Set #10263 Winter Village Fire Station: The holiday themed set of 2018 was a Winter Village Fire Station which makes for a very impressive addition to your Winter Village display. It features a nice light brick effect and some very old school design aesthetic for small town fire houses. This set looks great, and much like the other Creator Expert sets I picked up in the past few years this was a very solid build experience. Definitely a great set and here’s why that is.

Packaging

LEGO used to make decent packaging, the new Adult based boxes seem very bland to me. This particular design features a nice cool blue theme similar in shade to the Harry Potter sets. The box front showcases the set nicely with a very cute winter scene in the background showing snow and trees and stars everywhere, very tranquil and pristine. Compared to the sets of 2020 and the new design, yeah, this is one time I don’t think they should have changed the design.

You’ll find two numbered manuals in this set based on the numbered bag build approach, the first manual is for everything in Bag 1 and the second is for the remaining bags for the main model. Also included was a sticker sheet for some of the detailing aspects of the model. As with other sets of this style the instructions are easy to follow with for experienced builders, younger builders may require assistance in some areas.

Parts

This set features a load of dark red, tan, white, black and green. You’ll find many bricks, plates, some ladder, a staircase and lamp post. A brick separator is also included. I wouldn’t say these are decent parts packs, but they’re definitely loaded with elements in colours that can be useful to MOC fans. So definitely good for parting out.

Minifigures

Baby: This Mini-Minifigure includes a new print with a Reindeer and snowflakes on his jumper. He or She looks very cute, it’s a very impressive figure.

Citizen 1: This young girl is wearing a scarf in light orange. This part was introduced in The LEGO Ninjago Movie and still has yet to be cast in a different colour. Most of the parts are common on her which we’ve seen before in LEGO sets. None of these Minifigures are unique in print aside from the Baby and possibly the Firefighters, but they do look very impressive.

Citizen 2: Our ice skating friend is wearing a dark grey beanie and carrying a hockey stick while wearing skates. His face appears rather young for an adult, but that’s not unusual in LEGO. He also includes a hockey puck using a single stud with hole in it, unfortunately this likes to fall off the ice pond a little too easily as it slides around easily.

Citizen 3: This fellow looks like a Fire Chief at first, but is actually a festive musician dressed in a fancy suit and tie, some green epaulets and a black officer’s cap, he carries a saxophone and regales everyone with festive carols. Definitely a very fun Minifigure.

Firefighter 1: This grizzled old veteran of the force is dressed in the same uniform as his peers, a plain black pair of legs with a button printed black vest. He includes a golden firefighter helmet and a spare set of grey hair to swap out. His buddy the Dalmatian tags along using an old LEGO dog element which doesn’t quite match the build of a Dalmatian. Perhaps someday LEGO CMF will finally make a unique mold for Dalmatians.

Firefighter 2: Our lovely firefighting officer has a large head of hair made famous by LEGO Black Widow. She comes with a spare golden firefighter helmet and is dressed in the exact same uniform as her companion.

Firefighter 3: This gentleman dressed in the same outfit as the others has a lightish blond male hair piece which is parted along one side. There’s nothing else much to say, he has the same uniform as his fellow fire persons and so there you go.

Firefighter Statue: This monochrome statue is all grey except for the gold helmet on its head, it carries a grey lightsaber hilt with water pouring out. It sits on the plinth at the ice pond, a very fun addition.

The build

Bag #1: The build in this bag involves most of the Minifigures and everything constructed as additional scenery to display alongside the Fire Station, each build is therefore quick and relatively easy to complete and for multiple builders working on the same set you can have somebody start with this while another works on the main build with Bag #2. The tree is standard LEGO Christmas Tree faire as you construct it in typical tree building techniques.

The minor builds are very quick with a sled and a toy wagon. The frozen pond is also very quick and the only tricky portion of the build is placing all of the tiles properly so they line up correctly to form the ice covered water.

