sammy_zammy

Just a thought - The only issue perhaps with this modular, connect-with pins, hopefully customisable DA design, is that the side walls aren't going to be able to have any sort of texture/decoration - they're just gonna be flat like the modulars... Pardon? Someone on the IG post suggested Christmas in the RoR too. That would work really well with the RoR set, since that's a small set and it would expand it. It's just nice to see it's probbaly going to be really distinct to 2019's calendar. I think that this set is going to be fairly cutsomisable, meaning it's just some buildings and no set way to connect them. So while I don't think this will be the advertised layout, I think it will be easy to put it this way. If the technic bricks for the pins require the buildings to be all in a line, you could always just shift/rotate some of those technic bricks along, to place the next building (i.e. B&B) where you want it relative to the previous building. If that makes sense. I think you can do a similar thing with the Hogwarts sets. I'd really like to add the little bridge to Knockturn Alley too. Something I'd really like is a printed/stickered "Knockturn Alley" sign. That would be cool. As I said above, you could just shift/ the technic bricks to achieve this however you wanted it without it looking odd. Maybe to avoid covering the interior of one of the shops, you could add a little wall build to move B&B backwards a bit. I see your argument about sharing walls, but I expect the walls will all be different designs/colours anyway. This way it'll also be completely customisable. I don't see there being an alleyway build and if there isn't I'll just add one myself. I feel I can do that, but don't think I could design a building, so contrary to what I've said before would rather have them put as much budget into buildings than pathways! Hmm on second thoughts, the advent calendar would definitely work better as Grimmauld Place. They could even have non-Christmassy builds - like how Wizard's Chess wasn't Christmassy. Also, do we think the "smile and ;)" means anything or is just spreading positivity? I couldn't think of any reference to this.

Where was it stated that we were getting 7? And where was it considered we were no longer getting 7? And how does this reconfirm that we are getting 7?

Lol the lego_harry_potter_leaks person trying to debunk kingnono in the post comments now.

It would fit in by total disregard to continuity and be on the same street! I have a feeling it will just be a bunch of separate buildings. Any decent street would take up a bunch of extra pieces; I'd much rather have as much as possible go into the buildings themselves, and leave it up to the buyer how they want to display the buildings, and if they want to add a street then they can build it themselves.

A lot of people are gonna be disappointed it contains B&B but I'm happy as I think that's one of the most interesting, unique shops.

Hang on. Trans green flame pieces already exist...?

I'd say trans green, and hope on a part that thin it turns out somewhere between the two!

Maybe, perhaps to promote DA. That wasn't last year though, it was towards the end of 2018. Also remember it wasn't a LEGO store exclusive, it was a GWP - you couldn't just buy it.

Only thing I've ever bought from the Lego Store is the Dragon Boat Race to use some VIP points, and I also got the Rise of Voldemort to make it free delivery - I'm not sure why I got that as well because I'd have probably saved the same amount by getting it elsewhere! I should've got another exclusive really. The VIP points came from Winter Village sets - we often get these from Lego as they don't come to other stores until after Christmas. I'll probably also get the Chinese New Year sets direct from Lego, and maybe Treehouse/Pirates of Barracuda Bay. I'd say it's worth it for exclusives, especially if there's double points or a GWP that you like. But even those are probably cheaper elsewhere if you wait for them to be non-exclusive. For non-exclusives, the 5% you get back in VIP points definitely isn't worth it if you don't mind waiting for an offer elsewhere - my general rule for the Harry Potter ones right now is 30% off and I'll get it. If there's a good Harry Potter GWP like 2018 then I'll consider buying one of this year's sets, or one that I mention above. Sometimes the Lego Black Friday deals are okay though.

That is a good way of thinking about it. Also, with the VIP points, if you save up for the large set you'll be able to make the most of any double points offer. I can't afford to get either all the sets at once or the large set at the start, so I like to gradually save up for the smaller sets, waiting for any of them to come on offer, and also simultanesouly save up for the larger set (obviously meaning I'll get both sets slightly more slowly as I'm still saving the same amount per time period). That way I have the smaller stes to tide me over until the larger set, but also not spending a whole lot at once buying either the large or many of the smaller simulatensously.

