Review: 10738 Snow White's Forest Cottage
Posted by CapnRex101,
Eleven characters make up the current roster of Disney Princesses and most have been recreated in mini-doll form at some point over the last few years. However, Snow White has long been absent from the range despite her status as the original Disney princess, an issue finally rectified in the small 10738 Snow White's Forest Cottage.
This set therefore seems certain to prove very popular, particularly given the comparatively low price point of £12.99 in the UK or $14.99 in the US.
Mini-doll
Snow White is instantly recognisable based on her brand new hair piece alone. This element is made from rubber but captures the style seen in the film perfectly, even including a red bow alongside some wavy texturing. The head is also brand new, featuring brown eyes and a smile. Snow White's lips should perhaps be more prominent given that she is noted for her 'lips as red as the rose' but the face is otherwise faithful to her original appearance.
The design of Snow White's attire is remarkably simple, consisting of a blue bodice with puffy sleeves and a yellow dress. It is not possible to capture subtle details such as striped sleeves on a mini-doll so the graphic designer has chosen to introduce some light blue scroll work on the torso along with silver stars on the dress. These designs are not entirely authentic but they look splendid and I am pleased to see a white collar printed around the neckline.
The Completed Model
A group of forest animals lead Snow White to the dwarfs' cottage in the film and two such animals are included here, a fawn and a squirrel. These elements have not appeared since 2014 and are fairly rare so it is nice to see them again, particularly since the medium nougat and dark orange colours match some of the animals from the movie. It is a shame that the bluebirds have been left out given their iconic status but they would probably require a brand new piece as the current bird component is not entirely suitable. Two new moulds may be too much to expect for such a small set.
Most of the 67 pieces in this set are devoted to the dwarfs' cottage. The model is quite small and very simple, as one would expect of a Juniors set, but I think it is rather nice. The bright light yellow walls and red roof are quite attractive and I think such vivid colours are well suited to sets based on classic Disney films, many of which are dominated by a similarly bright colour palette. Pink flooring is a little excessive but more realistic colours might have looked drab by comparison with the walls.
The table is laid with a teapot, a goblet and a custard pie which has only appeared in two previous sets. There is a stool for the squirrel and a separate seat for Snow White which includes a new 2x2 tile with a tree ring print to match the 1x1 round tile that first appeared last year. The large wall panel is also printed with a new and exclusive design featuring some yellow stonework, blue curtains and a washing line for the dwarfs.
The reverse is not printed so looks very plain but I like the apple tree built into the cottage, particularly since it bears a shiny red apple ready for the Wicked Queen to poison. It would have been nice to see the Wicked Queen included, perhaps with an alternative head piece to represent her witch-like form, but given the low price point of the set I think the Snow White mini-doll alone is perfectly fine.
A large fireplace, a wooden stump and a basket full of fruit complete the set. The fireplace is designed to match the interior of the cottage, with a pink floor and bright light yellow wall as well as another tile printed with some wood graining. Trans-neon orange pieces form the burning fire in the grate but there are no pieces to represent smoke rising from the angled flue which is unfortunate. Instead some more accessories are included and these can be clipped to either side of the fireplace.
Overall
I have been looking forward to the release of a Snow White mini-doll and the resultant figure is very satisfying. The new hair piece looks brilliant and I like the forest animals too, although a couple of bluebirds would have been even better. The dwarf's cottage is small and simple but includes some impressive details along with a few rare pieces which are always welcome.
A larger set could have included a more substantial rendition of the cottage and an extra mini-doll depicting the Wicked Queen but the current design offers plenty of play value and is an ideal size for a Juniors set in my opinion. If you are a Disney Princess fan then this is certainly a worthy purchase. Now LEGO need only release Mulan, Pocahontas and Tiana so the collection will be complete!
I hope you have found this review informative. Let us know by liking this article and share your thoughts on the set in the comments below.
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18 comments on this article
The two animals are useful to either a zoo or a forest but with only two we are better off buying a Friends jungle set.
Thanks for this review Chris. I think your evaluation on Snow White as a mini-doll is fair; she's instantly recognizable and details are nice -- even if no true puffy shoulder caps.
A "7 Dwarves" set including Bluebirds would be nice :-)
Def want to get this for my daughter.
I like this set and will probably pick it up for the minidoll and pieces to add to our Disney collection. The pink floor just looks silly, but I won't be using the build as is anyway. Good little details to flesh out a MOC.
Agreed that a larger 7 dwarves set - with dwarves and evil queen, plus larger cottage or even the evil queen's castle! - would be awesome. Also would love sets featuring mulan, Jasmine, Pocohontas... With the success of the Disney castle you'd think they would do more complex Disney sets aimed at AFOLs who are into fairy tale stuff.
Can't wait to get this for my daughter, now bring on pocahontas and Mulan lego and tiana from Princess & the Frog.
We need some dwarves now!
The little one and I just bought this from the Leicester Square store, she was very very excited.
Would have been good to have included the Evil witch or a couple of dwarves.
I'm planning on getting this for my daughter. And I've already purchased a 41309 for the blue bird in that as I feel it is the best currently available representation (https://brickset.com/parts/6172406/bird-sparrow-no-9).
I take that back. I think this piece would be the best currently available representation:
https://brickset.com/parts/6170373/bird-no-3
But since it's from a DUPLO set, I'm assuming it wouldn't work.
Great pieces, and nice to see some rare pieces, too. I want that pink basket and custard piece.
I'm curious to know if there are some Bricksetters who have collected all of the princess mini-dolls.
I will buy anything they make for Mulan, Merida, and Pocahontas (especially her!).
My son would love this! He has no idea who snow white is... But a 'home' and food and he's all for it. Toss in some animals and he's in heaven.
What was that you said about Pocahontas ? I created a play set including her, John Smith, their animals and MOTHER WILLOW:http://www.moc-pages.com/moc.php/430706! I hope you enjoy it refriedbeans!
@MrMouth1117: Your Moc looks nice. I am not into Disney stuff or precisely into Pocahontas - but I especially like the tree, which looks really cool.
I will definitely be getting this for... my daughter, yes my daughter will certainly love this set. But until I get married and have a daughter, I'll have to enjoy it on my own. ;)
I'm skipping this because I am sure in 2 next years we will get bigger set with her.
Nice !!!!
Was really glad to get this set. I agree, the printed pieces are nice and it's fun to have a little 'bambi' as well. Now for those 7 dwarves. Thanks for reviewing this, good to see some junior ones done too!