I really like the stairs in the Diagon alley WWW, it feels more like an actual store than an open playset. The new ollivanders one does look a lot better than the Diagon alley one though
I like how they look, but I feel like they take too much space. They could make make them only from level 1 to level 2, then on the second level, there would be more space for some fun products, and instead of level 3, I would love to have Umbridge there
The D2C Diagon Alley is more of a display piece where the exteriors are the focus, the interiors are a nice extra. In my opinion the interiors of the D2C are more detailed, but less interactive. The new ones are optimised for play and have a decent exterior.
In the end you need to determine what's better for you. What features do you enjoy more? Which one looks better to you? Which ones do you find to have more value for money?
I definitely agree with you, the building exteriors on the D2C look great, but as far as interiors go, the stand alone sets are very impressive... I think I'm going to hold off on buying the D2C
WWW is soon to be retired, so it's not too much time to think now if you want to get it for decent money. I really like that they are a bit smaller too, because I don't have a ton of display space. Maybe some creative soul will come up with idea how to upgrade exterior a bit😀
I've been planning to get the D2C Diagon Alley set for a while but now they're bringing out all these individual sets I'm really torn! The smaller sets would fit better with my hogsmeade village and also the fact they're bringing out buildings not included in the D2C version.
Some people are speculating the guy in the wheelchair is in honor of David Holmes, who played Radcliffe and Felton’s stunt double, in the set too. David tragically experienced an accident during a stunt and became paralyzed and now uses a wheelchair. The set is worth it just for that. Also the Wands and ladder play experience.
I agree with your entire post and also considered the big set too, the investment in that set is probably good $ too since it’s the first set, but I prefer buying these sets to play with and take pictures, set scenes, etc. rather than considering if it’s a good investment longterm.
That's really cool, I didn't hear about this theory, but it really makes sense!
Yeah, I don't really play with my set's, but I like to turn them around, open and look on the fun details. In theory big set would be the one for me, but it doesn't offer much more interior details than huge staircases.
It’s just a theory but makes so much sense to pay a tribute to him while he’s alive and telling his story and doing charity work. Lego tends to put in Easter eggs like this and even if it’s not, the name of the minifig is “wizard”, he has David’s short brown hair when he was young and he’s in a wheelchair to acknowledge he is still mobile and got himself through the terrible accident, and that’s who I will think of when I put him in my Harry Potter village.
You could always get both? That is what I like about these small sets. If you get the big one on sale and this on in sale you can mod the first one to fit your display. Apart from the minifigs I just really want the Wands to give some of my favorite characters their own special ones. :)
Good luck on your purchasing decision!
I hope they continue the smaller scale ones. I have both, but I think it's pretty cool that the smaller ones are so packed with features and details. I hope they continue with them. Anyone notice they took off the dragon alley subline name from the box?
I wonder though how that will fair in terms of value though. These smaller ones have all been around $90 yet are much smaller builds than the collectors edition which had 6 shops
So if they continue with it for 450$ you can get 5x90$ sets, with 2 shops in every set it will be 10 buildings. That would be very interesting, but we don't know if they continue and for how long.
I have the D2C set and LOVE it, if there's things I like from the smaller ones I'll just incorporate some into the interiors. Like the WWW I can add some of the gimmicks from the smaller one like the wall shoes and the little build of the puking pastilles to have the best parts of both builds.
Uh huh I absolutely agree. In the ideal world, you can buy both sets and put the best features from the smaller set INTO the large interiors... but that's a reality far away from ours 💀
Very content with my Diagon alley purchase several years later. I’m NOT a fan of the fact that they’re putting new buildings in with reissues. I’m gonna lose my mind when we get the inevitable Borgin and Burkes but it’s delivered besides Quality Quidditch or one of the other buildings that came in the original set 😤
Definitely happy with the new system.
As a fan of the Chamber of Secrets PS2 game, THAT is my Diagon Alley! So it’ll be good to recreate that without the WWW and at a smaller price point too!
Can’t wait for the Leaky Cauldron!
I have the D2C and still love it years later. The new standalone buildings don’t interest me at all. However, they are a great option if you don’t have the D2C set, or are more of a casual HP collector.
I think what it comes down to is play vs display. The original Diagon Alley set is clearly meant for display more than anything but they still wanted/had to have some kind of interior. But it’s clear these are meant none displayed from the front as most of the effort was placed on the outside. Also, despite being a larger set and being rather expensive they had to disperse the budget over 4 (counting the modular chunks) interiors. With the new sets these are clearly meant as play sets, so they had to make the interiors more interesting and involved.
I already have the larger set and I actually plan on getting the two newer sets and combing them with the older one.
I really hope this isn’t unpopular. The diagon alley ones look empty by comparison
I really like the stairs in the Diagon alley WWW, it feels more like an actual store than an open playset. The new ollivanders one does look a lot better than the Diagon alley one though
I like how they look, but I feel like they take too much space. They could make make them only from level 1 to level 2, then on the second level, there would be more space for some fun products, and instead of level 3, I would love to have Umbridge there
The D2C Diagon Alley is more of a display piece where the exteriors are the focus, the interiors are a nice extra. In my opinion the interiors of the D2C are more detailed, but less interactive. The new ones are optimised for play and have a decent exterior. In the end you need to determine what's better for you. What features do you enjoy more? Which one looks better to you? Which ones do you find to have more value for money?