All non-D2C will be available outside of the LEGO store, although we have a hunch Burrow may be a retailer exclusive. The D2C will be LEGO S@H/store only for a while then will likely come to a select few stores after quite a while.

Yeah, I kinda feel the same, I remember Tonks with the pink hair and so that's what I'd prefer to see. But that's just my opinion, I can see why people would prefer screen accuracy - but how can any scene be screen accurate if not every person that's in a given scene is represented in the set for that scene!? I totally get you, we've two waves to catch up on of Harry Potter and then there's immediately this one! But remember these sets will be around for a while, especially the D2C - there's no rush to get it in 2020 or even 2021 (as you said). Also 2019 didn't have a Harry Potter D2C so 2021 may be slightly less overwhelming. I think I'll get all the 2018/19 sets I want before starting on these, but maybe buy one of this year's - you could do similar and get the Burrow. It'll likely be on offer fairly quickly, especially towards Christmas (both 2018 and 2019's sets had good offers at the end of their release year so the fact they're new doesn't stop disounts). DA will also be on discount eventually when it comes to other shops. Don't stress about the treehouse, it's still gonna be around for a while! Even if you do miss out, there's always Bricklink. No need to stress :)

I’m glad they aren’t using those cloth skirt pieces. I didn’t know they existed till Harry Potter, but I just find them a bit strange. Does anyone else think the same?

I know, I literally said it in my post.

If 1414FalconFan's telling us about it then yeah

I mean if you're worried about missing out it's worth getting the Hogwarts Express since it's a year older. The 2019 sets will be around for a while. Up to you, depends what you want!

I know, it's apowling.

I would look at this site, it predicts what will be listed as "retiring soon" on the Lego website https://retiringsets.com/lego-retiring-soon/ I wouldn't worry about the Great Hall, as Guyon said. It's out of stock due to covid yes, but I assume it's as the factories are closed. It's still a popular set. But like the other 2018 sets, it will retire like all Lego sets do, and we can expect this to be in 2020 just based on other sets/themes (I'm not sure why it's listed on the above site when other sets in the theme aren't). But you'll have plenty of time - it will be listed as "retiring soon", then will retire on Lego Shop, then will retire elsewhere. It will also be on discount again - sign up to price alerts, and also deals websites and you'll almost certainly be able to nab it. Also keep an eye on other countries' Amazons - I normally order from Amazon UK obviously but Amazon DE is often cheaper. And also, when it's in the final phase of retiring elsewhere, they'll all probably put some clearance offers on if you're lucky. But I wouldn't risk it if I were you. Put it this way - Aragog's Lair retired months ago and it's still available at one or two shops here. Roller Coaster is also listed as at risk of retirement, as it's nearly two years old. I'm not sure what you mean by "already" for Assembly Square - it's over 3 years old now, and they've got 4 modulars on the go right now - so I'd hurry if you want that one. But again, it's not even listed as retiring soon on lego S@H so no need to panic. Also I'm a year behind too lol, although trying to catch up so I can get some awesome new stuff!

Ah I see, thank you. 1. I see, for some reason I assumed set minifigs were more cheaply made! 2. As said by this sounds correct. I worked in a plastics factory over the summer and they changed the colours and then also changed the molds in the machines. I offer no inside scoops on how they make Lego bricks - I was sat at the end of a conveyor packing bottles into boxes for 8 hours. As you can imagine I had the time of my life. But I can tell you all about the different types of faults plastics can get! ;)

I haven’t ever noticed a difference but now that you mention it I guess you’re right. Any idea why this happens? Isn’t it One expensive mold that goes into an expensive machine, not a whole new machine? What’s the CMF 1 Malfoy Situation?

