The building will cost what skill and especially (thumb) force, but is good to deal with by an adult.
The highlight is of course the reservoir with pump. The criticism that the pump is quickly torn apart or from its socket, has just confirmed for us all at the beginning. It is important that you do not pull up the pump with full power and / or to the end, but with rather calm movements and only to about 2/3 high. Once the hang of it, now even my 4 year old son manages the pump to operate alone. For him, it is nevertheless difficult to feel the reservoirs alone with the pump, because it just still lacks the stamina to require 2L pump water high.
The outlet of the pump is not completely thought through. Each train about the Helfte of water sprayed directly on the edge of the pool. This can, however, relatively easy to solve through the spout, as shown on the attached picture, to about the Helfte with a small piece flexi rubber or similar to glue off. I have to hergenommen a small remnant sealing tape for doors. Now every train gives a 'hit' and is the dam touches much faster (and you waste less water).
The crank is working properly, even with (almost) the entire container port at that. Faster than a 'stroll ride' it does not work then, but for more speed we have the 'Water Wheel' nor (is the container port there). Advantage of Waterwheels is also this 'hidden' in a curve is outside the lane to give the turn does not need to interrupt when a boat would pass - a boat to leave on the contrary to the crank, the one must always make up briefly past , The rotary movements of both crank than Waterwheel are still quite difficult for smaller children. My 2 year old daughter is at least not yet entirely clear with both.
The water ride is with us on the terrace. This has a very gentle slope, but as long as the reservoir is at its lowest, the track will still work properly. We cover it overnight and for (longer) is not used with a plan. So less dirt comes in and the web at least protected when not used against the weather conditions.
For the balcony I would so not necessarily recommend a water course, as it still takes quite a lot of space and relatively 'next' much water goes, when emptying the water reservoir (also due to the curve in front of the lock) cranks and by the molding department at / turn the waterwheel. Just as we are the water track now (Niagara + Container Port minus 2 curves), it takes about 20L of water around the dam to get full without the boats in the remaining track while 'on drying' are has been to the pool emptied (Niagara alone is to need about 12-15L, I guess). After a while you have to fill some fun liter already, otherwise you just the reservoir no longer gets very pumped up and the other boats with the tank too little water have to be able to drive.
Quite amazing detail is still that at some tracks (eg the Container Port) structural panels and modules thereby are compatible with Lego Duplo and sortgleichen.
If even a portion should go kaput (the rubber) or you simply want to expand a bit to get everything separately as spare parts / supplements. For larger damage or supplements but you have to think about whether this is already paying off because the items quite expensive coming in general in comparison to the complete sets.
Finally, the Niagara has actually only 1 really big disadvantage namely that it has only 1 reservoir with pump - which can provide considerable frustration with 4 children. Fortunately, the Easter Bunny has but also what brought money, so we (small reservoir with pump) have already ordered to the Set 'Hamburg' and this 'problem' has become so hopefully at least partially solved.
On the whole, we are therefore very satisfied with this water ride and there is a clear buy recommendation. Children from 5/6 years so can the railway'll help 'run', younger children will still need help pump and the cranks generally. The 1 star deduction is there only because you have a little 'help out' to make function the pump properly and because the train comes with this provider NOT IN THE ORIGINAL PACKING (all comes in a (too) large, unprinted, brown box ). I found tragic, because the price was no more than fine, but would have been nice if the seller had indicated here anyway ...
