'Stranger Things' Fans Lined Up For Hours To Scoop Up LEGO's Pricey New 'Upside Down' Set
Do you love the Netflix series Stranger Things?
Do you wish you could enjoy it in interlocking brick form?
If so, Netflix and LEGO have good news for you.
LEGO announced a new set based on the adventures of the kids from Hawkins, Indiana. While past LEGO collaborations with well known properties are easy to imagine, such as Batman and Star Wars, you would think Stranger Things would be a weird show to adapt.
However, it seems like people were more than willing to wait outside the LEGO Store to buy the set.
Looking forward to seeing a few of you tonight at the Midnight Opening Event at the @LEGO_Group Store Leicester Squ… https://t.co/TNd5CI0Pfb— Justin Ramsden (@Justin Ramsden)1557835174.0
Oh! https://t.co/tLoyWausUP— Adam Sunman (@Adam Sunman)1557903845.0
Strange Things happening from midnight tonight at the Lego Store, London #lego #Netflix #StrangerThings https://t.co/BPrpZ9HP1X— Julian Nelson (@Julian Nelson)1557905862.0
The doors are open! #LEGO #StrangerThings #LEGOLeicesterSquare https://t.co/FfDWL6lTXM— Brickset (@Brickset)1557876878.0
Fans were waiting outside the LEGO Store in Leicester Square for hours. They began lining up Tuesday morning for the release of the set Wednesday night.
The new set wasn't well publicized before the release.
Teaser images posted to the Netflix Instagram gave a clue, but it took until this week for people to be sure this would be a Stranger Things set.
Philip Thorne, a fan who waited more than nine hours, said:
"The joy of Lego is so exciting, my kids are so excited."
Tasha, a fan from London, said:
"I love Lego and I love Stranger Things. This is a merging of two worlds that I love."
All this excited energy can get you pumped!
Who else wants a set?
@LEGO_Group @NXOnNetflix https://t.co/qfna1jBV6P— Michael East (@Michael East)1557875286.0
@HeartLondonNews Okay Google... find me time-traveling flights to London.— Brickstar Studios (@Brickstar Studios)1557954833.0
@tomboabs @verge Of course! 😀 I am very, very tempted. But it's quite expensive for the size. Paying for the brandi… https://t.co/hUeBpp8mxY— G X Todd (@G X Todd)1557925907.0
Slow your roll before you get too excited. The new LEGO set may come with more than 2200 pieces, but it also comes with a hefty price tag.
The set was going for $200 online for LEGO VIPS. That's a lot of money to drop on the plastic bricks.
But it could be argued that what you get for that price is very worth it. The set is one of the more interesting designs LEGO has released in recent years.
The bricks form into a mirrored form of the house of Joyce Meyers. The normal looking house sits on top of the 'upside down' version of the same residence, supported by trees.
The main characters from the show are included, but what else is in there?
Its true: there’s a @LEGO_Group #StrangerThings set. Lego Eleven and Dustin look particularly good, and the house… https://t.co/0QbGdoQJ9P— Ali Plumb (@Ali Plumb)1557904104.0
Stranger Things LEGO hi-res images! 😲 what does everyone think? https://t.co/W86DaBUqN1— Bob's Vintage Bricks (@Bob's Vintage Bricks)1557749270.0
@SchmittJ67 @verge https://t.co/RKNFXYgi1V— bluff (@bluff)1557918768.0
You've got well known details such as the light up board that Will uses to communicate with his mother while trapped in the upside down. Sheriff Hopper and his cruiser can try to keep everyone safe, while the kids are chased by the evil Demogorgon.
LEGO VIP members could order the set yesterday, but it will also be available for retail on June 1.
Makes you wonder if it was really worth waiting hours outside the store, if they could have just waited a few weeks.
LEGO Introduces New Bricks To Help Visually Impaired Children Learn Braille, And They're Already A Hit
LEGO is making strides towards educational and not just imagination-driven toys.
