A terrible dilemma!

[Lindama]

My daughter turns five in around five weeks and she MUST have new Playmobil, of course. I am wearing my poor old eyes out looking for the perfect set/sets for her  . It is such a trauma trying to decide. I am liking things that are discontinued (typical!).

She is making it more difficult by looking at those little catalogues you get with sets and asking for something different every five minutes.

I am really liking the new holiday house and pool -

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/PLAYMOBIL-Freibad-mit-Rutsche-4858-NEU-OVP-/370378934721?cmd=ViewItem&pt=DE_Allesf%C3%BCrKind_Spielzeug_Playmobil&hash=item563c4e09c1

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/PLAYMOBIL-Ferientraumhaus-4857-NEU-OVP-/370378934676?cmd=ViewItem&pt=DE_Allesf%C3%BCrKind_Spielzeug_Playmobil&hash=item563c4e0994

However, much to my disappointment, I really would like the old fairytale/magic castle. I am not taken with the new one 

Why am I drawn to the older stuff! I think I just want it all 

edited to add....does anyone have this? I think this is fabulous but would cost me $150au ultimately.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260598667580&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[WarriorOfToys]

I beleive we are all drawn to the older stuff...
Some because we never had them as children and find them cooler to have then the now-a-days items you can buy anywhere. Some because we dont like where Playmobil is going with there new items and want them to change back to the older ones.
But I think we all feel that the older sets which were made by Hans Beck were best and that very few can top them.

As for your other questions I am afraid I dont have an answer.

[Gepetto]

I have never seen that set. 

[Klickus Mobilius]

That is an interesting set.  I have never seen it either.

I, too, like the older Playmobil better even though I only just started collecting.  The direction that Playmobil is going is towards the fantastic like Ghost Pirates and Dragon Knights.     If they are going to have fantastic themes then why not Greek mythology?  Now, that I can go for!

[socrates]

I have never seen that set. 

If you are talking of the 4095 animal set, this is an exclusive set for "Quelle" (a now bankrupt german retailer) and has been released in 2007 (?). I think it was sold for 50€ and most people felt it to be a little expensive.
But it is definitely nice. I like it as it gives a fantastic background scene for pictures in playmo-nature...

best,
socrates

[Wolf Knight]

I think you should get her the pool... children of that age pay more attention to something they can relate too (maybe you had or you will have vacations at sea, or you might visit a poll very often as a family...)
On the other hand, the animal set is a brilliant idea and very educational!!!
You can still get the fairy tale castle for yourself and enjoy it another time!!!!

[Lindama]

I do like the pool and think she would like it too, ah, so much to get 

I was really interested to hear the background about the animal set...thank you Socrates. It is definately a lovely set and I agree about the educational aspects and about how great it would be for a landscape.

ah well...the 4095 sold. Must keep my eye out for another.

[Gepetto]

Thank you for the information Socrates, I feel better knowing it was an exclusive set in another country!