Review: 42699 Beach House with Seals
Posted by MeganL,
Who doesn't love a beach house? I wish I had one. This is another area the Friends are far ahead of me in, as there have been three beach houses in the Friends world to date. So for the fourth beach house (and the first for this generation), the designers have added something new. Previous beach houses have had dolphins, but for a new spin, the latest version has seals! Hence, the very logical name: 42699 Beach House with Seals.
Will the dolphins be jealous? There's just one way to find out, as I wrap up the last set from the first wave of the year.
Summary
42699 Beach House with Seals, 400 pieces.
£44.99 / $49.99 / €49.99 | 11.2p, 12.5c, 12.5c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
A tropical abode that lives up to its name
- Miami/Florida Keys colouring
- Adorable seals
- Lots of outdoor activities
- Pricy - those seals must be expensive!
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Inside the box there are five numbered bags, a 8x16 plate, a kayak, two instruction books, and a sticker sheet. While there are some interesting details in the stickers, the majority of them look like they're pretty gratuitous.
Minidolls and seals
There are three minidolls. all from the regular crew: Paisley, Liann (again) and Leo. They're all wearing outfits that we've seen before, though I particularly like Paisley's sun visor. All three Friends look like they're ready for a day at the beach.
The back printing isn't all that interesting, though I do like the more intricate designs on Liann's and Leo's shirts.
The eponymous seals are the only animals in the set. I guess Melody, Popcorn, and Churro are not welcome at the beach?
The completed model
The only "side build" per se is a kayak, while allows the Friends to explore the seals' habitat.
The beach house looks pretty close to what you would expect to see if there were pictures in a dictionary. The bright pink, yellow, blue and green colours are quite fitting for the beachy theme, and I think very much gives a Miami/Florida Keys vibe.
It's not unusual to see houses on the beach on stilts, and this house has many of the needed accessories for beach life including life preservers and a surf board.
The back of the house shows that there's quite a bit of detail packed into some small spaces.
Taking a look at the lower level, the Friends have been busy building some sand castles and doing some excavations (I'll leave for now what impact that might have on the foundation....). Regardless, the excavations do yield something, as there's some hidden gold found underneath some sand.
The side of the house shows part of the indoor/outdoor bathroom, with the outdoor part being the shower. Not a lot of privacy here, but at least close to the beach it's warm enough. A soap/shampoo dispenser is quite close by.
There's certainly plenty of water, enough so that a healthy palm tree is right there. Maybe it's a bit more of a private spot than I thought.
Looking at the lower level in the front, there are some saloon doors and a rather inviting hammock.
The hammock is just the right size for a wandering guest.
(Note: wandering sloth not included in this set.)
Behind the swinging doors is the rest of the obligatory Friends bathroom. The rest of the essentials are here, including a commode and a sink.
Entrance to the house is gained by some stairs attached to a dock. One of the eponymous seals can be found here, along with a potential snack jumping out of the water.
The top of the stairs leads to a charming front door area. I quite like the pink accents here, including the pink circular feature around the window above the door. A small plant sits next to the door. I like the detail of the seal motif on the doormat!
A (very) narrow walkway leads to an upstairs dining area. I like the use of ladders to pride some shade. A refreshing beverage waits on the table for one of the Friends (or perhaps the wandering sloth).
Inside the front door is a small kitchen area that seems to be dedicated to making smoothies. All the necessary equipment is found here as well as oranges in various states of dismemberment.
I like that the designers have thought how to move from one floor to another; another ladder provides access to the top level of the beach house.
The top level are sleeping quarters for the three friends, as well as some binoculars to keep an eye out for the wildlife (including the seals). The beach house gets points for sustainability as there are solar panels on the roof.
Overall thoughts
This is a fun set, with lots of things for the Friends to do. The Friends will not get bored between having a kayak, surfboards, digging for treasure, and watching/protecting the seals. I really enjoy the colours on this set - I think they are perfect for a beach scene.
However, like many Friends sets this year, it is on the expensive side! $50 seems excessive for this set, especially since I don't think any of the pieces are particularly specialized. It's an enjoyable and fun set, but I would only recommend this set if it's offered on sale.
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16 comments on this article
Reminds me of Paradisa! God if this was a subtheme of city with traditional figures it'd be amazing, i guess for now I can always just add in my own. (Obviously unrealistic to ask Friends to change their figs but just putting my preference out there..)
A 40 Dollar set for 50?
This needs a massive discount to become even remotely interesting.
@Denmark_Dragon said:
"Reminds me of Paradisa! God if this was a subtheme of city with traditional figures it'd be amazing, i guess for now I can always just add in my own. (Obviously unrealistic to ask Friends to change their figs but just putting my preference out there..)"
Apart from a beach theme, it doesn't look like any specific Paradisa set. Also very different (and way more) colors than those 90s Paradisa sets. Wouldn't mind seeing that theme be revived beyond a few recent minifigs and references, though, but probably just as unlikely as reviving any of the other old minifig themes.
Nice to see less common animals, such as seals (Rifftrax fans will get the reference).
What types of seals? Gaskets, o-rings, caulking, compression fittings, tape - I don't see any sealing in this set.
How I miss the slat from the blinds in the windows
@JGW3000 said:
"What types of seals? Gaskets, o-rings, caulking, compression fittings, tape - I don't see any sealing in this set."
Navy SEALS, duh!
@MeganL wrote:
"They're all wearing outfits that we've seen before, though I particularly like Paisley's sun visor."
