about the set
LEGO Disney Little Mermaid Clamshell set was released in 2023 along with the release of the 2023 Disney live-action movie, The Little Mermaid. The set has 1808 pieces that make the Clamshell. It includes 5 minifigures, 4 of which are mermaids.
Packaging
The set comes in the standard black box design LEGO uses for adult sets and is rated for ages 18 and up.
Front of the LEGO Little Mermaid Clamshell (43225) set box
LEGO Little Mermaid Clamshell (43225) set instruction book cover
Back of the LEGO Little Mermaid Clamshell (43225) set box
Who is the set made for
The set is for adult’s and collectors. It does not include stickers.
What’s Inside
There are 3 key areas: King Triton’s throne rock, Ariel’s hideout filled with treasures, and Ursula’s mysterious cave.
The set minifigures include Ariel, Karina, King Triton, Indira, and Ursula plus Flounder and Sebastian.
Four of the minifigures have double sided heads.
King Triton has a blank head. His face is imprinted on the hair and beard piece.
Ariel, Karina, King Triton, Indira, and Ursula.
King Triton has a blank head. His face is imprinted on the hair and beard piece.
King Triton’s throne rock
Close-up of Ariel’s hideout filled with treasures
Ariel, Karina, Indira, and Ursula have double sided heads.
Flounder and Sebastian
Ursula’s mysterious cave
Ariel’s hideout filled with treasures wide view
Notable building techniques
The clamshell is constructed of large pieces and roofing or archway pieces.
The sunken sail was built of basic pieces.
Top view of clamshell
The sunken sail
Back view of clamshell
Unique features
This is the first set to include all the minifigures and Flounder appears in this set as well as Ariel’s Treasure Chest (43229).
Challenges building the set
When building, steps 137 and 173 are easy to forget about which are to connect pieces already in place to the bar, for stability.
Steps 137 and 173 in instruction book
Comparisons to other sets
This set is made as a display piece. It is one of three sets released in 2023 for The Little Mermaid movie. The other two being LEGO Little Mermaid Story Book set (43213) and LEGO Ariel’s Treasure Chest (43229). The Little Mermaid Story Book is an original Polly Pocket like set folds to be like a real book and Ariel’s Treasure Chest is a great set for kids as they can decorate the treasure chest and wearable bracelet however they want.
Conclusion
The set is suitable for display, but would be fragile for play. The clamshell looks ok but includes gaps in the clamshell; however without a specially made piece a better design would be difficult. I liked how the sunken sail and the boat hull were built. The minifigures are designed after the 2023 movie characters. The mermaid tails sit nicely which I think is a great feature, though this is nothing new as LEGO has used mermaid tail pieces before making this set. However, the designs on the mermaid tails are new to this set and I like all of them. The set was an easy build that took about 8 hours to build. The set costs 159.99 valuing the pieces at .09 per piece. At that price the set is a good deal. If you want the mermaid minifigures and want to display the clamshell I recommend the set however there are other LEGO Little Mermaid sets and characters available.
LEGO Little Mermaid Clamshell (43225) set