Review: 71040 The Disney Castle
Posted by CapnRex101,71040 Disney Castle was revealed to an overwhelmingly positive reaction in the summer and its limited availability since then suggests that it has proved extremely popular with fans around the world, as one might expect of such an enormous and impressive model.
The set contains 4080 pieces, making it one of the largest LEGO sets ever released, and comes with an appreciable price of £289.99 or $349.99 to match. Does this prodigious set satisfy my exceedingly high expectations? Read on to find out and discover the secrets of 71040 Disney Castle...
Minifigures
The minifigure selection is perhaps the weakest aspect of the set, due in part to the fact that only five are included which seems a little parsimonious given the price. However, the quality of these figures is not in doubt and Mickey Mouse is particularly impressive in my opinion. The proportions of a LEGO minifigure are not very well suited to Mickey but this is less apparent on the suited version of the character and I much prefer the more recent design to the Collectable Minifigure.
Mickey's head looks great and I love the detailed printing on his torso and legs. This attire is based on the tuxedo worn by Mickey at Disneyland parks and features a new fabric element which represents the tails of his jacket very effectively. Alfred Pennyworth wears a similar component in 70909 Batcave Break-in so it seems that torso accessories like this one are now becoming a standard aspect of minifigure design.
Minnie Mouse also wears a new outfit which matches that seen in Disneyland parks. Her red dress is decorated with white polka dots and her yellow shoes are represented by some printing on the front and sides of the feet. The bow between Minnie's ears is also printed with a red and white polka dot pattern to complement the dress.
The head is the same as Mickey's but for the inclusion of printed eyelashes. They look great together in front of the castle and I am glad to see Disney's most famous characters included in this set, despite their availability in the Collectable Minifigures series.
Donald and Daisy Duck are also mainstays of Disneyland parks around the world but I am not entirely sure that they were needed in this set, particularly since an identical version of Donald Duck appears in the Disney Collectable Minifigures. Nevertheless, the figure looks splendid, with a detailed head sculpt and a separate hat element which plugs into the top of the head, as does Daisy's pink bow. A sailor suit is printed on both sides of the torso and the two figures feature white tails which fit around their waists.
Daisy's torso is unique and represents the outfit she wears in Disneyland parks which demonstrates impressive attention to detail on the part of the graphic designer. The Collectable Minifigure costume is probably the more recognisable of the two but I am glad to see a different design in this set. These are excellent figures but I wonder whether some exclusive characters could have been included instead given that most people who buy 71040 The Disney Castle will probably already own the Disney Collectable Minifigures.
Tinker Bell is the only exclusive character in this set and is probably my favourite of the five minifigures. Her hair piece is brand new and looks great in relation to the source material while the head is printed with a cheeky smile. It would have been nice to see an alternate frustrated expression on the other side but a single face is fine.
The torso is printed with a simple dress design and this is continued with a fabric component which wraps around the hips. A pair of shoes are printed on the feet and plastic wings are fixed to her back, although the tips should be a little sharper for the sake of accuracy to Tinker Bell as she appears in 1953's Peter Pan. Nevertheless, this is a great minifigure and she comes complete with a trans-neon green wand.
The Completed Model
This is an enormous model, measuring over 74cm in height and 48cm wide. It looks absolutely brilliant on display, offering a spectacular facade when viewed from afar and is even more impressive up close as there are lots of tiny details to be found. A small flight of shallow steps leads up the entrance and these steps are guarded by balustrades on either side, the ends of which are topped with pyramidal pillar caps.
The doorway is flanked by a pair of exquisitely detailed lamps. These make impressive use of the Witch-King's headgear from 79015 Witch-King Battle and are adorned with some golden elements which contrast beautifully with the reddish brown wall fitting. This tiny feature is one of the highlights of the entire set in my opinion and I applaud the designer, Marcos Bessa, for using a familiar part in such an innovative way.
The doors open inwards on hinges and reveal a beautifully tiled floor inside. A grand entranceway is integral to any castle and I think this design is more than adequate, with some delightful carved stonework surrounding the archway and intricate railings on either side of the steps.
