koppola
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koppola's Stats
koppola's Stats
- 4.3Average Rating
- 875Helpfulness Votes
- 0Featured Reviews
- 25Review Count
- May 8, 2016First Review
- April 19, 2019Last Review
Posted:July 31, 2018
koppola
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Intermediate LEGO builder
Overall:
5
/
5
great addition to the castle
" this set is a great addition for the new wave of H.P. sets coming out, especially is you have the castle to attach it to.
the car is pretty cool, and it can actually hold both minifigs (not side by side though) and the trunk can open and holds two suitcases.
the whomping willow can hold the car and spin it until the car goes flying (comes with a couple huge stickers, but they're not too bad to attach).
though the set is named after the whomping willow, the castle build is what i was truly aiming for to add it to the larger hogwarts castle.
snapes office is pretty cool but i turned it to dumbledore's office instead (dumbledore needed more space). even added a pedestal to hold his memory plate from the collectible minifigures series and a clip to hold tom riddle's book that came with dobby.
the potions lab is pretty fun to play in though my 6 year old wanted desks, so i threw some together from my other pieces and they just sit on the table near the classroom. also added a clip on the wall to hold mad eye moody's potion from the collectible minis.
i love that the car can drive through the entry gate, and i can't wait to see if the carriage from the upcoming grindlewald's escape can fit also.
slightly remodled the owlery so it can fit both the owls now (harry's and cho's)
the dormitory is pretty basic, just a couple of beds.
the whomping willow can hold the car and spin it until the car goes flying (comes with a couple huge stickers, but they're not too bad to attach).
though the set is named after the whomping willow, the castle build is what i was truly aiming for to add it to the larger hogwarts castle.
snapes office is pretty cool but i turned it to dumbledore's office instead (dumbledore needed more space). even added a pedestal to hold his memory plate from the collectible minifigures series and a clip to hold tom riddle's book that came with dobby.
the potions lab is pretty fun to play in though my 6 year old wanted desks, so i threw some together from my other pieces and they just sit on the table near the classroom. also added a clip on the wall to hold mad eye moody's potion from the collectible minis.
i love that the car can drive through the entry gate, and i can't wait to see if the carriage from the upcoming grindlewald's escape can fit also.
slightly remodled the owlery so it can fit both the owls now (harry's and cho's)
the dormitory is pretty basic, just a couple of beds.
i'm hoping more expansion sets like this are in the works; or will be soon. maybe the next expansion can include settings such as the defence against dark arts classroom and a greenhouse so i have someplace to put my mandrakes which are also from the collectible minis series.
all i can say in final is if you get the castle, get this set too. it's well worth it to expand your school.
"
I would recommend this to a friend!
From: murfreesboro
From:
United States
State:
Tennessee
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Intermediate LEGO builder
Play Experience (Optional):
5
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
5
/
5
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
+54points
56of 58found this review helpful.
Arctic Mobile Exploration Base
Arctic Mobile Exploration Base
Posted:July 22, 2018
koppola
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Intermediate LEGO builder
Overall:
2
/
5
a bit extreme in size
" i'm really thinking there needs to be a size and price cap on city sets. around $100 in price with a comparable parts count. this is a set where the mammoth is the prize. that's what most people look at this set and want. the designer could've easily removed the circular saw and cargo sleds from this set, added a couple more hand saws, and probably been close to the $100 mark. a perfect parts count and price range for a growing lego collection for two boys (3 counting me) in a average sized house. i understand this is a business, but i'd gladly bought two of these sets for two mammoths at a better set size and price.
the front two units are pretty cool and make for some fun play (even acting as a sandcrawler for some jawas), and the mammoth has been used with ninjago, as a bantha for some tusken raiders, and as cavemen and t-rex food.
the rear two units (the saw and cargo rig) were built and destroyed within two days.
the ice cave is pretty cool. I think it'll be one of those side builds that finds it's way to the lego shelf for quick access for play time.
