Raving Toy Maniac

LEGO KidsFest moves into new territory, returns to popular markets

2014 tour stops include Canada, NC, VA & MI

HARTFORD, Conn., Oct. 23, 2013 -- LEGO® KidsFest celebrates its sixth year on the road with a return to some popular markets, stops in some new U.S. cities, plus its first stop in Canada.

The 2014 tour dates include Raleigh, NC (Feb. 28 – March 2), Novi, MI (April 25 – 27), Calgary, AB, Canada (May 16 - 18), Atlanta, GA (June 27 – 29), Dallas, TX (Aug. 29 – 31), Richmond, VA (Oct. 3 – 5) and Indianapolis, IN (Nov. 7 – 9).

Raleigh, NC: Feb. 28 – March 2 (Raleigh Convention Center)
Novi, MI: April 25 - 27 (Suburban Collection Showplace)
Calgary, AB: May 16 - 18 (BMO Centre @ Calgary Stampede)
Atlanta, GA: June 27 - 29 (Cobb Galleria Centre)
Dallas, TX: Aug. 29 – 31 (Dallas Convention Center)
Richmond, VA: Oct. 3 – 5 (Greater Richmond Convention Center)
Indianapolis, IN: Nov. 7 – 9 (Indiana Convention Center)

October 2013 - LEGO has announced a new set in their LEGO Modular Buildings Collection:

10243 Parisian Restaurant
Ages 16+. 2,469 pieces.
Have an unforgettable evening at the amazing Parisian Restaurant!

US $159.99 - CA $189.99 - DE 149.99 € - UK 132.99 £ - DK 1299.00 DKK

September 2013 - LEGO has released a new stop-motion animation video just in time for Talk Like a Pirate Day:

August 6, 2013 - Yesterday, my email alerts lit up with fascinating teasers about LEGO introducing sets based on The Simpsons starting in 2014. I gleefully emailed the Public Relations folks at LEGO, and today's reply was that while Corporate Communications did indeed confirm this deal yesterday, the Public Relations department has nothing official to add at this time.

So... LEGO Simpsons sets are coming in 2014. Hopefully more details will be available before Toy Fair next February, and maybe we'll get lucky and see the sets in stores before then as well.

Cartoon Network and The LEGO Group Reveal Groundbreaking IP Development with New Mixels Franchise

Multiple Mixels Elements Set to Launch in 2014

ATLANTA, July 22, 2013 -- Cartoon Network and The LEGO Group announced today that they will jointly produce an unprecedented new global entertainment franchise. Launching in 2014, Mixels is the next franchise in integrated family entertainment from two of the world's leading experts in youth engagement. The new venture will feature animated content (primarily shorts), a rich digital gaming experience, a collectible building toy concept and more.

Animated content will air on Cartoon Network and on www.cartoonnetwork.com, featuring the colorful Mixels creatures that can mix and combine with one another in creative and unpredictable storylines. A collectible portfolio of low-priced mini building sets will launch in three waves in 2014 and an app-powered gaming experience will engage fans in a deep mobile game that will cover the sprawling world of Mixels.

LEGO Group Builds Creative Merchandising Program for "THE LEGO MOVIE"

SAN DIEGO, July 16, 2013 -- COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL -- The LEGO Group today announced that it will produce a collection of movie-inspired building sets celebrating the brand's premiere as a theatrical film. The company has recruited an impressive roster of global partners to a broad, multi-category licensing program to support the much anticipated animated adventure film from Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and produced by Dan Lin and Roy Lee, "THE LEGO® MOVIE" is rapidly building buzz following its first released trailer and assembles on the big screen starting in February 2014.

The LEGO Group Expands Minecraft Collection
- Two additional models based on the popular virtual 3D world make their debut at Comic-Con International and will be on shelves this September -

SAN DIEGO, July 17, 2013 -- COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL -- Delighting LEGO® and Minecraft fans across the globe, The LEGO Group today announced it is extending its relationship with Swedish game developer Mojang to build on the blockbuster success of its first LEGO Minecraft building set to add two new models that will be released September 1, 2013.

LEGO Minecraft provides the opportunity to build, reconfigure and create new Minecraft micro-worlds in a physical LEGO way. The two new 3"x3"x3" models, The Village and The Nether, are on display for the first time at Comic-Con International in San Diego. Fans can also enjoy and take pictures with a large interactive 3D mosaic complete with Micromob character props at the LEGO booth (#2829).

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and TT Games Combine an Action-Adventure Journey and LEGO Building for a One-of-a-Kind Experience with The LEGO® Movie Videogame

Enter the Most Fantastical World of LEGO Building Where Gamers Can Turn the Ordinary Into the Extraordinary With an All-New and Unique Digital Master Building Ability

BURBANK, Calif. -- July 16, 2013 -- The fate of the LEGO® world lies in your hands! Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and TT Games today announced that The LEGO Movie Videogame will be available in 2014 alongside the much-anticipated "The LEGO Movie," from Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures, and a toy collection of "The LEGO Movie" building sets.

The LEGO® Movie Videogame will be released for Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft and the Xbox 360® games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation 4® and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, the Wii U™ system and Windows® PC, as well as Nintendo 3DS™ handheld system and PlayStation® Vita handheld entertainment system.

July 2013 - Team Coco has passed along a video clip of Conan's attempts to replace the angry faces of LEGO minifigures. (Parental warning - you might want to watch it by yourself first to make sure the scene with the "LEGO Friends" at the end isn't inappropriate for your younger kids.)

Live now. Available Worldwide:

Cheer Up, Legos!

http://teamcoco.com/video/conan-highlight-cheer-up-lego

CONAN Highlight: Conan is tired of scowly Legos and decides to turn those minifigs' frowns upside down.

LEGOLAND® Florida Celebrates Opening of The LEGO® World of Chima Presented by Cartoon Network

Expansion Features Thrilling, Interactive Water Ride and Play Areas

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- July 02, 2013 -- LEGOLAND® Florida today celebrated the opening of The LEGO® World of Chima presented by Cartoon Network. The World of Chima is a highly-themed area with thrilling and interactive rides and attractions for visitors of all ages, adding to the park's already exciting line up of more than 50 rides, shows and attractions.

Opening to guests on July 3, the centerpiece attraction, The Quest for CHI, features an interactive water ride where guests will set off on an otherworldly and super-wet adventure. After boarding watercraft, families can use water cannons to activate the story in each of the scenes along their journey as well as have a chance to battle other boats and guests along the shore line.

Those interested in even more splash and water fun can experience Cragger's Swamp play area that features playful bubbles, intermittent water spouts and interactive elements that trigger swamp water effects.