Vindicare

I disagree. The ADU vehicles were quite good in my opinion. Earth Defense HQ is great, with an added Vic Viper no less. The Jet-Copter is a fun, slightly futuristic design. Even the alien ships are fun, classic(in the genre) designs. Galaxy Squad was just as good as well. As I was reading comments above yours here, I was thinking Castle is low man on the totem pole. Look at the LEGO Movie. We get a Classic Spaceman on the main team & Pirate...not quite traditional, but Pirate nonetheless. Poor Castle is relegated to a blip of a side character. On the subject of Benny, it’s clear LEGO hasn’t forgotten about Classic Space, as evident by him. Then we get his Spaceship set. Then he & friends in the sequel, albeit a too small set, the “toolbox” set with a simplified Classic Space set, and this upcoming book with a brand new color Classic Spaceman. Why that doesn’t translate to more appetizing sets being delivered? It’s easy to blame SW & that could partially be true. Since movies releasing seem to be the problem, maybe we’ll see a return soon to in-house space. Then the folks who wanted Space back can complain because it isn’t the Space they wanted.

Being on the West Coast, we can order sets at 9PM the night before. In this case, I should’ve been able to order at 9PM on the 22nd since it’s midnight, the 23rd on the East Coast. I had the page all ready to go this morning, with some afternoon browsing, I closed a window & the S@H page loaded...and there it was showing available...at 3PM(could’ve been earlier even).

I also did the station & train. Even though I didn’t buy the train until the following year, I really like it as well. I was going to skip it because I’m not big on trains, but then I saw the fantastic station & had to get the train. Glad I did.

I went with 10216 Winter Village Bakery. I liked the overall set a lot, the rink was a nice & very fitting inclusion. The newly introduced baguette was included, and the present was nice.

10275 Elf Clubhouse 60236 Straight and T-Junction...because apparently I’m going to need a stockpile of these going forward.

Releases typically hit me at 9PM...midnight east coast time. I’m not aware of any release being done this early, certainly not this year. I’ve done a fair few, even a VIP early release, never seen it available 6 hours before it’s supposed to be. Good news though, now it should ship out sooner.

For whatever reason, the set is now available. I just ordered mine.

@ShaydDeGrai I get it & agree. The “nerd” thing I was really into in my school days was comic book trading cards, Warhammer 40K & Magic...before it became what it did. There were very few people who I knew who got it, more so with 40K. The bonds then seemed stronger, despite now being able to connect with people across the globe. If I was told I would be bonding with people in Europe & beyond for something I loved, I’d think they were nuts. But then there’s the downside, as you mentioned. Mainstream. It’s unfortunate that something that brought us together has simultaneously pushed us apart. As to collecting, or getting, that sought after item, I feel some do it to be “first” and just do it for likes instead of the pure joy of collecting(I guess this borders on the in-fighting you mentioned)... I don’t think ill or look down on them for their from of collecting & what motivates them(this goes towards resellers as well), I just feel kinda bad for those folks who genuinely want one because it’s a character they love or what have you, and would cherish it. And hey, I’m all about a “get off my lawn” tirade or two.

Veering a bit off topic, but related to what you said. For years I eyeballed the older Grand Opening set(3300003). Never pulled the trigger to buy online & I never did, nor do, seek out these exclusive sets. Years later, I finally had my chance. They were opening a store fairly close to me, San Francisco store, and I was able to go. I don’t recall the waiting time, a lot of which was outside waiting for the mall itself to open, but it was a while. Then it was waiting inside the mall in a maze of a snaking line. It was the experience for me. Just being at a grand opening was a personal brag to myself & getting the set, a completely different one, was a great bonus. It’s definitely something I would never do again though. The extent of my waiting now consists of roughly an hour or two waiting outside the store on January 1st for the Modular.

I love it. The torsos are fantastic, although a red hat would’ve been welcome, would’ve loaded well with the new scarf color. I like the building’s shape a lot more than when I first saw it. The straight on view looks better than the angled one. The interior is nice, but a bit lacking. Gotta love the waffle dispenser...yes please! Great side builds too.

As long as the print is different enough...have enough of Harry in current Yule Ball attire. That one could be used for Davies, so poor Fleur isn’t dancing by herself. Mine works fine. When not in use, the top of the mechanism sits on the left side of the curve plate. Pull on the arm to the right & it lifts the hat off the head. Yes. Even the more “boring” as in casual clothes trio, the finer details, are fantastic.

Looks fantastic! Good enough to eat. I like the one with the flippers, great little details all around.

I don’t see them testing the waters to switch from yellow. I wouldn’t care one way or the other, I do have a fondness for the yellow minifigs. Not just because it’s what I grew up with but because, much like LEGO bricks, the minifigs can be whoever you want hem to be. It is strange though that the older book was yellow, even though they were more generic minifgs. Pretty sure those torsos are all new, exception maybe being Tiny Tim since we can’t see his print. Maybe that had a bigger part in it?

Not this particular store, but something very similar. New/used sets, minifig wall, tables of loose parts & drawers with sorted parts. I loved that place & was always there at least once a week. Got to know the owner & a few other people throughout the years. I miss it everyday.

I’m interested to see this special piece...and if it can be used elsewhere. My LEGO Batman Movie Batwing sure would look nice clinging to the wall.

Well shoot...I’m not sure which way I’m hoping this new book Harry goes, a new print or a rehash. I’m more inclined to buy the book these minifigs come in, and I generally enjoy them...once. Ideally I’d love a book accurate sweater with a snitch on it. But, at the same time, I wouldn’t be upset if it was an easy pass.

Huh? Why should people be outraged...nobody is taking money out of anyone’s pockets. Unless they’re late getting to my door. That tan shack is an accurate portrayal of what many, many millions of people across the globe love...Star Wars. It’s certainly the best of that location we’ve ever seen & dismissing the interior & other details...is weird. I guess you’re really unaware of SW action figure collectors...adults are more than willing to pay good money for things they won’t even take out of the packages.

Haha, now I’m thinking about a CMF pack big enough to fit a T-Rex. No feeling necessary to know who you have inside that one.

I looked at last year’s Christmas Tree GWP set & it was late November. Bummer if this follows suit because I don’t think the Clubhouse will even be in stock at that time...

I sure hope that set is the GWP for the Elf Clubhouse, since I now plan to get it day one. Looks like a great little build. And, isnthat a regular red scarf?! “Mr. Tumnus” can finally get rid of the orange one.

According to Brickset, her hologram is only in the Hut set. I could see the designers throwing that in there for kicks.

Ahh, okay. The hat/hair combos, like the Fire Fighter In 20, I imagine will always be sought after as the hair is what’s always missing from old hats. I just wish LEGO would reserve this series for more unconventional minifigs rather than ones that are guaranteed to be in normal sets. Like, any of the series minifigs that are city oriented could be released in a City set, but they are far from guaranteed.

I’m just gonna gush a bit about that little Leia hologram. My buddy ordered a few & gave me one. It’s really an impressive little mold. The folds on the bottom of the robe, the hood shape, & the hint of the buns is fantastic.

Same with that being the only affected sticker. It’s super weird that our white strips are in different positions. Do you happen to still have your box to see the code on the tape?

Wait...you have a white strip underneath the small line that is under the word “MASTER?” The white strip on mine is directly abi e the lower black line.