LEGO Unboxing – Mini Steamboat Willie 40659 GWP

Look what just arrived from our friends over at LEGO – a pre-release copy of the upcoming Mini Steamboat Willie 40659 gift-with-purchase!

This new GWP set is released on October 23rd until October 31st 2023, with purchases equal to or greater than €100/$100/£95 (on all Disney, Disney DUPLO, LEGO Star Wars and LEGO Marvel sets).

We’re big fans of Disney here at iDisplayit, and we couldn’t wait to see how this mini GWP looked alongside the bigger (now retired) Steamboat Willie 21317. The new miniature version commemorates this year’s Disney100 anniversary celebrations with a nostalgic black and white boat model just the right size for decorating desks and shelf space.

For added fun, we handed over the set to our resident LEGO newbie, who had not constructed a set since they were eight years old. Check out their exclusive unboxing pics and thoughts below…

Mini Steamboat Willie 40659 – First Impressions

All the loose bricks and elements were neatly packaged in labelled bags, and I couldn’t wait to rip them open and put together the vintage-style black and white Mickey Mouse minifigure. The inclusion of printed, full-colour building instructions was a nice touch, especially for an oldie like me! So many companies insist on forcing customers to go online for product booklets, so it was satisfying to turn the screens off and follow this guide instead.

The booklet includes an interesting summary of the history of the cartoon the LEGO set is based on.

Mini Steamboat Willie 40659 – Building The Model

Considering I had not attempted to build a LEGO set for over two decades, I found the instructions clear and easy to follow. The set’s exterior is black and white, so I was surprised to see so many coloured bricks until I realised these were part of the boat’s inner workings.

When completed, the model can move along on wheels with the steam vents bouncing up and down in a cartoon style… but there was a long way to go before finishing the build.

It is helpful that the instructions also show you what the element you are constructing should look like from various angles (as per the above). I was just over half an hour in by this point, and seeing my first pile of bricks slowly shrinking in size was pretty satisfying.

Moving on to bag number two…

The hull of the steamboat was really starting to take shape an hour into the build – especially with the first black and white pieces attached.

Up next, it was time to tackle the big, twin waterwheels. This was one of the fiddliest parts of the set, with each individual paddle put together from four small studs.

Installing the deck and steam vent motion element.

Just the upper deck to go, including the iconic twin funnels.

Applying a few finishing touches…

…and voila! One completed Mini Steamboat Willie 40659 gift-with-purchase!

Final Thoughts

Our LEGO newbie put this one together in just under two hours, making it a perfect gift for Disney fans who want a small challenge, regardless of whether they are an avid LEGO collector or not. The black and white design gives it a smart, vintage effect, increasing the set’s display potential as part of a refined interior layout.

We found the set looked great exhibited on a shelf next to our classic Disney VHS film collection, and the moving wheel function will also thrill younger LEGO builders who want to play with the set and sail the steamboat across the floor! However, it would have been nice to see a few more objects on deck, as there was space for added detail.

Our Rating: 9.4/10