"We were pleasantly surprised to find many more animals in this years advent calendar. Yet disappointed all animals we have from other sets so it's excitement factor was lost!
On top of that lego is still very much lacking in the building department of the friends advent calendar. My 8 year olds words were "it would be perfect if they took the animals from the friends and the building from city to make one super calendar" and I agree. Most days hers hasn't had much building at all just a couple pieces. Some days just animals and no building when on the same day in the city calendar her brother gets an interesting build which bring a lot of disappointment.
Pros More animals
Cons Too simple builds Some days are one piece No NEW animals Still NO Santa
Overall we still love the idea of the calendar but hope to next year open an advent calendar with builds everyday that are interesting. The value is still not there when we open days with only one piece in it, animal or not."