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The discount at the store is 50% off the DKK (Danish krone) price. So you can go to the Denmark version of shop.lego.com, cut the price in half, and check against the current USD exchange rate.
For example: the Parisian restaurant is 1300 DKK, or 650 in the store, so that is about $120 instead of $160. (I picked up that one!) Meanwhile, Back to the Future DeLorean is 400 DKK, or 200 in the store, which is about $37 instead of the $35 US retail, so not worth it.
For European and especially Australian residents, I believe everything is a great deal.
Let me know if you want more info on that.
One thing that I have found when explaining the tour to friends since getting back, is that they generally comment "oh it sounds like a business trip, I thought you were going on the rides". In a way it probably is more akin to a business trip, they certainly opened the curtains behind the various business departments at LEGO. Of which all of the team were extremely generous with their time given to us. I left reflecting that they really did show us the inside mechanics of the company, and got an amazing insight into the culture and people at LEGO.
Putting my own passion and love for the product they produce to one side, the company behind the product is just as amazing. I'm certainly going to reflect on how they do things with my own business back home.
If you work in the corporate world, the lessons & insights learnt for me were well worth the price of admission.
Attached is my view from my room, it was a wet start to the morning...
Did you get to walk through the design studio or what ever it is called?
There was some pictures that got released a year or two back and they had a metal slide and heaps of sets and MOCs on display including one that looked like the LOTR Tower of Orthanc (Long before it was released).
Although I know you can't tell specifics it would be interesting to know if you might have had a glimpse (Even if you didn't know it) of future sets :)
I won't ruin future tours by saying what/where we spent our time with the designers, I will say we spent plenty of time with them. They were very open and accessible.
I would imagine that many of you would watch the designer videos will recognise them on the tour.
As to the designers I'd back up everything you said. More than happy to chat about about anything. I particularly enjoyed meeting Olav who designed the new sandcrawler. He seemed genuinely disappointed when I told him I wasn't able to buy it in the employee shop as it wasn't there yet!
Does this sound as something reasonable to ask?
I like the idea of a group photo so I'll be sure to mention that if there is a moment where everyone is together and not rushed.
@bammac, I'm sorry you had to leave early. My son was looking for you afterwards to tell you more thanks. He has been talking a lot about your generosity and had a lot of fun building that set. Thank you!
Re: advice for future tour-goers, I have a couple of lessons learned.
1. The tour itself does not allow for much time to explore and do the rides at Legoland, so plan your flights to allow that either before or after the tour.
2. Danish VAT is about 25%. If you spend more than 300DKK on a purchase (and live outside the EU), you can have that refunded at Billund Airport on your way out. However, you need a special form/verification from the store. The Legoland store has a small sign at customer service that says "tax free shopping." Stop there after you check out and get the paperwork. I do not know whether the employee store has the paperwork or not; if so, that would be even more valuable.
At the Billund Airport, you get your paperwork processed at the desk that says "Customs" on the left side of the terminal. Then you get the actual money back from the bank upstairs in the departure area.
3. Most American credit cards do not have chip and PIN technology. My plain credit card still worked everywhere Lego, including the hotel, the employee shop, and the Legoland store. However, it did not work at many places in Copenhagen. Either carry enough cash to cover your needs or ask your credit card issuer to send you a more Europe-friendly card.
4. Not only are the prices for sets good at the employee shop, they have cool branded items that you can't get anywhere else. I wish I had gotten more of that kind of stuff. To a PP's question: yes, they do have tshirts in adult sizes that are not available at the park.
That's enough for a maiden post. I hope our new friends will be in touch (like @kennywest, I need some filler for our photo album), and wish all you future tourers a great trip.
For me, this has been a true eye opener ...
@kennywest: The book is already ordered!
For all of you who say you got VIP points: is any of you in the US? I did not get the points. I emailed Lego.com customer service yesterday to ask and was told they are not given for the tour. Maybe it's a US/UK thing? I'd love to get them if I can.
Back to sorting photos . . . .