The fire engine build is classic and quite enjoyable. Everything in this bag will be finished relatively quickly, the only steps that may cause problems, as noted above are the ice tiles.

Bag #2: A single Minifigure joins the group as you begin constructing the main model, this is the lower section of the fire station and as such includes small areas to build alongside the large doors and garage entrance where the fire engine resides when not in use. This is a very engaging and solid build, though some of the work requires a hard surface to start off on so as to avoid easy plates separating while constructing. There’s a lot of layering to make details and higher sections of ground and the main entrance features some columns which are very well designed. A solid build.

Bag #3: A firefighter helps build the second floor of the station in this bag, some sticker placement will be used for details while the rest are handled with brick and plate building. We also find a lot of familiar building design choices here from Creator Expert level buildings. I should also mention that once I reached the end of the build I discovered a missing piece, one of the red bricks was missing preventing me from completing the build until a replacement could be sent from LEGO. Highly disappointing. You also use the light brick in the build here to attach to the roof.

The completed model

Christmas Scenery: This is primarily a Christmas Tree and a small iced over pond. Under the tree are two presents, a wrapped gift and a toy train potentially made out of wood judging by the use of light tan bricks. Another toy cart is present, this is a blue wheeled cart with a steering wheel, the baby can ride it as well as others.

Speaking of which we also have a sled with a present on it that the baby can also ride, the iced over pond is a flat surface with some gold detailing and a plinth where a statue of a Firefighter is standing. There is a lot that can be said of this, but it’s a nice set piece. Last, but certainly not least we have a little bench area with a decorated street lamp, this is a great little side-build that works perfectly for adding some nice scenery to your Winter Village display.

Fire Truck: This little fire truck is a small two person emergency vehicle, one person drives while the canine sits beside him and a second fire fighter can ride on the ladder. This evokes the classic design and look of older model fire engines used in small towns and villages, and so is an excellent model to have for the Winter Village theme. It does not carry water, but hoses to attach to fire plugs as well as a toolbox and some tools for emergency repairs or rescues. Overall a very solid model.

Fire Station: The exterior is full of excellent detail work with a snowman and some very nicely build main garage doors. There’s a flag on the roof and many very impressive greebling effects. The outside is nicely designed and fun, but it is the interior where all of the impressive play features can be found.

On the main floor off to the side of the building is an entrance for people, this allows access to the garage where some fire extinguishers and tools are kept for getting into buildings when they are on fire, an axe and a pick-axe. A printed clock tile rests on the wall and the large doors open onto a blank space where the engine can fit, but there are no plates here. You’ll have to add your own road plates I guess.

Climbing the stairs on the outside in the front allows access to the top floor where you will find a kitchen area, a phone, some nice windows, the upper area for the sliding pole, a small area where the dog can rest, a flip down upper bunk bed for a firefighter to sleep on and an eating area where you can sit two firefighters to eat. On the table is a hot dog and coffee mug.

Everything is built with bricks and looks great. The light brick function lights up the window and that’s about it, it’s placement is decent enough, but does seem to be a bit weaker compared to the gingerbread house I reviewed previously.

Overall opinion

As with the other Winter Themed Creator Expert I purchased and reviewed previously I am highly impressed with the construction and design of this set. The building seems slightly smaller with less space inside for all of the figures, but in all honesty it makes sense. This is a village fire station, not some modern massive building like some of the LEGO City fire stations. I enjoyed building and displaying this wonderful set and would highly recommend tracking one down for your holiday themed LEGO display. Smashingly brilliant set. Highly Recommended.

Set #70428 Jack’s Beach Buggy: Welcome to the Hidden Side showed off some ghosts and not much else, as far as new parts or character designs go. It represented a moment from the end of the first ‘season’, now we get to see the new parts in all their glory as Jack and Parker get an upgrade. This small set is very impressive and definitely worth picking up for fans of this Theme.

