Wood Play Systems

[redheadk]

If you have one, can you tell me what you have, where you got it (or the brand, whatever), features your kids like, and how it's holding up?

Trying to decide what to get and we are ready to purchase, we just need to decide WHAT to purchase. Want it in place to enjoy the spring weather!

We will be paying to have it installed because DH is very impatient about these things and I don't want it falling down around DDs ears.

[ilikedonuts]

We have a Rainbow. We wanted something that we could play with the kids on. The cheaper systems from Costco and TRU have much smaller weight limits because the support beams are smaller. My husband is 6'5 and 270 lbs so it needed to have the higher limits.

[redheadk]

ilikedonuts, that is EXACTLY my concern, along with the quality of the wood. I'm leaning towards one that is slightly more than the Costco ones (but not as much as Rainbow) but uses gorgeous, high-quality wood and has really high weight limits. DH wants one with a tire swing (rather than a clubhouse type thing on bottom) so that is limiting, too.

[ilikedonuts]

Look at the warranties too. Some are just a few years. Some are lifetime.

The thing I was super picky about was the slide. I wanted the scoop slide. Not a wavy slide.

[ilikedonuts]

And I wanted actually steps not those weird metal climbing bars that looked like a net.

I'm really picky!

[shamrockshake]

we bought a gorilla. We had someone install it for us- the "swingset man" he's known in our area, this is all he does. I asked his recommendations before we bought, his reply-

New, rainbow is best but extremely expensive. I like Playnation, Gorilla, and the cedarview resort sold at Costco stores

[lurknomore]

Mar 5, 2015 8:22:08 GMT -5 shamrockshake said:

we bought a gorilla. We had someone install it for us- the "swingset man" he's known in our area, this is all he does. I asked his recommendations before we bought, his reply-

New, rainbow is best but extremely expensive. I like Playnation, Gorilla, and the cedarview resort sold at Costco stores

We also bought a Gorilla.  We just put it in last year so I can't speak to how it is holding up but the kids love it.  The wood at least has a 10 yr warranty.  DH is handy and put it together himself, but it did take us quite awhile.  Overall he was pleased with the quality.  I spent a ton of time to figure out the cheapest way to do it.  I found it on overstock and went through UPromise.  They have a 10% off coupon for new customers (used an email address that was new to them, they didn't seem to care about the shipping address) and then overstock is 5% cash back.  Shipping did take a good month or so, so if you're ordering from somewhere, we sure to know what ship time you're looking at.  I made sure I was home the day it was delivered.  The UPS guy was NOT pleased

This is the one we got.  DD1 requested a twisty slide (we did this instead of birthday presents for the girls last year, so we tried to let them help us decide).  They do have some with a tire swing but know that to accommodate that well, you'll want one with a taller deck height.  We visited a local place (prob where ilikedonuts got her Rainbow!!) and they said that to do a tire swing right they won't install it on anything less than a 6 ft deck height.  I know some places say you can put a tire swing on a 5' deck, but looking at them I totally understand why you would want at least 6'.

www.gorillaplaysets.com/Mountaineer-Clubhouse-Swing-Set-p/01-0033-ap-1.htm

[lurknomore]

Mar 5, 2015 0:54:22 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

We have a Rainbow. We wanted something that we could play with the kids on. The cheaper systems from Costco and TRU have much smaller weight limits because the support beams are smaller. My husband is 6'5 and 270 lbs so it needed to have the higher limits.

Your back yard is gorgeous!  Can I come play??!?!  I really want to put down rubber mulch this year.  Do you like it?  We talked about doing it when we installed last summer but it wasn't in the budget.  We are going to reconsider this year. 

[mswax]

Gorilla...LOVE IT!

[ilikedonuts]

lurknomore, PGWorld doesn't actually sell Rainbow anymore (there is a Rainbow store in Medina though)! The two brands they have are even more money (I was speechless when they were giving us pricing). And only one has lifetime warranty on the wood (the $$$$$$$ brand). Its crazy how much they charge!

[whitemerlot]

Rainbow. We bought it used from Craig's list for 80% off. We hired someone from Craig's list to move it for $400. Very happy with it and glad I got it used.

[mainelyfoolish]

We have a Cedar Summit one from Costco. It was the best bang for the buck with a $1000 budget. It has space for three swings (came with two swings and a trapeze bar), a two story clubhouse, a wavy slide, stairs to the slide and a climbing wall. I purchased a Gorilla brand baby swing online to add on for DS to use.

You mentioned not wanting a clubhouse, but that part is what got the most use last year by our six year old who does a lot of pretend play with her friends.

[mainelyfoolish]

I'm going to buy a standing swing add-on for this summer. Older kids love it!

www.homedepot.com/p/Gorilla-Playsets-Stand-N-Swing-04-0026/203271100

[lurknomore]

Mar 5, 2015 9:08:54 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

lurknomore, PGWorld doesn't actually sell Rainbow anymore (there is a Rainbow store in Medina though)! The two brands they have are even more money (I was speechless when they were giving us pricing). And only one has lifetime warranty on the wood (the $$$$$$$ brand). Its crazy how much they charge!

