I'll add photos....
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Here are my girls fishing for marine treasure in one of the magic shells.
Next you can see one of the outdoor climbing areas (adventure theme)
And then we have slipped back in time to the baby triceratops. The huge T-Rex is just a few feet away (GROAAAARRR!)
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Here are some pictures from the HOB exhibtion on geobra's history. Geobra sold piggy banks at some time.
And here are the first ever made klickys with their inventor Hans Beck.
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Then we have Playmolution (Playmo + evolution) in the exhib for us adults.
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Cool , thanks for posting these pictures , looking at the klikcy arrangement at the bottom picture looking at the rider klikcy and the red/black trousers klikcy i wonder if these klickies were a poor choice for that display and ought to have ben replaced with singel color older ones :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:
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And then there is the shop with the (partly animated) displays and some huge klickies to goggle at and a row of tills ;D .
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Cool , thanks for posting these pictures , looking at the klikcy arrangement at the bottom picture looking at the rider klikcy and the red/black trousers klikcy i wonder if these klickies were a poor choice for that display and ought to have ben replaced with singel color older ones :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:
Obviously we care more about the "true history" than geobra does. :lol:
For correct genealogy of klickies you'd have to go to Eric's Museum in Norway. - He is sure to avoid such "blunders".
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I wanna go!!! :hissyfit: It seems this is THE funpark to visit. I think kids would have a wonderful time, and adults, too. But my question is, why can't they build their other funparks like that, where they are actually worth going to? Why only that one? The others are small and pathetic. :-\
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Playmofool, thank you for all these great pics!! like bb, I wanna go like crazy!!!
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But my question is, why can't they build their other funparks like that, where they are actually worth going to? Why only that one? The others are small and pathetic. :-\
Personally I think that geobra is (still) 20 years behind LEGO. There used to be only ONE Legoland in the 1970s somewhere in Holland (, I think).
Similar distance is shown in other fields (PCC; Ads in the US etc.) Sometimes I think geobra just don't really dare to start going really global and meaning it. (Going global usually means that you have to invest enormous amounts of money BEFORE you can reap the harvest of your efforts).
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Thanks for the great pics... Now I'm MORE jealous.
And... I don't give a darn about golf OR minigolf. I wanna play with big playmocowies. :hissyfit:
Come on guys, can't we get a playmotrip together, to go to that funpark? I want playmothemed room. Just sayin.
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While its made with kids in mind, for any amusement park its very important that the parents enjoy it as well. They decide wether to go there or not and how
long they will stay after all.
If they had exclusive stuff available at the parks, that would surely be an incentive as well. Would need to be new parts, just different sets made from using existing parts, or just having older sets available there.
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The FunPark in Malta is small, but then so is Malta with a population of 300,000 to 400,000, i.e. the size of a medium British city. However, there is an excellent range of stock in the shop and a fair quantity of stuff from the DS catalogue, but not everything.
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The others are small and pathetic. :-\
in the US, apart from the funpark in Palm Beach FL there was another one somewhere in that state (i think?) which was only a big pm store, not a funpark :hmm: (does anyone know if that 'funpark' still exists?)
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I think that's the one that closed. Hardly surprising. ::)
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Thank you so much Playmofool for such a thorough explanation of the park. After reading your experience and observations I fell like going. That does sound like the best park Geobra has. The lego park is operated by a third party (merlin) and I think the marketability of the Lego brand has a lot to do with the willingness to invest so much capital in the park. Either lego corp ownes 26% of the park or 26% of merlin I do not remember but Lego did not build/operate the park on its own. Mr Brandstater seems to enjoy 100% control and I think that will always limit the size of them. I do not even think a company like Merlin would want to partner with such an unknown or misunderstood toy company, unknown apart from the European market.
