LEGO Disney Castle 43222 vs 71040: Gold vs Blue - Which to Buy? (2025)
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The LEGO Disney Castle is one of the most magical sets ever created - a 4,000+ piece recreation of Cinderella Castle that captures the wonder of Disney Parks. But LEGO released two versions, and now both are retired. Which one should you track down?
The 2016 original (71040) spent six years delighting builders with its classic blue and white color scheme. Then in 2023, LEGO reimagined it as set 43222-1 with a gold-accented design matching Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary makeover. I've analyzed both sets to help you decide which castle belongs in your collection.
Celebrate 100 years of Disney with this detailed 4,837-piece set, featuring 8 minifigures and iconic movie references.
Key Differences at a Glance
- More Pieces: 43222 has 4,837 pieces vs 71040's 4,080 pieces (+757)
- Larger Size: 43222 is 6cm taller, 11cm wider, and 2cm deeper
- More Minifigures: 43222 includes 8 vs 71040's 5
- Color Scheme: 43222 features gold/pink/light blue; 71040 is classic blue/tan/white
- Base Design: 43222 has grassy hill with water; 71040 has grey base with water
- Special Features: 43222 adds fireworks on top and an extra tower
- Status: Both retired - secondary market only
Detailed Comparison Table
| Feature | 43222 Disney Castle (2023-1) | 71040 Disney Castle (2016-1) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Price | $399.99 | $349.99 | 71040 ✓ |
| Piece Count | 4,837 pieces | 4,080 pieces | 43222 ✓ |
| Price Per Piece | $0.083 | $0.086 | 43222 ✓ |
| Height | 80cm (31.5") | 74cm (29.1") | 43222 ✓ |
| Width | 59cm (23.2") | 48cm (18.9") | 43222 ✓ |
| Depth | 33cm (13") | 31cm (12.2") | 43222 ✓ |
| Minifigures | 8 (Princess theme) | 5 (Mickey & Friends) | 43222 ✓ |
| Age Rating | 18+ | 16+ | Tie |
| Years Available | 15 months | 6 years | 71040 ✓ |
| Current Status | Retired (Sep 2024) | Retired (Dec 2022) | - |
| Secondary Market (New) | ~$340 | ~$350 | 43222 ✓ |
| Secondary Market (Used) | ~$230 | ~$220 | 71040 ✓ |
| Overall Winner | - | 43222 | |
Build Experience: Both Castles Compared
LEGO Disney Castle 43222 (2023) - The Grand Reimagining
4,837 pieces celebrating Disney's 100th anniversary with gold accents and princess minifigures
The 2023 Disney Castle represents LEGO's refined vision of Cinderella Castle. Released for Disney's 100th anniversary, it features the updated gold, pink, and light blue color scheme that matches Walt Disney World's real castle since 2021. The build includes an additional tower on the right side and dramatic brick-built fireworks bursting from the spires.
Build highlights:
- Detailed grassy hill base with water elements
- Eight Disney Princess and Prince minifigures
- Brick-built fireworks display on castle spires
- Extra tower compared to the original design
- Interior rooms with Easter eggs from Disney films
- Gold ornamentation and updated architectural details
LEGO Disney Castle 71040 (2016) - The Original Classic
4,080 pieces of the original blue-and-white Cinderella Castle with Mickey and Friends
The original Disney Castle captured hearts for six years with its classic blue, tan, and white color scheme - the look that defined Cinderella Castle for generations. While smaller than its successor, it established the template for premium LEGO Disney sets and remains beloved by collectors who prefer the traditional aesthetic.
Build highlights:
- Classic blue and tan color scheme
- Five iconic Disney characters: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Tinker Bell
- Grey base with decorative water elements
- Multiple interior scenes and references
- Flying Carpet, Magic Mirror, and spindle Easter eggs
- Established design that influenced the 2023 remake
Color Scheme: Old vs New
The most striking difference between these castles is their color palette:
| Element | 43222 (2023) | 71040 (2016) |
|---|---|---|
| Main Walls | Lighter nougat/cream | Tan/sand |
| Roof Spires | Light blue with gold tips | Medium blue |
| Accents | Gold ornamentation | White and grey |
| Base | Green grass with water | Grey stone with water |
| Overall Feel | Warm, celebratory, modern | Cool, classic, traditional |
The 2023 color scheme matches the real Walt Disney World castle's 2021 "EARidescent" makeover for the 50th anniversary. If you've visited the parks recently, the 43222 will feel more familiar. If you have nostalgia for the pre-2021 castle, the 71040's classic blue resonates more.
Minifigures: Princesses vs Mickey & Friends
Your minifigure preference may determine which castle you want:
43222 Minifigures (8 total):
- Snow White & Prince Florian
- Cinderella & Prince Charming
- Tiana & Prince Naveen
- Rapunzel & Flynn Rider
Seven of these minifigures were exclusive to this set, making them highly collectible for Disney Princess fans.
71040 Minifigures (5 total):
- Mickey Mouse
- Minnie Mouse
- Donald Duck
- Daisy Duck
- Tinker Bell
These classic characters represent the heart of Disney and are more universally recognizable.
Display Considerations
Both castles are substantial display pieces requiring dedicated space:
| Set | Minimum Space Needed | Display Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 43222 | 60cm × 35cm surface + 80cm height | Wider footprint; fireworks add vertical interest |
| 71040 | 50cm × 32cm surface + 75cm height | More compact; fits more shelf configurations |
The 71040 is easier to display due to its smaller footprint. The 43222 needs more width but makes a bigger visual impact with its additional tower and fireworks.
Investment & Availability
Both Disney Castles are now retired and only available on the secondary market:
- 71040: Retired December 2022 after 6 years. Currently trading around $350 new (at or slightly above original retail). Strong collector demand as the "original."
- 43222: Retired September 2024 after just 15 months. Currently trading around $340 new (slightly below the $400 retail). Limited 100th anniversary significance.
Interestingly, the 43222 can currently be found for less than the 71040 on the secondary market, despite being newer and larger. This may be because it was more widely produced or because some collectors prefer the classic version.
Note: Prices fluctuate. Check BrickLink, eBay, and Amazon third-party sellers for current market rates. Buy from reputable sellers to avoid counterfeits.
Which Should You Buy?
Buy the 43222 Disney Castle (2023) if you want:
- The larger, more detailed build with 757 more pieces
- The updated gold color scheme matching modern Disney Parks
- Disney Princess and Prince minifigures
- Dramatic fireworks and extra tower features
- The most recent and refined version
Buy the 71040 Disney Castle (2016) if you want:
- The classic blue-and-white color scheme
- Mickey, Minnie, and classic Disney characters
- A slightly more compact display footprint
- The "original" collector's version
- Nostalgia for the pre-2021 castle design
The Verdict
Both Disney Castles are exceptional LEGO sets that capture the magic of Cinderella Castle. Your choice comes down to aesthetics and minifigure preferences.
For the objectively better build: The 43222 wins with more pieces, larger size, better price-per-piece, more minifigures, and refined design elements like the fireworks and extra tower.
For classic Disney nostalgia: The 71040 wins with Mickey & Friends, the traditional blue color scheme, and the appeal of being the original design that started it all.
For value hunters: Shop the secondary market carefully. Despite being larger and newer, the 43222 is currently trading slightly lower than the 71040, making it the better value if you can find one at a good price.
If you can only have one Disney Castle, the 43222 offers more for your money. But true Disney collectors may want both versions to show the evolution of this iconic set.
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