so in closing; some of this set feels like a waste but if 'ya want a mammoth it's about the only way. and, please, designers and decision makers, try to set a max goal of $100 worth of build for large city sets. preferably less for sets with much desired pre-formed animals so multiples can be bought. "
the front two units are pretty cool and make for some fun play (even acting as a sandcrawler for some jawas), and the mammoth has been used with ninjago, as a bantha for some tusken raiders, and as cavemen and t-rex food.
the rear two units (the saw and cargo rig) were built and destroyed within two days.
the ice cave is pretty cool. I think it'll be one of those side builds that finds it's way to the lego shelf for quick access for play time.
so in closing; some of this set feels like a waste but if 'ya want a mammoth it's about the only way. and, please, designers and decision makers, try to set a max goal of $100 worth of build for large city sets. preferably less for sets with much desired pre-formed animals so multiples can be bought. "
From: murfreesboro
From:
United States
State:
Tennessee
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Intermediate LEGO builder
Play Experience (Optional):
2
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
3
/
5
Share:
+28points
73of 118found this review helpful.
Jurassic Park Velociraptor Chase
Jurassic Park Velociraptor Chase
Posted:June 17, 2018
koppola
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Intermediate LEGO builder
Overall:
5
/
5
better late than never...need more please.
" keeping it short...this set is a nostalgic blast! I haven't bought any of the Jurassic World sets because I don't have any emotional connection to them; the new movies will never stand up to the original and the original is what I grew up with and what my 6 year old is growing up with.
Really hoping this isn't a one and only Jurassic Park set and that there are plans to release more sets from the original along with all the main characters: Hammond, Malcolm, Nedry, Arnold, and Muldoon. A younger Wu would be cool and I guess we could use the Lawyer who got ate on the outhouse...that would be a fun build.
This is a great display set, and with a little expansion is a great play set for some kids. "
Really hoping this isn't a one and only Jurassic Park set and that there are plans to release more sets from the original along with all the main characters: Hammond, Malcolm, Nedry, Arnold, and Muldoon. A younger Wu would be cool and I guess we could use the Lawyer who got ate on the outhouse...that would be a fun build.
This is a great display set, and with a little expansion is a great play set for some kids. "
I would recommend this to a friend!
From: murfreesboro
From:
United States
State:
Tennessee
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Intermediate LEGO builder
Purchased For:
Self
Play Experience (Optional):
4
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
5
/
5
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
+2points
2of 2found this review helpful.
Mighty Micros: Iron Man vs. Thanos
Mighty Micros: Iron Man vs. Thanos
Posted:June 17, 2018
koppola
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Intermediate LEGO builder
Overall:
4
/
5
our first mighty micro
" got this set for my 6 year old so he could have a small lego set to take on vacation without taking the more elite of minifigures from higher dollar sets. it's a fun little set. my boy wanted it most because he gave him the ability to have tony stark with hair (can't be iron man all the time). the thanos is a good enemy since infinity war just released.
he added a normal body from our yellow faces collection to put tony's head on (so now we got iron man and tony seperate) which makes me think that making a marvel collectible minifigure collection of all the super heroes in civilian garb would be cool. instead of iron man, spiderman, and black panther...you have tony stark, peter parker, and king t'challa (every body enjoyed getting bruce banner instead of hulk :) )
"
I would recommend this to a friend!
From: murfreesboro
From:
United States
State:
Tennessee
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Intermediate LEGO builder
Purchased For:
Son
Play Experience (Optional):
4
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
4
/
5
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
+1point
1of 1found this review helpful.
People Pack - Outdoor Adventures
People Pack - Outdoor Adventures
Posted:June 7, 2018
koppola
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Intermediate LEGO builder
Overall:
5
/
5
the great outdoors
" I've never purchased a people pack before since the beach and city park aren't my family's scene. Now an outdoor adventures theme...I'm sold.
