Lego Advent Calendar ..

[tarak]

I bought the Star Wars calendar last year after Christmas. It's the one with a different character/vehicle for each day. We had a different Lego Advent calendar last year (Lego City with the police station) and the only reason I bought another was because this one promises a complete toy for each day.

I realize this isn't your question, but I just wanted to post our experience with the Lego calendars (we usually get the Playmobil ones) It could be my son's age is the issue (he was four at the time). But with the majority of days in the calendar, you get bricks. He did get Santa one day, a thief another day, a police officer one day. But for the most part? Bricks. And not bricks that turn into something appreciable. We didn't even get the "hey - here's the wall to the jail!" There are no instructions, and the final set we had didn't come close to making the picture on the box. Not enough roof pieces, there weren't enough bricks to make the walls look like the ones on the box.

It's a first world problem of the highest order and I realize that. But part of the fun of an advent calendar is the excitement at opening the next box. And with the Lego City calendar there was none. My middle daughter loves Lego Friends and I checked out the set on Amazon. Not only is it crazy expensive, it looks like the same deal as Lego City. One of the reviewers basically said the first day was a doll, the second was bricks. And no instructions or guidance for how it's supposed to come together.

My son has seen the Star Wars calendar and he's really excited about it, because each day looks like something he can actually play with. And for what it's worth, the 2012 Lego City calendar looks more like a toy per day.

 

[Deffenm]

I bought the star wars one for my grandson last year at toys-r-us for 25% off on black Friday. I am going to wait again and hope for that because he loved it. I did pick up a playmobile set last year on clearance for $6 but he liked the Levis one so I will look for that too.

Can you please tell me what the Levis one is?

 

[coopersmom]

I've had the City ones the last several years for my son and he LOVES them. I always end up getting it from Amazon. Watch for sales, shortly before or after Thanksgiving. I usually end up saving a good bit. Target also frequently has sales on this item, as does Toys R Us, but Amazon has the best price I've found and while their price fluctuates regularly, it will usually go down to its lowest point right around that Thanksgiving timeframe.

 

[pigletto]

I bought the Star Wars calendar last year after Christmas. It's the one with a different character/vehicle for each day. We had a different Lego Advent calendar last year (Lego City with the police station) and the only reason I bought another was because this one promises a complete toy for each day.

I realize this isn't your question, but I just wanted to post our experience with the Lego calendars (we usually get the Playmobil ones) It could be my son's age is the issue (he was four at the time). But with the majority of days in the calendar, you get bricks. He did get Santa one day, a thief another day, a police officer one day. But for the most part? Bricks. And not bricks that turn into something appreciable. We didn't even get the "hey - here's the wall to the jail!" There are no instructions, and the final set we had didn't come close to making the picture on the box. Not enough roof pieces, there weren't enough bricks to make the walls look like the ones on the box.

It's a first world problem of the highest order and I realize that. But part of the fun of an advent calendar is the excitement at opening the next box. And with the Lego City calendar there was none. My middle daughter loves Lego Friends and I checked out the set on Amazon. Not only is it crazy expensive, it looks like the same deal as Lego City. One of the reviewers basically said the first day was a doll, the second was bricks. And no instructions or guidance for how it's supposed to come together.

My son has seen the Star Wars calendar and he's really excited about it, because each day looks like something he can actually play with. And for what it's worth, the 2012 Lego City calendar looks more like a toy per day.

I would find that extremely disappointing too. Especially with what they cost.

 

[Ephany]

Can you please report back and let us know if this is allowed? I have three to buy so that would be a big help!

I didn't have time today, will try on Saturday.

 

[letsgoreds]

I bought the Star Wars calendar last year after Christmas. It's the one with a different character/vehicle for each day. We had a different Lego Advent calendar last year (Lego City with the police station) and the only reason I bought another was because this one promises a complete toy for each day.

I realize this isn't your question, but I just wanted to post our experience with the Lego calendars (we usually get the Playmobil ones) It could be my son's age is the issue (he was four at the time). But with the majority of days in the calendar, you get bricks. He did get Santa one day, a thief another day, a police officer one day. But for the most part? Bricks. And not bricks that turn into something appreciable. We didn't even get the "hey - here's the wall to the jail!" There are no instructions, and the final set we had didn't come close to making the picture on the box. Not enough roof pieces, there weren't enough bricks to make the walls look like the ones on the box.

It's a first world problem of the highest order and I realize that. But part of the fun of an advent calendar is the excitement at opening the next box. And with the Lego City calendar there was none. My middle daughter loves Lego Friends and I checked out the set on Amazon. Not only is it crazy expensive, it looks like the same deal as Lego City. One of the reviewers basically said the first day was a doll, the second was bricks. And no instructions or guidance for how it's supposed to come together.

My son has seen the Star Wars calendar and he's really excited about it, because each day looks like something he can actually play with. And for what it's worth, the 2012 Lego City calendar looks more like a toy per day.

So...about the 'no instructions'...you did look on the inside of each flap, right? My 5yo just used the picture (on back of numbered flap) to build the mini model. No problems at all. Loved assembling the new surprise each morning. True for both the City and the Star Wars set.

 

[tweedlemom]

LEGO website just reduced the price of the Star Wars advent calendar to $39.99

 

[cats mom]

Can you please tell me what the Levis one is?

I'm betting she meant Legos, not Levis.
(v is next to g and i is next to o on the keyboard)
I think even the most clothing focused kid would think 25 days of Levis was overkill.

We've done the city set the past couple of years. Some days are definitely better than others, but my kids still really look forward to it. Santa in his skivvies in the shower was my favorite! That sounds awful doesn't it?