She’s a natural redhead, and already showing a dangerous amount of skin for summer weather.
"I guess Melody, Popcorn, and Churro are not welcome at the beach?"
Wild seals can be vicious. Best not to put pets at risk by letting them get to close. Also, most cats would just as soon stay home from an aquatic excursion that doesn’t involve merely scooping fish out of an aquarium. Rabbits also don’t seem likely to be excited about getting submerged. I’m not sure if Popcorn is a reptile or amphibian, but either way they’re not a tamed species, so taking them outside off leash is a good way to find yourself short one pet.
@JGW3000 said:
"What types of seals? Gaskets, o-rings, caulking, compression fittings, tape - I don't see any sealing in this set."
"THEEERE used to be a greying tower, alone on the sea
YOOOOU became the light on the dark side of me
LOOOOVE remained a drug that's the high, not the pill
But did you know
That when it snows
My eyes become large, and
The light that you shine can't be seen?"
Either -that- Seal, or the Nintendo Seal of Quality. Maybe both.
I’m really not keen on the colour of the seels. Could they not have been navy?
@Fandabidozi said:
"I’m really not keen on the colour of the seels. Could they not have been navy? "
"BAY-BEEEE, I COMPARE YOU TO A KISS FROM A ROSE ON THE GRAVE (GREY?)
OOOOOHHH, THE MORE I GET OF YOU, THE STRANGER IT FEELS, YEAH (YEAH!)"
I have Strong Opinions on that song, mostly positive.
@Crux said:
" @Fandabidozi said:
"I’m really not keen on the colour of the seels. Could they not have been navy? "
"BAY-BEEEE, I COMPARE YOU TO A KISS FROM A ROSE ON THE GRAVE (GREY?)
OOOOOHHH, THE MORE I GET OF YOU, THE STRANGER IT FEELS, YEAH (YEAH!)"
I have Strong Opinions on that song, mostly positive."
"Now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey..."
I absolutely LOVE that song, and I can't believe I didn't make that connection for this review....
"A refreshing beverage waits on the table for one of the Friends (or perhaps the wandering sloth)."
Alcoholic sloth not included in this set?
@JGW3000 said:"What types of seals? Gaskets, o-rings, caulking, compression fittings, tape - I don't see any sealing in this set."
Freshness seal.
The sloth(s) took long enough to show up that I was beginning to wonder if one would at all.
@ToysFromTheAttic said:
" @Denmark_Dragon said:
"Reminds me of Paradisa! God if this was a subtheme of city with traditional figures it'd be amazing, i guess for now I can always just add in my own. (Obviously unrealistic to ask Friends to change their figs but just putting my preference out there..)"
Apart from a beach theme, it doesn't look like any specific Paradisa set. Also very different (and way more) colors than those 90s Paradisa sets. Wouldn't mind seeing that theme be revived beyond a few recent minifigs and references, though, but probably just as unlikely as reviving any of the other old minifig themes."
I've been wanting Friends to do a Paradisa homage for a while. and they've been doing homages in City (https://brickset.com/parts/6580003, which came in 60502) and Ideas (the two figures in 21358), so maybe it'll happen!
@TheOtherMike said:
" @JGW3000 said:"What types of seals? Gaskets, o-rings, caulking, compression fittings, tape - I don't see any sealing in this set."
Freshness seal.
The sloth(s) took long enough to show up that I was beginning to wonder if one would at all.
@ToysFromTheAttic said:
" @Denmark_Dragon said:
"Reminds me of Paradisa! God if this was a subtheme of city with traditional figures it'd be amazing, i guess for now I can always just add in my own. (Obviously unrealistic to ask Friends to change their figs but just putting my preference out there..)"
Apart from a beach theme, it doesn't look like any specific Paradisa set. Also very different (and way more) colors than those 90s Paradisa sets. Wouldn't mind seeing that theme be revived beyond a few recent minifigs and references, though, but probably just as unlikely as reviving any of the other old minifig themes."
I've been wanting Friends to do a Paradisa homage for a while. and they've been doing homages in City (https://brickset.com/parts/6580003, which came in 60502) and Ideas (the two figures in 21358), so maybe it'll happen!"
That's an amazing idea... Although I'm sure the target audience will be absolutely puzzled by it! :-)
@ToysFromTheAttic said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @JGW3000 said:"What types of seals? Gaskets, o-rings, caulking, compression fittings, tape - I don't see any sealing in this set."
Freshness seal.
The sloth(s) took long enough to show up that I was beginning to wonder if one would at all.
@ToysFromTheAttic said:
" @Denmark_Dragon said:
"Reminds me of Paradisa! God if this was a subtheme of city with traditional figures it'd be amazing, i guess for now I can always just add in my own. (Obviously unrealistic to ask Friends to change their figs but just putting my preference out there..)"
Apart from a beach theme, it doesn't look like any specific Paradisa set. Also very different (and way more) colors than those 90s Paradisa sets. Wouldn't mind seeing that theme be revived beyond a few recent minifigs and references, though, but probably just as unlikely as reviving any of the other old minifig themes."
I've been wanting Friends to do a Paradisa homage for a while. and they've been doing homages in City (https://brickset.com/parts/6580003, which came in 60502) and Ideas (the two figures in 21358), so maybe it'll happen!"
That's an amazing idea... Although I'm sure the target audience will be absolutely puzzled by it! :-)"
Actually, I think such a set would have cross-demographic appeal. The target audience would just like the colors and the beach theme, while the older fans would appreciate the homage.