Tag: Monthly Mini Model Build

LEGO Monthly Mini Build Events Rumored to be Ending in March

January 29, 2019 / Allen "Tormentalous" Tran / 0 Comments

If you’ve been enjoying doing the LEGO VIP Monthly Mini Builds, you only have a few months left to do them. I’ve heard from a few different sources that the last event will be in March. Even though LEGO has a list going for the 2019 builds, it seems that the page will not be filled up after March.

The LEGO Monthly Mini Builds have been going since 2009 and it was extremely popular at its peak a few years ago. It may seem that attendance has dropped ever since registration was required starting in 2016 and that could be a reason why LEGO will be ending it. Before the change, it was on a first come, first served system where families lined up in front of the stores and wait their turn. The registration helped ease the congestion at the malls but it also required parents to remember to sign their kids up on a certain day which is an extra step that some didn’t want to take.

Allen "Tormentalous" Tran

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LEGO Store July 2014 Monthly Mini Build Event Surf Van (40100) Review

July 1, 2014 / Allen "Tormentalous" Tran / 0 Comments

LEGO Store July 2014 Mini Model Build Event

Today was the July 2014 Monthly Mini Build event at the LEGO Store and this month’s build was the Old School Surf Van (40100). The van consists of 46 pieces and it includes some rare pieces including a lime 2×4 wedge plate which has only appeared in 3 other sets and the white surfboard which was only in 2 sets.

I’m not sure the Surf Van was modeled after a real vehicle but it has some distinct patterns of a Volkswagen Type II Flatbed pickup truck such as windshield and the flat front part of the cab. On top of the Van sits the surfboard and the back has a pair of orange flippers.

Overall, the Old School Surf Van (40100) is a neat set with not much effort to build and it’s great as a summer-themed build. Next month’s mini build is a Monkey (40101). Finally, as usual, it was great seeing my friends as well as fans of the site at the event.

LEGO July 2014 Monthly Mini Build - Old School Surf Van (40100)

[easyreview title=”The Brick Fan Scoring Summary” cat1title=”Design” cat1detail=” ” cat1rating=”4″ cat2title=”Playability” cat2detail=” ” cat2rating=”4″ cat3title=”Value” cat3detail=” ” cat3rating=”5″ summary=” “]

Allen "Tormentalous" Tran

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LEGO Store June 2014 Mini Monthly Build Event & Jet Ski Review

June 3, 2014 / Allen "Tormentalous" Tran / 0 Comments

Today was the June 2014 Mini Monthly Build at my local LEGO Brand Store and this month’s build was the Jet Ski (40099). Before the event started, due to the increasing popularity at my store, there was a new strategy implemented to reduce the overcrowding. Instead of kids lining up and waiting their turn to build the set inside the store, they were given a time slot and can do whatever until their specified time has arrived. This new strategy seemed to go pretty smoothly as there was not a whole line of people waiting outside for their turn to build which meant less crowding. Also while at the event, I met a couple of younger fans who requested to take a picture with me (that’s a first). It was unexpected but it was also a pretty cool experience as well.

On to the Jet Ski itself. It’s a simple 33 piece set with no real special pieces or techniques to build it. It was a straightforward build and it comes together quite well at the end. The JetSki can also fit a minifigure which is an interesting trend for this year’s mini builds. The Helicopter (40097) from April could also fit a minifigure as well.

Overall, the Jet Ski is a nice addition to the mini monthly build event. Next month’s build is a beach with a generic white surfboard! The surfboard alone will be one of the cooler parts included in the set.

LEGO June 2014 Monthly Mini Build - Jetski (40099)

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LEGO Store May 2014 Mini Monthly Build Dragon (40098) Review

May 7, 2014 / Allen "Tormentalous" Tran / 0 Comments

LEGO May 2014 Mini Monthly Build - Dragon (40098)

The May 2014 Mini Monthly Build was held at LEGO Brand Stores yesterday and this month they had the Dragon (40098) available for kids to build. The set contains 43 pieces and you get a cool little green dragon. There’s not that many interesting pieces except for the fairly new LEGO Mixels eyes but you also get a spare one as well. The playability is rather limited but the wings and tail can move on hinges. The Dragon does fit into your Castle/Medieval MOCs if you desire. Here are the instructions if you want to build your own.