Thanks for the heads up on the Friends set. I had to pay full price, but at least I got one. If I can find a good deal on either the City or Star Wars set maybe I won't make the kiddos share this year like I usually do. I don't think DS will be thrilled with the Friends set.

 

[ICF]

Amazon has the 2012 SW version for $38 -- and it ships for FREE!!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846

 

[Disneyfan3333]

This is the first year I am looking into getting one for ds8.
I have a few questions. It looks like the price is pretty solidly 49.99 across the board.
Do these sell out quickly and should I just pay full price now? Or can I wait and see if a deal comes up?
Do any stores typically discount them?
I live in Canada but very close to the border so I can order it from the States easily and pick it up over the border.
Thanks in advance for any ideas.

If you have a Costco card, i saw them yesterday at a Costco for 27.99 - not sure which one it was, I only looked at it for a second because my kids are still a bit too young for Lego, but I thought it was cool

 

[uk_wildcat]

I just ordered from Amazon also for $38. I had decided not to get them this year because of the high price, but $38 is close to what they were last year. In the past, I would always get them at Barnes & Noble online using a coupon, but didn't even see them on their site this year.
Target also has them for $38 online, not sure about store.

 

[tarak]

So...about the 'no instructions'...you did look on the inside of each flap, right? My 5yo just used the picture (on back of numbered flap) to build the mini model. No problems at all. Loved assembling the new surprise each morning. True for both the City and the Star Wars set.

Actually, since you posted this, I sort of recall seeing them. But I also know some of the flaps were torn and missing since my 4-year-old wasn't particularly careful when he opened them. I'd think they could tuck in an instruction booklet like they do with other lego sets. Instructions or not, he didn't enjoy it as much as he did the Playmobil calendar,which had a complete toy each day. And I do think he'll love the Star Wars calendar.

 

[jgreco]

Ebates now has a link for 20% off (comes to $39.99)+ 2.5% cash back (though it still works out cheaper to buy through Amazon. Maybe someone has a reason to buy through Lego store.

 

[Ephany]

Can you please report back and let us know if this is allowed? I have three to buy so that would be a big help!

Well no luck. Turns out they had the Brickmaster friends book, not the advent calenders. The associate even brought out 1 of every advent calender they'll be selling and the only 'girly' one was playmobil. The Brickmaster book is cute, but was cheaper on Amazon so I'm still searching.

 

[KayTom]

I've just bought the star wars lego advent calendar from the lego store for my DBF.

He absolutely loves star wars lego and so for his birthday in November, i've splurged and got him the death star. Only available at lego, i think.

Lego are now doing a points system, so i earned £25 off any item by purchasing it, allowing me to get the calendar for free. I just had to pay £3 delivery xx

 

[lisalis]

Our Target had them for 39.99 and you got a $10 gift card with purchase. I'm not sure if this is just in our area. I didn't see the gift card offer online. You could also use the $5 off Lego coupon from the Toy book they mailed out.

 

[MomToOne]

I bought the Star Wars calendar last year after Christmas. It's the one with a different character/vehicle for each day. We had a different Lego Advent calendar last year (Lego City with the police station) and the only reason I bought another was because this one promises a complete toy for each day.

I realize this isn't your question, but I just wanted to post our experience with the Lego calendars (we usually get the Playmobil ones) It could be my son's age is the issue (he was four at the time). But with the majority of days in the calendar, you get bricks. He did get Santa one day, a thief another day, a police officer one day. But for the most part? Bricks. And not bricks that turn into something appreciable. We didn't even get the "hey - here's the wall to the jail!" There are no instructions, and the final set we had didn't come close to making the picture on the box. Not enough roof pieces, there weren't enough bricks to make the walls look like the ones on the box.

It's a first world problem of the highest order and I realize that. But part of the fun of an advent calendar is the excitement at opening the next box. And with the Lego City calendar there was none. My middle daughter loves Lego Friends and I checked out the set on Amazon. Not only is it crazy expensive, it looks like the same deal as Lego City. One of the reviewers basically said the first day was a doll, the second was bricks. And no instructions or guidance for how it's supposed to come together.

My son has seen the Star Wars calendar and he's really excited about it, because each day looks like something he can actually play with. And for what it's worth, the 2012 Lego City calendar looks more like a toy per day.

DD12 has done the Lego City calendar the last two years, and each day they gave you either a figure, or everything you needed to build a small item. The instructions are on the back of the flap. DD had no problems building any of them, even the first one where she was really new to the whole lego thing.

 

[pigletto]

Seems like all the offers came out this weekend. After I bought it at full price.
I even started this thread looking for deals, didn't find one right away and went and bought it. Sigh. My own fault.
I do have the receipt though, so if I come across a deal I'll return the other.

 

[tarak]

DD12 has done the Lego City calendar the last two years, and each day they gave you either a figure, or everything you needed to build a small item. The instructions are on the back of the flap. DD had no problems building any of them, even the first one where she was really new to the whole lego thing.

Miles vary. As I posted, my son was four. A good portion of it was building the city jail, so several days were a handful of bricks. I should have looked at it more carefully. He's quite good at putting Legos together. He just likes having all the pieces he needs at one time.

Pigletto, is there a Target near you? I also got the catalog this week with the coupon.

 

[ajh88]

Just got an email from ToysRUs that the Star Wars LEGO calendar will be 25% off tomorrow (November 1st) only with a coupon. I don't know if it is 25% off the sale price of $49.99 or off of the "full" TRU price of $59.99. If it is off of full price, its not such a great deal, but off of $49.99, makes it about $38. If you are in the market for anything else at TRU, you can use the big toy book coupon to get a $10 gift card with $75 purchase. $38 is the best price I've seen so far this season (what I paid with the Target deal of the day the other day), although it looks like Target might have a tad sweeter deal going on right now. Happy hunting!