Packaging

I’m going to enjoy putting all of these packages together on a shelf after I buy the rest of the Theme. I’ve been keeping these boxes because I like the stylised art design, despite what some think, the boxes are very creative and a fairly impressive choice to highlight the sets more on the ‘backs’ of the boxes with physical images and animated versions on the front. It reminds me more of other ‘old school’ style toy lines where the toys were shown in fanciful situations to inspire the imagination and play styles of the kids who wanted to buy them. It’s a huge departure from typical LEGO box designs and a gamble that, unfortunately, doesn’t seem to have paid off.

The manual design is the same as last year’s sets and shows the build steps and all of the app and wave cross promotions. Standard manual design which works well.

Parts

Fairly decent selection of parts here, including some very nice suspension elements for the tires. Sometimes I wonder why I keep trying to discuss this section, might cut it out for reviews I type in 2021, as I clearly don’t think my discussion of the elements is considered very helpful in my discussions.

Minifigures

Jack: The main heroes have had an upgrade for Year Two of Hidden Side. The torso and legs are, I believe, using the same prints as year one, but now Jack gets to wear a backwards style cap complete with unique hair design sticking out from underneath the cap. No longer with his hood up, Jack gets to show off his stylish new do and design. He includes terrified and joyful expressions and his phone tile is, as always, included with the set.

Parker: Her outfit in this set seems to be similar to others where she’s removed part of her outer jacket, you still see the black top with the light bluish arms, her pants are the same as we’ve seen in other sets with all the added detailing in the print, and her head and phone tile are pretty similar if not the same as past Hidden Side sets. The biggest addition is the brand new hair sculpt, complete with built-in headphones, this curly light purple hair element is a brilliant new piece and a great personality enhancing look for the character.

Scott Francis: This resident of Newbury runs a local branch of Octan Gas, judging by the pump build included with this set. (A full Gas Station may have been nicer, especially if it included some transformation aspect.) He includes a unique new torso print with an Octan gas uniform vibe, the logo on the back has a mascot with two crossed wrenches on it. Pretty clever. He comes with a printed welders helmet to protect him when repairing the buggy.

Extra head elements are included to show Scott has been possessed, by two specters it seems. He has a unique ghoulish neck attachment that can accommodate two ghost heads, one with bushy eyebrows that can wear the welders helmet and the other with less defined eyebrows and some slimy green hair. Must be brothers.

Scott’s regular head features stubble and two separate expressions, happy and what may be slightly nervous/scared.

Trucker Dale: The ghost character seen on the app is highly horrifying, with a massive bulky form with truck parts integrated into him. His death must have been truly horrific. That being said, as with most ghosts from this Theme he only exists in the app, and you will be battling him when you access the set in the app.

The build

Bag 1: Scott starts building the chassis of the buggy with this bag. It’s a pretty quick build, a few sticker placements are in this build, but nothing much aside from that which may prove troubling. It’s quick and easy because it’s a simple bit of brick and plate attaching with a few slopes and tiles tossed in for good measure.

Bag 2: Parker and Jack hop out to help and they don’t have much to do, the suspension and tires, the app rainbow wheel and the ghost catching canon and all the necessary attachment points for the top of the buggy are built here. Very quick and easy to do without any tricky moments. You also build the side model gas pump.

The completed model

Beach Buggy: This thing is glorious. I love the look of it and the real-working suspension is a huge seller. The tires bob and weave while you roll it along to chase down the ghosts, there are no real play features, the ghost catching cannon on top does not launch studs, the rainbow colour wheel spins of course for scan function with the app, but as a play set item there isn’t a whole lot here. Kids might enjoy racing around and pretending to hunt ghosts on the beach, or on the way to the beach, but ultimately if you aren’t using this to interact with the App there isn’t much to the set.

That being said the model itself is just perfect. No complaints, love the unobtrusive app features and the overall aesthetic. Did I mention real working suspension? LEGO doesn’t include that too often for most sets, but they definitely do it justice here.