The highlights of this set are the tent, trail bike, and of course the bald eagle.
The tent can hold two minifigures and a few accessories between them. It's actually my first tent of any kind Lego and it's actually pretty cool.
The trail bike is a blast and I'm hoping for some more color options in the very near future.
The bald eagle is very nicely designed and colored. Having it's wings in soaring position is great and very much appreciated! I do so tire of birds being in a perched position...where's the fun in that? (ie: Harry Potter's owl, the baby dragon, and the parrots line)
All the minifigures are great as well.
The tent can hold two minifigures and a few accessories between them. It's actually my first tent of any kind Lego and it's actually pretty cool.
The trail bike is a blast and I'm hoping for some more color options in the very near future.
The bald eagle is very nicely designed and colored. Having it's wings in soaring position is great and very much appreciated! I do so tire of birds being in a perched position...where's the fun in that? (ie: Harry Potter's owl, the baby dragon, and the parrots line)
All the minifigures are great as well.
I've gathered what appropriate Lego animals we have to join in the play (cougar, black and brown bears, and two skunks), as well as a few other minifigs and two dogs that we have. I've so far tossed the two skunks and the cougar in the tent with a minifigure to my 6 year olds laughter.
Hoping we get another people pack to compliment this theme.
Hoping we get another people pack to compliment this theme.
oh, two gripe...very small ones...first: a printed piece for the iso-butane fuel tank would've been great. just a little flamable symbol or something like that. maybe next time? second: I've never seen a tent with a black floor; a dark or light gray would've been better.
"
I would recommend this to a friend!
From: murfreesboro
From:
United States
State:
Tennessee
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Intermediate LEGO builder
Purchased For:
Son
Play Experience (Optional):
5
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
5
/
5
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
+49points
52of 55found this review helpful.
High-speed Chase
High-speed Chase
Posted:April 26, 2018
koppola
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Intermediate LEGO builder
Overall:
5
/
5
My (and my children's) Favorite Helicopter
" We'd actually gotten this set some months back, finally getting around to submitting a review.
I'll try to focus on the good first then the bad.
Good: The helicopter is a great design, great size for a child's hand (and doesn't take up too much space on a shelf), and just really easy to play with. I made a few small design tweaks here and there on the inside, though I can't remember what exactly they were now. The stickers are/were definitely a challenge, but with a lot of patience you will succeed. I let my 6 year old assemble this heli, but I placed the stickers on it.
The set comes with two vehicles also, which are actually pretty decent and add quite a bit of fun.
Bad: I usually determine how bad a set is by how much i have to change or want to change something. and this set the desire to change anything just wasn't there. just modified the cockpit area a little bit.
So having said that, this is a great set in my eyes and my son loves it and after about 6-8 months all three vehicles are still assembled. "
I'll try to focus on the good first then the bad.
Good: The helicopter is a great design, great size for a child's hand (and doesn't take up too much space on a shelf), and just really easy to play with. I made a few small design tweaks here and there on the inside, though I can't remember what exactly they were now. The stickers are/were definitely a challenge, but with a lot of patience you will succeed. I let my 6 year old assemble this heli, but I placed the stickers on it.
The set comes with two vehicles also, which are actually pretty decent and add quite a bit of fun.
Bad: I usually determine how bad a set is by how much i have to change or want to change something. and this set the desire to change anything just wasn't there. just modified the cockpit area a little bit.
So having said that, this is a great set in my eyes and my son loves it and after about 6-8 months all three vehicles are still assembled. "
I would recommend this to a friend!
From: murfreesboro
From:
United States
State:
Tennessee
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Intermediate LEGO builder
Purchased For:
Son
Play Experience (Optional):
5
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
5
/
5
Level of Difficulty:
Easy
Very Easy
Very Challenging
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
+2points
2of 2found this review helpful.
