LEGO Disney store re-opens

I spent one of my happiest holidays in Disney World, so looking at the pics gave me a good vibe. Wish I can go and see the new store, but I’ll have to make do with some pics unfortunately…

The Lego Imagination Center in Downtown Disney has quietly reopened after closing in February and temporarily relocating to Island Charter’s former location. One of the original retailers at Downtown Disney that opened in 2001, the store was renovated and now reflects much more Disney flavor, especially outside. “As this store is over 10 years old, we felt it was time for a complete refresh and redesign,” said Amanda Santoro, spokeswoman at Lego Systems Inc.

The changes include:

• New Disney-themed outdoor scenes featuring characters such as Buzz Lightyear and Woody with RC; Belle in minifigure style, the Beast, Lumiere and Cogsworth; and Prince Phillip in minifigure style, his horse Samson, and Maleficent as a dragon.
• Indoor suspended scene featuring Aladdin and Jasmine in minifigure style, the Genie and the magic carpet.
• A relocated and bigger Pick a Brick wall.
• A new upper level with play areas.
• A new outside play area with a racing feature.
• Digital Box, an interactive kiosk that enables shoppers to see an assembled product on a screen.

The store will hold grand reopening events on Memorial Day weekend. “We’re doing a large scale community build – building the Lego Store mascot Brickley – and Disney is fully involved in the planning,” Santoro said.

More here: http://retail.ocregister.com/2012/05/16/lego-store-shows-off-remodel-at-downtown-disney/71734/

And here: http://ocresort.ocregister.com/2012/05/16/remodeled-lego-store-reopens-at-downtown-disney/112968/

In the mood for… LEGO lamps

Came across the Lygolamp by Mango Studio and thought to have a look at the choices out there for LEGO fans.  You could DIY of course, but for lazy AFOLs (like me), it’s always good to have ready made options available.

• Mango Studio’s Lygo Lamp -  supposed to hit stores this August and will available in 5 colours, including white, black, transparent, red transparent and purple transparent.  Strips appears to be a choice too.  The lamp is delivered flat packed and assembly is required to turn the 144 LYGO blocks into the completed lamp that measures 50 centimeters in diameter, with a 1.6m cord and that will take a standard E27 bulb (max 60 watt). Read more from Lygolamp.

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• 25togo’s LED illuminated acrylic brick - looks just like a giant sized LEGO brick on your study desk or bedside table, and doubles up as a pen holder via the removable top piece.  Available via 25togo’s online shop, for NT1600 (approximately USD54 USD). 3 levels of brightness. Dimensions: L 15cm W 10cm D 6cm x 2 piece (top and bottom)

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• Luxit’s Top Four and Ten range of lights - Less brick-like but obviously LEGO inspired.  The LED lights designed by Alberto Basaglia and Natalia Roat Nodari are available in all sorts of wall/floor/ceiling/table sizes, colors and configuration.

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• John Harrington‘s LEGO chandelier - Ok, so this one isn’t really available for sale, but I couldn’t resist a chandelier… The one room hotel, The Harrington is located in a Victorian-era building in Brighton. The LEGO chandelier is supposed to suit the setting, yet give the “youth and vigor” of a contemporary clientele.

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As for me, I’m a lazy AFOL, so it’s just this Darth Vader LED desk lamp at home…

Second edition of the LEGO Collector’s Guide

Is finally confirmed for release on 1 July 2011 according to an email I got from Fantasia Verlag.

Singapore: POTC & Cars retail prices

Prices thanks to Ultramanbc who shared them on the local S0937 forum.  Couldn’t find all the USA MSRP for comparison tho, so if you have the prices drop me a comment k?

I’ll skip my usual rant… you can see the diff yourself.  Take note that I’m using FX @ 1.3.  It should be 1.25 or thereabouts, which means the diff is actually bigger.

Creating LEGO Stickers

There are quite a number of sticker books around, but in case you want to customise your own LEGO stickers here is a new option:  StickerYou LEGO

Cost is USD $7.49 for 2 pages, and they do ship worldwide and you can have a look at the shipping rates here.  Quality wise, the press release says: “The LEGO stickers from the StickerYou.com website are high quality die-cut stickers that are removable with zero mess left behind. They are water resistant and durable for all kinds of applications.”

Anyway some pics to follow, or you can always check out the StickerYou LEGO site.

Some news round up

I guess most of my fellow AFOLs in Singapore have been busy hunting minifig series 4.  I actually haven’t had time to get any, so that’s a to-do this weekend…

Anyway, taking a break to share some LEGO news that I found interesting.

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1. Picture of latest architecture set Farnsworth House

Toys N Bricks shares a pic of 21009 Farnsworth House taken from the LEGO website.  You can read more from: http://toysnbricks.com/home/21009-official-picture/

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2. Groupon deal: $15 worth of eBay purchase for $7

Toys N Bricks also shared this great deal from Groupon for eBay.  Only valid till end of the month so don’t wait if you want to get some stuff from eBay k?  Before you run off to try and get a few dozen Groupons, take note that it’s limited to 1 per person and 1 per order.  Click here to buy this groupon.

