Anyone have the Costco Sunray from any year? What about Sam's Club Playaround?

[momofjandl]

Yes, yes..back to the swing sets again.

Does anyone have last year or this years Sunray set from Costco?

After all this looking and deciding I think we have finally decided to go with that one.

We went to the store and it looks pretty big and solid for the price. I know that some posted the reason it was cheaper was b/c it wasn't as high. For those of you with it, does that appear to be true? It was up on a shelf so I coudlnt' see how high the fort bottom was, but it looked to be about 5 ft which is standard for most sets.

Also, for those of you with Costco memberships...are there any % off coupons on swing sets? I know there was for another set they had online. Does this one ever get a coupon?

Lastly..they had 6 in stock and now only 5. Do you think it could wait to be picked up this weekend? I know they will get more in stock..but it's warming here in MA and I'm worried I'll end up losing my chance to get one. They won't let you pay and hold.

Oh..and what about the Sam's Club Playaround? Is that a cedar works set? Does anyone have that one? It's available online only so I can't go and ck out quality.

Thanks!
Ruth

[momofjandl]

Ok..so I did more searching and am torn between the Costco Sunray (by rainbow I think) and Sam's club Playaround (by cedar works).

I have two boys ages 2.5 and 4. Sam's Club is $300 more and delivery only-ie-can't see it in person.

Does anyone have either that can weigh in-especially the playaround set?

My main concern is that I can't see the cedar works set. The nice thing about it is 2 forts instead of 1. But I am worried that it means 2 small forts. Also the overall height is about 2 ft shorter, so I am worried the dk height might be lower. I like it b/c it has more climing options which my boys are really into. However, the options that are there I could easily add on..like a knotted rope and rope ladder. But b/c of 2 forts that means 2 ladders and 2 ramps to climb into them as opposed to Costcos 1 ramp and 1 ladder into the 1 fort. But in the pict the ramps and ladders appear narrow.

Overall there seem to be more options on the cedar works set, but the quality seems a little lower. The swings chains aren't vinyl covered all the way up like the costco set. There are no grab bars. Things like that.

http://www.sunraypremiumplaygrounds.com/

http://playaround-swingsets.com/

Here are the main differences

Costco Has
1 24 sq ft fort dk height 5 ft
Sandbox and small general store area
larger rock wall (I think)
3 swings (instead of 2)
monkey bars with ladder access
3 and 15 yr warranty
ages 3-11
L17 W14.25 H12.25

Sams Club
Has 2 forts (I called and was told one was 4by6 and the other 2by4, but the 4by6 looks smaller than the costco 4by6 in the picts) would/could not tell me deck height but overall peak height is almost 2 ft shorter.
knotted rope (easily added to costco set)
rope ladder (small and easily added to costco set)
firemans pole
ramp
2 swings instead of 3
2 ladders instead of 1 (costco has the ladder access monkey bars)
2 and 10 yr warranty
ages 2-12
L19 W15 H9.10

Both have similar features otherwise. The weight limits are the same for both. Sorry so long. I just want to make the best investment for our family. I hate that I can't see the Playaround set. But the price difference is also $1299. vs. $1589. Only $290..but it's getting up higher then we wanted to spend too.

Thanks!
Ruth

[mominma]

There was a lot of talk about the Playaround systems from Cedar Works last Fall on these boards. If you do a search, you will find information.

I did find these posts, which show pictures of the Cedar Works set.

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboar...1409&mode=full

I am trying to decide between the Explorer on Costco, the Sunray, and the $1500 dollar one on Sam's Club. I think my kids would love the tunnel at the top.

Melissa
DS 9/00
DD 3/03
DD 8/05

[momofjandl]

Thanks for the post and link. I don't know why, but I never have luck with searches. I must be doing something wrong. But when I search tons of things come up but never what I searched for.

Anyways, the link was great. It appears that the Cedar Works set iss bigger than I thought.

Just curious why you aren't considering that one too..in your list. Also, what is the $1500 with the tunnel made of..it didn't list it and we don't want pressure treated.

Thanks again,
Ruth

[mominma]

I was not considering anything else until I read your post and checked out the ones at Sam's Club, I really like the look of the Cambridge and I think my kids would have fun climbing and the fort looks more like a treehouse, but for some reason the quality does not look at sturdy. I hate just using online information.

I wish I got the 2006 Sunray with the tire swing. I really do not want the sandbox or picnic table. We actually have a Creative Playthings swingset, but it is over 10 years old - it came with the house, but I want to get a new one, since when my 6 year old is on it the swing area gets creaky. I am leaning towards the Explorer system on Costco's site, I just wish I knew the true manuf. and the weight restrictions.

I did consider the trading post last year, when you could buy it directly from cedar works for about $250 less, but I did not think it had enough for my kids. They really like the swings, so the Explorer with 3 swings and the tire swing seems to fit the bill better.

Melissa
DS 9/00
DD 3/03
It's a GIRL 8/30/05

[momofjandl]

Melissa,

Funny..my kids like to climb most so I don't care as much about swings..but want a few just in case. I didn't know the 2006 Sunray had a tire swing. That's what my son really likes and I was thinking on the current Sunray set I would just have to replace a swing or 2 with that.

I've been emailing with Bill from that thread you posted and he's been very helpful. I can forward on info he's sent me to you if you like. He really seems to like his current playaround set. There's a $370 cost difference between the 2 sets for us. Not a huge deal but enough to make a difference. Especially since I can't see it in person. And while it has a lot of climbing things..I was worried it didn't have enough either. For some reason the Costco set picts make it look so much bigger..I don't know why. It's basically the same size etc.

So I am still trying to decide...
Ruth

[JMS]

Hi Melissa,
I'm in a similiar situation.. I WISH I could buy Costco's 2006 swingset for the tire swing. I'm also considering the Cambridge. Do you know if it's also made by Cedarworks? And do you happen to know the height of the swingbeam? I'm hoping to buy a swingset with a swingbeam over 8 feet (closer to 9 or 10 feet would be ideal) b/c I think the higher they can swing, the more years we'll get out of it.

TIA!

[momofjandl]

Sam's says to call leisure time products for more info.

Here's the site.

http://www.leisuretimeproducts.com/swings.htm

I'm guessing it's treated wood. There is only a 5 yr warranty and only a mention of natural wood roof.

Ruth

[mum1day]

I have the Sunray from Costco from 2005. It's huge and took quite a while to put together. I don't know what the Sam's one is like, but I am not happy with the quality of the Sunray. It's almost 2 years old and already many parts of the swing are rusting and the bucket seat is broken! I would never buy one again and when we move, we have already decided that we will spend more money on a better quality set.

It is pretty tall, I believe at least 10' at it's highest point.

I do not believe there are ever coupons, but I could be wrong.

Anyway, HTH.

[momofjandl]

Natasha,

Wow, I'm sorry you don't like your set. That has me worried. It looked pretty solid in the stores.

Where is it rusting? At the screws? I know that they now offer a 3 and 15 yr warranty. Not sure they did when you bought yours. The warranty may cover your swing. Do you have winters where you are? Did you bring the swings in? I know the manual for this year states to bring swings in in weather below 35.

Thanks for your imput.

Anyone else with a Sunray happy or not?

Rut