Hello everyone,
Welcome to my channel Villages And More. My name is Mike Barrera, I have been a village collector my whole entire life. It was a beautiful tradition started by my Grandparents when I was little. Growing up, some of my best memories were spent building a village every year with them. Now as an adult, I have continued the tradition on with my own family. Building a village for me represents family, beautiful memories, tradition, and new adventures. On my channel, you will find all things villages. Weather it be reviews, repairs or something in-between you will find it here. So, dive in with me and let's get lost in the dream world of miniature villages.
Thank you!
*Official Lemax Influencer*
Instagram: @VillagesAndMore
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@villagesandmorereviews
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5:15 I also said the same thing about VICKI'S CATTERY(2010-2016)I have one and it’s such an incredible piece that deserves more praise and attention 🎃
What part from the beginning is the Easter egg?
I have a complaint about this piece.. The scarecrows are very loud when they pop up.. it's distracting. You can hear it in the video. Most of the time I have my town running with the sound off while we are watching t.v... unfortunately, I think my only option is to display it unplugged unless someone can make a suggestion.
This one is beautiful.
You pronounced "bazaar" correctly.
Really quality review--keep it up!
Your favorite company Disney is owned by the CCP and spew propaganda. Don’t financially support communism.
Mine should be delivered tomorrow CANNOT WAIT
As I make my plans for the holiday season 2024, I’m delighted to see a new video about a Christmas village piece. I find this facade to be terribly underwhelming. I’m not so much disappointed in the lights not being multicolored, but the overall color scheme is just unappealing for me. The lime green and rusty red needed some cream, hunter green, and burgundy accents to sell the Christmas vibe. I also think all the different colors of flowers at the bottom scream Spring more than Fall/ Winter. I would imagine this piece making it to after season clearance easily with that $90 original MSRP. Only then would it maybe work as a filler piece behind nicer buildings. Excellent video. 🎉
Exactly “underwhelming “ then to see what the Halloween 2024 looks like. I’m into xmas, but really tempted to get the roller coaster Halloween ride. Agree good video.
The pumpkin man looks like the green giant with a pumpkin on his head. I think on mine I am going to try and make his body look more viney, like some of the yard pumpkin creatures that you can buy for your yard decor.
Villages and More, I thought I'd share with you some thoughts I shared with a fellow Village channel, Spooky Villages. I think it sums up best what I feel. I was pretty excited about this piece when I first saw it, but now that I see more of it, I know why I'm kind of turned off now. The A-Maze-Ing Pumpkin Patch feels to me like Lemax just phoned it in. They knew people were clamoring for a corn maze (I'm one of them), but this seems more like a concept to a future spectacular piece. It's kind of like the Dungeon of Terror. There were cool elements in that piece, but for the most part, it was blah as a ride and just recycled too many tropes from other pieces. Then Lemax took the best elements from the Dungeon of Terror and transformed it into a new re-imagined and fantastic piece with this year's Phantom Castle rollercoaster. I do like the new feel of the pop up monsters in the A-Maze-Ing Pumpkin Patch, it's standout element (the Dungeon of Terror had it's magnet moving skeletons in cages), but that's it. The creature shadowing the structure (although decent), along with the overused spinning set of creatures in the back, makes it feel like this piece was just slapped together. And if this was a $50 to $60 piece, that might've been fine, but this one is over $100 and that's just crazy to me. Especially when there have been much better pumpkin pieces like the Ghoulish Gourd selling for less. Here's what I would've liked to see... Have people walking through the actual maze instead of the spinning creatures in the back. Use magnets (like are done in the bumper car and ice skating pieces) and have them walk a trail through the maze. This is a freebee to Lemax if they happen to read this comment. I'm looking forward to seeing how Lemax evolves the concept of this piece instead of settling for this one. I don't want to make another mistake like I did buying (and returning) the Dungeon of Terror. Thanks as always for the review! vgv
A beautiful piece, that phantom is awesome! They've had so much bad luck with animation problems on their carnival rides, obviously because the animation is a big factor in those pieces. I hope they engineered this one well, it's sure to sell out quickly. Thanks for another great review. Hey, 2 in 3 days! 👍
Great to see your new reviews coming. That elevator is pretty neat, very innovative. And for all the neat detail they put in the resin cast stonework and walls, as you say, they then go and stick in all those very plastic-looking and in my opinion blah windows. I get why, it's cheap and easy on the production line. But so many of their later resin buildings have those compared to the ceramic buildings where the artist that created it also created the windows and they look old and ramshackle like the walls. Looking forward to more reviews, thanks.
My favorite this year....great review!!
Got mine delivered last week . Great break down of the piece .
Man that phantom castle rocks!!!
