Review : LEGO Creator Expert 10257 Carousel

A set from the LEGO Creator Expert range is often the promise of an elaborate construction filled with interesting techniques. The and 10257 Carousel with its 2670 pieces keeps this promise, with a few caveats that I develop below.

This is a merry-go-round. Round. There is therefore no escaping the repetitive, somewhat tiresome sub-assemblies, especially during the assembly of the skirt which covers the rotation mechanism of the merry-go-round or during the phase of finishing the border of the marquee. The series of 12 or 24 sections to be pre-assembled follow one another. It's laborious, but by repeating the same techniques, you almost end up memorizing them.

No base plate in this set, so the central part remains partially hollowed out. This is no big deal and the whole remains transportable without breaking everything. So far, everything is going well, we are discovering the solution used by the designer to ensure perfect mobility on the merry-go-round. It's interesting.

With the assembly of the skirt which covers the mechanism begin the repetitive phases. And there, it is an abyssal boredom. The whole should be handled with care, the central part is only connected to the base of the skirt via four 4x4 flat red.

The merry-go-round takes shape with the installation of this element. The mechanism is hidden, it turns, everything is fine. The central staircase is very successful, its assembly brings a little fun, it's always taken.

The crank that allows the merry-go-round to turn does its job: the merry-go-round turns, the animals move up and down according to the rotation. It's fluid, but what is slow ... I had the impression of having to reel really very actively to hope to obtain an acceptable speed of rotation. The most gifted MOCeurs will probably find a solution to speed up the rotation of the merry-go-round a little.

By assembling the different animals (very successful) on which visitors can take a ride, I see that apart from the swan, none of them has a seat to fix the minifigs. The latter must therefore hold on to the bars that keep the animals on the floor of the arena. Not very realistic, but we will do with ...

By the way, the absence of an engine kit in a box from the Expert range is definitely pettiness, especially since the necessary budget is reasonable: le M Power Functions motor 8883 is sold 8.90 € and 88000 AAA battery box cost 13.99 €.

A merry-go-round that does not turn by itself is of no real interest and having to go back to the cash register to automate the rotation is indecent. This merry-go-round is not a toy for young children.

LEGO didn't even bother to properly conceal the beam and the Pins. Technic on which the motor is attached Power Functions optional. Too bad for the finish.

All the stickers provided are gold and shiny, it has 36 in all. It's too much. They are used to dress the central trunk of the merry-go-round and the decoration of the marquee.

I can understand the desire to offer a mirror effect on the central axis to give a little depth to the whole as is the case on "real" rides, but the borders of the marquee would have deserved better than these few stickers. . The neutral stickers that are used to dress the 12 plates white colors around the roof of the arena do not add anything and the risk of installing them badly can only harm the final rendering.

The roof of the merry-go-round is covered with large panels of flexible and fine fabric. Like I said about the sails of the Pirates of the Caribbean set 71042 The Silent Mary, I would have preferred to get plastic inserts that are easier to maintain than those pieces of fabric that will quickly collect dust. Be careful to handle them with care to avoid creasing or tearing them.

As far as I'm concerned, I got bored more than anything during the assembly phase. Too many repetitive sequences, and the impression of working in the assembly line. Only the animals bring a little fun to this general monotony. It's the set that wants that, I don't blame anyone. It is also a nice set, I agree.

Adding to this the impression of having in my hands a toy from another age with its crank, I keep my 200 € for something else.

Note: We do as usual, you have until June 2, 2017 at 23:59 p.m. to manifest yourself in the comments.

Update : The winner was drawn and notified by email, his nickname is indicated below.
If I do not get a response from him to my request for contact details before June 12, a new winner will be drawn.