The area above the doorway is even more detailed. A printed wall panel provides some depth to a small balcony and the white finials surrounding the terrace look splendid, with a few light bluish grey elements sprinkled throughout to break up the white colour scheme. The design of the coat of arms which hangs in front of the balustrade is completely authentic, as is the double-arched design of the canopy. Furthermore, the unique clock face shows a time of 11:52pm, leaving Cinderella just minutes until the Fairy Godmother's spell will be broken at the stroke of midnight!
The walls are constructed using large panels and these are decorated with stickers to represent worn brickwork. This design will not appeal to everyone but I think it looks great, particularly since the parapet at the top is quite intricately detailed with masonry bricks and carved supports. The 4x16 bows which are used to form the shape of the towers do not create a perfect curve but they do represent the tapered design of the real castle very effectively and this issue could only have been solved by the creation of a specialised piece.
A pair of frogs can be found at the foot of the wall in reference to 2009's The Princess and the Frog. They are sitting on lily pads alongside a small crown and you can pose them facing one another as though they are about to kiss, thereby returning Tiana and Naveen to their human forms. Not only is this a delightful detail but it also helps to break up the light bluish grey stone of the walls with a splash of bright colour.
Each tower is topped with a dark blue roof which compliments the grey and white of the walls beautifully. The roof over the clock makes use of some particularly impressive building techniques as wedge plates mounted on hinges tessellate perfectly with the steep roof slope and a click hinge fits on place to form a decorative finial. The golden tips of each tower also look splendid and a consistent colour scheme is used throughout the entire castle which I like very much.
The model can be divided into three sections for storage or transportation and this also allows for easier access to some of the details hidden behind the parapet. Unfortunately, not all of this space is used to its fullest potential as the back of the central tower is left open. I feel certain this could have housed a throne or some similar detail but at least this is the only area which requires further detailing as the rest of the model is absolutely packed with references to characters and films from throughout the long history of Disney.
The wooden walkway is furnished with some archery equipment in reference to Brave, one of the most recent additions to the Disney pantheon. The target is printed on a 2x2 round tile and three 1x1 tiles are also printed to represent the enchanted cake provided by the witch in the movie. These are brand new and a spare is included which is pleasing, although the film only features a single cake. Perhaps the extras are intended for Harris, Hubert and Hamish, Merida's young brothers who are briefly transformed into bears by the magical cake.
A large hallway occupies the whole of the ground floor. It is richly decorated with an intricately tiled floor, ornate pillars and a vaulted ceiling as well as some flaming torches and a pair of guard statues. I love the chandelier hanging from the ceiling and this makes clever use of a ships wheel to form the central support for eight candles. Furthermore, the angled tile pattern is ingeniously constructed using a turntable hidden beneath the floor but it remains fixed in place and does not compromise the strength of the base.
The Magic Carpet from Aladdin hangs above the Genie's lamp at one end of the hall so this will provide a perfect home for Aladdin and the Genie from the Disney Collectable Minifigures series. The knight statues consist of standard minifigure parts but could offer considerable play value as statues have a remarkable tendency to come to life where magic is present and one wonders whether the same will happen here!
The opposite wall is decorated with three shields which are covered in traditional heraldic symbols. I am sure these designs relate directly to Disney in some way but I am unable to establish their meaning, if there is any. The rampant golden lion on the uppermost shield is reminiscent of the coat of arms of Narnia which would make some sense as Walt Disney Pictures produced the first two films in the most recent series, although they have since severed ties with The Chronicles of Narnia so it seems unlikely. Alternatively, they may be included in reference to the Castle Heraldry Shoppe at Disneyland. Regardless, they are an attractive decorative feature.
However, perhaps the most delightful details are hidden in the shadows against the wall. An ornate vase is constructed using a cone, an inverted dome and some 2x2 dishes while a grandfather clock shows a time of 11:52pm, matching the clock on the outside of the castle. Both models are thoroughly impressive and incorporate some nice parts, with the base of the vase including a chrome gold ring while the clock face is printed on a 2x2 tile.
The upper levels of the castle are entirely different, with tan and white walls which offer an attractive contrast to the light bluish grey stone of the curtain wall. Tan is not an ideal colour in relation to the real Cinderella Castle but I think this is probably the closest available shade and it is unrealistic to expect so many pieces to be manufactured in a new colour. I think it looks brilliant and the white window frames are very impressive, particularly where they are used in conjunction with scroll bricks.
