What an awesome way to light up the day! Gringotts Wizarding Bank Set is officially announced and planned for released in September 2023.
I will admit that I saw a poor-quality image leak. It was a poor resolution image of the set, but I was instantly excited by its potential. Harry Potter is something I love – books, movies and LEGO sets all alike. Getting to see details and images of the set so soon after the leak was heavenly!
There are so many features in this set, so many beautiful pieces, that it makes it difficult to find somewhere to begin.
What do we know about the set?
This Harry Potter set is dubbed as a follow up to the awesome 2020 Diagon Alley 75978, which in itself is a monster. Diagon Alley was released with 17 minifigs, 5,544 pieces and measured 58.2 cm x 48 cm x 17 cm (22.9 x 18.9 x 6.7 in). What a stunning set this is.
For the die-hard Harry Potter fans there was a gap in this set. Where was the Gringotts Wizarding Bank? Without this set, Diagon Alley was not complete. The release of Gringotts Wizarding Bank meant that this would fulfil an important feature of the legendary alley.
The best news in the revealed notes are that the Gringotts Wizarding Bank is designed to fit in with the modular look and feel of the Diagon Alley. And here it is. It is possible to snuggly display this set in the Diagon Alley.
Because this set was designed as a modular in mind, it was always going to be an amazing add on to the Diagon Alley.
The only question I am hearing is what happens to the bottom half of the set, the underground section, on which the bank is so prominently display. The set is definitely designed so that the above ground section can be removed and placed with other modular buildings.
I guess that leaves the builder with the decision to display the Gringotts Wizarding Bank as a display on its own or incorporate it into Diagon Alley without the underground scene.
Difficult choices!
This set is released with impressive specifications:
- 18+ range, but I am sure there are many younger builders who will happily take on this challenge
- An impressive 4,803 pieces in this set
- Dimensions of the set are 36 cm (14.5 in.) x 32 cm (12.5 in.) x 25 cm (10 in.)
- The 3 models combined measure over 75 cm (29.5 in.) high.
- Price: $429.99 / £369.99 / €429.99
- For South African readers the Great Yellow Brick has listed this at R 6,799.00 and “coming soon”.
Some interesting facts about the Gringotts Wizarding Bank:
- Gringotts is the only known bank of the wizarding world and it is operated primarily by goblins. Wizards and witches keep their money and other valuables in vaults that are protected by very complex and strong security measures. [org]
- Gringotts Wizarding Bank is the only bank of the wizarding world, and is owned and operated by goblins. It was created by a goblin called Gringott. [Harry Potter Compendium]
- Goblins are extremely possessive and will protect their money and valuables at any cost, making them ideal guardians for the valuables of the wizarding world. [Places in Harry Potter]
The build
The set has three distinctive build sections that give this set its character.
The dragon
The impressive Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon adequately rivals any other dragon built in LEGO. In the set for Gringotts Wizarding Bank it is displayed resting on top of the upper section of the bank on top of the building to mirror the iconic scene from the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movie.
It was said to be the largest dragon species in the world. In some of the images, it appears that its wings might be able to fold and that its wings might be made with cloth.
The Bank
The bank has two sections to it, which includes the main bank into which their customers arrive. There are a fair number of stickers used, but everything appears to be on point to make the Gringotts Wizarding Bank to add to the visual experience.
The vaults
Beneath the banking hall lie three vaults. A vault cart that glides down the spiralling track and stops at each vault, Bellatrix’s vault (which has a surprise inside (another Easter Egg?)), space for 3 minifigures on the dragon’s back, and more.
There is no doubt that designers had fun with building this set. There will be hidden gems of significance throughout.
The banking hall and vaults sections are easily detached to allow you to display the Gringotts Wizarding Bank in Diagon Alley or as one unit as it has been designed.
The minifigures
There are thirteen amazing minifigures in this set comprising of:
Two Harry Potter minifigures, Ron Weasley, Bellatrix Lestrange, Rubeus Hagrid, Death Eater, Bogrod, Griphook, Ricbert, 2 goblins and 2 guards.
Final thoughts
This is an amazing set that is a must-have for your Harry Potter display. If you own Diagon Alley, Gringotts Wizarding Bank is essential to complete the alley. If you are a die-hard Harry Potter fan, the set completes your collection.
Gringotts Wizarding Bank promises many exquisite features that will keep the builder enjoying each new section.
If you do not already own the awesome 2020 Diagon Alley 75978 this might be your final opportunity to find the last remaining set on the shelves.
For me, there are so many detailed sections that must be built. I am looking forward to the secrets the designers used in the final assembly of this set. Visually, it promises to be feature rich … if not spell-binding!
Will you be getting this set?
Happy building!