Review: LEGO Disney 40659 Mini Steamboat Willie

Today we quickly take a look at the contents of the LEGO Disney set 40659 Mini Steamboat Willie, a box of 424 pieces which will be offered on the official online store and in the LEGO Stores from October 23, 2023 on condition of purchasing at least €100 worth of Disney-licensed products (including Star Wars & Marvel).

It's impossible not to think of the previous interpretation of the subject covered here in the LEGO Ideas set 21317 Steamboat Willie (751 pieces - €89.99), this is the second time that LEGO has made a direct reference to the animated film Steamboat Willie which, in November 1928, featured Mickey, Minnie, Captain Pete (Pat Hibulaire) and some animals.

This promotional product allows us to assemble the boat seen in black and white on the screen and the construction therefore remains in two tones even if the interior of the model is made up of colored parts which will no longer be visible once assembly is completed .

This steamboat, 20 cm long and 13 cm high, goes a little further than the bare minimum by having the luxury of having an integrated mechanism which sets in motion the two paddle wheels and the two chimneys of the boat during its travels.

The functionality may seem relatively anecdotal on a product which will undoubtedly end its career on the corner of a shelf, but its implementation enhances the construction process and gives meaning to this set by taking advantage of a few simple but effective techniques. The pleasure of assembly is there, it is already an important argument in favor of this small promotional product, a priori unpretentious.

On arrival, the boat is convincing given the scale chosen and the finish of the object is sufficiently accomplished to not have to regret having spent the amount requested to obtain it. Don't put the thing in the bathtub, that boat doesn't float.

LEGO only provides one minifig here, that of Mickey, and therefore skips Minnie who was present in the LEGO Ideas set 21317 Steamboat Willie. No legs injected in two colors for the single figurine provided, it is minimum service even if the figurine remains consistent with what we have the right to expect from an interpretation of the reference look of the character.

For those who are interested, Mickey's hat is the one already seen in the bag of the 2nd series of Disney collectible minifigs wearing the reference 71024, the head is also delivered in the same bag as well as in the sets 21317 Steamboat Willie et 43230 Walt Disney Tribute Camera. All that remains is the new gray legs pad-printed with two white buttons to make this figurine a new and for the moment exclusive version, the torso being neutral.

There are no stickers in this box, the set didn't really need stickers anyway, and this is good news for anyone who wants to display the construction without the risk of seeing it deteriorate over time. time.

This small promotional set which celebrates the 100th anniversary of Disney by referring to an animated short film that has become cult seems to me to be up to the occasion with great exhibition potential and an assembly process which will a little further than just stacking bricks and I'll be one of those who makes the effort to buy something from the official online store to get it.

I'm not an unconditional fan of the Disney universe but this product seems to me to be a nice homage, neither too bulky nor too pretentious, which will easily find a place in my collection. The minimum amount required to obtain it seems almost reasonable to me if we take into account the latest promotional offers offered by the manufacturer, knowing that with €100 you get more from LEGO anyway.

Note: The product shown here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at 1er November 2023 next at 23:59 p.m. Simply post a comment below the article to participate. Your participation is taken into account regardless of your opinion. Avoid “I’m participating” or “I’m trying my luck”, we suspect that this is the case.

Update : The winner was drawn and notified by email, his nickname is indicated below.