The interior is quite spacious and includes two rooms on the first level. The detailed kitchen makes reference to Cinderella through the presence of a pumpkin and there are lots of impressive furnishings to be found, most notable of which is a delightful hearth with a stove. Various cooking utensils are strewn about the room and the cooking pot which first appeared with the Leprechaun in the sixth series of Collectable Minifigures appears in pearl dark grey which looks marvellous. The exposed Technic pins below the ceiling are slightly bothersome but thankfully these are hidden when the kitchen is viewed from most angles.
Beauty and the Beast is the focus of the next room and this is one of my favourite areas of the model. The Enchanted Rose is included beneath a glass cloche in the corner and Lumière, here in the form of an inanimate candelabra, stands on a wooden table. The curtains are simply constructed but they look lovely and there are two studs left exposed for standing minifigures, or perhaps the minidolls from 41067 Belle's Enchanted Castle if you prefer.
A small roof with a chimney stack is found outside and this is decorated using several tan masonry bricks which only appear in one other set at the moment. Golden accents are also present in order to match the flags which adorn each of the outermost towers.
This section is too small for an entire room but the space has been efficiently used as a concealed storage area instead. Removing the roof, which is attached by just two studs, reveals Cinderella's famous glass slipper and a book.
The book is decorated with a printed cover and you can open it to reveal the portentous 'Once Upon a Time...' printed on a 1x2 tile. I am hoping we will see this kind of book used more frequently in the coming years as I think it looks much better than the older design which originated in 1997. Cinderella's glass slipper is stored in a simple case and it is easily recognisable despite consisting of just three pieces. It is obviously oversized in relation to a minifigure but I appreciate its inclusion.
The second floor includes two rooms, the first of which contains accessories from The Sorcerer's Apprentice section of Fantasia. A pair of brooms are stored in a barrel along with some buckets which are used for carrying water in the movie. A single broom and an axe would have been more faithful to the source material but the second tan mop head is useful as it is currently exclusive to this set. Its usefulness is somewhat diminished as Mickey's wizarding robes are not included and the hat does not fit on his head but the area is nicely furnished and I am pleased to see an older film being recognised.
The next room is tiny but includes a spinning wheel in reference to Sleeping Beauty and the spindle on which Aurora pricks her finger. This is an impressively detailed model given its small size and it closely resembles the spinning wheel as it is depicted in the original film of 1959.
The base of the main tower is one of the most detailed areas of the castle, using a combination of hinges and white railing elements to form a carved design which hugs four sides of the octagonal tower. Stud shooters are used to represent fireworks which can be launched from the window and I think they look terrific as well as offering some extra play value, although they are easily removed if you wish. The roof slope beside the tower is also quite spectacular and I love the tall window which is topped by some extravagant spires and shows a pink curtain inside.
Turning the model around reveals the other side of the curtain and a bedroom. This is a deceptively small space and the bed is not long enough to fit a minifigure but it looks terrific, with a nice mixture of reddish brown and pearl gold elements as well as two printed pieces. It would have been good to see a fully realised bedroom, perhaps for Sleeping Beauty or to replicate the exclusive royal suite which is found in the real Cinderella Castle at the Walt Disney World Resort, but I like this space very much nonetheless.
Beside the bedroom is a small area which contains a chest filled with items relating to Tangled. These include a pair of scissors, a hair brush and a lock of black hair which represents Rapunzel's enchanted hair which turns black when cut. The stud shooters for the fireworks are accessed through here and two spare fireworks are also included. These can be stored in any one the numerous chests and barrels throughout the model but it is especially convenient to place them in here beside the launchers.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first feature-length animated film released by Disney and this enormous castle would not be complete without some reference to it. The penultimate room contains the poisoned apple in a glass bowl and the Magic Mirror which hangs on the wall and uses a reflective sticker at its centre.
The uppermost room is very small and contains no furnishings but is ideal for placing a single minifigure to look out over the entire castle or imprisoning someone in the highest room of the tallest tower, a frequent occurrence in various fairy tales!
