Beauty and the Beast are back with a bigger castle than before. Six enchanted servants are included to host your imagination as you play through this tale as old as time.
As Belle and Philippe ride up to the enchanted castle, Cogsworth and Lumiére are waiting to invite her to be their guest.
The back of Beast's castle provides plenty of room for Belle and Beast to relax with a good book. Madame Armoire assists Belle dress for her dance with the Beast, while Chef Bouche cooks up a delightful feast. Mrs. Potts and Chip are always near for a refreshing cuppa.
Beauty and Beast's Castle is the fourth and largest set to feature the Beast's castle and magical servants (for this review, I will not be including set 43177: Belle's Storybook Adventures in my comparisons). The previous sets are:
- 43180: Belle's Castle Winter Celebration (2020) a 4+ set with 238 pieces
- 10762: Belle's Story Time (2018) a Juniors set (age 4 - 7) with 87 pieces
- 41067: Belle's Enchanted Castle (2016) for ages 6 -12 with 374 pieces
The characters are scattered throughout the building process. We will take a look at them as they come up. Bag one starts us off with all three mini dolls (two versions of Belle and the Beast) and Philippe.
This is the fourth set with a Belle mini doll in her ball gown, and one of the first to include her peasant dress (it is included in two sets this year). I love that we finally get Belle's peasant dress, and I appreciate that they included a second head and hairpiece. Do I wish that the second hair piece was pulled back in a pony tail with a pin hole for a bow? Yes, but at least the two heads have different expressions.
The peasant dress includes a new torso and skirt print, both of which are also included in set 43195 Belle and Rapunzel's Royal Stables (2021). The face was used previously for Belle in set 43180 Belle's Castle Winter Celebration (2020). The hair piece is the standard Belle hair that has been used for all her sets, including the Storybook Adventure set.
The ball gown uses the same skirt piece that was used in set 43180 Belle's Castle Winter Celebration (2020). The torso is new but very similar to the one in set 43180; the only difference is the new torso is sleeveless. The figure also uses a new smiling head, which is used again in set 43195 Belle and Rapunzel's Royal Stables (2021).
This is our third mini doll for the Beast, and he hasn't changed much. The basic figure - beast mask, torso, legs, and cape - are all the same as the mini doll from set 43180 Belle's Castle Winter Celebration (2020). The only update is a new face print for the prince. The prince still uses the same hairpiece. This figure is well done, and I think the transformation between the beast and the prince works well with the single figure.
Now, if they used a big fig for Beast, then we would need a second mini doll for the prince. Wouldn't a big fig Beast be fun? In both the animated and live action movies, he is massive and towers over Belle. You just don't get that fearsome quality with a mini doll. Since we don't have a big fig Beast, having a second mini doll for Belle is more valuable than having two figures for the Beast. I'm gonna keep him in Beast form most of the time anyway.
The final character included in bag one is Philippe. I can't believe they haven't included him before; everyone loves LEGO animals. The new Friends's style horse with movable neck is great. Philippe is medium nougat with a tan mane and tail and a white blaze. He also appears in set 43195 Belle and Rapunzel's Royal Stables (2021).
Included with Philippe is a lavender Friends saddle as well as the two medium nougat pieces needed to fill in the back when he's not saddled. The 2 x 2 x 1 double curved slope with 2 studs is not new, but is fairly rare. It was used in two Friends sets in 2014 and 2016, but not again until this year. It is included in both this set and 43195 Belle and Rapunzel's Royal Stables.
This brings us to the first thing we build - a horse cart. It's a simply little cart to carry some fresh produce, and it has room for Belle to drive. It doesn't use any new parts, but it's cute. I really like how we have three options for Philippe - unsaddled, saddled, and harnessed to the cart. It adds a lot of play value to the set.
The rest of the parts in bag one are used to build the castle solarium, which also doubles as the ballroom. The base of the solarium is set up with a turntable so Belle and the Beast can dance.
