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JoeCool
02-16-2009, 07:28 AM
With all the closings in Downtown Disney, the LEGO Store is here to stay. DIsney and LEGO have announced a Stragetic Relationship.


NEW YORK, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- American International Toy Fair -- The LEGO Group and Disney Consumer Products today announced a multi-year licensing agreement that gives the world's premiere construction toy brand access to an extensive portfolio of renowned Disney and Disney Pixar properties. LEGOŽ and LEGO DUPLOŽ products are currently in development for three franchises -- Disney Pixar's Toy Story and Cars, and Prince of Persia -- all scheduled to launch in 2010.

Toy Story

Children's imaginations will go "To infinity and beyond" when, beginning in 2010, they will be able to re-create the adventures of Buzz Lightyear and Woody with LEGO toys inspired by the Toy Story franchise. Toy Story-themed construction sets will be available on both LEGO DUPLO and LEGO System platforms, building the adventure and fun for children ages 2-12. LEGO System products based on Toy Story and Toy Story 2 will launch in January 2010, to be followed in May by construction sets based on the new animated feature, Toy Story 3, scheduled to hit theaters in Disney Digital 3D June 2010. Toy Story-themed LEGO DUPLO products launch in June 2010.

Cars

Lightning McQueen will rev his engine at the starting line of a DUPLO portfolio that will have young builders creating and exploring the high-octane world of the Cars franchise. The Cars-themed LEGO DUPLO line will feature iconic scenes from Radiator Springs and the Piston Cup Championship raceway and will feature favorite Cars characters like McQueen, Mater and Sally. Cars-themed LEGO DUPLO products are scheduled to launch in June 2010.

Prince of Persia

A line of LEGO System construction toys based on Walt Disney Pictures' and Jerry Bruckheimer Films' Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, directed by Mike Newell and scheduled to release in May 2010 is also in development. The film, based on the best-selling video game franchise of the same name, stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Ben Kingsley, Alfred Molina and Gemma Arterton in an epic tale of Prince Dastan's struggle to stop an evil ruler from unleashing a sandstorm that could destroy the world. Prince of Persia-themed LEGO products are scheduled to launch in April 2010.

"We are thrilled to team up with Disney, another of the world's premium brands for families with children," said Jorgen Vig Knudstorp, CEO LEGO Group. "When two brands who share similar values bring their franchises together -- in this case a timeless play pattern with some of the industry's most beloved stories and characters -- and combine their access to families, retail strength and marketing power, amazing things can happen. We can't wait to launch the first three lines and look forward to exploring all of the ways in which we bring the wonderful world of Disney to life in LEGO form."

"Joining forces with LEGO Group speaks to the commitment and vision both companies share for quality product and innovative creativity that invigorates kids play," said Vince Klaseus, senior vice president, global toys, Disney Consumer Products. "Our collaboration will continue to extend the vitality of our roster of franchises by bringing our characters and their worlds to life in a fresh and exciting way. Through these new LEGO product lines, Disney will continue to build presence in the construction toys category and grow market share in the boys demographic."

The LEGO Group is a privately held, family-owned company, based in Billund, Denmark. It was founded in 1932 and today the group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of play materials for children. The company is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities through its products, which can be purchased in more than 130 countries. Visit www.LEGO.com

LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of the LEGO Group. Š 2009 The LEGO Group.

Disney Consumer Products and affiliates (DCP) is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS - News) that extends the Disney brand to merchandise ranging from apparel, toys, home decor and books and magazines to foods and beverages, stationery, electronics and fine art. This is accomplished through DCP's various lines of business which include: Disney Toys, Disney Fashion & Home, Disney Food, Health & Beauty, Disney Infant and Disney Stationery. Other businesses involved in Disney's consumer products sales are Disney Publishing Worldwide, the world's largest publisher of children's books and magazines, and http://www.disneyshopping.com/, the company's official shopping portal. The Disney Stores retail chain, which debuted in 1987, is owned and operated by Disney in North America and Europe. The Disney Stores chain in Japan is operated under a license agreement with Disney. For more information, please visit www.disneyconsumerproducts.com.


http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Disney-and-LEGO-Group-prnews-14367205.html

adriennek
02-16-2009, 02:28 PM
Cars

Lightning McQueen will rev his engine at the starting line of a DUPLO portfolio that will have young builders creating and exploring the high-octane world of the Cars franchise. The Cars-themed LEGO DUPLO line will feature iconic scenes from Radiator Springs and the Piston Cup Championship raceway and will feature favorite Cars characters like McQueen, Mater and Sally. Cars-themed LEGO DUPLO products are scheduled to launch in June 2010.

