April 1, 2021 saw the release of a LEGO® Ideas set based on a classic, Winnie the Pooh (21326). The set was immediately a fan favorite and went on backorder quickly. Featuring five loveable characters, the set takes builders into the Hundred Acre Wood and the home of Winnie the Pooh himself. With interesting build techniques and novel character molds, the set is sure to please fans of the franchise.
NOTE: The LEGO® Group provided this set for review. However, the provision of products does not guarantee a favorable review. True North Bricks’ usual rating system applies (click here for more information).
WINNIE THE POOH SUMMARY
- NAME: Winnie the Pooh
- SET #: 21326
- THEME: Ideas
- COST: $139.99 CAD
- BRICK COUNT: 1265
- MINIFIGURES: 4 (Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Rabbit)
- OF INTEREST: 1 Eeyore figurine
- RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2021
WINNIE THE POOH QUICK REVIEW
- VALUE: 82% (Good cost-per-brick and build time.)
- BUILD: 90% (Nice build techniques, but I wish the tree didn’t narrow so much at the top.)
- MINIFIGURES: 87% (Nice characters, but not could use another one or two.)
- ENTERTAINMENT: 80% (A nice building experience, but very much a niche interest.)
- OVERALL SCORE: 85% (Good set.)
WINNIE THE POOH REVIEW
VALUE: 82%
Winnie the Pooh costs $139.99 in Canada. Additionally, the set consists of 1265 pieces. The resulting cost-per-brick is $0.11. Compared to LEGO® sets in general, that is very good. The average cost-per-brick for all sets reviewed at True North Bricks is currently $0.138. However, compared to other Ideas sets, the value is only satisfactory. Incidentally, our cost-per-brick for the Ideas theme is currently $0.101. Considering both of these comparisons, I rate the cost-per-brick at 82%. Overall, the cost-per-brick is fairly close to average.
This set was my mother-in-law’s introduction to LEGO® sets. My wife got her started, and then she completed the set. It took seven hours and five minutes. That is interesting talking point. Many adults return to LEGO® because of a set or theme that reignites their interest. In this case, my mother-in-law is a fan of Winnie the Pooh. Comparatively, sets this size normally take me about three hours. But for those who are thinking of returning to the hobby, seven hours may be a better indication of build time. In the end, even if I had built this in three hours, the build time is still good for the price point. I rate the build time at 81%. Averaging this with the cost-per-brick score gives an overall value rating of 82%.
BUILD: 90%
This model consists of a tree and a house. The entry to the house is set in the tree trunk, while the rest juts out the back. For interior access, the house hinges open to reveal a foyer, sitting area, and a bedroom. In front of the tree, you assemble an outdoor sitting area consisting of a firepit and a log for characters to sit on. Additionally, there is a little sign pointing to the Hundred Acre Wood. Little details abound throughout the build, including honey pots, Pooh sticks, a map, a mirror, an umbrella holder, and beehives with little buzzing bees.
In terms of build techniques, the tree is probably the most interesting. It has a thick trunk and roots that spread around the front of the house. It employs shell pieces and bowed bricks to great effect in order to achieve a textured trunk look. I also appreciate the foliage. Visibly, you see a lot of leafy “plant with plate” elements. However, underneath them, “plant with shaft” pieces usually reserved for underwater vegetation or coral add attachment points and density.
This set provides a nice tutorial in tree assembly.
My only complaint about the tree is the upward tapering of the branches. The top section of the tree attaches using 4×4 round plate. That in and of itself is clever, and something I had never thought of. However, I feel there needs to be another set of lateral branches at that attachment point to add a little more canopy. While I am not a Pooh fan, a quick search of the internet did not reveal a tapering tree like this in Pooh artwork. As such, the look is not an attempt to stay true to any original concept work. With that said, the tree does not look bad. It just takes some getting used to.
I also liked the roofing technique. While not overly complicated, and something I had thought of doing myself, it still looks good. The attachment is nothing new. You use plates with horizontal shafts to achieve the angle. Similar techniques abound in other sets. However, what I like here is the use of roofing tiles in red, nougat, and brown as shingles. The colors go well together, and the texture achieved is fantastic. Overall, Winnie the Pooh is a really cute set. It has a lot of detail and uses some nice build techniques. I rate the build at 90%.
MINIFIGURES: 87%
Winnie the Pooh comes with four Minifigures: Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Rabbit. None have standard Minifigure heads. Rather, each has a specially molded head unique to this set. Otherwise, they have the usual parts, except for Piglet. Piglet has the stumpy, unmoving legs that I dislike. Yes, the character is supposed to be smaller than the others. However, the shorter, moving legs still achieve the same effect while allowing the character to sit. Interestingly, I wish that Pooh also featured shorter, moveable legs. He would look pudgier that way. Otherwise, the characters all have front and back torso printing, but none have leg print. In terms of accessories, you acquire a curled whip, four printed “hunny” pots, two beehives, eight printed 1×1 round tile bees, a tea pot, two teacups, a book, an umbrella, a sac, and a carrot. These are nice characters, earning 100% for design.
In addition to four Minifigures, the set also includes Eeyore. He is a new mold consisting of one solid piece. There are no moving parts. However, Eeyore remains a playable and recognizable character in the set. As such, I include him in the fig count. Five figurines in a 1265-piece kit gives a brick-to-fig ratio of 253-to-1. For an Ideas set, that is quite good. Comparatively, our average for the theme is about 313 bricks/fig. However, the Ideas theme does not tend to offer many Minifigures in a set. Compared to LEGO® in general, the character count in Winnie the Pooh is actually quite low. By comparison, our average across all themes is 171 bricks/fig. Another Minifigure would make the count more satisfactory. Considering both of these comparisons, I rate the brick-to-fig ratio at 74%. Combined with the design score, the overall Minifigure grade is 87%.
ENTERTAINMENT: 80%
As a build experience, my mother-in-law says she enjoyed this set. Did she discover a newfound love for LEGO® bricks and realize she is an AFOL? No, probably not. She also returned the set promptly to my care, choosing not to display it. However, I am content that it provided an experience and a few hours of entertainment. For myself, Pooh is also not a display piece. My interest in this set focused on build techniques for the large tree. I was never a Pooh bear fan growing up either. The set is an interesting build for anyone, but certainly a niche interest display piece. I rate the entertainment at 80%.
OVERALL SCORE: 85%
Winnie the Pooh does not blow me away, but I think it is a good set. Perhaps if I was a bigger fan of the series I would appreciate the set more. The value is good, and you learn some interesting techniques for building large trees. Additionally, the set displays well for fans of the characters. Fans will also enjoy the unique character molds and designs. I suppose AFOLs with Disney themed amusement park displays will also get good use from Winnie the Pooh. However, I don’t think this set is for everyone. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below or reach out on social media.
Until next time,
-Tom
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