Two transparent 4 x 4 x 6 quarter cylinder panels make up the front walls of the solarium. These printed pieces are so far exclusive to this set. The gold arched window and stars print give the room a bright, airy feel. I'm so happy these are printed; getting a clear backed sticker on correctly would have been difficult. While the transparent areas around the gold arched windows will look odd if placed in a castle tower, they look fine when creating this sunroom.
The new 1 x 2 modified technic brick with hole and 1 x 2 plate is used to create a connection point for adding this section to the rest of the castle. This is a new piece for 2021, but has already been used in 8 other sets, including set 43197 The Ice Castle (2021). I look forward to seeing this piece in other colors in the future, as white or dark red would look great here.
The solarium roof uses a 10 x 10 inverted dish (radar dish) in dark red. This is a new color for this piece and so far exclusive to this set. The roof sits upon four dark red 4 x 4 wide macaroni corner tiles, which were a new color last year. They have only been used in three other sets.
Also of note is the 2 x 3 modified pentagonal tile in dark red. This was a new color last year and has been used in 7 other sets. So while it is not new or rare, I appreciate getting a few more with this set. They add a nice detail over the gold columns.
The solarium is tiny, with just enough room for Belle and the Beast to enjoy a private dance. It's a tight, intimate space, but the clear wall panels make it feel larger. The open back and turntable make it a little easier for adult-sized hands to get the figures into position. I really like that you can see in from the outside for this room.
Bag one is complete with the solarium and the horse cart. We'll look at all the extra pieces from all the bags at the end of the build.
Bag two starts with Mrs. Pots and Chip, who are both made from mini doll/figure accessories. Neither piece is new. They have changed very little over the four sets. The biggest move being the change from the mug to the teacup in set 43180 Belle's Castle Winter Celebration (2020). The scale is perfect so why change what works.
The real building in bag two starts with Chef Bouche. He was also included in set 41067 Belle's Enchanted Castle (2016), but is slightly bigger and more detailed here. His face is a new printed 1 x 2 x 2/3 30° slope, replacing the sticker from the previous version. The print is done well and brings his mustache to the edge of the slope. None of his other parts are new but I think the shaping is better in the new design.
With a few more characters ready, we move on to the next section of the castle - the left tower (direction determined by looking at the front/exterior of the castle).
The bottom of the tower has a small green space on the outside and a dark tan floor. The wall is created with a 1 x 6 x 5 white panel. A sticker is added to create the kitchen cupboards. It adds some charming details, but will be mostly covered up once Chef Bouche is placed in front.
Working on the exterior of the tower, we create a niche by adding a 2 x 6 x 6 panel with gothic arch in lavender. This piece is neither new or rare, but it is exclusive to the Disney Princess line, appearing in 4 other princess sets since 2018.
The gargoyle is a fun little build, and will get repeated on the second tower. The feathered wings are rare in dark bluish grey, as they were previously only available in two Dimensions fun packs. Four are included in this set; two for each gargoyle.
We complete the kitchen by placing Chef Bouche in front of the cupboards and add two open archways to the adjoining sections of the castle. The 1 x 6 x 7 door frames with rounded pillars and top arch are common pieces in Disney Princess sets, but this is the first time we have gotten them in lavender. There will be a total of six used in this castle.
The second floor of the tower uses an exclusive printed 3 x 6 x 6 half cylinder with cutout in lavender. Unprinted, this piece has only been used in lavender in sets 41067 Belle's Enchanted Castle (2016) and 41154 Cinderella's Dream Castle (2018). I appreciate not needing to add a sticker to it here. The print is good and adds a lot of detail while quickly building up the tower wall.
Above the printed wall piece, we place a smaller lavender 2 x 4 x 2 half cylinder with cutout. It has only been used in set 43180 Belle's Castle Winter Celebration (2020). Around this piece are two 3 x 3 x 1 round corner bricks without studs in dark red, which are so far exclusive to this set. They are not shown here because I missed a step when taking photos. I remembered them when I build the second tower.
We top off the tower with a 2 x 4 x 4 half cone roof tower with tiles in dark red. This color has only been used for Beauty and the Beast, appearing in both set 10762 Belle's Story Time (2018) and set 43180 Belle's Castle Winter Celebration (2020). I really love the dark red color for the roof, so it's nice to get more of these pieces.