I do think it is important that parents enjoy their time as well. If you look at how the parents are dictating whole building systems through their feedback it only makes sense to keep the sugar daddy's happy. I am more willing to go back to Merlins park because I too had fun on the rides. One of the rides had levels. It was a hydraulic arm and you sit on the end. The arm waves you around and if you go to level 5 most of it is upsidown. Kids around 6 go for level 1. The roller-coasters were also fun to do with the kids.
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Thanks for the praise, Ras.
How much is the Lego-Merlin park entry fee? It would be interesting to compare.
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I wanna play with big playmocowies. :hissyfit:
AAHH :!: I've got a great business idea. :lmao:
I'm going to open a "rent a kid" shop right in front of the FunPark. You can rent kids ages 6 to 12 there for one day to accompany you through the park.
Intended clients: Desperate Playmo Collectors who don't want to be seen washing and milking the Playmo cows without any kids around.
Fees: You have to pay the kids' entry fee and food, drink and ice-cream throughout the day. The kids get you the animals from the big shells and serve as an alibi to all kinds of collector action.
Only problem so far: What are the kids' real parents are going to say :toot:
:giggle:
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Intended clients: Desperate Playmo Collectors who don't want to be seen washing and milking the Playmo cows without any kids around.
I don't need a snotty kid with me. I just want to be allowed in the fun too. :P Maybe a discrimination suit? >:D I mean, I even pay MORE. If I get less for more, there's something VERY wrong there...
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yeah I would milk the playmo cows whether my daughter was with me or not... :lol:
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You can always find a niece, nephew, a friend's kid, someone to take with you, and just look like a really great, fun mom/dad/babysitter, enthusiastically playing your way through the funpark "for the sake of your kids."
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You can always find a niece, nephew, a friend's kid, someone to take with you, and just look like a really great, fun mom/dad/babysitter, enthusiastically playing your way through the funpark "for the sake of your kids."
Again, I don't care what people think. They just have to allow anyone to do those activities too... As long as nothing gets broken.
Besides, if I had one of those critters with me, I'd actually have to babysit... and then where would the fun be? ;D
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I'm sure grown-ups are allowed to play, you just might get really funny looks. :lol: But hey, Chris and I get funny looks sometimes for just being at the zoo without any kids, and we don't care! For some odd reason, in Baton Rouge, people consider zoos to be just for kids. :hmm: When we are traveling and go to zoos elsewhere, we see lots of couples there just enjoying the sights.
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But hey, Chris and I get funny looks sometimes for just being at the zoo without any kids, and we don't care! For some odd reason, in Baton Rouge, people consider zoos to be just for kids. :hmm: When we are traveling and go to zoos elsewhere, we see lots of couples there just enjoying the sights.
That's odd. People are weird. ( <- PERIOD) :P
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Simon describes the Zirndorf Funpark well. The activities are mostly for kids - we did have some fun with the floating rafts. They do have a Biergarten there with higher end dining options and of course beer etc. It's open into the evening after the rest of the Funpark has closed. Overall I found it entertaining and of course the shop is the big fun for a collector. There are hotel photos in my travel thread in the Collector Club forum, it's a very nice hotel with big rooms and sleeping for up to 4 in a room. Prices are high but it's really aimed at family groups. The hotel stay includes breakfast. Unlike an American hotel where that usually means access to a bowl of fruit and some bagels , in Zirndorf you get access to a restaurant style buffet at the HOB center across the street. Hot foods like bacon and eggs, cold foods like cereal plus a full range of drink options.
You can see lots of Zirndorf Funpark photos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/71879015@N00/sets/72157627780021984/) on my Flickr page. I will add them to my travel thread (http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=8366.0) eventually.
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(...)it's a very nice hotel with big rooms and sleeping for up to 4 in a room. Prices are high but it's really aimed at family groups.
Me thinks we could share a room there between us.............. To cut expenses.
I wonder if there is a post office near the funpark... is there? That would be SOOOOOOOOOO useful. ;D
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I think that's the one that closed. Hardly surprising. ::)
oh, yeah big surprise ::) :lol:
it was a big store though, i wonder if not many people would walk in to shop either? ???
