Ready for a mega sized Vintage Toy of the Month? After much work, the Crystal Falls is ready for its debut on NerdSociety! After all, nothing says play set like a water wonderland for She-Ra and her friends. So let’s begin this truly epic look back on one fun vintage toy.

The box art for She-Ra play sets was always the best. The artwork looked amazing and featured various characters from the Princess of Power Universe. Perfuma and Mermista got their images plastered on the box as well as She-Ra and Swiftwind. And who doesn’t love that jealous Catra sneaking around in the bushes? On a side note, the price tag in the upper right corner shows that this toy originally came from Children’s Palace and the price was 19.99, though I believe it ended up on clearance. Either way, it just boggles my mind that this item cost that much back then.

Closer shots can hopefully show the detail of these pictures. These images of She-Ra and her friends were really impressive depictions of the action dolls themselves and really just looked gorgeous.

The photo of Mermista depicts the mer-woman using some of the pieces from the play set. Overall the picture really captures the exact play points for this toy. More on that a bit later.

The back of the box shows a few things, like a diagram of the actual set. There is also a brief bio of the toy as well as the lineup of figures available for purchase. The Crystal Falls came out during the second wave of She-Ra toys, so the POP characters shown are the “second tier” cast.

The writing is tough to make out, but here is a translation on the bio of Crystal Falls:

“On the Southern shores of Etheria, in a very secret cove, is a place of “magic” waters known as Crystal Falls! She-Ra comes here often, after using her great powers, to meet with special friends and refresh within its showers, Perfuma drinks the water with goblets from the well! Mermista likes to lounge about on her cushioned shell! Catra watches jealously, but She-Ra doesn’t fret. She knows the tricky Catra can’t stand to get wet!” Poor Catra. She just can’t ever get a break.

Mattel really captured all the information possible for the Crystal Falls on the other side of the box. There were many features that included a three level water fall that actually worked with water and the sea shell hand pump. One of the coolest things about this toy though, was that it folded up when the play was over! Also this toy was copyrighted in 1986.

This photo was featured on the rest of the sides of the box. This is the only live photo of the Crystal Falls (on the box) and if you look at the artwork, they both look very spot on. But enough of boxes! Let’s get to the best part!

Here are the individual pieces:

The bottom base. (Check out the glitter gold paint that appears like sparkly sand!)

The three level waterfall. (I never realized this until now, but there is a swan etched into the Falls at the top!)

Wrapped together were the various gold pieces, an orchid for the top, and three sea shell pieces.

Also wrapped together were a cushioned sea shell seat and a towel. Both feature the same pattern.

Here are the items all removed from the bag! Most of the pieces are self explanatory, but for anyone who stumbles upon the golden pieces, make sure you know what is all included: brush, towel bar, comb, perfume bottle, drain, nozzle, hook, goblets, and a mirror.

There were also stickers! A holographic sheet was for sparkly stones etched on the swan’s neck and the reflective stickers were for the large mirror on the Falls and the small golden mirror.

An instruction booklet was included.

Problems with the item could be handled with a trusty limited warranty form.

And for those hardcore She-Ra fans, a form for the She-Ra magazine was included too. (The She-Ra magazines contained a special She-Ra story, poster, as well as artwork from fans. Craft tips and all kinds of stuff were also a fun part of the magazine too. It was a nice magazine that always featured some dazzling covers!)

Here it is! The Crystal Falls put together! The colors are all vivid and the toy just really pops. There was a water hose as well to help with the water pumping system; however the hose has not aged well so it was not featured for this look back on the fabulous Crystal Falls! However, here is how it worked. Water would be poured into the large shell pool, and after pumping the sea shell in the bottom left, water would go through the hose in the back. The water would then pour out of the nozzle from the orchid, and down the multi level system!

Let’s see Crystal Falls in true action! I can’t even begin to explain how exciting it is to actually have this item displayed. The only thing missing is a brand new Perfuma and Mermista for the Masters of the Universe Classics line to truly complete the picture. (Their vintage releases will do nicely.) Check out some closer shots!

Mermista! Oh my favorite. For anyone thinking Mermista wasn’t important to POP, think about it this way: she did get her own play set. (Mermista was always at the Crystal Falls in the cartoon. She may have lived under the water, but for most fans she will always be associated with Crystal Falls.)

Oh when will Catra ever learn? Sneaking around Etheria was always Catra’s preference, even though She-Ra was always onto her.

If there was ever a character that truly needed an update it would be Perfuma. She was flighty and goofy, but she was also highly comical and had a lot of heart. (Though not as much as Bow.)

And of course She-Ra. The ultimate heroine! Yes there may have been an aspect of primping and being pretty with this toy line, but at the end of the day she was wielding a sword. And she could go up against Hordak with a blindfold and arms tied behind her back. She was/is the greatest…

…so is this toy! I was very fortunate to come across this item recently. It was mint and has actually maintained a good-looking age for being almost 27 years old. Crystal Falls may not be as grand as the Crystal Castle, but it is a great piece from the POP toy line. So please enjoy the pictures and walk down toy memory lane with this really fun Vintage Toy of the Month! And remember, the 15th of every month will feature an all new vintage toy to look over! With that, I am off to enjoy some relaxation at the Crystal Falls. I will leave you with one last image!

Crystal Falls is folded up and ready to go! Take care everyone, until next time!

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