City Advent Calendar - Day 4

@Norikins said:
"Headlight bricks? That's a 1x2 bracket."

I think she may have meant the clear red bricks/plates that made the headlights.

@MeganL, if you are reading the comments could you please clear this up?

@paulrothwell:
I got lucky. They were just starting to show up when I found out that Walmart had the HPAC and DWAC discounted $10. I wasn't in a rush to buy them that early in the year, but I started keeping an eye out once I found out.

@Meowzap77:
There are no clear parts or headlights on this build at all. The only transparent parts are the trans-black cheese slopes (windshield) and trans-red plate(s) (taillights). And Norikins is right, the article describes an assembly leading from the plate underneath the bracket to the cheese wedge windshield.

@paulrothwell said:
"I find it quite amusing how these advents have been available since 1st Sept, people hold out for discounts, then complain when out of stock"

I managed to get two HP advent calendars for 25% and 50% off in September and November. They’re not very hard to get ahold of, even with a good discount, as long as you don’t wait until the last week of November. I’m surprised to see all the comments about not being able to get them because I feel like the calendars this year have been readily available with good discounts since two weeks after release.

I only bought two HP advent calendars this year (for 19.30 and 17.90 Euro respectively). We used to have a Friends and/or City calendar as well, but as the former tend to get weaker and weaker and the latter being basically the same each year I decided not to bother with those anymore. I might get the Star Wars one at a discount just for fun, but if it doesn't work out I won't be in tears either.

Here in the UK at least Sw/HP have been sold out for a while. I sold my entire stock of all 4 advents before we closed for lockdown on 5th November, and by the number of emails & calls I have had I could probably have sold them over again

@GoldenNinja3000:
You have to pay attention to the country listed next to the username. So far I don’t think I’ve seen a single US comment claiming to have missed out completely. There might have been one saying they had to pick a different theme because the preferred one was, but Australia and UK apparently had an unexpected surge in demand, or they just ordered a lot less stock than normal, because people have been saying they’re sold out for most of November.

@Westyno1 said:
"Missed out on my h advent calendars they were all sold out then everyone was n still is trying to rip the pants off any Lego fan going so, I’ve decided to drop out this year as it’s ridiculous how everyone is being over Lego "

You get them in october. Problem solved.

btw ALL callendars for this year are great.

I just buy mine as soon as they come out. For the sake of a £5 discount it's not worth the risk. The main problem I have is trying not to get the contents spoiled

Since the truck does not seem to be a current set, maybe it is something seen in the TV show? I kinda assumed it was more of a “Lego City Adventures” calendar than just a City one based on the minifigs. For example, the other day when there was a boat build, I assumed it was in reference to the boat episodes (but of course it would be unsurprising they would use a current set in the show). I’ve watched most of the show, but can’t recall a yellow truck, but that’s also not the kind of thing I would remember anyway. I’m sure there had to be some sort of construction-y scene. That’s my guess, but really could just be a random City vehicle too.

@MisterBrickster:
And it's a bit different in the US. Target and Walmart carry them nationwide, LEGO Brand Retail is an option if you live near one of the stores or don't mind ordering online, LEGOLAND Discovery Centers probably carry them also, and then there are regional chains besides all of those. There is no shortage of Advent Calendars for at least two months, and if you don't mind doing a little hunting, you can usually still find them all through most of November. Last year I was able to find tons of the HPAC, quite a few of the DWAC, and at least one or two of the others as late as mid-December.

This year, Walmart knocked $10 off the HPAC and DWAC as soon as they went on sale, so that was a no-brainer. You didn't have to wait for them to go on sale. You just had to wait for them to arrive. I can't remember if the other two got a similar markdown, but I've never bought either of them.

@mic27:
The ship has been identified as 60266. This could be a dump truck or a high-walled flatbed truck, but there's really nothing this year under the City theme that even sorta matches it.

@PurpleDave said:
" @GoldenNinja3000:
You have to pay attention to the country listed next to the username. So far I don’t think I’ve seen a single US comment claiming to have missed out completely. There might have been one saying they had to pick a different theme because the preferred one was, but Australia and UK apparently had an unexpected surge in demand, or they just ordered a lot less stock than normal, because people have been saying they’re sold out for most of November."

I've seen a few US comments on past advent calendar posts, which is why I was surprised.

So far I am liking this City calendar the best. The building and vehicle micro builds are nice for their scale and it will all look great arranged on the placemat. I am also okay with not having a Holiday theme to any of the builds. I just love the act of opening a new door each day and being surprised by what is inside and then having a fun little build

I passed on the City Calendar this year due to the total lack of holiday theming. They used to have mostly fun holiday themed builds but last year they made it too generic and this year the four Christmasy builds to come definitely aren't compelling enough to me to warrant buying this otherwise boring and totally generic set. I'm sure I have spare parts to be able to build the tiny token Christmas builds if I want to. I honestly don't see how Megan will be able to stay positive while continuing to review this utterly boring set.

@GoldenNinja3000:
I mean, at some point you do have to just pounce on them or risk missing out, even in the US. Meijer is a regional chain, and they just went a little crazy on the HPACs last year. If you didn't live near any, that didn't really help. Online stock probably sold out a lot faster than in-store copies, so even being able to find them on the Target and Walmart websites didn't always help. And this year...may be a bit glitchy. They may not have ordered as many as last year, or they may not have been able to order as many.