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Thanks for the praise, Ras.
How much is the Lego-Merlin park entry fee? It would be interesting to compare.
I think the fees were $80 for adults and $70 for kids. The hotel was $160/night, oh all that playmobil I could have bought :'(
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I think the fees were $80 for adults and $70 for kids.
To ENTER the park ONE DAY?! That seems quite expensive..
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Ever checked out Disney World prices?
But it does seem extremely expensive.
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Ever checked out Disney World prices?
But it does seem extremely expensive.
Nope. Those I actually outgrew ages ago... ;)
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Selective maturity, huh? :lol:
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To ENTER the park ONE DAY?! That seems quite expensive..
I was able to find coupons in the lego club publications :lol: yes it is quite expensive but around here we have quite a few theme/ride parks so you get used to the high prices of all these places. You can not do a lot for under $100 at child oriented excursions around the west coast. We just went to a science park in SF and it is over $100 to get in for a large family
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well i went loads of times to the funpark in malta and i think its quite cute.. never went to the ones abroad(i will dw) but i think its nice. last time i went with my nephew and he loved it so much (im bring him up in playmobil hahaha) anyways the park from malta is much much much better than the old one.
and just curiosity Bolingbroke are you maltese ?
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Disneyland and Disneyworld entrance tickets are expensive but they're definately worth every penny! :love: (plus they have the best greasy food i've ever tasted :-[)
the Lego park fee is high imo...i wouldn't pay for it
the fee to enter the German funpark (around 8 euro per adulkt i think?) sounds VERY reasonable
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I was able to find coupons in the lego club publications :lol: yes it is quite expensive but around here we have quite a few theme/ride parks so you get used to the high prices of all these places. You can not do a lot for under $100 at child oriented excursions around the west coast. We just went to a science park in SF and it is over $100 to get in for a large family
Yeah... I guess it shouldn't be surprising. Here in town we have a water park/amusement park that costs $40 to get in, and Baton Rouge is definitely NOT a tourist area (though it is a really great water park). So I can imagine in a more touristy area, you would expect those kind of prices.
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well i went loads of times to the funpark in malta and i think its quite cute.. never went to the ones abroad(i will dw) but i think its nice. last time i went with my nephew and he loved it so much (im bring him up in playmobil hahaha) anyways the park from malta is much much much better than the old one.
and just curiosity Bolingbroke are you maltese ?
Daqs il-pastizzi :) [translation: as Maltese as a pastizz]
Don't get me wrong, I like the local Funpark and some of the staff is very, very dedicated. But there's so much more that could be done with that place.
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Raz,
Thanks for the fantastic description of the California L Land park! And the photo was wonderful, too! Have never been there, but have heard great things about it. You mention many interesting things about theme parks that PM could learn from L. Glad your family had a great visit as all will remember this a very long time.
Playmofool,
Wow! Great photos and explanations of what there is at the Zirndorf FP!
I don't think it matters whether or not an adult visits with children as I have gone to many child-oriented destinations and never felt out of place. I usually go early on weekday mornings and not during holidays or the summer break because crowds of any age are not my thing. Sometimes I do get turned off by the rotten behavior of kids AND ADULTS, but generally I enjoy being around others' kids for short periods of time. It is fun watching them have fun, too!
The FL FP is the only one I have visited, and it was enjoyable even though there was no outside play area, which there definitely should be in FL. The gift shop was a big plus because of the wide variety of sets offered and the low prices on many of the items if you manage to get there during one of their big sales. Cheers, Pgal :wave:
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Just called the FLORIDA FP (561.691.9880-in the US) for sales dates, and the clerk gave me the following info on store wide sales:
Nov 4-13 and 27-27, everything in the store is 25 per cent off.
For much of December, she said everything was 20 per cent off.
When I was there July 4th, the newest sets were not included in the sale, but she said that all sets are for these sales.