Mountain Police Headquarters
Mountain Police Headquarters
Posted:January 3, 2018
koppola
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Intermediate LEGO builder
Overall:
5
/
5
did it all for...a mountain lion
" yeah, as the title states, I got this set for another big cat to add to my collection. the mountain lion is yet another good looking big cat and i'm glad i have it (though the tiger from jungle air drop is still the best looking). as I look at moutain lion, I wonder if my wife is crafty enough to get some dark brown fuzzy fabric and sew a lion's mane to pull over it's neck to make it look like a African lion??? maybe a light adhesive? guess i'll ask after i'm done here.
as for the builds: the police station is our first ever police station, and since we're out-doors people it works great for our style of play (eh, only gripe i'll make is that i wish it was aimed more as a ranger station, less police station). the upper office and balcony is really kind of a cool play area and great for watching for forest fires and gets the most of our play time.
the police truck is a really cool vehicle, though i wish it was a full 6 stud wide build (it's on my "to do" list). the helicopters are interesting builds and a great size for a child to swoop around, but they don't get much play time right now (we have the heli from the high speed chase set which is way better looking to hunt down bad guys)
there's a lot to say good about this large set, so really to keep it short all i can say is if you have children (or a love of large cats) get this set. you and your children won't regret it!
the police truck is a really cool vehicle, though i wish it was a full 6 stud wide build (it's on my "to do" list). the helicopters are interesting builds and a great size for a child to swoop around, but they don't get much play time right now (we have the heli from the high speed chase set which is way better looking to hunt down bad guys)
there's a lot to say good about this large set, so really to keep it short all i can say is if you have children (or a love of large cats) get this set. you and your children won't regret it!
p.s. hoping for a siberian tiger to be added to the big cats one day. um...please?
"
I would recommend this to a friend!
From: murfreesboro
From:
United States
State:
Tennessee
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Intermediate LEGO builder
Play Experience (Optional):
4
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
4
/
5
Level of Difficulty:
Average
Very Easy
Very Challenging
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
+26points
34of 42found this review helpful.
Mountain Arrest
Mountain Arrest
Posted:December 2, 2017
koppola
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Intermediate LEGO builder
Overall:
4
/
5
did it all for a black bear...
" I've never known a police department to operate a sea knight styled helicopter before. It's extreme financial overkill to the police budget (and mine). The build looks good, but is also a bit large for my kid to operate with ease while shooting the net shooter. A single rotor heli would've been a better choice so he can just hold the tail and shoot the net shooter with his free hand; I will be down grading to a smaller size some day when I find a design to mimic. The inside of the heli is mostly unusable unless you just lay the minifigures inside.
The hide-out is pretty cool on the outside, but the inside is sparse. The parts budget spent on the larger heli would've been better spent on making the hide-out more substantial on the inside in my opinion.
The bear torn minifigure torso has been moved to my prehistoric cavies collection and makes a great hunter. The bear paw boxers has not been moved to my prehistoric cavies collection.
The bear is awesome!!! Though I wish Lego would make an attachment for the bear to hook up to tow carts like a horse, or for a horse saddle to slide into place on them so minifigures can ride them, or just something more interactive to bring more play options into the day. Same goes for the big cats released this year.
The price is to be expected for a set with all new parts. So I'd wait on a sale and try to find it for $10 less which I think would be more fair.
Can't wait for the mountain police station and the mountain lion that comes with it! "
The hide-out is pretty cool on the outside, but the inside is sparse. The parts budget spent on the larger heli would've been better spent on making the hide-out more substantial on the inside in my opinion.
The bear torn minifigure torso has been moved to my prehistoric cavies collection and makes a great hunter. The bear paw boxers has not been moved to my prehistoric cavies collection.
The bear is awesome!!! Though I wish Lego would make an attachment for the bear to hook up to tow carts like a horse, or for a horse saddle to slide into place on them so minifigures can ride them, or just something more interactive to bring more play options into the day. Same goes for the big cats released this year.
