I don’t get wowed often by LEGO sets, but my jaw literally dropped when this press release entered my inbox. LEGO have unveiled one of the most audacious sets in their entire history – 10261 Roller Coaster.
This 4,124 piece Creator Expert set is an actual, working LEGO Roller Coaster and is quite literally one of the most impressive LEGO sets that I have ever laid my eyes on.
Working LEGO roller coasters have always been a pipe dream for LEGO fans, but the lack of specialised parts has been a major obstacle in allowing people to create their very own working version of the classic theme park ride.
The LEGO Creator Expert Roller Coaster won’t come cheap, costing US$379.99 in the US, AU$499.99 in Australia and £299.99 in the UK. Australian price TBC, but my guess is AU$550. While super expensive, I think the set is worth every cent.
See below for regional product pages:
- LEGO 10261 Roller Coaster – US$379.99 [US]
- LEGO 10261 Roller Coaster – AU$499.99 [AUS]
- LEGO 10261 Roller Coaster – GBP£299.99 [UK]
- LEGO 10261 Roller Coaster – CAD$479.99 [CAN]
- LEGO 10261 Roller Coaster – €329.99 [EU]
The release date for LEGO 10261 Roller Coaster is 16 May 2018 for LEGO VIPs via the regular early access window.
LEGO rightly recognised that photos won’t do the set justice, so they were nice enough to share 2 videos showing the Roller Coaster in action. Watch them below and enjoy!
The Roller Coaster set, as the video suggests is absolutely enormous, representing a massive headache for adult LEGO fans who are probably already struggling to find adequate space to display their sets. The Roller Coaster model measures over 53cm (20″) high, 88cm (34”) wide and 41cm (16”) deep. It’s 20 inches tall!!!
Whatever the case, it’s bound to be an eye-catching display piece.
The triumph of this set’s design and engineering is two-fold. Firstly, it boasts a fully functional chain-lift to pull the 2 trains up towards the highest point, gaining potential energy as it climbs up the ramp. Something that would be very familiar if you’ve been on a roller coaster.
The second triumph is the introduction of the new roller coaster tracks AND train cars with low-friction wheels to enable it to use the power of gravity to hurtle through the Roller Coaster’s twists and turns. Utterly amazing.
The set includes special new-for-June-2018 elements including a 2x8x6 Rail Slope, 1x2x1 Bow Brick, plant leaves, stalks and flowers. The track consists of 44-pieces made up of 7 different rail elements.
You can also upgrade the Roller Coaster with LEGO® Power Functions for a motorized chain lift, or with LEGO BOOST for automated chain lift activation and realistic sound effects!
Apart from the mechanical marvel of the set, it also includes 11 minifigures, a ticket booth, cotton candy stand and plenty of cute little Easter eggs strewn across the set.
I love this map of the LEGO theme park which features the Carousel and Ferris Wheel.
The Cotton Candy cart cleverly uses a pink version of the LEGO beehive.
I also love this height chart.
Lastly, the brick-built words are pretty neat.
I have to say that I’m blown away by this set, and kudos to LEGO for finally creating a working Roller Coaster model that I can buy. I know I’ve railed on LEGO for lacking innovation and risk-taking, but this is a great, refreshing and bold response from the team and I hope that we see more audacious sets like this.
The pricetag is extremely prohibitive but this one-of-a-kind set pretty much means that this goes straight on the to-buy list.
What do you think of the Roller Coaster? Is this a must-buy? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section!
hi
A great concept. Worth getting the motorized version.
Major problem was moving the RC once it was built. Best to add on the battery-operated option to keep things moving. No major concerns with construction although putting together the loop that pulls the cars up was a bit tedious.
On one hand, it says expert. On the other, IT’S A LEGO ROLLER COASTER
Does anyone have the roller coaster 10261 instruction manual in PDF? HELP!
Go online!
NOPE NOTA
Wow, Greta set! All of a sudden the Westminster/Big Ben kit I have waiting to be built looks kinda dull in comparison 🙁
Oops, great not Greta!!
Yeah, really excited to put this one together. In terms of scale, they both have their merits, in that the Big Ben is more an architectural sculpture, whereas this one’s a massive playset.