Get too Costco asap. They have two Halloween pieces one is a ship the other is a house. Disney character s all over. Both are bigger then lemax building s. Awesome lighting and soundtrack. Kinda expensive but hey,
Villages and More, And here it is! One of the crowning jewels of this year's collection! I say one, because I can't decide a clear winner this year. The Smoke & Mirrors Magic Shop is a tie with the Phantom Castle for me right now :) It was great to hear you try to explain what your brain was taking in when it comes to momentum on the Phantom Castle. I could tell that you got it, but it's hard to articulate just what's going on unless you can pinpoint the real illusion, which Lemax hid brilliantly. What Lemax is doing here is so subtle that it can be hard to pick up, but even if you don't, it doesn't matter, because the magic is happening regardless. And you might think I'm referring to the incredible conveyor belt drop, which is the biggest eye catching piece of animation for sure, but you'd be mistaken. What I'm referring to is the rotating cars. The ones in the front of the Phantom Castle circle slightly slower than the one's in the back. What this does is give the piece a sense of acceleration and how Lemax finally cracked the code on how to do a coaster. I can tell that you could feel what was going on, because you described the front set of cars as where someone might get on, the slow part of the ride before everything starts getting faster. The second loop then picks up speed ever so slightly, until it all culminates into that speedy fantastical drop! This is why I'd make the argument that THIS IS A REAL Coaster. Lemax, and other great Village companies, can use the power of illusion to make it feel like a piece is more than meets the eye. Some Coasters are fully outdoors and not enclosed, some are partially enclosed like the Phantom Castle, and then some are completely enclosed like Space Mountain. The increasing momentum mechanic used in the Phantom Castle makes it feel like a continuous ride, and finally allows for a believable coaster. If Lemax kept both of the circular pieces moving at the same speed, it would make each part feel disconnected, a lack of correlation between the riders going in circles from the amazing drop. Sure, it would still be a good looking piece, but it would feel like a failed attempt to those trying to equate it as a believable coaster. But Lemax finally figured out the special sauce and gave us an exceptional coaster representation without having to do it 1 to 1 mechanically. It shows what the power of illusion can accomplish. One only needs to look at Lemax's Facade collection to know that they really understand this concept, and with some time, they can bring us things like coasters. $140, in today's dollar, is a bargain for this piece, its not overpriced in the least. I got it at a slight discount at $132 and some change buying from a 3rd party seller, but it's absolutely worth it for me! I don't mind paying more for a piece that really shows it's worth it. I liked what you said in your last comment to me, all things should be considered when it comes to creating one of these pieces, development, mechanics, materials, etc. And though I do agree with these points, I so hope Lemax, or anyone who buys these pieces, don't determine a piece's worth by it's weight. I don't want Lemax to start charging by the pound, prioritizing size and heaviness over innovation and creativity. I think prototyping is crucial, and maybe focus testing next, and if a piece feels like it's just going through the motions, to meet some quota of pieces needed for the year, then don't send it off for final print, especially if you're going to have to charge more due to materials, development, and mechanics. I'd rather see a strong collection with fewer pieces than a bunch of over priced throwaways thrown into the mix. Last year's Dungeon of Terror was a disappointing throwaway to me, but thankfully Lemax took the cool castle elements from the Dungeon of Terror and reworked them into this AMAZING new Phantom Castle! Sometimes you just have to wait a year or two before you see the real magic piece Lemax intended. I'm so glad you got the Phantom Castle and looking forward to your next review! vgv
Looks great - lots going on
Welcome back!
Thank you! Its great to be back:)
Not a fan of the non ceramic style anymore I wish it was ceramic
Ceramic has always been a favorite of mine as well! But it is nice to see that this year there has been a improvement on the build quality of the resin. But totally understand where your coming from and total agree I wish all of them were ceramic.