LEGO started in August of 1932 in Billund, Denmark. The original name was "leg godt" which translates to "play well."
According to their website, it is what LEGO strives for in name and mission.
Once again LEGO is working toward making toys for everyone. Recently they released a video of their newest product: LEGOs that help teach braille.
The video, found below, shows students playing with the blocks. This is a perfect demonstration of how LEGO strives to include everyone in their play sets.
We’re super excited to introduce LEGO Braille Bricks – a new product from @TheLegoFoundation that will help blind a… https://t.co/zqSEWlvoof— LEGO (@LEGO)1556114461.0
The Danish Association of the Blind suggested this to LEGO back in 2011. Brazil-based Dorina Nowill Foundation for the Blind suggested them again in 2017.
LEGO worked on sets with both foundations as well as two British charities and a Norweigan one.
The set will be made up of 250 bricks covering the complete Braille alphabet, numbers from zero to nine, and math symbols.
It will also include:
"inspiration for teaching and interactive games."
The Braille Bricks are currently undergoing testing in Portuguese, Danish, English and Norwegian schools with plans for testing of French, Spanish and German versions later in the year.
Treasurer of the European Blind Union, Philippe Chazal, said:
"With thousands of audiobooks and computer programs now available, fewer kids are learning to read Braille. This is particularly critical when we know that Braille users often are more independent, have a higher level of education and better employment opportunities."
"We strongly believe Lego Braille Bricks can help boost the level of interest in learning Braille, so we're thrilled that the Lego Foundation is making it possible to further this concept and bring it to children around the world."
The feedback on the video has been largely positive.
@LEGO_Group Best. Toy. On. The. Planet. Period. https://t.co/ts4FSpBkmt— Barb Life (@Barb Life)1556115538.0
@LEGO_Group LEGO and Braille are such a natural match— Jérôme Beaulieu (@Jérôme Beaulieu)1556115441.0
@LEGO_Group You're, strengthening the respect I feel for you as a prime example of a company with every thing you d… https://t.co/6339QjImwO— TimoTweets (@TimoTweets)1556117530.0
@LEGO_Group https://t.co/EzStqeYnjY— Stephano (@Stephano)1556118891.0
@LEGO_Group This is the coolest thing!! Can’t wait to get our hands on them, they’d go great with so many of our… https://t.co/5JbI3IzFpb— DOTS RPG Project (@DOTS RPG Project)1556126835.0
One teacher even shared photos of students learning braille.
This combination seems perfect for all LEGO fans.
@LEGO_Group I am a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments and had a struggling #Braille reader in Kindergarten… https://t.co/VYp8ZurJxQ— Leslie Edmonds (@Leslie Edmonds)1556121015.0
Morten Bond is the senior art director for the Lego Group. Bond is losing his eyesight due to a genetic eye disorder.
He said:
"Experiencing reactions from both students and teachers to Lego Braille Bricks has been hugely inspirational and reminded me that the only limitations I will meet in life are those I create in my mind."
He continued, adding:
"I am moved to see the impact this product has on developing blind and visually impaired children's academic confidence and curiosity already in its infant days."
This is an amazing idea that will allow blind and visually impaired students a more interactive way to learn and give them the independence that they may have missed out on otherwise.
The Kittens Born Under Random Guy's Bed Have Grown Up Over The Summer—And He Documented Every Adorable Step 😻
At first, Zarcilla wasn't sure what to do. So, like any good millennial, he began tweeting every step of his journey.
So... I JUST FOUND A CAT THAT IS NOT MINE AND IT HAS HAD BABIES UNDER MY BED. https://t.co/83ktBHGgT5— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla)1527670414.0
Zarcilla found himself falling for his new kitten companions. His anxiety and depression became easier to manage and he traded in his comic books and single-malt whisky for more responsible purchases (like cat food).