2014-03-21 Y591378915 21050 Studio V17 149 -
2014-03-18 3001992764 LEGO INSIDE TOUR FEE 1300 -
2014-03-06 Y578473844 LEGO Factory PAB-online LFH101 47 -
They should treat everyone the same way, remember it's supposed to be "only the best is good enough".
I'm also in the list of Tour members who did not get any VIP points, the receipt of the tour is clearly attached to my account... just no VIP points. I would be interested to hear how you get on with that. Thanks to @Goldjono for the showing your account statement, should help with resolving this.
I have managed to steer clear of the sites that leaked the Inside Tour sets, mine is on its way apparently. Can I ask without ruining the surprise if everyone was happy/surprised with the set?
But I guess there is no way to satisfy one's addiction to LEGO :)
I am also reading this thread for quite some time. So it's time to say hello.
First of thanks for all the good advice for the trip. It is very help full.
I am coming the tour on the 17 t/m 20 of june. I take the car so plenty of space to bring some sets home.
I had a problem with the VIP-point but that was large my mistake. C did a very good job in fixing it. I must say that the lady's are very kind and are giving a superb service.
I saw the part list from TLC for the exclusive set and I was able to the find almost all the pieces. So I started building form there. I will not say what i am building but it looks great!
Greets Evert
That is important when you are hauling a major load of LEGO. American Air does not have a partner in that part of Europe requiring you to fly back to London City via BA, somehow manage to switch airports to Heathrow, and then somehow get through security in time for your flight back to the US. Don't even think of trying this route. You will die. Unless you are able to conjure up miracles upon demand.
The other death wish involves flying Ryanair from London Stansted to Billund. I survived this flight over, but it is a major pain in the arse because Stansted is so far from London and requires an overnight airport hotel to make the early flights. I had to fly into Heathrow on the way over because Legoland Windsor was also on my agenda this month. It is possible to combine Windsor and Billund Parks into one trip if necessary.
It sounds as if so far everyone has had a blast on the Inside Tour this year. It is great that TLG offers such a fun trip for the hard core fans. And there is so much to see and do in Billund if you really are into LEGO.
Enjoy Tour #2!
1) Bring up your Brickset "want" list. You know you have one! =)
2) Go to http://shop.lego.com/en-DK (Denmark) and look up each item you want.
3) Divide each price by 10 to roughly convert to dollars $.
4) Compare to the US store price. If lower, make a note to pick it up!
The "divide by 10" rule of thumb includes: current exchange rate, employee discount, and even a bit left over for credit card foreign transaction fees (usually around 3%). For example, #10243 Parisian Restaurant is 1299 kr, or around $130. This is $30 less than the US price of $160, so it is a good deal.
Some themes are about the same price or actually more expensive, e.g. Friends and DUPLO, so check prices carefully. Also note that the prices are close enough that sales at Walmart or Amazon, or even using VIP points at home, may be better.
But it is hard to resist the allure of "Buying a Big Box of Bricks from Billund." =) Enjoy!
Please tell Regina, Sanne and Camilla we said "Hi" and send our warmest regards ...
Advice for the employee shop: there were many hard-to-find in USA polybags there. Keep your eyes open for that. Also, the clearance area had some good stuff in it. Also, the battle packs (except Star Wars...so I'm talking about Castle, P of the C, etc) seemed to be ridiculously good in terms of price.
Advice for Billund: Buy the Lego House set. Many local retailers stock it...if you're a non-EU citizen, buy at a shop that supports VAT refund (and buy at least three so you hit 300 DKK minimum for VAT refund).
Advice for Legoland: GoFigure shop (in Western area) has (at least had when I was there) sealed cases of Series 10, Series 11, Lego Movie, and Simpsons CMF. All are 1000 DKK each and VAT refund is supported (just take your receipts to the VAT refund counter in the main Legoland Lego shop to get the paperwork). For US citizens, I think that is a great deal for Simpsons minifigs.
And the exclusive set was amazing. I just sat there in awe. Enjoy it! I am VERY tempted to build it....
CK
from Hong Kong