Winter Village Sets - Rumours and Discussion

[Lion King]

Oh it looks like Santa’s Visit will be available on September 16 for VIP Early Access, according to US Lego Shop website. 

[RichardGoring]

2 hours ago, PGBQW said:

That set looks lovely, so despite not being a HP fan I might get it! The tabern building has "old town pub" vibes so I think it actually come handy without any modifications at all! Thanks for the idea mate

Lego Artisan on Rebrickable has a MOC of this set to bring it in line with the winter village sets nicely.

https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-80404/LegoArtisan/hogsmeade-village-mod/#details

[The Stud]

I have never owned a Santa Minifigure before, but I just realized that I’ll own at least two between these two Christmas sets and possibly two more if I get the Christmas promos this year.

I also have the Snowball Fight, Ice Skating Rink promo and Charles Dickens promo from last year that I never ended up building. I’m looking forward to having a Winter layout!

[daemon4001]

I like all the details of the new WV set and will definitely get it as I have everything except the first ever train, but I'm not crazy about that blue.

For me, blue is the least Christmassy colour. It's also a little annoying to have a revamped set as I finally got the original Cottage on E-bay for the crazy price of $60 - which became a lot more as my friend sent it to me from the States and I had to pay the same in shipping and the same again in customs fees so that my cheapest ever WV model became my most expensive - though still pretty good for the rarest set. I've completely run out of space for everything I already have.

My favourite non WV set that works as an addition is the 3in1 snowy cabin ( 31080 ) which I built up higher to make a full size ski slope - see the photo. I also have a pretty big funfair and circus area now with the rollercoaster and Ferris Wheel from Bricklings as well as the fairground people pack, the UFO merry go round and some Toy Story 4 fairground pieces, all of which I've Christmasified. This is last year's village in the photo but I think this year will be twice the size as I have loads of new pieces and have a plan for a coverleaf train track with four distinct areas in amongst it. I started building my Hogsmeade village already and will move onto the Elf Club house next as I'm always a year behind on the sets. If only I had a bigger lounge.

When people talk about recolouring the house, do you mean swapping out the pieces with other colours or spraypainting them?

[Murdoch17]

3 hours ago, daemon4001 said:

I like all the details of the new WV set and will definitely get it as I have everything except the first ever train, but I'm not crazy about that blue.

For me, blue is the least Christmassy colour. It's also a little annoying to have a revamped set as I finally got the original Cottage on E-bay for the crazy price of $60 - which became a lot more as my friend sent it to me from the States and I had to pay the same in shipping and the same again in customs fees so that my cheapest ever WV model became my most expensive - though still pretty good for the rarest set. I've completely run out of space for everything I already have.

My favourite non WV set that works as an addition is the 3in1 snowy cabin ( 31080 ) which I built up higher to make a full size ski slope - see the photo. I also have a pretty big funfair and circus area now with the rollercoaster and Ferris Wheel from Bricklings as well as the fairground people pack, the UFO merry go round and some Toy Story 4 fairground pieces, all of which I've Christmasified. This is last year's village in the photo but I think this year will be twice the size as I have loads of new pieces and have a plan for a coverleaf train track with four distinct areas in amongst it. I started building my Hogsmeade village already and will move onto the Elf Club house next as I'm always a year behind on the sets. If only I had a bigger lounge.

SNIP

When people talk about recolouring the house, do you mean swapping out the pieces with other colours or spraypainting them?

Welcome to Eurobricks @daemon4001!

As far as your question: parts swapping is a safer bet as a good percentage of AFOL's shy away from painting official parts. (It's not wrong, it's just not a typical thing) I've been thinking about doing doing a version of the house in either tan or dark tan.

Edited September 13, 2021 by Murdoch17

[daemon4001]

Thanks! I assumed that was the case but one of the first links I got when I googled Lego recolor was a guy spraypainting pieces.

I will also be making a BL order as soon as the instructions are available online and I can see what we need.

[LegoDW]

7 hours ago, daemon4001 said:

I like all the details of the new WV set and will definitely get it as I have everything except the first ever train, but I'm not crazy about that blue.

For me, blue is the least Christmassy colour. It's also a little annoying to have a revamped set as I finally got the original Cottage

I see your point getting another blue cottage for the theme.  Agree other color(s) would have looked better IMO, but I'm ok with the blue. Its the lack of the contrasting trim the original had that I miss the most.  Lost some of its charm in this version.  Maybe it wont be to difficult to moc to add some?

[TeriXeri]

I can still see a lot of potential in this house for color swaps, brown to make it more like a block hut, greys to make it more medieval (swapping window types as well) etc, or even a non-snow variant should be possible.

If anything, it seems LEGO is currently in some Renaissance period with rounded bases on sets and rounded plates, half, quarter, heart, rounded corner 8x8 etc.

I say Renaissance because rounded plates aren't exactly "new" , this is from the 1950s/1960s.

Edited September 14, 2021 by TeriXeri

[Jay66]

Don't like the colour but at least it is roughly on topic.

Hated the firestation. I want a UK/European feel, but it seems to be heading very strongly towards a US feel. So I have bought the Harry Potter Hogsmeade set which fits in beautifully - I always thought my village should have a pub. I have a moc church too. 

Edited September 14, 2021 by Jay66

[Lion King]

Sorry if this is a completely dumb que…..On Sept 16, how can I have VIP Early Access (I’m already VIP)? 

[Celtchief]

43 minutes ago, DBlegonerd7 said:

Sorry if this is a completely dumb que…..On Sept 16, how can I have VIP Early Access (I’m already VIP)? 