Octan Gas Pump: This is literally a throw-away side model, it’s just a gas pump standing out in the middle of nowhere to refuel. LEGO seriously should have tried to include enough parts for a small station, especially one that could transform into a haunted gas station, but it probably would have upped the piece count out of the price range. Honestly if this was a 30$ set instead of 25$ it might have at least have had a more substantial build so that Scott could stand somewhere and take cash for the gas being used. Oh well.

Overall opinion

This set is great. I am a huge fan of Hidden Side, and while I like the haunted transforming ghostly play features and their clever integration, I still like something simple and fun. Jack’s Beach Buggy is awesome as a toy, build it, play with it, hunt ghosts. Really the only issue with it is the lack of a decent refuelling station. The single pump is lacking, but nothing you couldn’t add on to with some MOCing skills. This is a nice cheap set for the new designs of Parker and Jack, so I highly recommend this one.

Set #71030 Marvin The Martian: Ah yes, what self-respecting Looney Tunes collector could ever consider their collection complete before they managed to acquire one of the, if not the, most iconic and most remembered villains to ever face down Bugs Bunny. This loveably crafted Minifigure features some excellent looking parts with some minimal printing.

The only printing on the Minifigure in fact are his two cartoony looking oversized eyes and the sandals he's wearing on his feet. He includes a green skirt piece which I think is completely brand new to capture the likeness of the character. He includes a lime green ray gun element and a brand new helmet piece with the Roman Centurion in Space look famously captured by the animators over at Warner Brothers. Everything about this character is spot-on and I just adore it. The only thing that I might have used to improve the overall look would be to include extra accessories, a printed tile to represent his box of instant Martians (just add water) and the power conductor for his Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator.

An enjoyable and excellent addition to the cast and crew of the Looney Tunes Collectible Minifigures collection. Highly Recommended.

Set #71030 Bugs Bunny: The most iconic animated mascot next to Mickey Mouse is finally here in all his glorious simplicity. With a very basic print for his white stomach markings his fluffy white tail and paws, Bugs stands an impressive two and half-ish inches tall with his ears. He includes a carrot to munch on, honestly though I would have hoped that LEGO would have included a half-munched carrot element to replicate his trademark nibbling on the piece whenever he asks his famous question.

Overall this is a very impressive offering from the Looney Tunes CMF line and a much-needed Minifigure to stand next to Disney's Mickey Mouse in your collection. Bugs and Mickey are two of the most iconic and the only one I think is missing now would either be Felix the Cat or Popeye. Highly Recommended Folks.

Set #43101 Werewolf Drummer: This last Band Mate from Series 1 (which I own) features some nice ideas. The design of the figure is highly reminiscent of Monster Fighters, though in this case I believe the Werewolf head sculpt is a brand-new element as it does not feature a Minifigure head underneath for transformation. This is a fully realised Werewolf, with furry paws for feet and ripped clothing showing off a furry belly underneath. The tail is a re-use of a Legends of Chima element.

The print on the torso is very impressive, he has torn blue jeans on the leg, a dark black jacket on the front with his logo on the back (hidden whenever the head is attached, but still there) and a few nice touches on the torso including a skull necklace and a musical note printed on his jacket. Indeed most of the Minifigures in this Theme have featured a musical note somewhere on their torso with rare few exceptions. He comes with two bones, but they are not bones, these are his drumsticks, it would have been nice if he had a drum kit to play them with, but I suppose you'll have to MOC your own.

The trio of Beatbits AKA printed tiles I have with my version includes a lime green print with the logo of the Werewolf Drummer and possibly his band on the front, it shows a holing wolf with his claws out standing in a circular silhouette that is actually a clever looking print of a crystal ball hinting at the full moon transformation common in werewolf myth. An aquamarine tile with a skull sticking its tongue out that is even more of a nod to the band Kiss since it includes some markings printed on the skull's face that resembles the Make Up worn by that famous band. And an orange tile with what appears to be a tomato splattering against a wall considering its leaking red juice everywhere.

Overall truly a strong performance for this Band Mate and a welcome addition to the collection. Highly Recommended.