Purchases have to be made in the store in person.
The clerk cannot remember having seen any mountain goats....SO SORRY :'( :'( :'(
But they do have lots of other animals in loose bags.
FL FP is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Days.
Good luck planning your trip!!! The neighborhood does not look that safe, so please take extra care for your well being. Pgal :wave:
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Is there such a calendar for Zirndorf? Maybe we should consider that when planning for a plamofriends trip ;)
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Due to the oncoming European winter all outdoor areas will be closed from Nov 6, 2011 till March 30, 2012.
No shop or anything on Dec. 24-Dec.26 2011 and from 31.12.2011-2.1.2012.
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Thanks playmofool!
And a discount calendar, is there one?
(I wanted to go in the summer - for one, cause I'd FREEZE, and I'd rather have longer days..)
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And a discount calendar, is there one?
Hm, never heard of such a thing for Zirndorf. They always have recently discontinued sets put apart in one of the shop corners [these sets usually turn up at the German Playmobil-Homepage as "Sonderangebote" (special offers) az the same time (or even in the DS-catalogue)], sometimes you can get rarer exclusive or export sets (usually quite small quantities; they had the 3030 castle once when I got there) in the same corner.
Another "Wühlbox" (open box under a shelf for rummaging around) is usually filld with discontinued or about-to-be-discontinued DS-Sets in their plastic bags.
And there is a shelf with all the German exclusive sets that you usually get only in certain shops or supermarkets. (Last month they had 5020-5023 there + 5011 + 5017; Last year they had the 5014, but I resisted thinking I'd soon get it cheaper on ebay, but it hasn't turned up a lot yet and usually the bids go higher than the 50€ it was on that day in the shop).
You can place DS-postal orders with service staff at a desk, but the items will be sent to you (I don't know if they do ship abroad?) AND there is a large room where you can try out RC-vehicles behind a transparent wall (if the present children let you have a go).
BUT: I've never heard of a period of GENERAL price reduction there. Probably Playmobil sells too well all year there so they don't depend on such kind of offers. - But I'll keep my eyes/ears open, just in case....
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Hm, never heard of such a thing for Zirndorf. They always have recently discontinued sets put apart in one of the shop corners [these sets usually turn up at the German Playmobil-Homepage as "Sonderangebote" (special offers) at the same time (or even in the DS-catalogue)], sometimes you can get rarer exclusive or export sets (usually quite small quantities; they had the 3030 castle once when I got there) in the same corner.
Another "Wühlbox" (open box under a shelf for rummaging around) is usually filld with discontinued or about-to-be-discontinued DS-Sets in their plastic bags.
And there is a shelf with all the German exclusive sets that you usually get only in certain shops or supermarkets. (Last month they had 5020-5023 there + 5011 + 5017; Last year they had the 5014, but I resisted thinking I'd soon get it cheaper on ebay, but it hasn't turned up a lot yet and usually the bids go higher than the 50€ it was on that day in the shop).
You can place DS-postal orders with service staff at a desk, but the items will be sent to you (I don't know if they do ship abroad?) AND there is a large room where you can try out RC-vehicles behind a transparent wall (if the present children let you have a go).
BUT: I've never heard of a period of GENERAL price reduction there. Probably Playmobil sells too well there all year there so they don't depend on such kind of offers. - But I'll keep my eyes/ears open, just in case....
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Why ? Playmobil is a kids toy after all and that is expected i suppose. I think we need to remember that us collectors is a minority and the key customers are kids and also that kids also present here. i think the above statement is a bit ott actually :) :)
yes... this is correct but playmobil should consider collectors as customers too! which are the children in PF ? i haven't noticed any.... :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: anyways there are bored of our discussions ,and prefer to play than posting!! 8}
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Well, online forums are no place for children, IMO.
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Children under the age of 13 are only allowed if they have a parent who is also an active member here. But we have had a few. They're growing up, though. I think our youngest member now is 12.