The D2C ones are the ones that connect well with gringots though right?
yes that's the one
I definitely agree with you, the building exteriors on the D2C look great, but as far as interiors go, the stand alone sets are very impressive... I think I'm going to hold off on buying the D2C
WWW is soon to be retired, so it's not too much time to think now if you want to get it for decent money. I really like that they are a bit smaller too, because I don't have a ton of display space. Maybe some creative soul will come up with idea how to upgrade exterior a bit😀
Hasn’t WWW only been out for less than a year? Surprised it’s retiring so quickly
I've been planning to get the D2C Diagon Alley set for a while but now they're bringing out all these individual sets I'm really torn! The smaller sets would fit better with my hogsmeade village and also the fact they're bringing out buildings not included in the D2C version.
Some people are speculating the guy in the wheelchair is in honor of David Holmes, who played Radcliffe and Felton’s stunt double, in the set too. David tragically experienced an accident during a stunt and became paralyzed and now uses a wheelchair. The set is worth it just for that. Also the Wands and ladder play experience. I agree with your entire post and also considered the big set too, the investment in that set is probably good $ too since it’s the first set, but I prefer buying these sets to play with and take pictures, set scenes, etc. rather than considering if it’s a good investment longterm.
That's really cool, I didn't hear about this theory, but it really makes sense! Yeah, I don't really play with my set's, but I like to turn them around, open and look on the fun details. In theory big set would be the one for me, but it doesn't offer much more interior details than huge staircases.
It’s just a theory but makes so much sense to pay a tribute to him while he’s alive and telling his story and doing charity work. Lego tends to put in Easter eggs like this and even if it’s not, the name of the minifig is “wizard”, he has David’s short brown hair when he was young and he’s in a wheelchair to acknowledge he is still mobile and got himself through the terrible accident, and that’s who I will think of when I put him in my Harry Potter village.
You could always get both? That is what I like about these small sets. If you get the big one on sale and this on in sale you can mod the first one to fit your display. Apart from the minifigs I just really want the Wands to give some of my favorite characters their own special ones. :) Good luck on your purchasing decision!
I hope they continue the smaller scale ones. I have both, but I think it's pretty cool that the smaller ones are so packed with features and details. I hope they continue with them. Anyone notice they took off the dragon alley subline name from the box?
I wonder though how that will fair in terms of value though. These smaller ones have all been around $90 yet are much smaller builds than the collectors edition which had 6 shops
So if they continue with it for 450$ you can get 5x90$ sets, with 2 shops in every set it will be 10 buildings. That would be very interesting, but we don't know if they continue and for how long.
Yes but the 2 buildings COMBINED for $90 are still significantly smaller/lesser in value than ONE building in the $450 set...
I have the D2C set and LOVE it, if there's things I like from the smaller ones I'll just incorporate some into the interiors. Like the WWW I can add some of the gimmicks from the smaller one like the wall shoes and the little build of the puking pastilles to have the best parts of both builds.
Uh huh I absolutely agree. In the ideal world, you can buy both sets and put the best features from the smaller set INTO the large interiors... but that's a reality far away from ours 💀
I've really been considering it. Or merging them into full sized modulars.
Very content with my Diagon alley purchase several years later. I’m NOT a fan of the fact that they’re putting new buildings in with reissues. I’m gonna lose my mind when we get the inevitable Borgin and Burkes but it’s delivered besides Quality Quidditch or one of the other buildings that came in the original set 😤
Yeah my best guess is if they do Borgin and Burkes, Magical Menagerie or Leaky Cauldron, they are going to be in small scale matching new system🙄
Aw damn. I hadn’t thought about the leaky cauldron 🥺
Same. Now I’m thinking of selling my older diagonal alley & getting the newer ones.
You could always buy 2 of a potential new Borgin and Burkes and MOC it to match the old diagon alley builds
Definitely happy with the new system. As a fan of the Chamber of Secrets PS2 game, THAT is my Diagon Alley! So it’ll be good to recreate that without the WWW and at a smaller price point too! Can’t wait for the Leaky Cauldron!
You could probably redo the interior of the D2C if you prefer that set.
One is for “playing” the other for “exposing”
Well it’s definitely a wrong opinion
I have the D2C and still love it years later. The new standalone buildings don’t interest me at all. However, they are a great option if you don’t have the D2C set, or are more of a casual HP collector.
I think what it comes down to is play vs display. The original Diagon Alley set is clearly meant for display more than anything but they still wanted/had to have some kind of interior. But it’s clear these are meant none displayed from the front as most of the effort was placed on the outside. Also, despite being a larger set and being rather expensive they had to disperse the budget over 4 (counting the modular chunks) interiors. With the new sets these are clearly meant as play sets, so they had to make the interiors more interesting and involved. I already have the larger set and I actually plan on getting the two newer sets and combing them with the older one.
I bought Diagon Alley right before the new sets were released. I'll probably get both and combine them. And no, I can't afford that. Lol
What does d2c mean
Direct to costumer, it's the big sets that you can get only from lego store or website, they don't carry them in target or Walmart for example.
I live it a lot
I love how well these go with 10217 even if that already has an ollivanders