LEGO Reviews Disney43222

Disney Castle

Name: LEGO Disney Castle 43222
Brand: LEGO
SKU: 43222

80 · HIGHLY RECOMMENDEDINVESTMENT GRADE: A20234,837 pcsHigh agreement · 96%

Expert reviews

3analyzed

Owner ratings

177

BrickScore

Highly Recommended

Owners

Synthesized Verdict

"A Highly Recommended BrickScore of 80.1 backed by 177 owner ratings averaging 4.76 out of 5 makes this Disney Castle one of the most satisfying large-scale display builds in the Disney LEGO lineup, delivering on both nostalgia and build quality for adult fans willing to invest $399.99."

The 2023 Disney Castle (43222) is a large, detail-rich 4,837-piece flagship that owners embraced as an upgrade on the previous 71040 version, praising its faithful Cinderella Castle colors, expanded movie references across classic and newer Disney films, and a multi-day building experience that reviewers called therapeutic and engrossing. The review data comes entirely from LEGO.com owner submissions, and 177 ratings average 4.76 out of 5 with an 87 percent would-recommend rate and a value-for-money signal of 4.45 out of 5. At $399.99, it is a premium commitment, but the owner response suggests buyers broadly felt the scale and nostalgia justified the price.

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LOVED (6)

01Vastly detailed Disney movie references woven throughout the structure, spanning classic and newer films
02More faithful Cinderella Castle color accuracy and tower proportions compared to the predecessor 71040
03Impressive scale and visual presence as a completed display piece

+3 more with Collector

CRITICIZED (4)

01Two buyers reported receiving sets with missing pieces, requiring customer service contact
02Some assembly challenges noted around the curved tower sections
03Buyers who already owned 71040 found the upgrade meaningful but not transformative in every area

+1 more with Collector

Build Facts what critics report

🧩 Difficulty

intermediate

🎯 Audience

adults

In Their Words most-used terms across every critic review

disneycastledesigndisplayeastereggslargedetailsschemeprincessreferencesgoldupdatedcolorcompletelyexclusivecouplesoriginalelementssturdyconstructionthreesectionseasierwouldinteriorinstructionbags

What reviewers are saying

"The basic structure is a Technic frame, and the result is quite sturdy; with the help of the manual's guidance on lifting the set, I've had no issues moving the finished model around."

The Brothers Brick

"One of the main areas where the 2023 LEGO Disney Castle feels like a substantial upgrade to the original is the minifigure department, with 8 highly sought-after minifigures, compared to Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, an…"

Jay's Brick Blog

Ecosystem

71040 (2016 Disney Castle) 85 — The new castle is improved in every aspect with better details, more intricate design, superior color scheme, and exclusive minifigures. However, the two are so similar that existing owners would find it hard to justify purchasing without being completionist Disney fans. If the original drops in price on the secondary market, it remains a solid budget alternative.

71040 Disney Castle (2016) 85 — The 2023 version is a substantial upgrade in the minifigure department with 8 highly sought-after minifigures vs 5 basic characters in the original. The colour scheme is new (sand blue and nougat vs previous colours), which is more subjective. Contains almost 800 more pieces. However, it's essentially a minor refresh of the same design rather than a completely new castle. For those without the original, this is clearly the definitive Disney Castle to get. For those who own the original, the value of upgrading depends on budget, space, and completionist tendencies. When adjusted for inflation, the 2016 castle would cost US$440 today, so the new set at US$400 represents better value.

🎨 Designer Ryan Van Woerkom (named by critics)

DisneyInvestment Grade

By Reviewer · 2

Avg score

The Brothers Brick

Expert Video Source

"The basic structure is a Technic frame, and the result is quite sturdy; with the help of the manual's guidance on lifting the set, I've had no issues moving the finished model around."

Key Pros

✓Improved build quality with new details (arrowslits, gold ornamentation, better-sculpted towers)
✓Attractive updated color scheme matching the real castle's 50th-anniversary paint job
✓Eight minifigures with seven being completely exclusive (all Disney princess couples)

Key Cons

✕Back of castle feels unfinished; would have benefited from more tiled floors in all rooms
✕Lacks some details present in the original, such as interior columns and knight statues

JUMP TO REVIEW

Jay's Brick Blog 🇦🇺

Editorial Source

BUY

Key Pros

✓Incredible scale and design allows for unmatched display presence
✓Excellent cast of long-awaited Disney Princesses and Princes in minifigure form
✓Filled with Easter Eggs and nods to other Disney Classics

Key Cons

✕Could use one more pair of minifigures
✕More printed elements or stickers would've been nice

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Dimensional Analysis

Investment Layer

Critics discussed this set's investment case

Buy-now vs wait consensus, value drivers, exclusivity and resale outlook

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Minifigures & Standout Parts

In this set (8)

Prince Naveen

Rapunzel

Flynn Rider

Prince Charming

Prince Florian

Snow White - Minifigure

Cinderella

Tiana

Standout parts (per reviewers)

1×2 profile brick in light nougat
Appears in light nougat for the first time. 57 pieces included.
1×2 profile brick in sand blue
Appears in sand blue for the first time. 88 pieces included.
1×2 plate in pearl gold
LEGO has been oddly reticent to release new basic elements in pearl gold. Until now, the only plates available in that color were the 1×1 plate and the 2×2 plate, so this addition ups the pearl gold plates palette by 50 percent. 157 pieces included.
1x6x5 light nougat panel with decorative print
Subtly different print from the one in the previous castle, adorns the balcony above the gate. One piece included.
2×3 plate with 1 x 1 Cutout in light bluish grey
Appears in light bluish grey for the first time.
Printed 1×3 tiles (arrowslits/loopholes)
New printed element for the castle's outer walls. 10 pieces included. Generic enough to find uses outside Disney-themed creations.