Yesterday we were given the chance to take a look at LEGO’s new toy lines at the Javits Center in New York as part of this year’s American International Toy Fair. Everything was, as the song goes, awesome. First of all, we’ll be honest with you: the main reason we were there was to look at the CUSCOO created Ghostbusters set, and it did not disappoint. It’ll also be released sometime in June for $49.99, so start putting aside some money now. Next to the Ghostbusters was the official Simpsons house set, which’ll be available some time in February for $199.99. Trust me, it’s worth every penny. Every detail is terrifyingly accurate, right down to the I.D. badge on Homer’s chest. The latest additions to the Star Wars line were also extremely awesome. The re-released Mos Eisley cantina replica in particular caught our eye ($69.99, available in August), in no small part due to the adorable little Greedo minfig that comes with the set. According to LEGO’s rep, he’s the first and only Rodian minifig they’ve ever made.
He also did not shoot first. Okay, maybe the LEGO rep didn’t say that, but I could tell he was totally thinking it, because that’s the correct opinion to have. There were also a fair number of sets based on the upcoming Star Wars Rebels TV show, including a super cool lady Twi’lek who, sadly, was the only new female minifig I could find in the whole lineup. Her name is Hera Syndulla, and she’s my new favorite. She’ll also be a part of “The Ghost” set ($89.99 in August), which comes with a VCX-100 light freighter ship that’s apparently “the Millennium Falcon of Rebels.” We also got some cool pictures of the DC and Marvel superheroes line. LEGO Batgirl now exists, which is basically everything I’ve ever wanted in life. There are also new figures of Nightwing, The Flash, the Penguin, the Joker, the Riddler, the Falcon, the upcoming movie version of Electro, the Ultimate Spider-Man TV show version of Mary Jane, Magneto, Storm, and MODOK. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Minecraft, or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie LEGO sets, but they were admittedly pretty rad.
There’s a new head mold for the movie turtles that’s different from the cartoon-inspired line, some kind of a redheaded female minfig that we think might be a villain (unless it’s April O’Neil? It was hard to tell), and one of the movie sets included some prominently featured ooze, so we think it’s safe to say that this particular part of the turtles’ origin is going to stay relatively intact. The new Minecraft toys looked great as well; they were much bigger than the currently available LEGO Minecraft set and included a number of animals in addition to the standard avatar and creeper. As for the Guardians of the Galaxy sets, there was a lot to take in, including a giant Groot brick-build fighting what looked like Nebula (and yes, she was blue and bald and 100% awesome), a Rocket Raccoon minifig, and a bunch of cool ships that’ll hopefully be seen in the movie as well. Speaking of movies, of course there was going to be a lot of great Lego Movie sets, including this one: Metal Beard’s Sea Cow.
The LEGO reps were pushing this one hard, and for good reason: in addition to be a giant awesome ship, it’s also the only set where you can find the double- decker couch, as well as an awesome brick-build and minifig of Metal Beard himself. Also, it “includes a cow with wings!” according the press information. Not enough for you? We also have a gallery of the rest of our pictures to click through, too.Star Wars and LEGO fans have a new exhibit to enjoy beginning March 15-16, when LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago opens its doors: Star Wars: Episode IVA New Hope. The exhibit is exclusively available at this location through December 2014. My family and I recently had the opportunity to walk-through the exhibit, which offers fans an intergalactic immersion into the sights and sounds of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. Young Jedi visiting can help the Rebel Alliance destroy the Galactic Empire’s powerful Death Star, experience the epic duel between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader, watch in awe as the Millennium Falcon rises from the deserts of Tatooine, discover the bustling city of Mos Eisley and take in the busy cantina where the band plays its familiar tune and dangerous characters lurk in dark corners.
The display replaces the Center’s previous Star Wars Miniland, which featured scenes from Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. That exhibit transported fans from the beautiful rolling hills of Naboo, with its ancient domed city and cascading waterfalls, to the treacherous terrain of the desert planet of Tatooine. During the weekend’s festivities, guests will be able to build their own LEGO creation in Build and Test, meet members of the Star Wars 501st Legion and take photos with life-sized LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader and LEGO Star Wars R2-D2. My son is a Star Wars fan and loves to build using Legos so checking out this exhibit was a highlight of the month. It’s amazing how well he behaved and quickly homework was done the weeks leading up to this visit. I’m not the only one who uses these visits as a carro. Marina Kuperman Villatoro wrote about her experience planning for a LEGOLAND Florida trip and how well her kids behaved the entire year leading up to their visit!
In addition to the new exhibit, visitors to LEGOLAND will have the opportunity to see firsthand some of the Center’s renovations, including: LEGO® Racers Build & Test: A newly renovated track where kids can design, build and race their own LEGO car creations. O Factory gives guests a behind-the-scenes look at how the infamous toy is made. 4-D Cinema: An enhanced 4-D theatre experience. Duplo® Farm: A new Duplo® play area allows more space for the Center’s youngest visitors to explore and create. LEGO® City Soft Play: Coming this spring, new and improved mazes and climbing areas. For the benefit of parents and other caretakers, the Center’s Café has also been updated. It now boasts free WiFi (thank you!), as well as other new amenities, providing families with a comfortable space to refuel before our next LEGO adventure. LEGOLAND Discovery Centers can be found throughout the country in six locations;
LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Atlanta opened in 2012. Each has its own LEGOLAND Master Builder and one of our highlights was interviewing David Howard, the newly-appointed Master Builder for this location! Don’t miss this intergalactic milestone. The Force returns to LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Chicago for two days of out-of-this-world fun during ®Star Wars on March 15-16. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago Streets of Woodfield in Schaumburg, which is about a 30 minute drive west of downtown Chicago. If you’re looking for some good places to eat, check out Pilot Pete’s. In addition to good food, the places is filled with antique model planes and a runway you can look out onto and watch private planes land. For a more unique Chicago experience, Portillo’s Hot Dogs Schaumburg location has a fun 50s/60s retro theme and arguably some of the best hot dogs in the area. Check out LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago’s newest exhibit, LEGO Star Wars Miniland and don’t forget to schedule some time to eat, too!