The price is to be expected for a set with all new parts. So I'd wait on a sale and try to find it for $10 less which I think would be more fair.
Can't wait for the mountain police station and the mountain lion that comes with it! "
I would recommend this to a friend!
From: murfreesboro
From:
United States
State:
Tennessee
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Intermediate LEGO builder
Play Experience (Optional):
4
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
3
/
5
Level of Difficulty:
Easy
Very Easy
Very Challenging
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
+19points
26of 33found this review helpful.
Posted:October 7, 2017
koppola
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Intermediate LEGO builder
Overall:
5
/
5
My first UCS and it's awesome
" Got it on Saturday, started building it Sunday, finished Thursday (gotta have family time 'ya know). Very fun build.
As with all my builds after I'm done I seek ways to make it better. To me the exterior is perfect. Very detailed all around. The interior is a different story; but in a good way. Two of the Four interior sections are completed; which means there's two open sections for someone to get creative with if they so desire.
The front starboard bay I've already added a gear system (and a full floor) to remote operate the lower drop blaster turret. When the bottom hatch is slid open and the blaster drops, the gear attached on top falls into the gear below it, giving you control from the top of the falcon to operate the turret. Will post pictures of this.
The rear starboard bay I'm wanting to turn into a cargo hold.
As my title says, this is my first UCS and unless there's a UCS AT-AT and/or a UCS AT-TE it'll probably be my only UCS. Just not enough room in my house to display such large models. Oh, a UCS Ghost would also be a definite purchase.
Thank You Lego for releasing this monster. It's awesome. "
As with all my builds after I'm done I seek ways to make it better. To me the exterior is perfect. Very detailed all around. The interior is a different story; but in a good way. Two of the Four interior sections are completed; which means there's two open sections for someone to get creative with if they so desire.
The front starboard bay I've already added a gear system (and a full floor) to remote operate the lower drop blaster turret. When the bottom hatch is slid open and the blaster drops, the gear attached on top falls into the gear below it, giving you control from the top of the falcon to operate the turret. Will post pictures of this.
The rear starboard bay I'm wanting to turn into a cargo hold.
As my title says, this is my first UCS and unless there's a UCS AT-AT and/or a UCS AT-TE it'll probably be my only UCS. Just not enough room in my house to display such large models. Oh, a UCS Ghost would also be a definite purchase.
Thank You Lego for releasing this monster. It's awesome. "
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
I would recommend this to a friend!
From: murfreesboro
From:
United States
State:
Tennessee
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Intermediate LEGO builder
Purchased For:
Self
Play Experience (Optional):
5
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
5
/
5
Level of Difficulty:
Very Challenging
Very Easy
Very Challenging
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
+75points
326of 577found this review helpful.
Posted:September 20, 2017
koppola
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Intermediate LEGO builder
Overall:
2
/
5
um...i don't get it
" Hello, Lego. Just got this set today and immediately started playing with it with my 5.8 year old. He likes it. He's still building letters. Some of the kit I can't make heads or tails of how to use it though; neither can my wife who is a preschool teacher.
The math with bricks...I get it.
The alphabet with bricks...I get it.
The alphabet with bricks...I get it.
The large card with columns and rows on it like it's a score card...I Do Not get it.
The smaller cards with various pictures on both sides of them (ie: caterpillar, bed, tree...)...I Do Not get it.
The stickers...I Do Not get it. Is he supposed to put them on the caterpillar card?
The smaller cards with various pictures on both sides of them (ie: caterpillar, bed, tree...)...I Do Not get it.
The stickers...I Do Not get it. Is he supposed to put them on the caterpillar card?
It's rated for ages 6+, yet a 40 and 37 year old can't figure it out for the 6 year old.
"
From: murfreesboro
From:
United States
State:
Tennessee
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Intermediate LEGO builder
Play Experience (Optional):
2
/
5
Share:
+4points
4of 4found this review helpful.