I love the intricately carved stonework of the exterior and the decorative crenellations which surround the twin spires are particularly appealing. The small bartizan does not have any interior or room for a minifigure but it looks great from the outside and is faithful to the design of the actual Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom.
A gilded spire completes the castle. This is perhaps the weakest aspect of the model as the shaping is not entirely accurate when it is viewed from nearby, although this is unavoidable and the designer video acknowledges that several solutions were attempted. Nevertheless, I think it looks good and both spires are topped with golden finials which can be held by Tinker Bell, providing a perfect place to display the fairy in flight!
Overall
This is a truly exceptional set. It includes a range of delightful building techniques, is perfect for display and offers enormous play value, fulfilling all the criteria which I look to be met in a successful LEGO set. The authentic architectural details are a match for any Modular Building and the interior is equally detailed with references to a wide selection of Disney films from its earliest projects in the first half of the twentieth century to recent animations such as Tangled and Brave which have been released in the lifetimes of many young LEGO fans.
The exposed interior does not bother me at all as I think both sides are equally impressive for display and another wall would necessitate a substantial price increase. This design allows easy access to the rooms inside for play and they are nicely furnished so are worthy of showing off in my opinion. However, the minifigure selection is somewhat disappointing and a couple more would benefit the entire set. While it would have been ideal to see a full complement of Disney characters to populate the castle, just the addition of Cinderella, Snow White and Prince Charming would have been adequate in my opinion. Perhaps Merida, Belle and Beast could also have appeared if Donald and Daisy Duck were left out.
Nevertheless, this is a tremendous set and I highly recommend it. The level of detail is extraordinary and the design of the castle is absolutely perfect. It looks brilliant on display and offers great potential for play as well, with plenty of hidden details to explore. I can never choose a single favourite set but this is definitely a strong contender and if I were to recommend just one set from 2016, 71040 Disney Castle would be it!
I hope you have found this review informative. Let us know by liking this article and share your thoughts on the set in the comments below.
This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group but the review is an expression of my own opinions.
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38 comments on this article
Wow, so many hidden details I didn't know it had!
A brilliant review of an amazing set! I bought this as soon as it was released and it is easily my favourite set of the year so I strongly recommend it to anyone who is on the fence.
Impressive review for an impressive set!
The level of detail, both in the set's design and the review, is perfect! However, I may have £290 to spend on Star Wars. I say this with reluctance though as this is a great set - certainly better value than The Joker's Low Rider... I feel like they could have included references to more films but I think there's plenty to catch the eye. I'd say the best room is the kitchen.
Truly a great set that will enrich a lot of kids lives. And my wife's life :)
Such an impressive set with so many intricate details!
At first I thought the glass slipper was an attempt at Walt Disney's cryogenically frozen body. I swear it's there in the castle :P
But seriously, this is a breathtaking set. It is massive and the attention to detail is very obvious. I'm not much of a Disney fan but I can see the appeal to fans.
I never realized there was never a review of this. Then I realized Brickset did do something with the set on their Instagram story around the time the set came out.
TLG could gain my support were this at US$279-$299.
Not really a big 'classic' Disney fan and this is not something I'm likely to buy but I had a good look at it in the local Lego store recently and it's really a lovely build.
Amazing review of an amazing set!
I would love to get this set, but I have nowhere near that much money to set aside to buy Lego. Still, this has to be the next best thing to owning it myself; thank-you for the incredibly detailed review, it was a treat to read :D
Just like to add, I second your sentiment about the minifigures, too. I thought from the first that I would have liked to see more variety instead of Donald and Daisy again... though my choice would have been for a small selection of iconic characters from throughout Disney's ages. Definitely a princess (likely Cinderella, as it's her castle), probably a 'true' animal character as they're such a staple of Disney movies (maybe Baloo, he's a classic and his upright posture lends itself more to a minifigure than most others), and maybe a more modern character too. I'd have said Stitch if he wasn't already a minifigure... Though I guess it was cheaper for Lego not to make any more new moulds, so I can't complain too much ^^
Still, figures aside, it looks like an excellent set; again, thanks for the great review!
I just got this set today. Can't wait to build it :-)
Thanks for the great review! I am sure it will have been a bit of task taking building the set, taking the photos and writing this all up. Hope to get this set at some point. I think I would really enjoy the impressive build. The children and grandkids would enjoy all the references to Disney films along with of course all the characters to populate the set.
