Differences in WV Toy Shops 10199 & 10249

Lo1sJess

Piece count is a little higher (<100) in later set and the minifigures are a little different.  Are there differences that would make one more desirable than the other?  Thanks

WesterBricks

The building and tree are functionally identical, the newer set was just a re-release using a few newer parts. I would say it’s just a matter of preference, or price if that’s your driving force for this purchase.

Switchfoot55

Having just obtained the older version, I can confirm there are not many noticeable changes between the two. I had no plans on going back and sourcing the original, and it was just by luck that I ended up with it. But given a choice, I'd likely go for the newer one. The minifigs and brick-built toys are of better quality in the newer offering in my opinion. 

Brickchap

I have both. The main draw to the 2015 one is the printed TOY SHOP sign. It looks great. Having both is probably the best option since they both have great toys. The tree is basically the same. I much prefer the original minifigures, especially the original toy maker.

I converted my original Toy Store into a butchery (need to get that Christmas ham and turkey somewhere!) which I'm happy with. One thing I would mention is that the original has two grey technic pieces forming architectural details on the roof, while in the 2015 version its the same pieces but in dark green.

The dark green looks like bunting but personally I prefer the dark grey, works well for the architecture.

If you want advice on which specific one to get, I'd probably say the original, and just try and buy the printed TOY SHOP sign off Bricklink. On the other hand, the 2015 one is more recent so likely easier and cheaper to get. If cost is a concern then maybe the 2015 one because you don't 'need' the original per say.

I was never sure why Lego rereleased the Toy Store as almost an exact copy and now we have yet another toy store. The new toy store isn't bad (architectually it's pretty good) but I would have much preferred a larger music store and/or a completely different business like a sweet shop, cafe, tea room, bank branch, general store etc. etc.

Russell844

If I remember correctly, Jamie Berard said they wanted to reintroduce the original set to a whole new generation of builders who has missed it the first time.

Lo1sJess

@Brickchap thanks - they seem to cost close to the same at least on eBay and bricklink.  Need to see if I can swing another WV vintage set this year with other holiday purchases.  Agree with you on needing a sweets shop and butcher - would have thought these would have come up before a 3rd toy store.

Lo1sJess

@Switchfoot55 @WesterBricks thanks seems can’t go too wrong with either version just need to see if in budget after getting both the train station and market sets via eBay and purchasing the current WV set this year. I am just hoping to actually get a village of some sort built and out this year.  But as Switchfoot has been broadcasting there are only 55 days left - I feel so late!

Brickchap

@Russell844 Yes you are correct. Not attacking Jamie here but what a lot of nonsense. If that was the case then why not rerelease Cafe Corner or Green Grocer already? Or Emerald Night, Imperial Flagship? etc. etc. I would have also thought a bakery or post office would be in line for rereleases by now if that were the case.

I was actually going to suggest a telegraph office in my above list of suggestions although we already had a post office and train station.

Personally I don't mind rereleases too much but in the case of the 2015 one it wasn't that long after the original and it did take away from a new idea.

@Lo1sJess Good luck with your village! I highly recommend getting the Winter Village Cottage (2012), an excellent set that really captures the Christmas spirit! (and much better than the silly modern one).

Since you have the train station I recommend using the tram in this year's set as a rail car. That's what I'll do because otherwise I have empty tracks and it frees up space on my already cluttered street. Have you got the bakery and/or post office? Highly recommend those as well.

Fire Station can make a good centrepiece (like a town hall) and if you want a fantasy element, Santa's Workshop is pretty good too as the building itself looks fine next to the other village buildings. I just say the Santa, Mrs Claus and elfs are all volunteers dressed up for charity.

Lo1sJess

@Brickchap I also have Santa’s workshop, the latest holiday train, gingerbread house, elf house and Santa’s visit.  I recall the bakery coming out and foolishly thinking, as I  help and some picturdid also at first with the gingerbread house, that I could find the time and skill to MOC a bakery.  I have a fairly large inventory of Lego so I plan, not likely for this year, to look at inventories and see how many parts I already have for the bakery, first cottage and post office so I can determine if more affordable to bricklink missing parts or buy the sets as those 3 frequently exceed $300.00 used.  Not sure how I’ll mix all together but in my unconstrained by time and money mind I see a two level type set-up with the the North Pole, fairytale land being higher up.  Also not happening this year but I am determined that there will be something of a village by Christmas.

While I haven’t revisited the Winter Village thread in recent months (but will it’s great for ideas) and it is the best thread for discussions, help and a fair amount of pictures, there didn’t seem to be a larger number of members layouts shown or maybe there was but spread out.  @Switchfoot55 what do you think about having a thread focused on just everyone showing pics of their layouts?

Marshallmario

    I like the idea of a two level WV setup also. The actual village down below and then up in the hills the fantasy sets : Santa, Elves, Gingerbread people.

Switchfoot55

@Lo1sJess, certainly another thread may be warranted. I started my Winter Village thread several years ago and it's morphed (much to my delight) into the general "Winter Village" thread. Although photos can get more spread out, they do tend to come in waves each year as people bring out their villages. 

It's just a fun way for me to track the development of my own village and see how it's changed over the years!

Cymbeline

Winter Village fever seems to be spreading quickly. I've just finished adding two studs worth of depth to #10308. It doesn't sound like much of an addition but it allowed me to change some of the layout inside. I'm now working on #80109 to modify it into a Christmas skating scene. 

Switchfoot55

@Cymbeline, I'd be extremely interested in seeing your additions if you won't mind adding some photos to the Winter Village thread? I wanted to do the same to mine and have a general idea, but always love to see how others approach a problem. 

Lo1sJess

@Switchfoot55 love the original thread and revisit it often.  Just was thinking a concentrated burst of pics would be something fun too.  An add definitely not to take away from the main thread.

Cymbeline

@Switchfoot55 Disclaimer: photos taken on a 10 year old iPad by an inept photographer






I made the bases of the shops bigger which helped to make them seem more substantial. I changed the child's bed so that the Minifig wouldn't shoot out onto the floor. I'm still waiting for a Pick a Brick order so a few element are in the wrong colours.

Switchfoot55

Thanks for sharing, @Cymbeline! I had planned on just doing 2 studs more as well. I don't think they need a ton to look "larger" than the original design. It's just enough to elevate them to the next level. I'll keep that in mind as I am submitting my next round of parts orders.