That's interesting because they've been selling these as the MegaBlocks version of Duplos for awhile.

Adrienne

personnext
02-16-2009, 07:16 PM
With all the closings in Downtown Disney, the LEGO Store is here to stay. DIsney and LEGO have announced a Stragetic Relationship.



:confused:

That's terrible logic. "Disney and LEGO sign product agreement" does not equal "LEGO Store at Downtown Disneyland not closing."

That being said, I don't expect the LEGO Store to close anytime soon. In fact, LEGO just had one of its best years ever. However, we can't draw any conclusions on how a deal between LEGO Group in Denmark and Disney Consumer Products reflects future decisions between LEGO Stores America and Downtown Disney management.

kelli1rose
02-16-2009, 07:58 PM
Silly me, I thought the Lego Store already sold special Disney sets. I think this will be great for both parties, and look forward to picking them up for nephews when they are released. Thanks for the info!

UsBurchs
02-17-2009, 09:07 AM
I'm wondering if these sets will ONLY be available at the DT Disney locations or if the other Lego stores will carry them as well. (we have one up here at our local mall). Either way, sounds fun. My son will add it to the hundreds of other items on his ever-growing Christmas/birthday lists. Ugh. STOP THE INSAINITY! ;) It just never ends, eh? :)

VickiC
02-18-2009, 07:06 AM
I'm sure they will sell them everywhere Legos are sold. The press release does not even mention the store at DTD and there's no way they'd limit such a huge potential profit making venture to one puny store.

cstephens
02-18-2009, 11:02 AM
I'm sure they will sell them everywhere Legos are sold.

Not necessarily. It might depend on the size and price. There are some of the bigger "Star Wars" sets that I've only seen at DTD and not in regular stores like Toys R Us or Target. I would assume Legoland in Carlsbad might stock them. Otherwise, the only other people could order those would be online, and shipping would probably be very expensive.

VickiC
02-18-2009, 08:03 PM
We order quite a few Legos direct and as such are mailed the catalogue regularly. I'm betting Lego afficianados will go to any length to get their stuff.

But Duplo Disney blocks will have a much wider market than expensive sets aimed at adutls and I find it hard to beleive they won't be at Target and ToyRUS.

mkraemer
02-18-2009, 08:14 PM
Not necessarily. It might depend on the size and price. There are some of the bigger "Star Wars" sets that I've only seen at DTD and not in regular stores like Toys R Us or Target. I would assume Legoland in Carlsbad might stock them. Otherwise, the only other people could order those would be online, and shipping would probably be very expensive.

I agree with cstephens (I often do!)...

My son has hundreds (MANY hundreds) of dollars' worth of Star Wars Legos presently set up in various battle configurations in his bedroom. The Force is strong with that Lego line. All of my son's sets have come from local mall Lego stores as well as the one at Downtown Disney. I don't think we bought any online.

(Side note: We recently visited a local mall Lego store to buy a birthday present, and the item was out of stock. We purchased it at the store, and it was shipped to us for free.)

I seriously doubt that Lego will only sell sets at Downtown Disney when there's a whole big market waiting for these kinds of Legos.

I have been to the main store at Legoland and the one in Downtown Disney, and I think the one at Downtown Disney is better. Go figure...

VickiC
02-18-2009, 08:40 PM
I'm very confused. Are you agreeing with me that they will probalby sell them in a wide variety of places or with csptehens that they might limit them to a few outlets? Or am I misunderstanding both of you?

mkraemer
02-19-2009, 07:17 PM
I'm very confused. Are you agreeing with me that they will probalby sell them in a wide variety of places or with csptehens that they might limit them to a few outlets? Or am I misunderstanding both of you?

I think Lego will sell these sets widely. If they are large, elaborate sets, they might be limited to Lego stores or the Lego catalog, but still available more widely than just at the Downtown Disney store.

But that's purely my guess...

Wildwill
02-19-2009, 09:35 PM
The press release came out of Toy Fair in New York - Disney items will be available in stores nation-wide, and possibly, depending on licenses, other countries.

This isn't the first time Disney and Lego have teamed up BTW, in 2000 Lego released 5 "Disney's Mickey Mouse" sets and 3 "Disney's Baby Mickey" sets. Most can be found on eBay still.


Also, Mega Bloks previously held the "Cars" license and produced a couple of years worth of building sets.

This news though, is completely separate from the DTD Lego Store location. Yes, the Lego store will most likely carry the sets, and they may even get some kind of special promotional or store exclusive items, but this announcement has nothing to do with the store.