Is Tinkerbell's hair a new piece? I can't add this set to my wishlist on the lego shop for some reason, along with the new winter holiday train and Big Ben, any possible reason for this?
I really really really really really want there to be wayside school sets!!!!!
I would have liked for there to be Hercules reference somewhere, but alas...
I would love this set to MOC it wait a minute I can do something like this.
Great review. Good to see all the features and building techniques nicely highlighted. But as impressive as this set is, and as much as I'd like to add it to the collection, there are sufficient hurdles to stop me.
(1) I can't forgive the use of BURPs (Big Ugly Rampart Pieces, in this instance). I'd have been happier with a compromised shape that was more LEGO-ised, in preference to those hideous grey slabs of prefabrication.
(2) The use of stickers is unforgivable in a set at this end of the market.
(3) And above all, there's the price. Yes, I can afford to buy two and MOC them into a complete castle (which would be the aim) but at *that* price there's not a kitten in the underworld's chance of it happening. As always, NZ is clobbered with the unjustifiable 20% mark-up against UK/US prices, so without a 25% discount to ease the pain this is a set that's going to remain unbought. Unless I can pick one up on sale in the UK when I'm back next year..... :-)
@Block-n-Roll: would the normal price be acceptable if they brick-built all the wedges, doubtlessly adding hundreds of pieces to the model? or if they specially printed 25 large pieces especially for the occasion?
I have the chance to purchase this for £178.99. Would you say this is a reasonable price? ??
^ yes I'd certainly say so for this size of set
Brilliant review! This set is amazing.
I first saw this set on display at a LEGO Store on Black Friday. I couldn't believe the set was that huge. The details were amazing and it was so fun looking at everything. I wish I had the money to buy it. Thank you, CapnRex, for this excellent review. It has been one of your best-written reviews.
@Javert24601: You better! That's an incredible price. Translates to about $188.99 in US dollars which is about 161 dollars off, so that's definitely a steal.
Fabulous review. It shows that this is about as good as Disney Castle they could have built within the confines on budget, etc. It also highlights to me that I'm not interested in it and that I'm not really missing out if I skip it: a lot of the details that the review is quite excited about went right over my head. I'm happy to enough that it's a great set for many, but not for me.
However, if I *were* interested in it, minifigs aside, I'd not be pleased with the stickered BURPs.
I've no interest in getting this (too big, too expensive) but I'm impressed with the detailing in the architecture, furniture and accessories.
The price level makes it hard to justify purchasing this set. For that money I would expect 10-15 minifigures to be included. I guess they want you to buy the Disney CMF too.
And when I saw this set on display I was underwhelmed. It wasn't as big as I thought.
Exhaustive and excellent review like always Cap, just one thing that you forgot to mention: from the pictures I see that the printing on Minnie's nose is actually rather ugly,..
The old Disney films and Mickey mouse I personally find a bit blurrh-meh (the only word that I can think of there). I have never had any urge to go to Disney World. I like some of the newer stuff like tangled etc and of course anything that is pixar. But do I like this set... Oh yes I do. So much detail and little bits and pieces. I really like that. Can I afford to buy it.... no. Way way out of my price range, but looks amazing.
It has too many big pieces that decrease the level of detail in the castle. I disagree on this review. It remembers me the firs Hogwarts castle with such big and low detail pieces.
It would have been better with more small and detailed pieces even if height was diminish.
@Javert24601 Are you sure that it's the official set as I know that lepin have cloned this set.
Great review! I don't think I'll ever be able to justify buying this beauty, but it's lovely to see how many clever techniques are being used to create the architectural and other details.
@mrdoofa it's an official LEGO perk for the company I work for. 40% discount! Ordered on the website :)
I've wanted this set ever since I heard about it. My excuse to buy it is as a prize for my daughter. Now I have to think of something exceptional she has to do to earn it...
Great review, thanks.
@javert24601 That's a great deal!!!
The book is the same book we have been seeing in the Nexo Knights series.
I thought the hair reference in the chest was meant to be for Mulan as Rapunzel's hair turns brown when cut. But Mulan did use a sword to cut her hair.