Future of Advent Calendars

[wesker]

Love the idea of a Middle Earth Advent Calender, especially if it comes with Santa Gandalf and some long overdue characters like Eowyn and Faramir.

[Boulderer]

I've always wanted to see an AC that had the daily mini builds designed to be combined into one larger build. Now that would be a creative challenge that I'd think TLC would revel in

[ResIpsaLoquitur]

I think we should stop holding out hope for an LOTR calendar, fun as that would be. The last Hobbit film comes out this year and I would be surprised if Lego keeps making LOTR stuff after that. Are there any major scenes from the films they've yet to make?

I suspect they'll continue with City, Friends, and Star Wars for the near future because that's what's been selling. Those calendars all sold out well before Christmas last year--I think the price drop helped--and I bet they'll want to repeat that.

I think I'd really like them to take a break from the SW calendars since my wallet needs the rest, but it probably just sells too well.

[AFOLguy1970]

I think we should stop holding out hope for an LOTR calendar, fun as that would be. The last Hobbit film comes out this year and I would be surprised if Lego keeps making LOTR stuff after that. Are there any major scenes from the films they've yet to make?

I suspect they'll continue with City, Friends, and Star Wars for the near future because that's what's been selling. Those calendars all sold out well before Christmas last year--I think the price drop helped--and I bet they'll want to repeat that.

I think I'd really like them to take a break from the SW calendars since my wallet needs the rest, but it probably just sells too well.

I dont think many LOTR fans actually expect an advent calendar. Most of us were saying it would be nice if they did one. It is sometimes fun to speculate what one would look like.

As for if any scenes were not covered, you might want to look at the History section and see the LOTR future sets thread. Some major scenes, factions, and characters have yet to be seen.

[Dorayaki]

I think we should stop holding out hope for an LOTR calendar, fun as that would be. The last Hobbit film comes out this year and I would be surprised if Lego keeps making LOTR stuff after that. Are there any major scenes from the films they've yet to make?

I suspect they'll continue with City, Friends, and Star Wars for the near future because that's what's been selling. Those calendars all sold out well before Christmas last year--I think the price drop helped--and I bet they'll want to repeat that.

I'd say that opinion is more about the future of LEGO LotR, not the AC topic, even though you might be correct, you should discuss it in the subforum.

And realistically speaking, keeping same themes for ACs does bore many FOLs. It's not a silly or meaningless topic.

Edited July 25, 2014 by Dorayaki

[ResIpsaLoquitur]

Oh, I don't think it's a meaningless topic at all--I just Lego would read these threads and do it.

Somebody once proposed a Monster Fighters Halloween calendar (it'd need 30 slots) and I'd love to see that. Not holding my breath since MF is (no pun) dead.

[Dorayaki]

Oh, I don't think it's a meaningless topic at all--I just Lego would read these threads and do it.

Somebody once proposed a Monster Fighters Halloween calendar (it'd need 30 slots) and I'd love to see that. Not holding my breath since MF is (no pun) dead.

I can understand that, but it's still worthy discussing for LEGO since similar ACs from year to year is an obvious problem. I agree that some obscure or one-time themes can hardly be declared as an AC theme, but still the other new recurring action themes or TLM do have a bigger chance and potential market. Edited July 27, 2014 by Dorayaki

[CrazyDalton777]

I think LEGO should release a calendar with DC and Marvel in the same advent calendar, they could have 6 minifigs in total (3 from each universe). The mini builds could be something like motorcycles, small cars, weapons racks etc. I know I would buy it.

[Dorayaki]

I think LEGO should release a calendar with DC and Marvel in the same advent calendar, they could have 6 minifigs in total (3 from each universe). The mini builds could be something like motorcycles, small cars, weapons racks etc. I know I would buy it.

That's a nice point----- even though it sounds impossible. Suppose that the two brands may not be in the same set, they have to take turns. It's much like the whole TLM debate why Marvel wasn't there. The crossover thing would be discussed in regular sets first, not in ACs. Edited August 3, 2014 by Dorayaki

[CrazyDalton777]

That's a nice point----- even though it sounds impossible. Suppose that the two brands may not be in the same set, they have to take turns. It's much like the whole TLM debate why Marvel wasn't there. The crossover thing would be discussed in regular sets first, not in ACs.

Yeah, thinking about it now the cross brand thing would be an issue, maybe one year they could have DC with the conditions I put above with 3 minifigs being heroes and 3 being villains and the next year they could have Marvel.

[Darth Punk]

It seems unlikely TLG would deviate from the three advents. They are a specialty item to begin with that does not appeal to everyone. Plus they have to compete against all the other advent calendars, some which are deeply rooted in family tradition. Thus in order for them to be successful they need a large fan base. Star Wars is in its own category all by itself and also would appeal to non lego fans. The city line is TLG's in-house power line and appeals to both children and their parents thus making it a popular choice. Lastly, in TLG's push to engage more girls the friends line, where growth is most likely the greatest of all lines, rounds off the three. If the friends line were to faulter TLG might consider a substitute or more likely just go with the two.

While having a change would be nice there really isn't a line that could compete at the same level. The only line that might work would be a combined Marvel/DC which would have a licensing mountain to climb from the start.

[Dorayaki]

It seems unlikely TLG would deviate from the three advents. They are a specialty item to begin with that does not appeal to everyone. Plus they have to compete against all the other advent calendars, some which are deeply rooted in family tradition. Thus in order for them to be successful they need a large fan base. Star Wars is in its own category all by itself and also would appeal to non lego fans. The city line is TLG's in-house power line and appeals to both children and their parents thus making it a popular choice. Lastly, in TLG's push to engage more girls the friends line, where growth is most likely the greatest of all lines, rounds off the three. If the friends line were to faulter TLG might consider a substitute or more likely just go with the two.

