Whirl Around Playground

The Whirl Around Playground is a large playset from 2005.
==Overview==
This set was released in the Fall of 2005, first welcomed to the toy line via the Hasbro Littlest Pet Shop's first press release:
"For a day of amusement, the LITTLEST PET SHOP pets gather at the WHIRL AROUND PLAYGROUND. Here, pets play on the Merry Go Round, take a ride on the swing and test their speed on the obstacle courses. Pets can ride up an elevator, walk across a bridge, swing on a hammock then slide back down to the ground. Magnets in the pets’ feet activate accessories on the playground. The LITTLEST PET SHOP WHIRL AROUND PLAYGROUND playset, available in fall 2005, comes with two exclusive pets, a Maltese puppy and a gray mouse and retails for an approximate price of $29.99."Hasbro Staff. "THE BIGGEST WORLD OF LITTLEST PETS IS HERE WITH HASBRO’S NEW LITTLEST PET SHOP TOY LINE," Hasbro, 18 Feb 2005. Via Internet Archive, captured 09 April 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050409074628/https://www.hasbro.com/media/pl/page.release/dn/default.cfm?release=337
Outside of the features mentioned by the announcement, it is characterized by the two main playground towers; they are two-tiered, with the spinning treetop swing at the top of the right-hand tower.
Unlike other playsets, the playground's large size means that this one must be assembled once taken out of the box. It is one of only three LPS playsets where assembly is required. (See also: Theme Park Adventures and Fairy Fun Rollercoaster)
===Standard Set (2005, V1)===
The standard playset came with LPS Maltese #079 and Mouse #080. 
Four additional accessories were included: a bed, food dish, pair of sunglasses, and a sled that could be pushed down the playground slide. The sled holds up to two pets, and has magnets on the bottom to secure them.
The sunglasses are made specifically to fit the Maltese mold, secured by the two small holes on the pet's ears. It appears that the sunglasses were not included in sets with the Spaniel variant.
===Standard Set (2005, V2)===
The playset was also available with #079 and #080's variant molds; the maltese's variant is a spaniel of similar color, and the mouse's variant is the mold standing on its back legs, rather than on all fours.
Other than the pets, the set is identical to the former.
It is likely that the variant set was produced later than the original, evident by the fact that both variant molds use only a blue/gray magnet, while the Maltese and all-fours mouse use a red/pink magnet.
===Sam's Club Bonus Set (2007)===
The Whirl Around Playground was given a bonus set exclusive to Sam's Club. It came with the original two pets (available in both variants) as well as the following bonus pets:
Turtle #008, Boxer #025 (Variant 1 OR Variant 2), Rabbit #028, Mouse #105, and Persian #380.
===Packaging Description===
'"The Whirl Around Playground is the ultimate play park for all your fun-lovin' pets! They can race through the obstacle course to win first prize, slide, ride the merry-go-round and enjoy the view from the treetop!"
===Online Description===
"The WHIRL AROUND PLAYGROUND playset is the ultimate park for all your fun-lovin’ pets! Pets can “magically” race through the obstacle course to win first prize, “swoosh” down the fun slide or enjoy the view from the treetop! Take one up the elevator to the café, or rest a cute pup in the hammock. . . perfect for an afternoon nap! Turn the top of the merry-go-round to make it spin around for the perfect end to a perfect LITTLEST PETSHOP day!"
==Similar Sets==
The 2010 playset, Theme Park Adventures, is a repaint of the Whirl Around Playground. It uses different pets and accessories.
==Value==
The original retail value of the Whirl Around Playground was $29.99 in 2005.Internet Archive. LPS Catalog, 28 Oct 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20051028061615/http://www.hasbro.com/pl/page.viewproduct/product_id.16632/dn/littlestpetshop/default.cfm 
NIB sets are not necessarily uncommon, but in good condition they typically have a high price range around $100+. Its out of box market price varies widely, settling somewhere around $25, or around $40 if its pets and accessories are included.
Because it is designed to be assembled by the consumer, replacement parts for the playset are common on the market; there are many affordable listings available. That being said, if you are looking to buy the fully assembled playset, be careful to make sure all the pieces are present in the listing.
===Manufacturing Information===
Standard Set (V1 and V2)	Sam's Club Bonus Set
UPC - 653569290728
Product Number - 50248	UPC - ???
Product Number - 50644
==Gallery==
Gallery 	Gallery 	Gallery 	Gallery 	Gallery
 	 	 	 	
(See More)	(See More)	(See More)	(See More)	(See More)
===Accessories===
Playset Accessories 	Playset Accessories 	Playset Accessories 	Playset Accessories 	Playset Accessories
Dog Bed 	Food Dish 	Sunglasses 	Sled 	
(View Accessory Page)	(View Accessory Page)	(View Accessory Page)	(View Accessory Page)	(View Accessory Page)
==Instruction Manuals==
Gallery 	Gallery
[View PDF] 	[View PDF]
*note: the second version of these instructions was printed in 2008. No updated version of the set has been found; the file might be a cosmetic update for the brand's website.	*note: the second version of these instructions was printed in 2008. No updated version of the set has been found; the file might be a cosmetic update for the brand's website.
==Citations==
Category:Littlest Pet Shop
Category:LPS
Category:Merchandise
Category:Toys
Category:Playsets
Category:Large Playsets
Category:Whirl Around Playground