To start, I want to say that I am going to write this in a similar fashion to the Upscaled Santa figure’s post. I want to go with the bag-to-bag descriptions. I have had this set for a while. I could see that it would have a large footprint, so wasn’t sure how to display it. The new display cabinet should be fine, with the top of it being my backup, as it is larger than the shelves. When I was young, I used to make theme-park rides, making the best of the blue Lego track available to me for rollercoasters. This is a dream come true, with the other two options in this 3-in-1 not having a chance!
Opening it up, there are nine numbered bags, with an additional plate and two more bags holding the blue track pieces. Be sure to not mix up the number six and nine bags, as I did this, even though the nine had the usual dot on its bottom. Still, after my own confusion, it came together, well. It’s not a cheap set, but is good for the money. I find that these track-based sets are always slightly more dearer; I just reckon it’s down to my need for Lego coaster track in my life. Anyway…on with build!
Bags 1-2: Track Base (Grey) and Coin-Op Shuttle Ride
The opening bags have the father and his space child to begin with. This is when you start to build the small shuttle on a kids coin-op ride. The mechanism is great; twisting the gear makes it rock back and forth. The idea is for the space kid to enjoy a ride, but without a single scaffold 1×2 plate, it can’t stick to the ride, making him, or her, or them, just slide off! I wasn’t sure if I would need a ground plate to sit this on, but the overall strength of the base is quite impressive. This part of the build is somewhat basic, really.
Bags 3-4: Centre ‘Turn-Stile’ Pod and Rocky Decor
This is where you get the moon base style pod built in the centre. It acts as an entrance to the ride embarkment form, even though you would have to walk across the track to get to it…scary! They have used a three-bladed propeller as a turnstile, which I found quite a good use for it. There is a little more base building before adding some rocks to the aesthetics of the ride. On the top of the pod, sits a pair of communications dishes. This adds to the look, and is very much like the real rides we have. The environment is very important to hold the interest of those willing to partake in the bone shaking.
Bags 5-6: Track Base (Black) and Alien Rocks
If you thought the size of the footing had stopped growing, you were wrong…it is time for it to carry on! Adding more in black, provides a ‘dark side of the moon’ like vibe. A few stars are put in, and more track is added once the alien rocks are build. look at it, there’s a tentacled alien peering through the rock stack, peaking with a ride-camera for the riders to get their happy-snaps from the kiosk. This is where the track lifts and drops quickly, a humpback section to keep the riders screaming.
Bags 7-8: Robot Rover, Pillars and Track
This is a little more of the same. On this section, the track is supported to a much higher level. The little rover is great, being a clear homage to the Mars rovers of the past twenty-five years. There are some excellent details that are needed to complete the look, but there was more to come in the last bag!
Bag 9: Cars, Kids, Rocket, Planet and Asteroid
There was so much packed into this little bag. Aside from the cool shuttle cars that are last to build and fit to the track, You build a cool ‘Apollo‘ style rocker for the centre, a light-up asteroid for the track-edge, and a ringed-planet to add to the sidings.This is so cool! The last figures are in this bag, with the two kids, a boy and a girl, that are there to have the time of their lives.
One last mention is that the end is made up of building the ‘SPACE’ sign for the pillar. This is really sweet and integrates Dots to the set. The overall effect is spot-on, and it’s my favourite part of the build!
Summary:
This is a chunky set, with lots to build. Beware of the fiddly nature of bags 3-6, but beyond that, your biggest worry is finding a space to display it! Having proper coaster track is a great addition to the brick-line-up, with Lego introducing them some years ago. You lift the cars up and then let it roll back to the entrance. Colourful, quality and filled with building fun…go and get it!
First Impressions – Finally, a rollercoaster of my own!
Price-Point – Average
Time to Build – 120-180 Minutes
Score: 8/10
(All details were correct at the time of writing, 10th February ‘2024)