Inside the tower, is a small bedroom. This cute little bed uses two cat tails in reddish brown for the headboard. This color currently exclusive to this set, but I'm sure we will see it more in the future. Two stickers create the printed comforter.
While building the tower, another sticker was placed on the interior of the half cylinder. Is it a mosaic or a stained glass window? This is one of a couple places where the interior and exterior windows don't really make sense, but it's a pretty detail.
With the bed in place, the left tower is complete.
Before moving on to bag three, we join the tower to the solarium.
Time to move on to bag 3 and the center section of the castle. We will be using several new lavender arches as we build.
First, we build Cogsworth and Lumiére. Cogsworth has appeared in all four Beauty and the Beast castle sets, while Lumiére has been included in three. Each one has made slight improvements on the one before in either scale or detail.
Our lastest Cogsworth figure doesn't use any new pieces. The printed 2 x 2 round tile is the same one used in the previous two sets - 43180 Belle's Castle Winter Celebration (2020) and 10762 Belle's Story Time (2018). It looks okay until you compare it to the sticker used in set 41067 Belle's Enchanted Castle (2016), then the printing starts to look thin.
A sticker is used for the pendulum on Cogsworth's body. This was a little tricky to place to make sure it lined up correctly once the 2 x 2 face tile was added. I think I would have preferred a printed body and sticker for the face.
The overall design is nice and a good compromise between scale and ornateness. I think a design somewhere between this set and the previous one might be nice. I like the shoulders and windup key from set 43180 and the gold top and pendulum from this set. What do you think?
As for Lumiére, the new one is my favorite. The new candelabra piece is perfect. It appears in four other sets, including 43193 Ariel, Belle, Cinderella and Tiana's Storybook Adventures and 41690 Friends Advent Calendar 2021. While he may have lost the arm mobility from set 41067 Belle's Enchanted Castle (2016), the new mold provides a much better scale and looks great with the little candle flames. His face is the same one from set 43180 Belle's Castle Winter Celebration (2020).
With Lumiére and Cogsworth standing by, we being building the central castle keep. Here we get to use more new or rare lavender arches. Extending out from the arched gateway are two 1 x 3 x 3 arches. These are new in lavender. We also add two more lavender 1 x 6 x 7 door frames with rounded pillar and top arch which will line up with the arches in the attached towers.
Building a castle is hungry work, so a small feast is needed before we continue with the exterior. A small table filled with tasty treats is added turning the first floor into a dining room. The 1 x 1 round flower plates in light bluish grey are rare. They were introduced in an employee gift set last year, and have appeared in just two other sets this year, including 21326 Winnie the Pooh. Here two are used as cupcake wrappers; subtle but effective.
Getting back to the castle exterior, we add more new lavender arches. These are the larger 1 x 5 x 4 continuous bow arches. It's so fun to get all these arches in lavender. I find it hard to believe that we haven't had it before. The arches create a frame around the gate pieces. I like how the doubled-up arches create depth, and the bars on the gate have just enough clearance to open smoothly. Very nicely designed.
The entrance gate and dining room finish off bag three.
Bag four starts where bag three left off. No characters to build first, we just move right into the second floor. Of course Beast's castle must have a library, and it has a moving ladder. It doesn't use any new parts for this, but I love it.
A large sticker is used on a 1 x 6 x 5 reddish brown panel for the main wall of bookshelves. This panel piece has only been used in reddish brown in one other set. The bookshelf panel is flanked on either side by 1 x 2 x 3 reddish brown windows that create niches for two books. Both use existing printed 1 x 2 tiles for the interior text page; however the plant text is a new print for 2021. It has previously been used in two Harry Potter Sets, and it's nice to see it getting used outside that theme.
For the space available, I think the design works really well. The ladder and books give it the illusion of a bigger library.
