Disney has been providing enchanting stories for over 100 years and they’re one of the longest-standing partners of the LEGO Group. But it’s Disney’s global theme parks which have offered inspiration for some of the largest LEGO® Disney sets. In 2016, the iconic Disney Castle from Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando was released and was the first park attraction to become a LEGO model, it was preceded by the Disney Train and Station set in 2019, then a reimagined version of Cinderella’s Castle to mark the Disney 100 celebrations. The latest large-scale LEGO model to be inspired by a Disney Park attraction hails from Tokyo Disneyland and the park’s Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast ride. The castle is inspired by the version unveiled at the end of Beauty and the Beast when the curse is lifted. Elements of the Japanese attraction and the 1991 animation are combined in the upcoming LEGO Disney set, here’s a look at the Beauty and the Beast Castle set.
Product Details
Set Name: Beauty and the Beast Castle | Set Number: 43263 | Pieces: 2916 | Theme: Disney
Number of Bags: Bags x 21 | Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Stickers: sheet x 1 | Characters: The Beast, Belle, Gaston, LeFou & Maurice plus Lumière, Fifi, Cogsworth, Chip and Mrs. Potts
RRP: £239.99/$279.99/279.99€/449.99AUD/349.99CAD/2199,95DDK
Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & LEGO retailers
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast was part of the golden era of classic Disney animation, being released in the ’90s along with Aladdin and The Lion King. The story is inspired by a classic French fairytale and in Disney’s version an arrogant prince is cursed by a needy traveller, transforming him into a beast. This castle and its staff also fall under the curse. After coming to the aid of her father, Belle is soon imprisoned in the Castle, where she meets a gang of enchanted household items. During the film, the castle is mostly shown in its cursed form but is briefly featured in all its glory once the curse is lifted. However, the castle is also featured in Tokyo Disneyland in Japan. This offers a better look at the castle and has certainly helped to inspire this new set.
Although the set has multiple ties to the 1991 animated film, the exterior is very much inspired by the Tokyo Disneyland attraction. This includes the castle’s overall shape, style and colour scheme. This is a wise choice as other versions of the castle, including the live-action remake, wouldn’t be as visually pleasing. Dotted around the castle are various architectural flourishes including a pair of stone lions guarding the entry to the castle and little stone birds preached on various ledges and spires. The exterior is full of great features, many of which are achieved through the use of different coloured elements. The light purple, sand green and brick yellow elements are a strange mix of colours but they oddly work well together.
The interior of the castle is largely inspired by the animated film. It’s not very spacious but the inside area has been used well to deliver moments from the film. The bottom area of the castle includes a slide-out platform which recreates the castle’s grand staircase. As it’s positioned in the set, it’s at odds with the doorway and seems disconnected from the building but I can see why it’s been done in the way it has. The grand ballroom is central to an iconic moment in the film. Not only is it where Belle and the Beast first dance together, but it’s also where we first hear the song ‘Tale as Old as Time’ and it’s one of the first moments in a Disney animated feature where CGI is used. The set’s ballroom is a little less grand but it does include a section of the floor which can be rotated thanks to a splat gear. The exterior of the ballroom is made from a series of transparent curved panels. These feature print details in place of stickers.
The second floor is where the sets take the most creative licence with the source material. Its largest inspired-by moment ‘Be Out Guest’ is sung and combines the kitchen with the dining room. Here you find a table topped with a fantastical feast. The displays on the table can be rotated to bring them to life. Three sections can be moved and they feature the dancing forks and plates of the delicious ‘grey stuff’. The table hides a few other features in the room such as Chef Bouche and a sink. The set features a small buildable section so you can replace Belle’s slope dress piece and allow her to be seated at the table. A similar method was used for the Hobbits in the Lord of the Rings Rivendell set.
Moving to the top section of the castle you’ll find the Beast’s vast library of books. These are created by layered sections of different coloured plates, which are then fixed to the wall. I’m glad the books have been featured in this way and not a sticker. But on the subject of stickers, there is one used for the painting in this room. It’s a clear sticker on a blue plate and it looks great. To the left of the library is the wardrobe which helps Belle with a change of clothes. Although this is technically found in Belle’s room, it’s nice to have the secondary character featured in the set, even if it’s out of place compared to the source material.
At the very top of the castle is a small section built into the tall spire. This is where the Beast keeps the enchanted rose tied to the castle’s curse. It’s a tight spot but the rose is an important part of the story and although the space is minimal, there’s enough room for the rose to sit on a small table in front of a stained glass window and the torn portrait of the prince. Each of these sections of the castle can be removed for better access and with the castle being built in sections, it’s easier to build as well.
The set features a mix of minifigures and buildable characters. These are all inspired by the animated version of the film. Both The Beast and Belle have been featured in other Disney sets, mostly in mini-doll form. Belle was included in the Disney 100 Castle as a minifigure and this is the same version. She’s featured in her yellow ball gown, it’s a shame her normal outfit isn’t also included in the set. The Beast has only been featured in mini-doll form but the minifigure reuses the Beast ‘head’ used for the mini-doll. This sits over a standard minifigure head. Hidden within the tallest turret of the castle is a removable section which features a hairpiece. You can remove the Beast’s head and tail to transform him into Prince Adam.
Gaston is another returning minifigure, the handsome hunter was included in the Disney Villain Icons set released in 2023. It’s a perfect representation of the character, so it didn’t need changing. The use of dual-moulded arms with different coloured hands is perfect as are the two different faces. Unlike the 2023 version of the character, this one adds a bow and quiver. Gaston’s faithful friend LeFou makes his LEGO debut. LeFou is an interesting-looking chap, whose most recognisable feature is his nose. Thankfully, this has not been included on the minifigure. Another unique minifigure is Belle’s father Maurice. This minifigure uses adjustable short legs and has an amazing pair of expressions. The hair could have been better but the use of the ‘Doc Brown’ hair element is a close enough match.
One of the most endearing aspects of the film is the castle’s servants who have become enchanted objects. Many of these have been featured in other LEGO Disney sets and they are similar versions found in this set. Lumière, Fifi, Chip and Mrs Potts all reuse parts and designs from other sets only Cogsworth has been redesigned and this version is a much better representation of the character. The Beast’s canine companion is featured as a footstall. Within the set, you’ll also find the oven, Chef Bouche and the wardrobe, Madame Armoire.
The castle from Beauty and the Beast may seem like an odd choice for a set, but it cleverly continues with larger sets based on areas of a Disney theme park. Whilst also directly linking to the beloved animated film. So the set captures fans of them both. The distinctive architecture of the castle also offers a unique build experience, especially having a nice balance between the exterior of the castle and how its shape dictates the interior. Despite the cramped inside space of the castle, it’s been used well to add special moments featured in the film. The characters featured in the set offer the line-up you would expect. Returning characters such as Belle and Gaston were perfect in the other sets they debuted in. But I certainly would have liked to have also had Belle in their blue and white dress, just to offer something a little more unique. It’s also fair that some of the buildable characters are merely copies of their past versions, after all, there are only so many ways you can recreate a talking candlestick, teapot and tea cup. Visually, it’s just as impactful and imposing as the other Disney castles but at a slightly better price point. However, it’s still an expensive set but it does translate into the level of detail and involved build experience it offers. The LEGO Disney Beauty and the Beast Castle will be available for Insiders members from April 1st.
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The LEGO Group provided this set to BricksFanz.com for review purposes. The thoughts expressed in this review are those of BricksFanz.com and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group or Disney. Providing the set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion.
