Part one: The Opening and Building Experience

Part two: The Review

Part three: The Tour

The Disney Castle is probably one of the most anticipated LEGO sets to come out this year. With 4,080 individual pieces, it rivals the largest LEGO sets ever produced, such as the Taj Mahal, Tower Bridge, and the entire Star Wars UCS line.Being primarily castle builders, we were (freaking-out) excited to review the biggest and most detailed LEGO Castle to date!After opening up the huge box, we found ourselves with a large pile of bags filled with some fantastic pieces and yet another box with even more bags of even more amazing pieces. This is the first time we've ever seen a double-box situation in a LEGO set, and I think it's kind of neat. I imagine it's added to keep the bags from squashing down to the bottom, preventing structural and stacking issues later.Like most manly men, we went straight to the instructions booklet. Or should I say instruction novel? This 491-page beast is as heavy as some of Marks college textbooks!The first page shows some nice comparison shots of the actual Cinderella Castle next to the LEGO counterpart. We find it interesting that the set is called the "Disney Castle" and not the "Cinderella Castle" The second page seemed to offer a satisfactory answer.It looks like this castle was meant to celebrate a selection of classic Disney movies instead of just Cinderella, which for us put to rest some of the initial confusion we had about the name choice. But no Frozen reference? Seriously? I suppose well have to let it go. Ok, moving on...The instructions then proceed as normal LEGO instructions usually do. But unlike the average LEGO set this one starts out with a massive and complex technic brick base covered with plates for extra stability.If your LEGO construction experience is limited to building sets, this could easily seem like a bullet-proof base, overqualified even for a model this size. As a custom creation builder, the base seemed just adequate, plus the technic bricks gave the base a flexibility that was unnerving for the height placed on top. Still it's an efficient and strong base, to ask for yet more pieces to strengthen it further would be a bit over the top, with a part count above 4K. Another unique aspect is the use of different colors in the insides of the structural areas, it made it faster and easier to build when each type of brick on the inside has a distinct color.One of our favorite parts of the build was the angled floor section. The use of the new Nexo Knight shield pieces is inspired. This would be impressive even by MOC standards. And this is just the first example of the intricacy and exquisite design elements present in the model.But then there were a few areas that left us scratching our heads in confusion. In the real castle, this entryway is a sleek set of stone stairs. The set, however, features an eroded gravel path. For a castlefancy? Yeah, we still don't get it.The castle advanced rapidly. To be honest, we were trying to set a good build time, which is revealed below. More nifty design elements worth mentioning are the cool SNOT (Studs not on top) arch over the door and the angled offset pillars. It's creative and fits together like a glove. We are literally taking notes on the techniques employed here. Bravo LEGO!As said before, we are primarily LEGO castle builders, so while everyone else was admiring the splendor of this set, we castle nerds were zooming in to get a better look at the most exciting and realistic shield designs to come out since the Harry Potter sets were still a thing! Unfortunately for us, the gorgeous shields ended up being... Stickers. This makes them far less valuable and easy to damage if you actually use them. We were quite disappointed, but they still look fantastic and we hope to use them in creations soon! There are many other stickers for some of the other pieces but thankfully the bigger and more important pieces are printed.Part of the castle that we initially thought was going to be kind of "meh" were the big gray walls and lower towers, but it turns out they are packed with detail and even more brilliant building techniques and clever parts usage.The front gate features a nifty printed panel which we only wish we had a dozen of for future cathedrals.The area around the clock was just ingenious. I mean look at that! How do you even start coming up with that? Kudos to the designers, we have been humbled.Yup, even more clever LEGO techniques. This is really an enthralling building experience, even with instructions it pushes you to think hard. It's a fun puzzle, even for individuals who have been doing this since they were 6 years old.Tan and white look really good together, this explains why they chose it over all white like the Cinderella Castle. And while the side turrets are too small to hold a minifig, they look fabulous.The castle is stacked in several layers each connecting to a smooth area with minimal studs. This makes it easy to take apart but it also means you had better take it apart before you try to move it.Though it does have some flaws, this is overall an immensely impressive LEGO set. It's gorgeous, flamboyant, and even