Disney LEGO Partnership: Creating Magic, One Brick at a Time
Dedicated Disney fans are obsessed with the wide array of the beautiful and intricate Disney LEGO sets available on the market today. But did you know the mouse and brick collaboration started with a very small bear?
What began as a fun and novel idea has evolved into a massive partnership, bringing joy to Disney fans and LEGO builders worldwide. Both elaborately detailed magical Disney castles and Star Wars spaceships and small quick to build toys with iconic characters like Mickey Mouse, Elsa, and Buzz Lightyear, these creations bring the joy of a Disney Imagineer’s magic home. It is a hands-on experience for anyone to create their favorite characters and scenes at home.
Let’s take a quick look back to see how Disney and LEGO originally teamed up. You’ll also discover some of Disney’s fans most sought after sets and learn how these magically creative building toys keep inspiring people of all ages—whether you’re 7 or 70.
Building Magic Together: The Disney and LEGO Story
Disney and LEGO collaborations inspire creativity and imagination to young and old alike. By combining Disney’s iconic stories with LEGO’s hands-on building fun, they’ve given people a way to relive and build their favorite Disney moments, brick by brick.
This partnership has grown from very humble beginnings into something special. There is now a plethora of LEGO offerings featuring Disney’s most-loved characters and stories. Whether it is a complex design like the Walt Disney World’s Cinderella Castle LEGO set to playful Duplo Mickey’s Birthday train, each set brings a bit of Disney magic into homes everywhere. Thus, as the partnership continues to expand and evolve, fans continue to discover new and exciting ways to enjoy the magic of Disney through building.
Early Beginnings:
LEGO and Disney started their partnership in 1999 with a small but meaningful set: Pooh’s House. This small playset came with just eight bricks. It may have been simple, just like Winnie the Pooh himself, but the popularity of this beloved bear in LEGO form was simply magical. It marked the start of something much bigger. Subsequently, this collaboration would one day bring joy to creatively inspired, brick building fans and endless array of simple and quite elaborate Disney-themed LEGO sets.
The 2000 Debut: Mickey and Minnie Enter the LEGO World
In 2000, LEGO introduced Mickey and Minnie Mouse in their Juniors line. These little LEGO playsets targeted younger builders, providing a fun and easy way to bring their favorite animated characters to life while sparking creativity.
The first sets featuring Mickey and Minnie were:
These sets were the start of a long journey, blending Disney magic with LEGO fun.
2010: LEGO Joins Forces with PIXAR’s Toy Story
In 2010, LEGO expanded its Disney partnership by teaming up with PIXAR’s Toy Story. Interestingly, the launch was timed to coincide with the release of Toy Story 3. The release features a series of building sets that brought the movie’s array of unique and beloved characters, both old and new, to life in LEGO form.
Sets included:
Indeed, these innovative sets captured the fun and adventure of the Toy Story world. From a Pizza Planet Truck to the Army Men, the innovated collaborations were a hit! At last, fans can recreate iconic scenes and even imagine new ones with Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the gang.
LEGO Disney PIXAR Cars: Racing into the World of Bricks
In 2010, LEGO released four Cars sets in the DUPLO line, specifically created for younger builders. Basically, these sets brought Radiator Springs to life, featuring the franchise’s most popular characters, Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater.
LEGO Disney Pirates of the Caribbean: Sailing into Brick-Built Adventure
In 2011, LEGO recreated the world of Pirates of the Caribbean, bringing the adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow and his crew to life in LEGO form. This collaboration capitalized on the film franchise’s popularity, which began in 2003 and became a worldwide hit. Not only were kids excited to build a Disney LEGO scene, but also adults were just as excited to construct the replicas from the movies brick by brick.
The LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean series ran from 2011 to 2017, covering thrilling moments from the first four films and beyond. The collection began with 14 sets, many inspired by the movies, and LEGO revived it in 2017 with Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. Over time, fans have sought these sets, making them highly popular among both LEGO enthusiasts and Pirates fans.
LEGO DUPLO Disney Princess: Bringing Princess Magic to Little Builders (2012)
Launched in 2012, the LEGO DUPLO Disney Princess line introduced four magical sets designed for younger builders. With larger, easy-to-handle pieces, these sets inspired creative play while being perfect for small hands. Featuring Disney’s beloved princesses and their timeless stories, this collection offered a fun way for kids to explore the world of building through Disney magic.
Fan Collaboration and Innovation in Disney LEGO Ideas
The collaborative and innovative site, LEGO Ideas, continues to play a role in the Disney Lego partnership. LEGO Ideas is a website that allows fans to submit their own creations for new building sets. Submitted ideas are voted on by the community. When a project receives 10,000 supporters, it enters the review process. LEGO evaluates whether the idea meets its standards, has commercial potential, and fits within its production capacity. However, only a small number of fan-submitted projects are chosen for official release. This process gives LEGO the chance to tap into the creativity of its fans, ensuring that the sets they produce connect with a large number of builders.
