City Advent Calendar - Day 1

Posted by MeganL, 01 Dec 2022 10:00

Another year, another City advent calendar! This is year 18 for City, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the City advent calendar designers have in store this year. Last year featured a lot of microscale builds behind the doors, with hardly a festive build to be seen. Will we see a continuation of microscales, or will we get some more festive builds? There's only one way to find out, and that's to start opening some doors.

This year's setting is a snowy scene with two houses. It looks like there will be inside and outdoor builds this year.

Opening door number one, we find a microbuild - picking up where we left off last year.

Taking a look at this year's sets, this may be the helicopter from 60317 Police Chase at the Bank. Not surprisingly, there is more than one helicopter in this year's sets, but I thought this one was the closest.

It's not exactly a festive build, but perhaps we'll get there as the days go on.

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18 comments on this article

By Tuzi in Netherlands, 01 Dec 2022 10:28

Just opened mine as well! I was surprised that there were extra parts at all. Might be worth showing those too - I'm keeping mine separate in a PAB cup to see how much extra there is at the end of the 24 days.

By lilienthal in Germany, 01 Dec 2022 10:36

You cannot turn the rotor. :-(

By EtudeTheBadger in United Kingdom, 01 Dec 2022 10:37

@lilienthal said:
"You cannot turn the rotor. :-("

Yeah. What's the point of a rotor that can't rotate?

By tomthepirate in United States, 01 Dec 2022 10:53

@lilienthal said:
"You cannot turn the rotor. :-("

They swapped the rotor for the stator!

By Zordboy in Australia, 01 Dec 2022 11:32

Already not regretting my decision to not buy this year's City calendar.

By Desbug in United Kingdom, 01 Dec 2022 11:38

There is a spare part behind the door that can raise the rotor up and then it will at least swivel on the stud.

By besch64 in United States, 01 Dec 2022 11:52

I think it's important to note that, while you could call some of these micro builds, the design of the play mat and the upcoming minifig-scale holiday builds make it pretty clear that they are meant to be toys. Important distinction when compared to some previous calendars in which the micro builds were just elements of a micro city, with no holiday theming.

By StyleCounselor in United States, 01 Dec 2022 12:08

@besch64 said:
"I think it's important to note that, while you could call some of these micro builds, the design of the play mat and the upcoming minifig-scale holiday builds make it pretty clear that they are meant to be toys. Important distinction when compared to some previous calendars in which the micro builds were just elements of a micro city, with no holiday theming."

Interesting idea... I have treated all micro-builds in all the Advent Calendars as toys for the nice children and AFOLS inhabiting our Christmas Village.

By Utter in Netherlands, 01 Dec 2022 12:41

My 5yo son was so thrilled to have another microbuild, he loves them! He first thought it was a police jet though.

By Binnekamp in Netherlands, 01 Dec 2022 12:42

I hope you like microbuilds of this year's 'classics.' Like that one helicopter that appeared for the nth time in a police set but is now slightly different! But now not taking a quarter of the set's budget! Yay!

By PurpleDave in United States, 01 Dec 2022 13:40

So the playmat has Charybdis incorporated in the design. Is it too much to hope for a Scylla mini model?

By MusiMus in Poland, 01 Dec 2022 14:55

Today I opened my 7724.

By Arnoldos in Poland, 01 Dec 2022 15:30

@MusiMus said:
"Today I opened my 7724."

Nice treat. From back when advent calendars where actually appealing.

Now that I look at the minifig heads of ye olde city, I can't help but think that this is one of those cases where less is more. Simpler, more ambiguous faces somehow conveyed a lot more emotions than modern unrealistically expressive, fake and disingenuous smiles that give off "We Happy Few" vibes.

By ferda in Czechia, 01 Dec 2022 15:33

@lilienthal said:
"You cannot turn the rotor. :-("

Use your imagination :-)

By bgruner in United States, 01 Dec 2022 17:32

@lilienthal said:
"You cannot turn the rotor. :-("

You can if you double up the black stud with the spare.

By SinKiller_Nick in United States, 01 Dec 2022 21:56

@besch64 said:
"I think it's important to note that, while you could call some of these micro builds, the design of the play mat and the upcoming minifig-scale holiday builds make it pretty clear that they are meant to be toys. Important distinction when compared to some previous calendars in which the micro builds were just elements of a micro city, with no holiday theming."

I'm pretty sure they've always had a flap on the box that folded down to be a play mat (with themed illustrations). At least the City ones we've done in recent years.

By TheOtherMike in United States, 01 Dec 2022 23:21

@Utter: I thought it was a jet when I saw the picture here, if that makes your son feel any better.

By qingthings in United States, 02 Dec 2022 03:24

Nice little toy build, but agree that a free spinning rotor would have been much more satisfying. My favorite simple micro-copter with a working rotor is still from the City Alarm game 3865