Oh, my. I’m so excited by this; I will definitely be rushing out to get it! That’s amazing!!!
Hang the price, this is a must-have! Awesome set.
Worth every cent. This and Hogwarts (and maybe the Bugatti) are going to be THE must-buy sets this year.
Thanks for this early review! At first I thought the set might be too expensive, but after seeing the details, I’m really excited to buy this! I’ll need to start saving now, though.
It’s also 4000+ pieces, including plenty of roller coaster tracks which could be useful if you ever want to take on the challenge of designing your own roller coaster.
Great review as always.
I’ll need to win Lotto to buy a bigger house , to fit this bad boy in.
Think I’ll be sticking to the creator roller coaster for now.
Done. You win Tatts, and I’ll win the Powerball.
I don’t consider it pushing “boundaries” imagine how innovative and generally cooler this set could have been with a electric motor like some of the Technic products or something that interfaced with Mindstorm products. When Lego actually crosses boundaries and works out how to develop more standard lego sets with greater STEM challenges, and more sets with the ability to cross into the land of robotics and mechanisation, then as a former high school teacher and a mother of a child that loves Lego, I will really have something to applaud.
Actually, it can be motorised, remote controlled, and even controlled using Boost; LEGO’s latest programmable robotic system. Its in the promo videos above. I also think you can do a lot worse than this if you want a hands-on, fun and interactive way to teach a child about Science (eg. gravity/physics), Technology (see above), Engineering (eg. tensile strength, turning radius, critical angle of repose, etc) and Maths (eg. Newton’s laws of motion). This is epitome of a STEM teaching tool in my opinion. Plus, its a roller coaster so its damn cool! : D
Great point, but from my perspective, it’s just the mechanical concept of a working roller coaster that’s truly groundbreaking. It does support technic motors to automate the chain lift, but I see what you mean. I’ll be interested to see how Boost gets incorporated into this.
That is damned expensive… but… but… like so many, I’ve always dreamed of a LEGO rollercoaster. It looks fantastic and packed with details! I reckon the designers were as excited as the fans and it shows in the attention to everything. Excellent! And great article.
Expensive, but I think the cost is entirely justified for pulling this concept off!
I think this is going to turn into a mod and be built on top of my 5 modulars.
Wow that sounds awesome. When you pull it off, be sure to share photos!
One minor thing: Why is the employee purchasing the lemon drink? He should be operating the control panel.
On a drinks break, perhaps?
$499AUD! Expensive, but not bad – actually slightly cheaper than the straight converted US price.
Cool. Although still a pricey set the conversion is actually really good! Factor in that tax is already included in the AUD price and we are actually paying less than our US friends.
Yeah, we lucked out big time with the Aussie price. Add on the chance of a 20% off sale, and this will be the steal of the year.
Is this a D2C or will it be in retailers?
It’s definitely a D2C set. Based on previous Aussie releases, I expect David Jones to have this as a timed exclusive first.
hi
This looks amazing. I want desperately to purchase. However, between the Death Star, Disney Castle, Porsche, and Helicarrier sets, I’m out of room for another large Lego set. Not even counting the Imperial Star Destroyer and Lego Architecture sets strewn about my home.
The struggle of all adult LEGO fans.
This has been my dream for years! I can’t wait tilll it’s release date! 😀
Ugh me too. Next up, for a massive pendulum ride!
I’d rather see a wooden coaster but this is okay.
You could get close by replacing all the white columns with brown ones.
Must have , must dream , most funny a real masterpiece of LEGO.
to built with the family in winter holiday near the fireplace with a cup of chocolate.
well done LEGO
That’s oddly poetic but yeah, I really hope it works as advertised.
As noted, the major problem will be where to put it. Already, the Taj Mahal, Saturn rocket and carousal are taking up what little spare space I had left. But I will somehow manage.
The box is also going to be massive, so even hoarding this set will be a pain. But I’m in the same boat, I’ll definitely make space for this.
That looks awesome! Commissioning my husband to build a giant shelf for this set!
He sounds like a keeper 😉