LEGO DREAMZzz 40657 Dream Village review

40657 Dream Village stands out among the first LEGO DREAMZzz wave for not only its fantastical build, but also because it feels like a gift-with-purchase.

Featuring heavily in the animated series, the village of Dreamlings is limited to just one small LEGO DREAMZzz set, but nothing more is necessary for this fantastical slice of the imaginative world. With a full and colourful wave launched alongside it, 40657 Dream Village still manages to set itself apart by offering something familiar but refreshing.

Including everything you need to tell your own stories within the world of LEGO DREAMZzz, either on its own or with one or more other sets from the theme, 40657 Dream Village shouldn’t be overlooked.

— LEGO DREAMZzz 40657 Dream Village set details —

Theme: LEGO DREAMZzz Set name: 40657 Dream Village Release date: August 1, 2023

Price: £25.99 / $29.99 / €29.99 Pieces: 434 Minifigures: 1

LEGO: Order now

— Where to buy LEGO DREAMZzz 40657 Dream Village —

40657 Dream Village is available exclusively at LEGO.com and in LEGO stores now. Unlike the rest of the theme, it is not currently available outside of the LEGO Group’s retail locations.

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— LEGO DREAMZzz 40657 Dream Village build —

40657 Dream Village’s build features three stores made of 434 pieces altogether. Each store feels related in design but distinctly different in shape and colour scheme, though there’s little doubt that they belong together, and all three can be combined.

The magic shop can be identified by its hanging sign with an appealing yet simple design as well as its bright cerise roof, featuring a window with a frog peering through it. There’s a surprising amount of detail considering the space available, and while the curved windshield used on the window isn’t quite as effective as we’d like with gaps on the side, it’s undoubtedly a fantastic look for the first of three buildings.

The bakery incorporates the second windmill in LEGO DREAMZzz alongside 71459 Stable of Dream Creatures, but that doesn’t diminish its inclusion. The design is comparatively simpler than the magic shop though it has a stranger colour scheme that helps it stand out thanks to its minty blue walls. This building is arguably a step down from the magic shop upon first impression but it fits right in with the rest of 40657 Dream Village.

The blacksmith’s workshop rounds out the selection with the smallest and weakest of the three buildings, though it does have its own merits, including its castle-adjacent design, open market-stall layout and the sign with the dream-related motif. It’s almost good enough to make you wish there was a stickered sign for the bakery, too – though the croissant does the job just as well.

The door on the magic shop is reminiscent of 41185 Magic Rescue from the Goblin Village, as is the rest of the model and its overall impressions. However, it feels much more whimsical than the retired LEGO Elves set with a fraction of the pieces, complete with relevant interior spaces and even a Dreamling-sized bed.

Squeezing the singular minifigure through the magic shop’s door isn’t easy but in fairness, these buildings are designed for Dreamlings. As long as Jayden can get used to the size of this village, his dream should prove to be a relaxing one with sweet treats, potions and weapons galore.

The three buildings can be combined into one larger building, or mixed up with other LEGO DREAMZzz sets including 71461 Fantastical Tree House and 71456 Mrs. Castillo’s Turtle Van. Mixing the trio of models into a single abode, 40657 Dream Village has a much different appearance but it’s not as easily compatible between its sections as we expected.

While it seems that clips and bars allow you to mix up the buildings’ top and bottom floors freely, in truth the overhanging plants, the furnace and more restrict how the sections can be arranged. The effect is that it hampers the creativity on offer, but there’s just enough freedom to keep you satisfied.

Another odd aspect of the model is the decision to have the blacksmith’s workshop built forward one stud further than the rest of the buildings, leaving an unsightly gap in the combined model, which worsens depending on the layout.

Despite this, 40657 Dream Village is fantastic in its village layout, seamlessly blending medieval hallmarks with fantasy and the interesting concepts of LEGO DREAMZzz.

— LEGO DREAMZzz 40657 Dream Village minifigures —

There’s only one minifigure in 40657 Dream Village – Jayden – who is also included in 71458 Crocodile Car. Jayden is a perfectly adequate minifigure with some good details and a unique design, but it’s the three Dreamlings that are the standouts of this small set.

The wizard, blacksmith and baker Dreamlings all use the same face print and body element, but their accessories provide a dose of much-needed personality that is relevant to their respective jobs in the village too. It’s surprising just how much a brick or two can change the look and feel of a Dreamling, considering how similar they are by design.

40657 Dream Village isn’t the only LEGO DREAMZzz set to include Dreamlings, but these three characters are exclusive to the small model. That said, you won’t have much of an issue recreating them with the right pieces.

— LEGO DREAMZzz 40657 Dream Village price —

With 434 pieces, one minifigure and three Dreamlings for £25.99 / $29.99 / €29.99, 40657 Dream Village is a fantastic deal compared to other LEGO DREAMZzz models. While it’s lacking in minifigures when stacked next to other sets in the theme, it more than makes up for it in personality, details and design.

— LEGO DREAMZzz 40657 Dream Village pictures —

— LEGO DREAMZzz 40657 Dream Village pros and cons —

40657 Dream Village is a great introductory model to LEGO DREAMZzz for those who enjoy standard fantasy designs or long for the days of LEGO Elves. It sets itself apart from the rest of the theme and makes up for its lacking minifigure selection with adorable buildings that naturally draw your attention.

Focusing on a peaceful village similar to 71459 Stable of Dream Creatures, 40657 Dream Village offers a serene building experience and a memorable creation that is sure to add a bite-sized splash of colour to your home. As an introduction to the theme, it’s familiar but still provides a taste of what to expect before moving on to the more outlandish sets.

With one eye on its set number, 40657 Dream Village doesn’t seem to be a standard set, but feels closer to a gift-with-purchase in the best way possible. Make sure that you don’t overlook this LEGO DREAMZzz model, as this impressive set’s number and design suggest that it’s a unique build that we’ll seldom see in the future.

40657 Dream Village pros	40657 Dream Village cons
It feels like a gift-with-purchase	Unfortunate gaps in combination models
Excellent value for money	Lacking in minifigures compared to other sets
Adorable and appealing building designs

This set was provided for review by the LEGO Group.

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— Alternatives to LEGO DREAMZzz 40657 Dream Village —

The closest alternative to 40657 Dream Village is, by far, the retired 41185 Magic Rescue from the Goblin Village. From its similar doors to the concept of a standard-sized character exploring a small-scale village, the long-gone LEGO Elves model must have inspired 40657 Dream Village.

An alternative set for 40657 Dream Village that is currently available is 71459 Stable of Dream Creatures, despite its much higher price at £74.99 / $84.99 / €84.99. Both are peaceful entry points into LEGO DREAMZzz with no enemies to fight, just lives to live in the idealistic world of dreams.

— LEGO DREAMZzz 40657 Dream Village FAQs —