LEGO #43232 Peter Pan & Wendy’s Flight over London is a small quick build, and quite possibly one of my favorite Disney 100 releases. It contains 466 pieces and is rated for 10+. Inside the box are 6 bags, an instruction book, and two black 8×16 plates.
The black frame the scene sits in built up very quickly as did the set in general. I was surprised at how quickly I was cruising through the bags. At first I was slightly disappointed when I realized how quickly I would finish, but the set had some special surprises in store for me.
Blues in a number of shades create the feel of night in the scene. The beloved characters are quick to catch your eye, but the rising tower of Big Ben next to them is most definitely the highlight of this sleepy picture. It rose quickly into the sky with the unlikeliest of pieces used. Light blue square LEGO containers grouped in layers of four created the tower. I had never thought of using these as a structural piece for buildings. It works really well. Sitting atop the containers the turret is beautifully detailed. A square base structure was designed to support the designs for each of the clock faces.
There are three decorated clock faces, the rear face is primarily plain, but includes the support for the clear curved bar that helps Tinkerbell fly. Blue curved mosaic pieces create design work that the printed round clock face rests on.
The clock faces glow in the dark! The box alludes to this, but I didn’t catch this awesome little detail. Another glowing surprise hides behind a swirling cloud as the moon also helps illuminate the scene. As soon as I completed the set I rushed it off to a dark room and quickly determined that this set will take up permanent residence beside my bed so it can be enjoyed to the fullest each night as the sun sets.
The turret is topped with a dark blue spire that rests atop a white layer that is created with flowers, another impressive use of pieces. The tower is built into a dark blue sky that rises up to support the flying figures of Peter and Wendy, and it also supports the glowing moon, cloud, and two stars that help point the way to Neverland. Two clear support structures are placed in the wall to assist the minifigures as they fly through the sky.
The town far below was a lot of fun to build. It creates depth to the scene in an unusual way for such a small picture. A river winds its way through the landscape and splits the style of buildings. The foreground houses tiny miniature houses with peaked roofs, with little lights resting beneath them. Three bridges cross the river and the largest creates a perfect London Bridge.
On the far side of the river Wendy’s home is built on a larger scale that matches the size of the clock tower. Take a peek on the left side of the house and you will spy another special surprise in this set. The shadow of a special puppy sits next to a doghouse door.
I love the sweet representation of Nana added to the set. Here we also find, yet again, some clever use of pieces. Dark blue hair provides the crowns of two trees, and translucent yellow gems sit atop telescopes to provide street lights to the sleepy neighborhood.
Three minifigures were included; Peter Pan, Wendy, and Tinkerbell.
Wendy’s light blue nightgown has a plain skirt and a simple print on the torso. The print includes a ribbon tied in the back, which creates a cinched waist, and blue short sleeves on the arms. She has two faces, both sides smile, but one side has a broader smile with her teeth showing. Her eyebrows also change positions. The best part of this figure is the hair piece. Her bangs drape to each side, and the rest of her hair is pulled back into a ponytail that falls in ringlets. A bow or accessory can be placed at the top of the ponytail, but it was not included in the set.
Peter Pan is splendid in green with solid pants, and a lighter green top that has an angled collar and a brown belt printed on. He also wears short sleeves. He has a single printed face and it is a sly mischievous one. The arched bushy eyebrows remind me more of the Peter Pan from the book, which is more of a selfish ornery character than the Disney version. His peaked hat has a lot going on. It is dual molded and has his red hair billowing out with his pointed ears parting the hair on the sides. It also has a red feather molded into one side.
Tinkerbell was given an extra dose of attention and she wears gorgeous translucent wings upon her back. This new piece, which comes in this set and #43212 Disney Celebration Train Set, is a prized piece to own. It is thin and has waves molded into the plastic which gives it the illusion of movement and delicacy. It attaches by sliding onto her neck. Her legs have a pointed leaf skirt print and she also has small green slivers printed on her feet to create her slippers, but no little white pom poms are present. The torso has an interesting print job. The front and back have the classic bodice cut we are familiar with, but the sides and top of the torso piece are solid green, which doesn’t make sense, since this should have been skin color from right below the arms and up through the neckline. She has one face print, a sweet smile with arched eyebrows. Sitting atop her head is another awesome hairpiece. A soft yellow topknot rests above a poof of bangs.
All of the minifigures were very well designed, and make perfect additions to the set.
I can’t say I had any specific expectation for this set when we picked it up, but I was very impressed with this special little scene. It is built in a simple way, but this is fitting to create the illusion of a night scene cloaked in delicate shadows. The soft glow created from the clock and moon are a delightful addition, and flying among it all three characters bring us back to fond childhood memories of a magical story.
