Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was Walt Disney’s first Animated feature, in a world where cartoons were 7 minutes long. At 93 minutes, it exceeded expectations, and remains a favourite around the world. As a kid, I found myself consistently frustrated by my ability to only remember 6 dwarfs at any one time. With the benefit of Google, I can tell you that they were Doc, Gumpy, Bashful, Happy, Sleepy ,Sneezy and Dopey. Six out of those seven dwarfs are not happy.

Today, the LEGO Group announce the upcoming release of the Dwarfs cottage from the feature film, complete with all of the dwarfs, Snow white, Prince Charming and the Evil, poisoned-apple-bearing Hag! The set has 2228 pieces and will retail for  €219.99 / £189.99 / $USD219.99/$AUD399.99/1899 CNY/89990 HUF/$CAD289.99/5399 MXN. It goes on sale to Insiders members on March 1st, and every one else on June 1…3 months later! (awaiting confirmation that I actually read this correctly!)

The set features many of the interior details of the Dwarfs’ cottage, including the kitchen, dormitory, and the parlour, complete with its pipe organ.

There are a few magical vignettes taking place outside as well, including the witch giving Snow White theaApple, and the crystal casket that Snow white was left in until prince charming rescued her.

I love the fact that there are a couple of forest friends for Snow White in the set, albeit not quite as many as there were ‘back in the Day’ As well as the birds, we have a couple of squirrels and a rabbit.

The external aspects of the house have been done really nicely – I love the representation of the thatched roof, as well as the exposed beams.

Here are the minifigures:

The Snow White and Prince Florian figures appear identical to those that appeared in last year’s Disney Castle, while the other figure to have been previously released as a minifigure is the Evil Queen (along with the magic mirror).

I have to admit, I think there is something magical about the set – Disney doesn’t really have a display place in our house, and I feel it would just create additional clutter, BUT this is a fun collection of figs, and the details in the cottage are gorgeous.

I am a little confused by some of the initial information we have been given: the set goes on sale to Insiders on March 1, and to everyone else on June 1. It this a typo? An attempt to increase the number of members of LEGO Insiders? A cynical attempt to provoke retail partners? I’m hoping for the typo, but it may well be an attempt to upsell the idea of joining insiders to uninitiated consumers – particularly since this is a fresh new set, with lots of appeal.

[Edit: Confirmed that it is a typo: It appears to be available to Insiders on March 1, and everyone else on 4th March]

Is this set for you? Is March the new January, with all the new sets getting ready to leap out around the corner? Is $400 just a little bit too much to pay for this?

Why not leave your comments below, and until next time… Play Well!