Villages and More, Welcome back! This is one of those pieces that I think Lemax tries a new idea in and then implements it on a future cooler building. What I'm talking about here is the Elevator. The shadow effect is incredibly cool, but I also I think it causes the rest of the piece to seem duller. Kind of like the Brain in the Mystery Meat Canning Co. Such a cool effect but put in a very uninteresting piece (at least to me). But thanks to Lemax, the brain lives on! We're getting that effect in an outstanding new Christmas piece this year called the Christmas Cake Factory. I can't wait! I think the thing that brings down the Haunted Hotel Haven for me most, is all the white lights, especially given the brilliantly crafted lighting on their last great hotel, The Horrid Haunted Hotel. It just makes it not look Halloween to me. And I get that not everything needs to look "Halloween," but this piece at first glance, without looking closer, I'd swear was a Christmas piece. I just don't see $140 in the Haunted Hotel Haven, not even close. I think Lemax needs to step back and re-evaluate what their top costing pieces should consist of. Only the truly inspired pieces, with the most creative and nuanced mechanics should come even close to this price. But it's not all doom and gloom, quite the contrary. I think Lemax is MUCH STRONGER this year and my wallet is going to pay the price. Their new Phantom Castle Coaster (a possible apology for the disappointing Dungeon of Terror) looks INCREDIBLE! The new Spin Out ride is OUT OF THIS WORLD! And a masterful piece I wasn't expecting, the Michael's Exclusive, Smoke & Mirrors Magic Shop. Now that's a piece that deserves a higher price and the highest praise! I can list so many others on my pre-order batch and the other Michaels exclusives I'm going to pick up, but that would be a long list indeed :) This looks to be an amazing year for your channel due to some new outstanding pieces. Starting out with this less exciting piece is a great strategy. Oh, but before I leave, that purple skylight on the Haunted Hotel Haven, I agree with you, is amazing! Great to see you back! vgv
Hey :) Thank you for the message! Im absolutely stoked to be back reviewing again, as a lifelong collector its really an honor to be able to dive in on these reviews. I totally agree that the elevator effect is ground breaking. It was a big part in why I wanted to review this piece. I do believe as well we will see this effect on future houses and who knows we might even see other brands begin to adopt that effect as well. It was such a creative idea that Lemax had to try that out this year so props to them. As for the lighting, your right that the Haunted Horrid Hotel had some of the best lighting on house iv seen, and as it would be nice to see less of the white lighting on the halloween line and used those more for the Christmas line. I would be curious if it has something to do with showing alittle more of the detail in darker environments. Hopefully we will see more of a balance on the colored lights with some touches of the white lights on the Halloween line as time goes on. As for the price, I think it has a lot do with, not only the amount of animation/detail/labor/development of course but even maybe more so to do with the large scale and weight of this piece. It really is giant in person, then considering the business side, it has to make since for not only Lemax but also for the retailers, shippers ect. I think theres alot that goes into it to keeping the price as low as possible but on the same point it's no secret that houses have jumped alot price wise over the years. So its a mixed bag on both sides and this is just a guess on my thoughts about it. I don't have any official info about that stuff of course. Next up im so excited for the Phantom Castle as well, I think its going to be a big hit this year and long term it will be highly collectable. Im also happy to share that I will be uploading that review shortly so keep an eye out:) Overall its going to be another great spooky season, I truly do appreciate your message and thoughts on everything. Its always fun to dive in on some of the deeper topics with fellow collectors. Wishing you a wonderful year and cheers to 2024!
Glad you're back. Can't wait for more reviews. Life gets in the way 😂😂😂
Haha yes! But im so happy to be back! So many cool houses this year! More reviews are uploading as we speak!
Yeah!!!!, I’ve been dying to see a new video of yours. Man ! The Halloween stuff is awesome for 2024. I’m a Xmas village fanatic, sadly I’m not impressed with the Xmas stuff. This building is tempting. Ok so glad your back , see u on the next one.
Hey! I know its been awhile thanks for always staying with me here! I always look forward to talking to you. Its so exciting to be back on here. I absolutely love the halloween line up this year. Also i will be reviewing some of the Christmas stuff as well so hoping we can find something in there for you as well. Thanks again for always being here it truly means so much to me!
My unicorn pieces are the Graveside Diner and the movie theatre
Lemax moving pieces are expensive with dollar store parts inside.Pure garbage imo.
Good Review
I have the Lemax #94527 and my ice rink people are not moving at all. I can feel the magnet pull the item when I hoover above it, but no skating. Am I doing something wrong here? Thanks for the feedback.
U have perfect right!!!! No adaptor??? I'm a Lemax fun too ....and U RIGHT!
And at least one house is a 9v, which fortunately has its own size (I think same the hollow style as 4.5v but skinnier).
I'm pretty sure whatever non-Lemax power supply you use, you are as least as likely to be using a better power supply than the original as not. While I love the Spooky Town stuff, I can admit that it is cheap crap. Cheap crap that I love.
I used to retail Lemax in my Christmas Shop and I can tell you, the reason they have all these various voltage Power Supplies is to make people (who don't know better) HAVE to pay out for very, very specific voltage/amperage when actually, they are all the same - they are PURELY LOW-VOLTAGE power supplies, stepped down purely for safety reasons, not for the physics of electricity. My advice is change to 5V DC, also called USB power supplies used by almost all computers/laptops - you can rest assured that this will NEVER change because the Computer manufacturers know that the Laptop, Mobile Phones etc., is a UNIVERSALLY used and distributed item the whole world over!! BTW, all 4.5V items will run quite happily on 5V USB power so make that your UNIVERSAL power supply and screw all these unscrupulous manufacturers.
Hi you hear an electric noise when turn on without music?
Hi sorry I’m commenting so late😂, but I have the same exact house and it doesn’t work anymore😢 I’ve had problems with it before but it’s finally had it. Is there someplace I can take it to get fixed? Or someway I can fix it? Please let know. Thank you
They're always more expensive in the UK🫤
HI I bought one and it works not anymore .do you know who fits this in Europe ?
