LEGOLAND windsor: star wars miniland

Death Star

That's no moon...

That's what Obi-Wan Kenobi said upon approaching the Death Star. But when I saw the reproduction in LEGO Star Wars Miniland Model Display at LEGOLAND Windsor, I was lost for words! Together with my tita's (aunt's) family, I visited the resort last June, and their latest addition is the recreation of Darth Vader’s ultimate super weapon. It's one of the most impressive and biggest models ever created for the resort, using about 500,000 bricks. Measuring 2.4 meters wide and 3 meters high, and weighing 860 kilograms, the Death Star is the centerpiece for an amazing scene depicting the famous Battle of Yavin in A New Hope. The interactive display also features sound and light effects. By pressing the appropriate buttons, Alliance ships will come swooping to destroy the mobile space station.

Upon entering the LEGO Star Wars Miniland Model Display, Darth Vader in all his brickly glory extends his lightsaber to welcome the visitors. Our favorite droids R2-D2 and C-3PO follow shortly. It seems they are also part of the welcoming committee.

Darth Vader

R2-D2

C-3PO

Since it opened in 2012, The LEGO Star Wars Miniland Model Display features iconic scenes from the six live-action Star Wars movies, displaying 1,500 separate models, in 1:20 scale, made from 1.5 million bricks. Yearly, new models are being added (like this year's gigantic Death Star). Hopefully, next year, awesome scenes from The Force Awakens, Rogue One, and even from Star Wars Rebels will be added.

The year is almost over but the LEGO fun still continues. There are still a few days remaining to visit LEGOLAND Windsor. Head on to www.legoland.co.uk for more details.

Below are some of my favorite snaps from my recent trip. These pictures don't do justice for how amazing these models are. Seeing them in person is highly recommended. Oh, I can't wait to visit the resort again.

Naboo

Naboo Starfighter

Theed Royal Palace

Battle of Naboo

Geonosis Execution Arena

Battle of Geonosis: Republic Gunships

Battle of Geonosis: Hailfire Droids

Battle of Kashyyyk

Mustafar

Millennium Falcon at Tatooine

Tatooine

Mos Eisley Cantina

Battle of Hoth

Ewok Village

Battle of Endor

Shuttle Tydirium

Mini Yoda

Mini R2-D2

Mini Darth Maul

Mini Anakin Skyalker & Mini Darth Vader

Mini Han Solo & Mini Chewbacca

Mini Luke Skywalker & Mini Princess Leia

Y-Wing Starfighter

X-Wing Starfighter

 Millennium Falcon

Battle of Yavin

LEGO star wars magazine: issue 14

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 14

Issue 14 of LEGO Star Wars Magazine is now available, and this month's free gift is none other than Jedi Master Yoda's Hut!

When I first saw the preview of this issue in last month's, I thought LEGO Star Wars Magazine is finally giving away minifigures, and the first one will be Yoda. But obviously, I was wrong. Maybe I wasn't the only one who made this mistake because in the final foil packaging, Yoda was printed in 2D, instead of 3D, to make it clear that a minifigure was not included.

As I've said in my previous post, it really is quite reassuring to know that the LEGO Star Wars Magazine is a medium to explore the untouched corners of the Star Wars brick universe. Because truly in Star Wars, everything is important!

Surprisingly, this is not the debut of Yoda's Hut in brick form. The Hut was first featured in the X-Wing Fighter [4502] set back in 2004. The set included Yoda's Hut in the background to recreate the scene in Episode V, The Empire Strikes Back, wherein Luke Skywalker seek training from the Jedi Master in the murky swamps of Dagobah. The Hut was also featured in 2015's San Diego Comic-Con Dagobah Mini Build set, recreating the above mentioned scene in a microscale, complete with the tree trunk and the swamp (and an R2-D2 minifigure for the Godzilla effect).

For the free gift per se, it may not be the most representative but the set do feel like it is Yoda's.

Yoda's Hut

The color scheme screams "mine, it is!" The pieces are also quite interesting. I love seeing unconventional pieces in different shades of green. For the building experience, I actually have more fun than I expected. I just had a little trouble with the bricks with bows. The instruction was to put them on the baseplate first then connect them, but with my big fingers, I found the vice versa easier. Overall, it is a cute microbuild (and has a strong tendency to remain in my work desk for a long time).

For the next issue, here's a little sneak peak. The LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 15 comes out 14 September. Oh, I can't wait for this micro AT-AT!

Micro AT-AT