Since LEGO introduced the new roller coaster track system last year with the #70922 LEGO Batman Movie The Joker Manor, a number of other sets have been added that use the new tracks and roller coaster cars. While the #10261 LEGO Creator Roller Coaster is the ultimate set with the largest number of track pieces, if you are looking for a smaller set to try out the new system, there are some other options. One of the most anticipated amongst the more affordable alternatives is the recently released #31084 LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Pirate Roller Coaster. The set includes ten of the new track pieces in four different configurations and in a neutral light-gray color, plus it has a very fun looking design and three alternate models. Below, we will look at this set in more detail, but before we do that, I also wanted to briefly summarize all the other sets that include the new roller coaster tracks. 🙂
As mentioned above, the largest amongst the sets with roller coaster pieces is the #10261 LEGO Creator Roller Coaster. It includes 44 of the new tracks in 7 different configurations, including curves, elevations, and straight pieces, all in red. In addition, you also get 6 dark-blue roller coaster cars that securely attach to the tracks. 4,124 pieces. Price: $379.99 – BUY HERE
The second largest set with roller coaster pieces is the #70922 LEGO Batman Movie The Joker Manor. It includes 12 of the new tracks in 5 different configurations. The tracks are dark-purple, and the 3 roller coaster cars are lime-green. 3,444 pieces. Price: $269.99 – BUY HERE
The #41347 LEGO Friends Heartlake City Resort includes 1 short straight track and 5 curved tracks in light-gray, and one lime-green roller coaster car (1,017 pieces. Price: $99.99). The #41352 LEGO Friends The Big Race Day includes 2 curved tracks in light-gray (648 pieces. Price: $59.99). The #41456 LEGO Unikitty Unikingdom Fairground Fun includes 2 different elevation tracks (1 of each) and 2 curved tracks in dark-purple, and 2 lime-green roller coaster cars (515 pieces. Price: $39.99). The #60188 LEGO City Mining Experts Site includes 2 straight tracks and 1 curved track in light-gray, and two black roller coaster cars (883 pieces. Price: $99.99). The #75889 LEGO Speed Champions Ferrari Ultimate Garage includes 2 curved tracks in light-gray (841 pieces. Price: $99.99). And the #76099 LEGO Marvel Super Heroes Rhino Face-Off by the Mine includes 2 short tracks in light-gray, and one black roller coaster car (229 pieces. Price: $19.99).
As you may have noticed, in many of the smaller sets, the roller coaster tracks are mostly decorative, only one or two variations are included, and you don’t get any roller coaster cars. This is another reason the #31084 LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Pirate Roller Coaster is such a big deal. It includes 10 of the new tracks in 4 different configurations to create a full roller coaster loop. The tracks are light-gray and the 3 roller coaster cars are sand-blue. The set comes with a total of 923 pieces for the price of only $89.99. That’s a great way to start out with the new roller coaster system without spending a fortune.
In addition, the #31084 LEGO Creator Pirate Roller Coaster has a pleasing design with an old style and quite substantial LEGO Pirates fortress, a sunken ship, an octopus, and some other fun brick-built decorations. Plus, the roller coaster cars are shaped like a shark! Who wouldn’t like that?!
And that’s not all. The set also includes three alternate builds; the main set is the pirate-themed roller coaster, which can be rebuilt into two other rides. One of the alternate attractions is called the Ship Ride that goes back and forth, and the Skull Ride goes in circles while also tilting. And, just like with the main roller coaster, the alternate models come with some side-builds – mostly small booths and the like. The Pirate Roller Coaster measures over 9” (24cm) high, 25” (66cm) wide and 12” (32cm) deep, the Ship Ride measures over 9” (24cm) high, 21” (54cm) long and 6” (16cm) deep, and the Skull Ride measures over 5” (14cm) high, 13” (34cm) wide and 8” (21cm) deep.
So far, all is good #31084 LEGO Creator Pirate Roller Coaster, however, as you will see in the video-review by JANGBRiCKS, the set has some problems as well. Mainly, the rides don’t work as smoothly as expected. The roller coaster looks great, but the actual fast-paced section of the ride is short. For most of the way, you have to keep pushing the cars up. And I’m not sure what’s up with the poor minifigs getting whacked on the head by a giant skull. That doesn’t look fun, and it slows down the ride even more. On the positive side, because of how the roller coaster is laid out, it should be easy to extend it with some additional track pieces (rumor has it that we will get some track packs in the future). The Ship Ride does go fast and smooth back and forth, but it’s a bit boring. And the Skull Ride, while a good idea, doesn’t work very well in its current configuration.
Even with the above-mentioned problems, I believe that that #31084 LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Pirate Roller Coaster is a good starter set to get an introduction to the new roller coaster system. I like that the tracks are light-gray, which is the most versatile of the three colors the tracks currently appear in, and I suspect it will be the most used color in the future as well, allowing mixing and matching of different sets. I also like that the three alternate builds are so different. They can spark ideas and inspirations for custom models.
All of the sets with roller coaster pieces that we mentioned here are currently available or will be available shortly at official LEGO stores and the Online LEGO Shop. The #31084 LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Pirate Roller Coaster can be purchases – along with some other recently released 3-in-1 sets – at the LEGO Creator section of the Online LEGO Shop.
What do you think? How do you like the new LEGO roller coaster system? Do you have any of the sets already? Which one is your favorite? And in what other ways would you like to see the roller coaster tracks and cars to be used? Feel free to share your thoughts, reviews, and own ideas in the comment section below! 😉
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