Working on the exterior of the library, we add a beautiful stained glass window and a pair of small side turrets. The window is made from another lavender door frame, with an exclusive printed 1 x 6 x 7 glass insert piece. The print is very detailed and beautiful. It's nice that I didn't need to get a sticker straight for this window (I always manage to get them just a little bit wonky). While the insert is solid white rather than transparent, it works. Sure a transparent stained glass window would be nice, but it wouldn't look right with how the library is built behind it. This is another case where the exterior windows and the interior space don't line up.
Above the library is a third story watch tower with parapet. The outer wall of the tower is made from a 1 x 4 x 5 wall panel with window, which is another new lavender piece for this set. The parapet uses three 1 x 2 - 2 x 2 inverted brackets in dark red. This is a new color for 2021 and has been used in two other sets. It also uses three more dark red 2 x 3 pentagonal modified tiles, matching the detail on the solarium.
Another small turret is added to the watch tower, and the center section of the castle is complete. While Cogworth and Lumiére maintain the library, we just need to join this section to the rest of the castle before moving on to the final bag of parts.
The center section of the castle has connection pins built in to the outer wall, but the inner section uses a pearl gold 3L technic pin with stop bush. This was a new color in 2020 and has been used in many sets, but I appreciate getting another one here. The color helps it blend in as a room accent.
With the center section added to the tower and solarium, there is just one section of the castle left to build.
Bag 5 begins with building the wardrobe, aka Madame Armoire. This is the third version of Madam Armoire and definitely my favorite. None of the pieces are new, but several are rare. The 1 x 2 x 3 yellowish green doors have only been used for the three versions of Madam Armoire. The white cat tails have only been used in set 40380 Sheep (2020). Finally, the printed 2 x 3 modified pentagonal tile is the same one used in set 43180 Belle's Castle Winter Celebration. Madam Armoire holds a bow and a brush inside, but there are no clips or studs to secure them.
The second tower duplicates the first tower on the exterior, complete with a second gargoyle. Like the other tower, the 1 x 6 x 5 white panel behind the gargoyle niche uses a sticker to decorate the interior of the tower. This is a large curved sticker, and I found it more difficult to place than the kitchen cupboard on the other side. See what I mean about getting stickers just a little bit off-kilter? The sticker is beautiful, but it feels like it should be a stained glass window, which it can't be with the gargoyle on the other side. I'm starting to think that the enchantment on the castle has somehow moved all at the windows to places were you can't actually look out.
The interior of this tower is a dressing room. Our final lavender 1 x 6 x 7 door frames with rounded pillars and top arch will lead to the center of the castle, while a curved section extends beyond the tower to provide room for the changing play feature. A sticker is placed on each side of a white panel for the 1 x 4 x 6 windows. This is placed in one window, while a second window is used to provide depth on the other side of the panel. I think the instructions got it wrong. As shown in this photo, there is not enough depth to place Belle in her ball gown on the gold 1 x 2 jumper. A slight modification fixed the problem. Place the panel in the frame next to the 1 x 2 lavender plate, then put the second empty frame behind it with the 1 x 2 gold jumper. Now the figures fit better.
More stickers are added to two lavender 4 x 4 x 6 quarter cylinder panels to create the end wall of the castle. Once again, lavender is a new color for these pieces. Here the stickers of flowers are easy to place as there is nothing to line up vertically or horizontally.
Above the dressing room, the second floor walls mirror the left tower, with another printed 3 x 6 x 6 half cylinder with cutout in lavender, the smaller 2 x 4 x 2 half cylinder with cutout, and the dark red 3 x 3 x 1 round corner bricks. I remembered to photograph them on this side.
Before we add the second dark red 2 x 4 x 4 half cone roof tower with tiles, we make the Beast's magic mirror. This is a simple two piece build, but both pieces are worth mentioning. The mirror itself is a printed 2 x 2 round road sign with clip with a new, exclusive print showing Belle's father. This is an upgrade from the mirror in set 41067 Belle's Enchanted Castle (2016) which used a similar sticker instead of the print. The mirror handle uses a 2L bar with stop ring in dark bluish grey. This is a new piece for 2021 and has already been used in eight other sets. I think it is a definite improvement over the 3L bar used previously, as the scale is better for a mini doll to hold.
