The Ups & Downs of the Pantasy Circus Paradrop (86003)

The Circus Paradrop (86003) by Pantasy is the latest set the growing brand has to offer in their Fairground series. It was a great pleasure receiving a review copy, thank you Pantasy for gifting me (David @totallybricktastic) this set and giving me the opportunity to build something truly original!

All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you would like to purchase and build this set for yourself, please consider using our affiliate code and link. Use THEBRICKPOST during checkout at Pantasy.com for 10% off. Or grab it from Amazon instead.

The Box & Contents:

Another high quality, glossy box from Pantasy, with great images front and rear of the set in action. We have 8 bagged stages, spare plates and strings, a blue bag containing all the electronics, a thick, circular decoration that will go on top of the base section, and 1 bagged manual that also has some shiny vinyls protected inside. We also have ONE small sticker, the rest of the set is ALL prints!

The Build:

Stage 1 sees you build the octagonal base, and here we also install most of the electronics along with most of the cogs and axles that will provide the physical movement. All very straightforward.

Stages 2 and 3 has you building up the octagonal base, and creating the lower part of the central shaft. Here we also attach the lights strip, and place the thick, circular decoration on the top and decorate the outer base with super prints and gold, drum-lacquered pieces. Pantasy’s gold pieces are always second to none!

Stage 4 has you building the central column, with large circular window pieces that were bagged separately for protection. We also house the lights inside here which is a simple process but the clever part is the vinyls that you bend into the windows. When completed and the lights are turned on, these shiny vinyls give the lights a ‘star’ effect.

We also build the main workings for the four paradrop baskets here, installing the strings, and winding them in a certain way that you really need to concentrate on. Do study the manual steps here, at one point you have to twist the mechanism 1.5 turns, it will feel wrong and even sound like you’re breaking something, don’t worry, it’s correct!

Stages 5, 6 and 7 see you building the four-pointed star top. This is quite the build with lots of prints, drum-lacquered parts, and you also build little circus props for the top too. There is a little bit of repetition here as a four-pointed star needs 8 identical panels to form the shape.
We also build four really nice, larger circus props that finish the base, including a really cute elephant. This is where the only sticker in the set is used. They go onto the axles we left protruding in the base from the end of stage 3 to give them movement.

Stage 8, provides the finishing touches and a brilliant teddy bear, jack-in-the-box.

Switch it on! It works really well with two pairs of baskets going up and down in tandem, the lighting effect is super, and the four lower props spinning are great too. It’s a really pretty, visual set. The motor isn’t too loud either but it is noticeable as unlike the Claw Machine (86002) there’s no music box brick included with this set.

Note: You need to provide your own power bank.

If you’ve got young children they are going to be all over this set! It will also look amazing in a fairground section of any brick city.

Final Thoughts:

This is a really fun build! It’s another tall set from Pantasy, it’s obviously not as big in all dimensions as the Claw Machine but it is as tall. It works really well and is rather hypnotic to watch, I just wish there was a music box to help hide the sound of the motor, but like I said earlier, it’s not overly loud.

Score: 9/10 – I’m taking a point away for the lack of a music box, and the fact the four baskets are empty. I guess you’ll have to provide minifigures to enjoy the ride!

If you would like to purchase and build this set for yourself, please consider using our affiliate code and link. Use THEBRICKPOST during checkout at Pantasy.com for 10% off. Or grab it from Amazon instead.