I couldn't remember the brands they had but I nearly puked when I saw their prices.  Um yeah, back to online ordering it is!

You like the rubber mulch?  Any complaints?

[mainelyfoolish]

I thought everyone would appreciate a picture of my play structure in its current state.  (wilted)

Attachment Deleted

[anaps28]

Mar 5, 2015 9:33:26 GMT -5 @chloe77 said:

We have one from a company called Superior Play. It's basically a Rainbow - same materials - but not the brand name. It was $3k (the comparable Rainbow was like $4k). We love it.

This is us too

[londoncalling]

Mar 5, 2015 8:39:03 GMT -5 lurknomore said:

Mar 5, 2015 8:22:08 GMT -5 shamrockshake said:

we bought a gorilla. We had someone install it for us- the "swingset man" he's known in our area, this is all he does. I asked his recommendations before we bought, his reply-

New, rainbow is best but extremely expensive. I like Playnation, Gorilla, and the cedarview resort sold at Costco stores

We also bought a Gorilla.  We just put it in last year so I can't speak to how it is holding up but the kids love it.  The wood at least has a 10 yr warranty.  DH is handy and put it together himself, but it did take us quite awhile.  Overall he was pleased with the quality.  I spent a ton of time to figure out the cheapest way to do it.  I found it on overstock and went through UPromise.  They have a 10% off coupon for new customers (used an email address that was new to them, they didn't seem to care about the shipping address) and then overstock is 5% cash back.  Shipping did take a good month or so, so if you're ordering from somewhere, we sure to know what ship time you're looking at.  I made sure I was home the day it was delivered.  The UPS guy was NOT pleased

This is the one we got.  DD1 requested a twisty slide (we did this instead of birthday presents for the girls last year, so we tried to let them help us decide).  They do have some with a tire swing but know that to accommodate that well, you'll want one with a taller deck height.  We visited a local place (prob where ilikedonuts got her Rainbow!!) and they said that to do a tire swing right they won't install it on anything less than a 6 ft deck height.  I know some places say you can put a tire swing on a 5' deck, but looking at them I totally understand why you would want at least 6'.

www.gorillaplaysets.com/Mountaineer-Clubhouse-Swing-Set-p/01-0033-ap-1.htm

I bought this one on black friday.  I can't wait for the weather to break so DH can get it up!

[holly116]

Mar 5, 2015 9:30:01 GMT -5 lurknomore said:

Mar 5, 2015 9:08:54 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

lurknomore, PGWorld doesn't actually sell Rainbow anymore (there is a Rainbow store in Medina though)! The two brands they have are even more money (I was speechless when they were giving us pricing). And only one has lifetime warranty on the wood (the $$$$$$$ brand). Its crazy how much they charge!

I couldn't remember the brands they had but I nearly puked when I saw their prices.  Um yeah, back to online ordering it is!

You like the rubber mulch?  Any complaints?

We have a rainbow with rubber mulch. We bought it from DH's boss last year when he was selling his old house. LOVE it and the rubber mulch is a really nice perk. I don't worry as much since it's so shock absorbent and it seems cleaner than just regular wood chips. We bought the set when it was probably 5-8 years old. DH had to replace I think one beam and the floor boards to the playhouse top part due to damage from carpenter bees but otherwise, it was in excellent condition. A fresh coat of paint and it looks brand new. It is beyond sturdy.

I posted this in the morning randoms to show how much snow we got overnight. We have the same model as ilikedonuts

[zarapipe]

We have a play nation set. it was a discontinued model and I think we paid 1400? Hard to remember. It is middle of the road. Not walmart but not as pricey as gorilla either.

[aspentosh]

Mar 5, 2015 9:30:16 GMT -5 mainelyfoolish said:

I thought everyone would appreciate a picture of my play structure in its current state.  (wilted)

This is the exact same one we have and it's great. Both H an I swing on it (I am 155lb, H is 175lb) and get up into the fort area without issues. DD *loves* the clubhouse. Like, she barely swings on them because she's always having a party in the clubhouse or serving us food out of the windows. 

[aspentosh]

Support for me and my beer.  <)

Attachment Deleted

[iheartbanjos]

Mar 5, 2015 9:21:52 GMT -5 mainelyfoolish said:

We have a Cedar Summit one from Costco. It was the best bang for the buck with a $1000 budget. It has space for three swings (came with two swings and a trapeze bar), a two story clubhouse, a wavy slide, stairs to the slide and a climbing wall. I purchased a Gorilla brand baby swing online to add on for DS to use.

You mentioned not wanting a clubhouse, but that part is what got the most use last year by our six year old who does a lot of pretend play with her friends.

