Second LEGO Disney 18+ castle rumoured for 2023

Looks like a huge new LEGO Disney Castle is back on the menu, as 43225 Ariel’s Palace is now said to be one of just two Disney 18+ sets coming in 2023.

More details on 43225 Ariel’s Palace dropped yesterday, with fresh rumours claiming it will be the Disney theme’s first 18+ build, launching just in time for the live-action The Little Mermaid remake to debut in cinemas. That set was once hoped to be a follow-up to the recently-retired 71040 The Disney Castle, but that’s looked unlikely since early rumours pegged it as including mini-dolls.

The jury is still out on whether it really will be anchored around mini-dolls rather than minifigures, but either way, it turns out there’s hope yet for Disney fans clamouring for a more traditional castle. Instagram user lego_insider_news reports that set 43222 will include 4,837 pieces for $399.99, which would make it far and away the biggest and most expensive LEGO Disney set of all time.

That feels appropriate for the brand’s 100th anniversary, which the LEGO Group has already started celebrating across sets and minifigures including 40622 Disney 100th Celebration, 43217 ‘Up’ House and 71038 Disney 100. The current largest LEGO Disney set remains 71040 The Disney Castle at 4,080 pieces, so we’d expect only something similarly iconic to top it.

One possibility could be a direct update and redesign of Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World in Florida, seven years on from the original 71040 The Disney Castle. But the LEGO Group could equally choose to change course and release a 4,837-piece rendition of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland in California, offering something a little different for Disney fans who already own 71040.

It’s impossible to say either way at this stage, but we’ll hopefully find out for sure within the next few months, as 43222 is rumoured to arrive on shelves on July 1. For now, take it with the usual pinch of salt.

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