You have early access by being  VIP.  I presume when you log into the website, it will know you are a VIP, and allow you to order it.  Why anyone chooses not to be a VIP is beyond me, it's free and only good things happen.  

[Lion King]

11 hours ago, Celtchief said:

You have early access by being  VIP.  I presume when you log into the website, it will know you are a VIP, and allow you to order it.  Why anyone chooses not to be a VIP is beyond me, it's free and only good things happen.  

Ok thanks! I never ordered a bit early online before (even tho I am a VIP).

Edited September 15, 2021 by DBlegonerd7

[Gobias1234]

Edit, I figured out my own question. go me!

Edited September 16, 2021 by Gobias1234

[Robert8]

Santa's Sleigh review

https://brickset.com/article/63330/review-40499-santa-s-sleigh

[Vindicare]

Gah! Why couldn’t they VIP release the Sleigh too so we can buy both together?! 

18 hours ago, DBlegonerd7 said:

Sorry if this is a completely dumb que…..On Sept 16, how can I have VIP Early Access (I’m already VIP)? 

I did have an issue ordering the Haunted House on the early release. It didn’t show up that night when it was supposed to, but I’m sure that was just a hiccup. I ended up ordering in the morning. Just in case it doesn’t show up at first. 

[Karlos Bandidos]

Hi here. Has anyone seen or heard any more of the GWPs Santa Front Yard or Mr Mrs Claus Living Room? I see they are doing the Dickens set again at the moment. (which I have) Didn't know whether to put in the order now or wait to see what other GWPs are. I'd particularly want it if it fits in with the Winter Village layout or would look good connected to the old Santa's Workshop.

[AFOLguy1970]

I am definitely going to stay up until 11PM or midnight for October 1 to make sure I order two of those sleigh sets.  If last year was any indication of what this fall will be like, then anything we want this year has to be ordered immediately.  It is doubtful the site would crash from people ensuring they get their sleighs, but is there anything else being released October 1 that could draw the hordes onto the website?

Probably many others are planning on getting two sleighs in order to have the full team of reindeer.  Hopefully, it will not be difficult to connect the whole team of eight.  The one thing that surprises me about the sleigh is the lack of sleigh bells.  No doubt this can somehow be modded to have something that appears as bells.  Perhaps using silver round 1x1 plates will do the trick. 

[Yellowturnip]

I’m super pleased that there is a Xmas GWP so early. I usually wait for VIP double points and the Xmas gift but wasn’t talking any chances after missing out last year on the WV build. 
 

Does anyone know if the sleigh will be Lego shop exclusive? Lego could do with selling an Extra Accessories set for add on reindeer to the sleigh. There is a detailed review showing a photo of how it connects together and the reviewer says it will be easy to attach extras.

[Karlos Bandidos]

There's a new Batman Tumbler set releasing on 1st October too (not the UCS one) so there might be some site traffic. I was gonna pick  it up with the sleigh and Santa visit to try and qualify for GWP if the new ones are ready - and fit in with the winter village display.

I really need to see what they are to see if it's worth waiting, or just order the Santa visit now to make sure I get one.

 

[mvLego]

I'm wondering the same thing - is it worth waiting or should I buy the visit now? Does anyone remember if last year's Winter Village set sold out early or was it available for a while? I remember it being sold out closer to Christmas, but I hadn't really paid too much attention to it until then.

[Kallego]

52 minutes ago, mvLego said:

I'm wondering the same thing - is it worth waiting or should I buy the visit now? Does anyone remember if last year's Winter Village set sold out early or was it available for a while? I remember it being sold out closer to Christmas, but I hadn't really paid too much attention to it until then.

I think the set will be available continuously and not sell out to quick... The Santa's sleigh however I'm more worried about and will buy it at the release day.

[Yellowturnip]

I can’t remember exactly how quickly it did in the uk but I felt it was quite quick hence why I ordered mine today. I waited for the ice rink GWP to be available last year and it was too late. I hope I don’t regret it but I don’t have the Charles Dickens set anyway.

[mvLego]

2 hours ago, Kallego said:

I think the set will be available continuously and not sell out to quick... The Santa's sleigh however I'm more worried about and will buy it at the release day.

Santa's sleigh is also what I'm worried about. I'm hoping to make one order October 1 for both sets (and maybe there will be a GWP in my price range at that point).

[Lion King]

I just ordered Santa’s Visit (my first time Winter Village set ever and I won’t regret it!). 

I will be interred in getting that sleigh too. 

[MSY-MSP]

9 hours ago, AFOLguy1970 said:

I am definitely going to stay up until 11PM or midnight for October 1 to make sure I order two of those sleigh sets.  If last year was any indication of what this fall will be like, then anything we want this year has to be ordered immediately.  It is doubtful the site would crash from people ensuring they get their sleighs, but is there anything else being released October 1 that could draw the hordes onto the website?

Probably many others are planning on getting two sleighs in order to have the full team of reindeer.  Hopefully, it will not be difficult to connect the whole team of eight.  The one thing that surprises me about the sleigh is the lack of sleigh bells.  No doubt this can somehow be modded to have something that appears as bells.  Perhaps using silver round 1x1 plates will do the trick. 

I am only planning on order 1 of the sleighs.  What I did today when I ordered Santa's Visit is I also ordered 4 reindeer from bricks and pieces.  They were only $5.86 each which is significantly cheaper than $37 for a second santa's sleigh.