Thank you! I’m glad you like the steps, they were a pain. I’ll have to check him out! Wow I wish I could casually order a second Great Hall lol although I guess it’s the best way to get a lot of useful pieces. I always forget the skeleton is a dragon, and always in my head think you could use the skeleton horse, from one of the 2010ish castle themes (can’t remember which one). But I think that’s on the side of the DADA room isn’t it. You could maybe do a slightly larger interpretation of the Pteranodon from the Dinosaur Fossils Ideas set? And yes, Lockhart is one of my most wanted characters. In fact, then we’d have all the DADA teachers, bar the Carrow that did. it in year 7. That’d be really cool. I’m hoping the Astronomy Tower has some more classrooms - we’ve gotten lots of Potions rooms, a DADA room, and looks like we’re getting a greenhouse, but no Charms or Transfiguration yet. Thank you very much it’s greatly appreciated:)

I’m liking the new minifigs a lot! I’m pleased they’re giving Harry and Hermione adult legs too, it’s the natural Progression. Even though it’s only a fairly standard hairpiece, I like Harry’s hair, it really suits him in these films. Hermione’s new hair is fantastic, and I like the detail on her jumper as she goes into the forest, it’s a nice touch. I like the fact that Umbridge is wearing her darker pink outfit to keep her distinct from the Bricktober Umbridge. Maybe I’ll try and make an office for her using my (pretty much non existent) collection of pink pieces. Her face is fantastic too, it’s so Umbridge. Apart from the different hairpiece without the sideburns, I feel like Slughorn is exactly the same as his Bricktober figure if I’m not mistaken, which is kinda a shame, especially considering the price of the Bricktober figures. Am I correct? Edit: no I’m not correct, they’re not even the same colour, and it was even said a couple of pages back. Happy I’ve got two different figures then!

People posting their MOCs has inspired me to post the start of mine. It's ta modern equivalent of The Final Challenge from Philosopher's Stone; I had started with The Forbidden Corridor and then Devil's Snare, working down, but decided it's easier to work backwards and build up. Imgur link to photo It's a work in progress (very tan at the moment, I'll be sure to add in some different colours and textures for variety, especially as not all the pieces are available in tan and it looks kinda bland right now!) so I will make quite a few small alterations. I wanted to have black flames like the books (and then purple flames before the potion challenge that's cut from the films) but don't think the flame exists in that colour so had to settle with orange. It's got pins to context with the rest of the sections (Potion Riddle, Wizard's Chess, Winged Keys, Devil's Snare and Fluffy in the Forbidden Corridor - don't think I'll do the empty troll room!) The curves were a pain to get on the steps - I had to use a complicated SNOT technique to get the top steps to line up, and I'm pleased how it turned out but not sure how stable/legal it'd be in real life! I'd like to add pillars going round (they're very decorative in the movie) but don't want to hinder accessibility. Of course the Mirror of Erised is ripped straight out of the Great Hall set - which is awkwardly placed in there! Currently at 189 pieces. Think the whole thing's going to bigger than I expected! Edit: ooh looks like trans purple flames do exist - I was using 6126b instead of 6126!

Thank you both. I guess the premium partners are John Lewis as they often have stuff just for them, and then it goes to other shops too. I don't think keeping close to the instructions is boring - some people prefer making custom stuff, some people prefer offical stuff. I think it's definitely how you display it that's important. And yeah although I can understand why people want to have them displayed in a case in a line, I feel that's not what minifigures are for! Your HP CMF sounds really cool. I often set up minifigs on a Lego calendar I've got (when I remember to change the month). And yeah, the castle is definitely really cool, and I really like it, but I almost need a reason to not get it as ther's stuff I prefer. I think I was a bit harsh in my judgement of the microfigs and I really like how they can go much more to scale (i.e. the gigantic tower) with that scale, but I think the huge size of it and the fact it's not easy to integrate with the minifig-scale sets has made me choose one or the other. I like the sound of your microscale additions too!

Thank you! A similar question - how long do Lego Shop Exclusives typically stay exclusive? I notice sets that were Exclusive becoming Hard to Find and sold elsewhere after a while. Do you think we'll be able to expect this with Diagon Alley?