The second floor above Belle's dressing room is the Beast's private wing. A sticker on a 1 x 4 x 3 tan panel creates the torn painting of the prince. A turn table allows the painting to rotate creating a storage space for the prince's hair piece. It makes a nice bust when not in use.
A balcony on the end of the castle holds the enchanted rose. A 1 x 1 inverted cone with bar in bright green is used for the rose stem. This is a new color for the "ice cream cone" piece, and first appeared earlier this year in set 80107 Spring Lantern Festival. I really like the bright green for the rose stem, and was surprised that it was a new color.
With the right tower complete, it's time to add it to our growing castle. It will use another pearl gold 3L technic pin with stop bush like the other tower.
The castle is almost complete. We just need a couple of comfy chairs for the library, so we can relax with our favorite story.
Here are all the spare parts. It's the expected mix of small pieces. Of particular note are the extra dark bluish grey 2L bar with stop ring and the light bluish grey 1 x 1 round flower plates.
There are a total of twelve stickers, which seems reasonable for a set of this size. I feel like there is a good balance between stickers and prints, though I would have swapped a few of them as noted above.
The finished castle has an elegant, fairytale style. I love the lavender and dark red color scheme and the number of pointy towers and turrets. While the castle is built in modules, it is not really modular in the sense of mixing up the sections. Each module is designed to fit with the module before it, and I'm okay with that. There is a nice balance to the build as designed.
The interior packs a lot in a small space. Each room has just enough space to pose one or two figures, and there are enough rooms for creative story telling. Adults and children with larger hands might find some of the spaces on the ground floor a little difficult to access, but Chef Bouche and the dinning room table are easily removable. This will allow a little extra room for play to extend beyond the structure as built.
The overall box design follows that of the other Disney Princess LEGO sets. The front of the box sets the castle in an pastoral forest glade with mountains rising in the back. A call out circle shows Belle in her peasant dress and lets us know there are two Belle figures included. The animated Belle character is shown in the lower right corner wearing her yellow ball gown and carrying three books.
The back of the box shows the back/interior of the castle against a light blue background. An oval image with a magical sparkling border shows the animated movie scene of Beauty and the Beast dancing. Several rectangular call out boxes show various play features including the dancing turntable, saddled Philippe with the cart near by, the changing closet for Belle, and the moving library ladder. A small circle call out shows the transformation of the Beast into the prince.
The top edge of the box shows all 9 of the included characters with Beast in prince form and his beast mask to the side. Belle is shown in her ball gown in the character line up, but is used in her peasant dress for the scale reference.
Summary:
I'm a huge fan of Beauty and the Beast and the Disney Princess LEGO sets, so I am predisposed to like this set. I'm also a huge fan of castles, especially the romantic fairly tale ones. As I have said above, I like the color scheme of lavender and dark red. I recommend this set for anyone who shares those interests, whether they are 6 or 60.
There are a few weird quirks, especially when it comes to windows, but they don't spoil my enjoyment of this set. Like all Disney Princess sets, this set is designed as a play set for younger children. As such, I think it does a great job. It packs a lot into a small space. Older kids and adults might find those small spaces difficult to get their hands into. If they find that frustrating, I would encourage them to use the set as inspiration to build their own, bigger version of the castle.
For MOC builders who are not interested in Disney Princesses, there are a lot of great parts, especially in lavender and dark red. For a closer look at just the parts from a MOC builder's perspective, check out Eero Okkonen's review on New Elementary. I found his review helpful when looking at what pieces were new for this set, but he's not looking at it as a fan of LEGO Disney Princess.
Whether you buy this set for the parts, use it as a springboard for your own Beauty and the Beast build, or just play out your favorite fairytale, set 43196 Belle and the Beast's Castle is a fun way to spend the day.
Happy Building!
-prrbrix
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Disclaimer:
This set was provided by The LEGO Group for the purpose of sharing set details with fans.
Opinions provided here solely reflect those of our reviewer.
Photographs are property of Friends Bricks and are not directed by TLG in any fashion.
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