awe-inspiring.Stevens favorite aspects are the height and detail of the spire as well as the intricate layout of the ground floor. Marks favorite aspects are the side turrets, the elaborate gatehouse, and of course the tan profile bricks!The price is a large one, but so is the part count, and most of these are rare colors and types. The figs are exclusive, if you're a fan of the Disney movie machine this is a must have, if you're a fan of LEGO bricks it's a must have, if you're a fan of LEGO Castle it's a must have. If you have $350 USD you can spare, and if you can find one, we would definitely recommend you buy The Disney Castle. Plus, you could probably make like 300% profit if you sell it ten years from now.If you do spring for this set, you may want to wait to build it until you have a whole day (Or two, or three) so that you can make a dent in it. This is an intensely detailed project. We are two adult LEGO building professionals being intentionally brisk, and it still took us 6 hours and 32 minutes over two days. This model is rightfully designated for 16 and up, which is very surprising considering The LEGO group's target demographic is many years younger than that. It is so exciting to see LEGO release sets aimed to please the older TFOL and AFOL!We haven't talked much about the figs yet because that's not the reason we're interested in the set. Sure, we like Disney stuff as much as the next 20 something year olds but we're not exactly die-hards. That being said, if you are a Disney die-hard these will be some minifigs you will need with a passion. Daisy, Donald and Minnie are given different colored outfits than in the collectable minifig line, Mickey is given a considerably nicer, more detailed body. Finally some torso printing! Tinkerbell is a completely unique figure with lovely printing and a new skirt piece.In the beginning of the instructions it said "Create your own Disney magic with the five included minifigures... ...or add characters from your own collection for happily ever after adventures." and since we always follow the instructions, we had our personal signature minifigs "Mark of Falworth" and "Brother Steven" visit the Disney Castle.Having received a gilded invitation from one Mickey Mouse, Mark and Steven arrived at the castle and began the tour with excitement and high hopes.The great hall was very elegant, but somewhat dark, due to the unlit chandelier. The Disney characters were very welcoming and offered to show Mark and Steven every corner of the castle.Mark was immediately drawn to the wondrous shields on the wall. But he quickly realized they were just stickered.Beginning to wonder if the rest of the castle was this ill-prepared for battle, Mark asked Donald if he could inspect the walls.Donald tried to clarify the situation.Mark found out it was a bad idea to ask questions when you can't understand what the other person is saying. Donald's quacking was near unintelligible to his human ear.Meanwhile, Brother Steven explored the kitchen with Minnie.Mark was very intrigued by the fantastic flying carpet.Daisy was about to say something, but Mark already had issues with talking ducks.Mark found Mickey again in the Beauty and the Beast room.As they left, Mickey muttered to himself,Steven was having his own issues too, as Minnie was busy describing the spinning wheel.Brother Steven wasn't paying that much attention, his focus being directed to a chest of items.He was aghast at finding the castle a den of heretics.Mark and Donald moved on to the higher rooms of the castle.Donald nodded his head. Yesh. He quacked.Mark raised an eyebrow.Donald shook his head.Mark noticed a room that featured a large wooden chest and casually lifted the lid to peek inside.Mark wrinkled his nose and backed away.Brother Steven and Mark of Falworth met again near the very top of the tower.Mark shook his head, sending his blond tresses flying and attracting the notice of a mirror hanging on the wall.Mark jumped and stared at the mirror.Mark grinned.Brother Steven crossed himself and muttered something about vanity as they exited the room.Up on the topmost tower, Brother Steven admired the majestic view. He could see all across the glittering kingdom.Later, behind the battlements, Mark was testing out his archery skills. He turned to Mickey and said,Mickey squeaked and exclaimed,Mark said.Mickey shrugged.Marks mouth hung slack for a moment.Just then, Tinkerbell flew in on a sparkling trail of golden pixie dust.Both Mark of Falworth and Brother Steven were surprised, having never met a fairy in person. Brother Steven crossed himself, wide-eyed, and began to pray.Mark smiled, undaunted.Tinkerbell nodded at the last one and smiled.Mark glanced sideways at Mickey.Mickey laughed as Tinkerbell gritted her teeth.Despite the oddities, Mark and Steven thoroughly enjoyed their tour of the unique and amazing Disney Castle and they promised they would visit again soon.Huge thanks to the LCE Team for sending us this set to review. The opinions expressed in this review are completely our own. Also, thanks for reading this review and visiting the site! We would love to hear your comments about what you thought of this set as well.