I feel like the veil of the universe is being lifted slightly. Like, I feel high. Is this what it feels like to hav… https://t.co/nWOAmKfrWf— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla)1527681504.0
Cuteness update: I'm dying. https://t.co/fJWUVnlNKh— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla)1527676493.0
Although Zarcilla knew the kittens couldn't be seperated from their mother for six weeks, he began to fear that The Queen (his name for big mama) might be microchipped. Though he had never asked to become a cat dad, Zarcilla didn't know whether he'd be able to give it up if it turned out the cats belonged to someone else:
But my dad instincts have kicked in so hard. F**k. I want this.
Literally re-emerging from underneath the bed. Possibly now as a different person. Reborn as #CatDad. Wiser. Hairy… https://t.co/7lFhpOo44f— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla)1527702580.0
I've been meditating on this wonderful but bizarre situation and I've arrived at a place where I'm ready to accept… https://t.co/eNue5LXExT— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla)1527795524.0
Oow can you fucking not. Please. I really need to get back to work. https://t.co/euORsdvudJ— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla)1528105052.0
Three people Zarcilla knew happened to pass away on the same day after he had found the kittens. Though he was profoundly heartbroken, at least Zarcilla has his cat family there to comfort him:
It seems I'm set to explore the full spectrum of human emotion. I've been pondering the brevity and marvels of life. Which is very easy when you're cradling and looking into the eyes of this fragile floof.
I'm at a friend's wedding. Was just talking and bonding with a guest about our love for our new born children. Show… https://t.co/CJvYgnsNHu— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla)1528556461.0
Here is one GLORIOUS minute of this comatose sausage getting belly rubs. May it induce high pitched squeals and pea… https://t.co/L7eeuSTjri— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla)1529018271.0
Me waking up a 3am and realising it's 3am. https://t.co/Fq5n6izktH— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla)1529116215.0
After caring for the kittens and their mother for a month, Zarcilla announced he'd be keeping all of them whether the Queen was microchipped or not:
Officially gone cray. It's time to admit they've completely changed my life.
Have purchased myself a muzzle to protect the kittens strawberry flavoured gummy feet from being eaten. My greatest… https://t.co/CBHKTws0Oj— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla)1529361519.0
To hijack a Ralph Waldo Emerson quote; The creation of a thousand smiles is in one kitten. https://t.co/enWXFGiWT4— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla)1529452682.0
Patting this milk-drunk child into a sweet and deep coma. Dream well my future curtain destroyer. https://t.co/FQybC6ZMvn— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla)1530053415.0
Zarcilla took the cats to the veterinarian...
Vets: Thank you for bringing her in. Take a seat we'll be with you shortly-- Sir, are you ok? Me: https://t.co/ALWbJsZe9v— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla)1530543022.0
...and there were no microchips to be found! He could keep the whole litter!
Having finally outgrown their jumper drawer, I've had to resort to extreme measures to fortify my entrance. Just se… https://t.co/YSPlYVsD6Z— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla)1530900317.0
Zarcilla's almost daily updates on the kittens have raised the spirits of so many on social media:
I've never been on the receiving end of so much positivity on social media but it is unique moments like this that reinvigorate my belief in humanity.
Twitter: They're going to scale that pathetic wall you built in minutes. Me: Pffft... yea I think I know how to fo… https://t.co/LTR0EVumrp— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla)1530907234.0
It seems Zarcilla's new family has helped him turn a corner:
Cats are bewildering creatures. Who knew that just a mere picture of a kitten in blep mode was enough to disperse a day or even weeks' worth of anguish in moments.
...
What a weird and wondrous journey this has been. And may it long continue.
True fact: "Cats are the only known mammals capable of producing and emitting beams of light" - Albert Einstein https://t.co/FW3qzJXoUq— Paris Zarcilla (@Paris Zarcilla)1531844671.0
Zarcilla plans to write a children's book about his kitten adventure, because "life's too short not to and I really need to write a happy ending."