#41757
1072 pieces
Ages 12+
$79.99

Design ****
Build ****
Cost ****
Playability ***

The large glass dome encapsulating the tree, and mostly symmetric design caught my eye immediately. The white exterior, high center dome, and reflecting pond are reminiscent of the Classical Architecture of the US Capitol building. The colorful flowers, plants and critters really pop when juxtaposed against the white exterior of the building. This set scores high marks for Design and Build because of its sleek appearance and creative build techniques, especially for some of the plants. My favorite details include using “frog” pieces as flower bulbs, and all the placards with corresponding images of the flowers to inform the patrons. I gave 3 points, an average rating for Playability because this playset features no additional builds, competing narratives, or actionable elements. The picnic lunch featuring a croissant and other goodies extend the narrative for the visiting minifigures but offer little in terms of Play.