RE: Flying Island - I like it. I'm seeing way to many negatives about it - and believe all comments to be correct IF you are an end game player. However, I'm a 30 mil city in PmE so while I'm not exactly a NUBE, neither am I as far forward as some who comment.
I built Flying Island using purchased goods - which eliminates one objection. I spent 2,000 FPs on the goods, and it's already paid back 30% of that. I think it works just fine. I have it at level 10, intend to go to level 20. Currently it drops 1-1/4 shards per day, at level 20 it will be 1-1/2. Over last week it has produced 250 FPs, 150 diamonds, and a few other goodies. It looks nice. I have the space. While it probably does not make financial sense for the end-game player, at an earlier age it just might.