Buying guide for Best LEGO Disney sets

For nearly 100 years, LEGO has been synonymous with toy making, offering both simple and complex interactive fun for kids and adults. LEGO has expanded to become a globally enjoyed company with educational and entertaining kits that embrace the interests of society and pop culture.

Among their most popular series are those related to Disney. In 2009, LEGO and Disney announced a partnership that would allow LEGO to build sets featuring Disney properties. As Disney’s portfolio has expanded, so too have the offerings from LEGO.

LEGO Disney sets can unite youngsters with some of their favorite characters, allowing them to recreate favorite movie scenes and dream up new stories. Several sets are geared toward adults as well. Some have a timeless quality while others are only offered on a limited basis as the popularity of characters and films comes and goes.

In this guide, we examine LEGO Disney sets and toys, how to approach buying one, and who they may be for. Plenty of excitement awaits!

While it may be tempting to secure your finished piece, LEGO advises against gluing together pieces. It can damage or warp pieces over time, and it prevents you from disassembling and building anew.

Key considerations

Disney properties

LEGO Disney sets consist mostly of content from Walt Disney Animated Studios and Pixar. Disney princesses populate Disney LEGO sets: Anna and Elsa from Frozen, Ariel from The Little Mermaid, Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Moana, and Mulan, to name a few.

The earliest Disney characters are also available: you can find sets with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy. Toy Story 4 is one of the more recent Pixar films to be embraced by the world of LEGO. A popular live action Disney franchise, The Pirates of the Carribean, is also featured in a range of LEGO sets.

Most LEGO Disney sets feature scenes from such films and stories, including a number of characters as well as accessories and castles, towers, and palaces.

Marvel and Star Wars are also Disney properties that have spawned LEGO sets, but they each deserve a distinction. LEGO has been making Star Wars toys since 1999, before Disney bought Lucasfilms. The company has been making Marvel sets since 2012, a few years after Disney acquired Marvel. As these collections are vast and diverse in their own right, and because LEGO does not thematically group them under the umbrella of Disney, for purposes here, we will focus on those sets related to Disney animation and live action films.

Minifigures and mini-dolls

Minifigures are some of the most sought-after LEGO Disney toys. Minifigures, also known as minifigs, are the articulated characters typically composed of four pieces: legs, torso, head, and hair or hat. These often come with accessories to hold, and some feature reversible head pieces so different expressions are available.

Minifigs are included in sets, though LEGO has also released two specific series of Disney minifigures, each with 18 characters from the Disney universe. In 2019, Series 2 was released, which included newer characters like Anna and Elsa as well as older characters like vintage Mickey and Minnie as well as Chip and Dale.

The more recently introduced mini-dolls are distinct from the minifigs many LEGO fans are accustomed to. Mini-dolls are about twice the size of minifigs and less blocklike, with round faces and curves. Like minifigs, mini-dolls can be mixed and matched, with separate pieces for legs, torso, head, and hair. Disney princesses can be found as mini-dolls.

Age

There are LEGO Disney sets for all ages, from as young as two or three through the teenage and adult years. Each set has a minimal suggested age, which helps indicate how much commitment is required. Some have a suggested age cap as well, though that limit may be easier to ignore.

Most LEGO Disney sets are designed for ages five and up. A few sets are ideal for those over 10, and only a handful are recommended for ages 16 and older. These sets require more focus and attention to detail.

Pieces

The number of pieces included in a LEGO set typically correlates with the ideal age range. Smaller options contain a couple hundred pieces, while some of the most elaborate Disney LEGO sets boast over 4,000 pieces. Most LEGO Disney sets feature between 100 and 300 pieces.

Features

LEGO Duplo

This product series from LEGO features toys designed for younger children from around one to five years old. The bricks and figurines are bigger than standard pieces and are meant to be fun and engaging with colorful, easy-to-build sets that encourage further exploration in the LEGO universe.

Storybook Adventures

Storybook Adventure sets feature a scene with a “book” that can open and close, almost like a pop-up book. The book opens to reveal scenes from a Disney animated movie, with figures and accessories included. The Storybook series features Disney princesses. Each one has a distinct color and design on the cover and spine, with the intention of inspiring children to collect the entire set. It also makes for easy transportation and storage.

Home décor

Some Disney LEGO sets are meant to be displayed on tables or walls. These feature an almost two-dimensional model of a popular character, like Mickey or Minnie Mouse, with a flat back that is conducive to wall hanging. If you’re looking for a LEGO gift for an adult LEGO lover, this may fit the bill.

Frequent LEGO builders and collectors may wish to consider joining the free LEGO VIP club. It provides news, discounts, and early access to new sets.

Accessories

LEGO Star Wars Set: AT-ST Raider
Another pop culture juggernaut is Star Wars, and this set depicts a scene from The Mandolorian. The walker is poseable, and the set includes minifigs for both Mando and Cara Dune.

LEGO Marvel Sets: Marvel Avengers Thanos Ultimate Battle Playset
Fans of the Marvel cinematic universe may enjoy this set featuring a showdown between Iron Man and Thanos. It features the Guardian’s ship as well as an appropriately large-sized Mad Titan.

LEGO Disney set prices

Inexpensive

Smaller sets and characters, as well as Storybook Adventures, cost $20 or less.

Mid-range

Most Disney LEGO sets cost between $20 and $50, ranging in size and complexity. These sets feature scenes and include a few minifigures.

Expensive

The largest and most involved sets cost over $50, with some Disney scenes priced well over $100. This price range also includes rare and retired products.

Tips

• Stay organized. Whether you’re building or storing, it’s important to label sets and keep them separate. Consider investing in a LEGO storage container.
• Track numbers. Each set and individual piece has a corresponding numeric code. This is useful for anyone with lots of sets who wants to stay organized or purchase replacement parts.
• Use online instructions. Scan the QR code with the LEGO app, or search online to find digital instructions. You can zoom, rotate, and view the model through its various stages.
• Display creatively. When you’re done building and playing, sets can and should be put on display. Find a mantle, coffee table, or shelf to show off minifigs, vehicles, and scenes.

LEGO bricks and sets are surprisingly durable. Kids can play with them in the heat and cold, the dirt and sand, as even in water. Avoid prolonged exposure to extreme elements to keep them from breaking down.

FAQ

Q. What should I do if I'm missing pieces?

A. In some instances, your new set may arrive missing pieces. In this case, LEGO will replace your order to complete the set. If you lose pieces over time, however, you have several options. You may be able to substitute pieces from another set. You may be able to purchase individual pieces directly from LEGO. Or, you may find your set works well enough without the missing pieces.

Q. What are retired sets?

A. LEGO regularly retires sets and themes, which means they stop production and are no longer sold by LEGO when the last of the products are sold out. This is done to make room for new ideas and scenes, but the decision also creates demand.

Retired LEGO sets can sometimes be found through affiliate websites or aftermarket outlets. Coveted and older sets will likely come with a high price tag, such as the Disney Minifigure Series 1, which features Ariel, Maleficent, and Peter Pan.

Q. What’s the best LEGO Disney set for someone who has never played with LEGO before?

A. When introducing kids to LEGO, it’s best to start with smaller sets to foster fun and creativity. Duplo is the preferred series for children under age five. They can work their way up to more challenging sets as their skills grow. Find a Disney set that matches their favorite character or movie to pique their interest.