I just purchased an 04 Isle of Doom for a GREAT price. With only the pirate coming out of the cabin not working (and he is stuck outside on display thankfully). I plan on trying to fix him. I do want to ask though, you say the older infrared fogger can mess up "nearby ceramic pieces.", but it doesn't mess up the actual piece as well? I'm not sure if I plan on using it, but I just want to be sure. As it's so old and rare to find in the shape I got. Thank you.
Does it rotate cuz their promo video shows it spinning
I just opened this and there is no power cord. Some ripoff corporations insist that we order "optional" equipment which make the features work. I wish you had shown what the power cord looks like. Maybe an "unboxing" video would be more helpful?
Hey:) Thank you for the message. Any standard lemax 4.5v adapter should work. You can also use a Lemax multi adapter as well. Hope this helps!
I have this in the box, with some slight damage to one side of the box, some rips in the middle of the side of the box, but I believe it is in like new condition otherwise. If I ever sold it, how much could I get for it? I saw one for over $2,000. I think I got it in 2013 when it came out. I like fun houses and haunted houses and dark rides in amusement parks, fairs, carnivals, etc. I have a bunch of other Lemax carnival rides and spooky pieces in their boxes but the power cords for some of them are missing, well they got lost. I guess you could buy replacement power adapters from Lemax or a retailer. I had a train table in my room but my late mom who passed last year on June 14 in the hospital because her lungs were weak wanted me to take down the table, it was built by a man and his son who did work on my bedroom floor. I have a big bedroom, it's a remodeled farmhouse. The man's son was killed in an accident with his pick up. Years ago, I had other train tables and in 1987 my late grandfather who passed Dec 2000 in his home to colon cancer on my mom's side and a man from a church we went to from 1985-1992 helped build a 4 x 8 train table with horses as the legs. The newer table was more like 4 x 12 with a notch cut out at the end with a 2 x 4 ft piece at the end. I had HO, then in the 90's built an HO model amusement park with Faller and IHC kits, some Faller kits I never built and I just left them static, they collected dust and I took them down. I then decided to go O scale and got Lemax pieces once in a while, I got some at a train meet at the fairgrounds near me in a big hall building called Agri-Plex formerly Ag Hall, the meet is twice a year in late Feb and early Nov. After the newer train table was dismantled by some guys who painted some rooms in our house in Feb 2015 I packed the Lemax pieces in their boxes and stored them inside a narrow storage closet in the master bedroom, there are two of the, the one was shortened in 1987-1988 when a man from our then church who was a contractor did work on our house and connected my bedroom with the bathroom and made my bedroom longer and the bathroom bigger but part of the one cubbyhole (narrow storage space) was removed in the process. I have the Lemax pieces in the longer cubbyhole along the wall stacked up. I also have some LGB trains in their boxes in there, mostly US western trains, Rio Grande coaches, a couple open air excursion coaches, a plain black 2-6-0 steam locomotive, and some other pieces. I don't really have a place to run them, and outside would not be a good idea because we don't have a fence anymore, and the fence we had was a low chain link fence, it was removed maybe 15 years ago. And we get bees and wasps in the summer. They just fly around aimlessly real fast and I'm afraid of getting stung, I was stung by bees a few times years ago, early 1980's in my enclosed patio, touched a dead bee on the floor and then was crying in pain and ran in to my mom who was sitting at her desk. Other time early 90's at an event somewhere about 45 miles away.
Thanks for this! Agreed, I love my Lemax but they are and feel really cheap. The pumpkin on the right (the one you worked on) came right off when I pulled on it, lol. the belt broke so I replaced it with a small hair tie.
Any ideas for fixing the cave eyes are not lighting up and fogger not working? Thanks so much. 🥰
So cool! I love seeing these older pieces, just awesome!
Ive been looking for clear, well shot views of this building and this video really hit all the marks. Very helpful!
Great review! Thanks for sharing. Convinced me to order 😅 Greetings from Amsterdam 🙋♀️
Can we get a video with no commentary; just the features and sounds of the item itself?
i will have this amazing building 😁🎃🎃🎃
Could anyone please tell me the voltage for the adapter it came with from the factory? The label on the back of the house reads 700ma, the website says it only needs 520ma. Mine is missing the adapter and really want to get the right part. Thanks
Nice Vid! Is that sound in the dark your video or the animation sound from the piece itself? I'm assuming no other sounds to it?
New to Lemax stuff this year (got the diner set) but this looks like a great piece to own. Good Video!
Those little unidentified white boxes are supposed to represent American red cross body parts boxes! When people donate their body parts, sometimes the Red Cross really does put livers and kidneys in Styrofoam coolers! Thank you for sharing!!