Pirate Ship Ride LEGO Ideas Project Review

Overview
This Pirate Ship Ride, created by Project GBK, is a fairground themed ride designed to go alongside sets 10247 Ferris Wheel and 10244 Fairground Mixer. This ride offers a thrilling adventure and the ship ride of a lifetime, that is, if the minifigures riding do not get seasick. For more information, you can visit this project on LEGO Ideas by clicking here.

Appeals of this Project
This project is very realistic in appearance, looking very much like a swinging ship ride one would see in an amusement park or someplace similar. Everything, from the elevated platform for getting on the ride, to the operator's booth, to the appearance and detailing of the ship itself, appears genuine; even the fences around the base of the ride and the brick-built sign up above look like they belong. The ship itself has numerous details at both the bow and the stern (front and back for you land lovers) including a cannon, treasure chest, and captain's cabin. On the main deck portion of the ride there are plenty of seats for any minifigure who is brave enough to venture aboard, though be wary, for it appears there are a few minifigures who wish they had stayed on solid land.

Underneath the raised platform there are a couple of windows where the ship riders can stop by to purchase a souvenir to remind them of their voyage or some tasty food to snack on. However, they might want to think about waiting until after the ride so they do not lose their cookies while swinging back and forth. I especially like how the front walls of the souvenir shop and refreshment kiosk swing open to reveal the interior, allowing access for increased playability. Off to the side, there is a little display with a mini model of the pirate ship where riders can have their picture taken with a couple of minifigures dressed as a seagoers.

Another feature that I really like is the ability to add a Power Functions motor to this model so that it can operate hands-free. This helps increase both the display value to collectors and adds another option relating to playability for children. I appreciate the time spent coming up with the design to make this ride operate. As shown in the video below, there is a cleaver gear system that spins a rubber wheel under the ship, accelerating it from one side to the other.

Areas for Improvement
The area for improvement that sticks out the most to me is in regard to the number of minifigures included. It may be fine to include this many minifigures in a MOC, but for a LEGO Ideas project that is seeking to become a set, I think the number of minifigures should be around what one would expect to come in a set of this size. To me, that number would probably be around 8 or so minifigures. Right now, it just looks too crowded, both on the ride and on the stairs and platform leading to the ride.

Conclusion
This is a very well designed build, and I believe that it would make a wonderful set if it reaches 10,000 supporters and passes the Official LEGO Ideas Review Process. To see more pictures and offer your support to help this become a set, you can visit the project on LEGO Ideas here. Not sure how LEGO Ideas works? Click here to find out more.

Photos used and review completed with the permission of Project GBK.

Imperial Trading Post LEGO Ideas Project Review

Overview
This project, created by freakabere, is an Imperial Trading Post which, as the name implies, portrays the imperial empire side of the Pirates theme. According to the project page, this particular trading post is set in the Caribbean Sea, and must be protected by the imperial soldiers from pirates in the area. For more information, you can visit this project on LEGO Ideas by clicking here.

Appeals of this Project
The Imperial Trading Post is a very nice looking build. The red roof and the blue sea add some eye-catching color while combining to bookend the more neutral colors that make up the dock and building portion of the trading post. The architecture style, with the lattice windows, stucco design, and arches for some of the windows and doors, is a nice representation of the style that the European powers would have taken to the Caribbean region around the 16th century. This particular trading post seems to be a joint venture between two imperial powers. Shall we call them the "Red Stripes" and the "Blue Checks"?

Looking around the docks, there are many items that will be necessary for a voyage at sea such as various weapons, barrels of powder, water, rum and food, not to mention the imperial soldiers and privateers bumming around or getting ready for their next trip to sea. Up above the trading post, we see a little jib crane that is used to move the supplies from the warehouse above the trading post to the dock below, or for loading and unloading row boats as they go to and from ships at anchor near by. In fact, we see one such row boat coming to the trading post now with a ship captain and two if his imperial sailors.

As it relates to playability, I particularly like how the top warehouse section comes off revealing the trading post underneath. Inside we find many other items, some that are necessary for a voyage at sea, others that have come from the natives in the Caribbean and will be shipped back to Europe. There is also a bar where the crusty sailors can swap sea stories and get their fill of fresh food instead of the pickled foods they are continually eating aboard ship. I particularly like how the bar makes nice use of the collectable minifigure plates for the bar countertop.

Areas for Improvement
Overall, this is a very nice project, but there are a couple of things that would make this project more appealing to me. First, I do not like how the only access to the warehouse is through the doors at the front. Making one side of the roof removable would greatly add to the playability. Second, and this is purely a matter of personal preference, I am not a fan of the mermaids. To start with, I am not a huge fan of mermaids in general, but they just seem out of place to me in this project.

Conclusion
The Imperial Trading Post is an excellent project that would fit in well with the Pirate sets that LEGO has produced in the past. With a modification to the warehouse to make it more accessible for playability, I think this would be a wonderful set if it reaches 10,000 supporters and passes the Official LEGO Ideas Review Process. To see more pictures and offer your support to help this become a set, you can visit this project on LEGO Ideas here. Not sure how LEGO Ideas works? Click here to find our more.

Photos used and review completed with the permission of freakabere.