We replaced our old rainbow with this one. The quality is great. I'm 5'9 125lbs and H is 6'4 215lbs and we both climb and play on it with the kids no problem.



ETA: we got it on sale for $799 last summer.

[redheadk]

Mar 5, 2015 9:21:52 GMT -5 mainelyfoolish said:

We have a Cedar Summit one from Costco. It was the best bang for the buck with a $1000 budget. It has space for three swings (came with two swings and a trapeze bar), a two story clubhouse, a wavy slide, stairs to the slide and a climbing wall. I purchased a Gorilla brand baby swing online to add on for DS to use.

You mentioned not wanting a clubhouse, but that part is what got the most use last year by our six year old who does a lot of pretend play with her friends.

We actually have a freestanding cedar outdoor playhouse which is why I was hoping for the tire swing. Dd loves the playhouse, it gets tons of use, especially when friends are over!

[redheadk]

Mar 5, 2015 9:51:53 GMT -5 londoncalling said:

Mar 5, 2015 8:39:03 GMT -5 lurknomore said:

We also bought a Gorilla.  We just put it in last year so I can't speak to how it is holding up but the kids love it.  The wood at least has a 10 yr warranty.  DH is handy and put it together himself, but it did take us quite awhile.  Overall he was pleased with the quality.  I spent a ton of time to figure out the cheapest way to do it.  I found it on overstock and went through UPromise.  They have a 10% off coupon for new customers (used an email address that was new to them, they didn't seem to care about the shipping address) and then overstock is 5% cash back.  Shipping did take a good month or so, so if you're ordering from somewhere, we sure to know what ship time you're looking at.  I made sure I was home the day it was delivered.  The UPS guy was NOT pleased

This is the one we got.  DD1 requested a twisty slide (we did this instead of birthday presents for the girls last year, so we tried to let them help us decide).  They do have some with a tire swing but know that to accommodate that well, you'll want one with a taller deck height.  We visited a local place (prob where ilikedonuts got her Rainbow!!) and they said that to do a tire swing right they won't install it on anything less than a 6 ft deck height.  I know some places say you can put a tire swing on a 5' deck, but looking at them I totally understand why you would want at least 6'.

www.gorillaplaysets.com/Mountaineer-Clubhouse-Swing-Set-p/01-0033-ap-1.htm

I bought this one on black friday.  I can't wait for the weather to break so DH can get it up!

This one is on my list. Way fair has it with a wood roof for $2088, free shipping, no tax.

[redheadk]

Thanks all, I'm loving the pics! Very helpful. Have to run into work so I'll read the rest later

[lurknomore]

Mar 5, 2015 11:23:49 GMT -5 redheadk said:

Mar 5, 2015 9:51:53 GMT -5 londoncalling said:

I bought this one on black friday.  I can't wait for the weather to break so DH can get it up!

This one is on my list. Way fair has it with a wood roof for $2088, free shipping, no tax.

Overstock has it with the wood roof for the same price.  Use the overstock deal I posted above and get it for 1879.20 out of pocket and then $94 cash back for a total of 1785.20!

ETA:  I don't see that coupon anymore.  Sad.  I do get overstock coupons, as much as 12% (although a very rare 20% off was out at the beginning of Feb).  That's still a pretty good deal. 

[FoxInFiji]

Mar 5, 2015 10:54:46 GMT -5 iheartbanjos said:

Mar 5, 2015 9:21:52 GMT -5 mainelyfoolish said:

We have a Cedar Summit one from Costco. It was the best bang for the buck with a $1000 budget. It has space for three swings (came with two swings and a trapeze bar), a two story clubhouse, a wavy slide, stairs to the slide and a climbing wall. I purchased a Gorilla brand baby swing online to add on for DS to use.

You mentioned not wanting a clubhouse, but that part is what got the most use last year by our six year old who does a lot of pretend play with her friends.

We replaced our old rainbow with this one. The quality is great. I'm 5'9 125lbs and H is 6'4 215lbs and we both climb and play on it with the kids no problem.



ETA: we got it on sale for $799 last summer.

DH saw this at Costco last week and wanted to buy it on the spot.  He was worried they wouldn't carry it when DD was older.  She's 4 months I think we have time. 

Where did you get it on sale?

Also my dad built us a way over engineered solid cedar one when we were kids and religiously stained it.  He still has it in his shed.  So we might end up with that in our backyard someday.

[iheartbanjos]

Costco at the end of July last year. They started at $999 and lowered the price by $100 twice.

We paid someone $200 to out it together, so it was a wash

Costco has one every year with slight variations. Last year and this year appear to be exact the same, though. I have friends with 5+ year old sets from Costco still going strong. I feel like this one is definitely more sturdy than our old Rainbow.

[redheadk]

Lots to think about!

Our current argument is tire swing OR a tube slide. Both options will have a regular slide. Opinions? Votes? I'm leaning towards tub slide myself.

[ilikedonuts]

I want the playhouse! Every year I tell DH we need to get it.