Via: http://toysnbricks.com/home/usa-15-worth-of-ebay-purchases-for-only-7/

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3. Update on charity auction organised by TBB

The Brothers Brick showcases some great donations.  Personally I found these 2 to be the most interesting.  There are many other great creations you can see from here.  Note that shipping is free.

Btw, the ship is 3 metres long!  Do read more from TBB here: http://www.brothers-brick.com/2011/03/28/bricks-helping-japan-update/

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4. LEGO City ideas book

Killyrbf shares info on Sean Kenney’s Cool City.  Looks to have some nice city pics but at only 32 pages, I wonder if it’s worth getting?  Think I’ll hold out till Oct and see if anyone does a book review.  You can read more about the book from Killyrbf’s blog: http://killyrbf.blogspot.com/2011/03/build-me-city.html

The japanese idea book I mentioned previously is great btw.  Thanks to Jonathan who helped to get from Japan.

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5.  LEGO 3 in 1 Go Glow Light

ToyNews reports on yet another new LEGO licensed product.  Worlds Apart has tied up with TLG to create a 3 in 1 Go Glow Light that consists of a rechargeable night light, torch with colour change disk and an interchangeable Lego Minifigure.  

Those who have kids may be familiar with this product.  I’ve actually handled/played with (?) a Go Glow Light cos my niece and nephew have one.  Think it’s not a bad idea – soft induction to the world of LEGO ‘poison’ for your young one perhaps? 

Drawback tho? Nothing for girls AGAIN.  Geez… I’m sure it doesn’t take a genius to do a pink version with a nice fairy minifig right? (Like the one from the keychain).  Who knows, if TLG provides unique minifigs to Worlds Apart, they’ll even get some cross-over sales from AFOLs who must get hold of those minifigs.  Then again, a wider range is expected next year so there is still hope.

Via: http://www.toynews-online.biz/news/33672/Worlds-Apart-links-with-Lego

Some random thoughts

I’ve actually been feeling kinda guilty about neglecting the blog tho I know I have good reason to…  Apart from work, I’ve been busy with a personal project that is currently taking up loads of my free time. 

As I’ve mentioned before, I still do continue to read  many of the LEGO fan sites and blogs and forums, just that I don’t blog about them as often as I used to.  Come to think about it, I’ve been shopping much less frequently now so that really shows how busy I’ve been… (hey, shopping is a favourite past time for many Singaporeans!).  

Anyway, a couple of noteworthy reads:

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1. Brickset shares news of another LEGO survey

The direct link is: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LEGO_AFOL_Q12011

One nugget of info from the last survey that I found interesting was that “Respondents say they are prompted to collect sets because of the theme or unique minifigures or elements. Less than 10% of fans say they’re prompted to collect sets because of a unique box or a box of a different size. However, when asked if the LEGO Group were to create sets with different box sizes and identical contents would they purchase an additional set, nearly half responded that they would.“

Really? Half? I thought most people bought LEGO for the contents and not the boxes? Anyway to find out what the other results are, do visit Brickset’s post here.

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2. Toysnbricks reports on sets discontinued in 2011

If you have been holding out for whatever reason on these sets, wait no longer cos you know the prices will rise once the stores are out of stock.  And, these sets are really among the better ones.  I think MMV and Emerald Night are destined to be instant classics.  As for Star Wars… well, we know how sky-high prices can go right?

• Castle Medieval Market Village (MSRP: $99.99)
• Creator Emerald Night (MSRP: $99.99)
• Star Wars Death Star (MSRP: $399.99)
• Star Wars Battle of Endor (MSRP: $99.99)

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3. Charity drive for Japan’s tsunami victims by The Brothers Brick

If you would like to do something for the tsunami victims in Japan, you may like to have a look at TBB’s charity drive.  They have requested for donations in creations and for support in the auctions.  (Note: Having grown up hearing and studying WW2 history, I find the logo used quite disturbing tho…)

If you are more practical like me… cash is king, especially when multiplied.  I’ve heard of firms (like mine) who are matching dollar-for-dollar any donations made by staff.  If not, you can also visit any local Red Cross to make a donation.

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4. Singapore Only: Service Pack for 10213 Shuttle Adventure

I found out about the service pack for Shuttle Adventure some time back (thanks to an email from TS), but never managed to find time to go down to the LEGO Singapore office to collect it. 

Luckily, Toy Station/Brickstation now has them in store for those who bought them from TS when it was 1st brought in (like me).  So if you are one of those who bought from TS, you may like to pop by the store when you are free. Perhaps to coincide with the expected new stocks coming in next week or the week after? If you are not on TS mailing list, you can follow their blog, facebook or twitter (yeah, very well-networked store) (Side note: Yay, store goodwill index up)

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, you may like to read Smashing Bricks’ post here.