Coming up next month is a lime green jetski, just in time for summer. Be sure to get there early or else you risk the store running out of stock.

[easyreview title=”The Brick Fan Scoring Summary” cat1title=”Design” cat1detail=” ” cat1rating=”4″ cat2title=”Playability” cat2detail=” ” cat2rating=”3.5″ cat3title=”Value” cat3detail=” ” cat3rating=”5″ summary=” “]

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LEGO Store March 2014 Mini Monthly Build Event & 40096 Review

March 5, 2014 / Allen "Tormentalous" Tran / 0 Comments

LEGO March 2014 Mini Monthly Build Event

Yesterday was the March 2014 Mini Monthly Build event at my local LEGO Store (Fashion Valley, San Diego) and as usual, the place was packed with parents and kids building the Spring Tree (40096) set. It may seem from the images that the store was bombarded by families and customers but the staff on the floor had it all under control. I didn’t stay for the whole event but it looked like everything went smoothly.

This month’s mini build was a 62 piece Spring Tree. It’s a simple built tree with eyes and a blue jay sitting on top. The piece count may be misleading since the build is made up of a lot of small pieces. It does come with some nice tan arch pieces but it looks off because the rest of the tree trunk is brown. The base is created with two 2×4 lime plates instead of a single 4×4 plate. I also didn’t understand the purpose of the eyes. Overall, it is just a tree with some wacky designs that kids can enjoy.

LEGO March 2014 Mini Monthly Build Spring Tree (40096)

[easyreview title=”The Brick Fan Scoring Summary” cat1title=”Design” cat1detail=” ” cat1rating=”3.5″ cat2title=”Playability” cat2detail=” ” cat2rating=”3″ cat3title=”Value” cat3detail=” ” cat3rating=”5″ summary=” “]

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LEGO Store February 2014 Mini Monthly Build Event & 40095 Review

February 4, 2014 / Allen "Tormentalous" Tran / 4 Comments

Sneak peek at February's Monthly Mini Model Build, The LEGO Movie Micro Manager

Today was the February 2014 Mini Monthly Build event at LEGO Stores. To celebrate the premiere of The LEGO Movie this weekend, this month’s build is one of Lord Business’ Micro Managers (40095). The event itself had one of the biggest turnouts ever for a Monthly Mini Build. If you’ve been to the store here at Fashion Valley in San Diego, you’ll know where Bloomingdale’s is. The line at the start of the event was already to the entrance of Bloomingdale’s which is crazy. Like other Monthly Builds, there was a limited number available for kids to take home.

The staff at the store were very cool as usual and I also got to meet some fellow readers of the site which was pretty awesome in itself. At the end of the building event, there were still a number of kids still outside waiting for their turn to come in and build. The staff had to call an audible and got everything bagged up ready for the kids when they came in and from what I saw, the execution was flawless. Although the final kids weren’t able to build it in the store, they were still given one to take home. Despite the unexpected huge turnout, it was another successful Monthly Build. It was estimated that around 50% of the people who showed up were new families to the Monthly Build event. Check out some images that were taken at the event below.

LEGO Store February 2014 Mini Monthly Build Event

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Sneak Peek at February’s Monthly Mini Model Build

January 7, 2014 / Allen "Tormentalous" Tran / 1 Comment

Today at my local LEGO Store, there was a preview of the February’s Monthly Mini Model Build which is the Micro Manager from The LEGO Movie. It looks larger than the snowplow that we got for this month. I’m looking forward to getting this little guy next month to add to the growing army of Micro Managers. As usual, quantities are limited with the event to about 250 per store so head there early to get in line to build one of these guys.

Allen "Tormentalous" Tran

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