Got mine secondhand, mainly to display it along with my bag end. The minifigures are what you would expect from the set, Frodo and Gandalf are obvious choices but it would have been fun to have another hobbit haswell. There are some nice usage of parts, i especially like the use of the red ninjago snake as a firework.

Even though its just a wagon, the set has a certain vibe to it that makes it seem more than just a wooden crate on four wheels. It was fun to build even tough it was on the smaller side and it really works great along with my other lotr sets.

if you find it for a good price i defiantly recommend picking it up

solid 7/10

This is a very nice little set. While it's nothing that is going to blow you away, considering the incredibly small size of this set, it is surprisingly well done and anything more would seem like overkill.

Minifigures

Oftentimes in these small sets it is the minifigures that either make or break the set, in this case I would say they make the set. While Gandalf may be incredibly common, this one at least includes his hat and cape which to me makes it a much more valuable minifigure than the ones missing one or both of these wardrobe features.

Frodo on the other hand is unique in that he is dressed in a green shirt suitable for the Shire. While this minifigure does appear in a polybag and is rather easy to obtain, the polybag is a truly pointless set so I would highly recommend picking up this set of you want this minifigure.

Now technically it's not a minifigure, but the set also comes with a brown horse which of course can be quite useful to add to your LOTR collection as I feel these sets don't usually give you enough horses and this new design is an excellent improvement over my horses from the 80's. The only problem is you don't get a saddle in this set, but those are easy enough to obtain.

Parts

This is definitely a parts set. Considering how few parts there are in the set, there sure are a lot of cool ones. You of course get the two wheels and the harness. Then you get a cobra which resembles the firework that Merry and Pippin set off. You also get a barrel, a thieves backpack, a carrot, and a book. Certainly not a bad selection of parts.

The Build

Yes, it's simple, but what do you expect. I still enjoy the way you build the sides of the cart, and while I may have been able to design that myself, the corner posts were rather ingenious using the lamp holders that were so prevalent in Classic Space. The set may not be as intricate as Riddle for the Ring, but it is still fun.

Overall

Like I said, if you want this alternative Frodo, this is the set to get him in. It's also good if you are looking for a cheap way to get a horse. Otherwise, it isn't anything to special. The playability is rather limited, certainly you wouldn't want to be fighting orcs with this cart. So if Frodo and the horse don't interest you, and you aren't trying to complete your LOTR collection, you may want to save your money for something else. However, if you own the Bag End set, this horse carriage would look great parked in front of it.

Most of the time, I only get smaller sets because my parents don't mind buying them for me. This one I actually really wanted, not only because I'm a huge LotR fan, but it comes with a ton of great parts, and two of the most important characters in the series.

Parts

This set comes with some wonderful parts and accessories, like a book, a carrot, a bag with a letter, and a red snake. It also comes with some different wheels that are bigger than the wheels on other carts.

Minifigures

None of the LotR series could've happened without Gandalf or Frodo! (Or Bilbo, who would've also been nice in this set.) This is the first time we see Gandalf, and at the time it was pretty cool, but now we've got tons of the same one and he's not so special anymore. He still looks nice though, and he has a dark grey wizard hat and cape. He holds a brown staff. Frodo looks great too, and I think this and the polybag are the only sets with him in this outfit. He has a double sided face, one happy and one sort of worried. There's also one of the new brown horses, obviously, who carries the cart.

The build

Like I said before, I always have fun building Lego sets, so I have nothing bad to say about the building experience.

The completed model

It looks adorable when finished, and I really like the placement of the fireworks and bag. It's very hard to get Gandalf to sit on the cart though, especially since there's no place for his cape.

Overall opinion

For $12, this is definitely a set worth buying, whether you're a Lord of the Rings fan or not. It comes with good pieces, one of the new horses, and two nice minifigs. Pick it up if you see it!

Wow! What a great set. Is it small? Yes. Is it fairly simple? Yes. But despite that, in just 83 pieces, TLC managed to put together a perfect rendition of Gandalf's arrival in Hobbiton for Bilbo's 111th birthday.

Parts

Nothing too special here, although the use of a red cobra piece as the dragon firework that Gandalf infamously sets off over Bilbo's party is a clever move and a fantastic addition to the set. Also, I believe this is the first set to feature Lego's new horse model . . . and I'll admit, I'm impressed. Without looking too different from the earlier model, this new horse adds a ton of playability and "pose-ability" for AFOL MOCers.

Minifigures

Gandalf is superb, with a new beard mold and a torso with front and back printing. As far as Frodo goes, I've heard people complain about the simplicity of this model as if that's a bad thing. . . well, I couldn't disagree more! This version of Frodo is supposed to be simple. He is still living a carefree life in the Shire . . . his quest lies ahead of him. In this version of Frodo we get a front-and-back printed torso which captures Frodo's Shire attire perfectly. Both minifigures are superb, IMO.

The build

This is a simple model, so I was surprised to find the build quite enjoyable. I was especially pleased with the construction of the sides of the cart––with just a few pieces and the use of a clever building technique, the designers managed to give the cart an ornate, hand-crafted look that matches the look of the movie cart nicely.

Overall opinion

In short, this is a fantastic set, one that any LOTR/Hobbit collector should jump to get their hands on. You'll only need one, but it's definitely worth the cost.

Even though this is one of the smallest Lord of the Rings (LotR) sets it is still one of the best. It has tons of playability yest at the same time can be used as a display on that empty piece of furniture.

Box/Instructions

The box itself is one of the more flimsy types (which is used for nearly all smaller sets) that requires your thumb to tear open the one side. This is fine except for the people who try to keep the boxes in top condition. On the front of the box the entire set takes center stage (of course) with a picturesque background behind which is meant to look like the Shire.

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Parts

For parts we get mostly tan colors which are so useful (but somewhat rare), plus one of the new horse molds. In the back of the cart we get several of Gandalf's fireworks (isn't the big, red, "dragon" one a Ninjago snake?). The two two brown wheels are also extremely nice.

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Minifigures

The two minifgures in this set are both exclusives (to the first wave) which made it a must have being the LotR fanatic that I am. First I'll start with Gandalf. His legs are a plain dark grey and his torso is of the same color. On his torso are several folds in his clothes, even on the back. Most of the time you can't see them though since his cape and beard are on. (Speaking of the beard, without it he looks nothing at all like Gandalf :-) .)

Frodo is sporting his green shirt with suspenders like when we saw him for the first time in the film. His hair is the same one we get with him in Attack on Weathertop and in Shelob Attacks. His face however, is exclusive (like his shirt). One one side we have a happy expresion while on the other side we have a worried look.

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The build

The build itself is fairly simple, although there are some neat building techniques used in those four tan posts at the corner of the cart.

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The completed model

When the model is finished it brings back all those memories from the movie (and book) when Gandalf rides into Hobbiton. The minifigs, build, parts, are all fantastic. I only have three small complaints.

• There's not quite enough room for Frodo to sit beside Gandalf.
• Sometimes the carrot and fireworks fall out the side/bottom of the cart.
• The price is a little high, perhaps we could have gotten Bilbo, or a Ring?

But it's still one of my favorite sets, especially when you put it beside Bag End. (a Hobbit set)

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Summary

For being a small set it is fantastic. It's a great replica from the movie plus it has tons of play opportunities. The minifgures are great too. All in all it's one the best LotR sets.

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