There have been multiple iterations of Willy Wonka over the years, but my overall favorite is still the original. Gene Wilder was able to capture the perfect mix of madness and magic in a way that no one else really ever could. The 1971 film is an absolute classic that holds a special place in the hearts of many, but now it’s also something that can hold a special place on your shelf. LEGO released its first ever Willy Wonka set back in September, and Target currently has it on sale right before Christmas.
It’s pretty rare for a brand new LEGO set to get a discount so soon after release, but this is actually the second deal we’ve seen on Wonka so far. During Target’s Black Friday sale this year, the LEGO Ideas Willy Wonka set dropped down to only $153.99 (30% off). This deal isn’t quite as good as that one, but it’s still surprisingly good for a clearly popular set. It’s currently on backorder at the LEGO Store, so Target is really the only place you can even get it before Christmas and definitely the only place you’ll find this discount.
Is the LEGO Willy Wonka Set Worth Buying?
LEGO sets are expensive, and this particular build is well over the $150 mark even with the current discount. I myself can’t speak to how fun the build actually is, but thankfully my colleague Blythe Dujardin had the chance to build this herself when it first came out. As an avid fan of the original film, she loved the little details you find as you go, stating: “you essentially become an eccentric decorator, building mushroom flowers, gumdrop bushes, and candy cane trees to fill your gardens. Even the smallest of these decorations is a pointed reference to the original movie, including the teacups you delicately place inside some of your flowers.”
As for what you get with the set, it’s quite a bit. The actual build is made up of 2025 pieces and includes a whopping nine minifigures. Two of those minifigures are Oompa Loompas, of course, but they are perhaps the most delightful of them all.
Like many sets in the LEGO Ideas line, the Willy Wonka set is specifically made for the 18+ crowd of adult builders. That means it’s big and meant to be displayed rather than be actively played with. If you know someone who’s a hardcore Willy Wonka fan, this is definitely a LEGO gift I’d recommend grabbing ahead of Christmas while the discount lasts.