I think the major issue is how these themes correspond to the holiday scenario. For City ACs, the minifigures are always like simple City figure packs, no winter clothes prints or winter uniform things. Also they seldom make use of subthemes, especially Arctic and Train could have been interesting choices for this year.

Friends ACs aren't much better. They have nice winter clothes prints and good building contents, but the figures from each set are always two. Also, if TLG want to keep the minidolls in line with City, there should also be a minidoll Santa.

I think SW has done a good job so far, while the other two themes should face the major issue: how to persuade FOLs to buy ACs every year? Even if they wouldn't change or add themes, they should make some significant changes to the contents every year.

[Darth Punk]

I think the major issue is how these themes correspond to the holiday scenario. For City ACs, the minifigures are always like simple City figure packs, no winter clothes prints or winter uniform things. Also they seldom make use of subthemes, especially Arctic and Train could have been interesting choices for this year.

Friends ACs aren't much better. They have nice winter clothes prints and good building contents, but the figures from each set are always two. Also, if TLG want to keep the minidolls in line with City, there should also be a minidoll Santa.

I think SW has done a good job so far, while the other two themes should face the major issue: how to persuade FOLs to buy ACs every year? Even if they wouldn't change or add themes, they should make some significant changes to the contents every year.

I agree the city ac is rather dull and not very Christmas like. That may be on purpose so that children can incorporate the pieces into their regular playing. And just as the regular line comes out with a steady stream of police and fire sets it's not surprising the ac sticks to the same formula.

As for the friends ac, we have gotten the first two but won't be getting this years since they seem to be variations of the exact same set. Two mini dolls with a great deal of accessories which is much the same as any toy line geared toward girls. When it stops working then TLG make make changes but until then they will continue to stick to what sells.

[CrazyDalton777]

The CITY one has had some improvements in the last couple years. For example, two years ago the Santa minifigure was just a red plain torso and red plain legs with the red pirate bandana hat and a long white beard to cover the blandness. While last year the Santa had a printed torso with a Santa hat and short beard, the quality was much better.

[Hive]

The two Castle calendars were awesome.

[TheLegoDr]

The city AC continued with the CMF Santa that was released. Since they created the new molds, they are sticking with it, so yes it did improve in that aspect. But it probably won't improve again, unless they make some new molds for other sets during the year.

I only had the Kingdoms AC, but that was a good one.I'm surprised they didn't do a Castle AC for this new theme. I haven't purchased any of those sets, but it makes sense. But then again I agree, anything above 3 can be a bit daunting since they are competing with each other too.

[Lyichir]

I have some ideas of how a Lego Movie advent calendar could work, even if it looks like we won't see one this year. Exclusive figs could include a version of Vitruvius or President Business (AKA Finn's dad ) as Santa as well as some festive version of Unikitty. Builds could include other "relics", possibly including a brick-built car air freshener as the "tree", as well as microscale models like the mini Sea Cow or Octan Tower from the movie. You could include playable models, too—perhaps an updated Classic Space rover for Benny to drive around in, or a catapult like the one in the Cloud Cuckoo Palace set for Unikitty.

Honestly, I do hope to see SOMETHING Christmas-themed related to The Lego Movie. Perhaps a stop-motion Christmas Special showing how the characters prepare for the holidays? It'd be a great way to rekindle interest in the sets in time for the Christmas shopping rush.

[Dorayaki]

The CITY one has had some improvements in the last couple years.

Unfortunately that improvement was for the sake of CMFs, as TheLegoDr said. If any other figure reuse CMF designs, the ACs would be CMF-themed ACs, literally. That sounds nice too.

Something different in Friends and SW is that they have Santa cosplays. Due to the fact City ACs don't use any other City regular, they would have to stick to the real Santa.

That may be on purpose so that children can incorporate the pieces into their regular playing. And just as the regular line comes out with a steady stream of police and fire sets it's not surprising the ac sticks to the same formula.

As for the friends ac, we have gotten the first two but won't be getting this years since they seem to be variations of the exact same set. Two mini dolls with a great deal of accessories which is much the same as any toy line geared toward girls. When it stops working then TLG make make changes but until then they will continue to stick to what sells.

Regardless of the beautiful box, I would say some other starter sets are better choices for simple supplement packs and Xmas gifts. Or in other words those who already afford large regular sets wouldn't be interested in these City ACs since they had everything at hand.

The amount of minidolls might be an existed problem from regular sets. Simply in the case of ACs, only two figures and no Santa make Friends ACs less valuable. City feels more like the bang for the buck, despite most of the figures are not exclusive.

Honestly, I do hope to see SOMETHING Christmas-themed related to The Lego Movie. Perhaps a stop-motion Christmas Special showing how the characters prepare for the holidays? It'd be a great way to rekindle interest in the sets in time for the Christmas shopping rush.

Santa Business is definitely awesome. I can imagine that the main characters can get their own Xmas gifts in the blocks next to them. TLM could be the best choice for ACs among all original LEGO themes. Too bad it won't come this year Edited August 6, 2014 by Dorayaki

[Lancethecat]

I also think that a Middle Earth Advent Calendar would be great, but we definitely won't get one this year. I built one myself and put it on LEGO Ideas, so here's hoping...