The first LEGO Ideas set to be released was the Shinkai 6500 Submarine (#21100). It was originally submitted to the LEGO Cuusoo platform (now known as LEGO Ideas) and was based on a real-world deep-sea exploration submarine. After receiving enough support from the fan community, it was reviewed by LEGO and officially produced in 2011. Thus, this set marked a milestone in LEGO history, becoming the first fan-designed project to be turned into an official LEGO product. It paved the way for future fan submissions and marked the start of LEGO Ideas.
Disney Inspired LEGO Ideas
One standout example of a LEGO Ideas set is Disney/Pixar’s Wall-E (#21303). Indeed, this building set was submitted and designed by Andrew Clark, an animator who worked on the original Wall-E movie. Because of his unique connection to the film brought a special level of detail and authenticity to the set, making it not just a tribute to the film but also a personal creation from someone who had worked on bringing Wall-E to life on the big screen.
Interestingly, LEGO Ideas brings us to a full circle moment. Remember that bear of very little brain that started all this fun? A couple of decades after the original Pooh’s House set was released in 1999, LEGO would revisit the Hundred Acre Wood with a more detailed and advanced version of the set which was a LEGO Ideas concept. Indeed, this transformative update was an indication of how the partnership evolved.
LEGO Disney Minifigure Series: A Look Back at 2016
In May 2016, LEGO introduced the Disney Minifigure Series, a special collection that brought Disney’s magic to life. This series featured 18 unique characters, each with intricate details and designs that captured the essence of beloved Disney classics.
Featured Characters
Surprisingly, this series marked the first time many of these characters were created in LEGO form, paving the way for future collaborations.
The Disney Minifigure Series was a hit with fans, offering a memorable way to enjoy Disney magic in brick form. Whether displayed or used in play, these figures remain a fan favorite.
Recent Celebrations (2023): Disney’s Centennial in LEGO Form
In 2023, LEGO and Disney teamed up to celebrate Disney’s 100th anniversary. This special year brought some of the most creative and nostalgic sets in their partnership’s history, each designed to honor Disney’s century-long legacy.
These sets celebrate Disney’s timeless legacy and LEGO’s craftsmanship, offering fans a fun way to mark this milestone year.
This strong partnership continues today with new Disney Duplo and Lego sets added regularly to inspire new builders. In 2024, new sets inspired by The Little Mermaid and Pixar’s Inside Out 2 were released among several others. Indeed, we invested in a few ourselves. Specifically, an innovative LEGO Disney Princess set from The Little Mermaid featuring Twirling Ariel (#43259) who will spin at the turn of a key. It is a favorite of our little granddaughter. But she also loves her PIXAR Cars Duplo set Mack at the Race (#10417) for imaginative play. But as adult collectors one of my favorites is the Walt Disney Tribute Camera (#43230). It is truly a display piece for Disney fans of a movie camera and includes a Walt Disney mini figure.
Magical Brick Building for Years to Come
Undoubtably, these magical collaborations will continue and ensure that the allure of both brands will continue to inspire creativity and delight fans for generations to come. That first little eight block set paved the way for LEGO and Disney to create the wonderfully magical, interactive sets of today. Disney’s and PIXAR’s classic animated characters, Star Wars rebels and Disney Princesses are a just a few of the influences in this amazing partnership Thus, what began with a few bricks and a beloved bear has grown into an ever-expanding collection that sparks creativity and joy for fans of all ages.
FAQ: Disney LEGO
What is the most popular Disney LEGO set?
The most popular Disney LEGO set is the Disney Castle which has undergone a major renovation. The newly released Disney Castle (#43222) is a masterpiece. With 4,837 pieces and eight iconic minifigures, it captures the beauty of the classic castle and is a favorite among both Disney and LEGO fans.
Are there any Disney LEGO sets for younger children?
Yes! LEGO has several types of sets for younger Disney fans. LEGO sets include like the Disney Celebration Train (#43212) and the Magical Treehouse (#43215) are designed for builders aged 4 and up, with simpler designs and fun themes. Also, LEGO offers several Disney Duplo sets with larger pieces and various beloved characters for little hands to enjoy.
What Disney LEGO minifigures are available?
Disney LEGO minifigures include classic characters like Mickey Mouse, Buzz Lightyear, Elsa, Peter Pan, and more. These characters are often found in collectible series or themed sets.
Does LEGO still release new Disney sets?
Yes! LEGO continues to release new Disney-themed sets, including special collections like the Disney 100 series, which celebrates Disney’s legacy with builds inspired by classic films and characters.
Where can I buy Disney LEGO sets?
You can find Disney LEGO sets at major retailers, LEGO stores, online marketplaces, and Disney shops. Some exclusive or retired sets may be available through collectors or specialty stores.
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