LEGO Disney 40600 Disney 100 Years Celebration GWP review

Launching alongside 43222 Disney Castle, the LEGO 40600 Disney 100 Years Celebration gift is an ideal celebration of Disney’s anniversary.

From July 1 to 9, or while stocks last, any orders of £95 / $100 / €100 or more on LEGO.com will net you a free 40600 Disney 100 Years Celebration. For a Disney enthusiast, this model is nothing short of a must-have. This promotion happens to time with the release of 43222 Disney Castle and as that model is missing Mickey Mouse, this almost certainly isn’t a coincidence.

40600 Disney 100 Years Celebration consists of three main builds that slot together into one large Disney display. There’s a slot for a photo on the back of each, adding a personal element to the gift-with-purchase.

However, this set is not reliant on printed photos (which unsurprisingly aren’t included) and can function as a Disney centrepiece just as well. The three sections each reference a part of Disney’s history in a heartfelt way.

These modules can be rearranged as you wish or displayed entirely separately. The suggested combination puts the screen in the middle and the ‘100’ on the left, but there are no restrictions in the build. While it’s mildly fun to rearrange these segments, you’ll likely find yourself keeping them in one format after a short time.

The ‘100’ section is, unfortunately, the weakest part of the model and feels a little out of touch with the rest of the build in all but the colour scheme. Despite this, the presence of balloons and a birthday cake do a decent job of celebrating the 100th anniversary specifically.

However, the rest of the GWP is much more exciting and properly celebrates the legacy of Disney. Further to the right is an animator’s desk decorated appropriately with tools to assist in animating. The highlight of this section is the printed Steamboat Willie sketch, which is also included in 43222 Disney Castle. Those planning to pick up the huge LEGO set at launch will end up with two copies of this highly-desirable piece.

The greatest section of 40600 Disney 100 Years Celebration is its small cinema, complete with popcorn, a comfortable seat, a screen and a working projector. The chair isn’t able to attach, but this is better for setting the scene, and once everyone is comfortable, the film can begin. A light brick shines through a transparent printed pane with a LEGO interpretation of Steamboat Willie and projects it on to the screen, which is best seen in the dark.

This feature works well and is a touching tribute to Disney’s lengthy history in the film industry. It’s a function similar to that of LEGO Agents’ 8635 Mobile Command Center and remains just as impressive a decade and a half later.

The exclusive Mickey Mouse minifigure completes the package of 40600 Disney 100 Years Celebration, wearing a jacket similar to the torso from 10998 3in1 Magical Castle, and is heavily inspired by the 100th-anniversary outfit for the character. This minifigure isn’t necessarily a must-have compared to the many other Mickey minifigures available now, but is an appreciated addition to the gift-with-purchase either way.

With the exclusive minifigure, the light brick feature and 226 pieces, 40600 Disney 100 Years Celebration is well worth the £95 / $100 / €100 threshold that you’ll need to reach to get it. The appeal of the GWP may be more limited outside of the Disney fandom, but those who love the company and its legacy will adore this set. Simply put, it’s one of the most unique celebrations of Disney’s centennial anniversary from the LEGO Group so far.

You can pick up 40600 Disney 100 Years Celebration when spending £95 / $100 / €100 on LEGO Disney products between July 1 and July 9, or while stocks last.

This set was provided for review by the LEGO Group.

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