FINALLY built this set and it is an AMAZING build! Some notes about how this is packaged. if you purchase this set pay close attention to the tape that seals the box. One side is red and the other green to note open on the green taped side. This puts the manual at the top of the box so it is easily lifted out. Open the box with that side up to prevent the manual from falling out and possibly damaging pages. One the manual is removed, four boxes are located inside with each containing 1/4 of the Millennium Falcon pictured when the boxes are together. One each box is a quote from STAR WARS about the Falcon. Each of the four boxes contains sets of bags. Surprisingly the bags aren't in order by box. There are 17 bags for the set. The Lego 1989 Batmobile has 24 bags with less than half the pieces of the Falcon. There are multiple bags for each number so there could be 4 to 5 bags labeled as bag 1. So MANY more bags than just 17 technically. They at least kept all the same numbered bags in the same box so you will find all of bag 1 in a single box and not some in one box and the remainder in others. You will find like bag 1 in one box but bag 2 in another. There are also some unmarked bags for some of the larger and higher count pieces. The first two bags build the frame. Bags 3-9 build out the internal components of the ship and the outside outline of the ship. The hull of the ship top and underneath is assembled in in sections and independent of the frame so you can set aside the large frame as the hull is assembled and installed in sections until the end of the build. The manual as well as videos on the Lego site show how to carry/relocate the set. Caution should be exercised in carrying it or the integrity of the build can be affected or parts can crumble away. Top hull simply lay on in sections are have one technic piece that fits into another technic piece in the frame. The detail looks amazing. it is a display piece and it not for play as some Lego can be. There are some MOC instructions or Lego stands are available to display this beast on its side but the landing feet typically mist be removed to do so. There are also plexiglass of plastic stands out there are well. it certainly will take up less space displaying on its side but if there is room and in my opinion it looks great in "landed" position. It's not the biggest Lego in piece count anymore since the Coliseum was released but it does still seem to hold the record for the most expensive set and may also occupy more space than the Coliseum. I have not purchased the USC Star Destroyer but think the Falcon is a much better set because ti does have internal details. The Star Destroyer is $100 less with a much higher price per piece. More than likely the higher per piece is due to the number large pieces involved. There's way more detail to the Falcon than Star Destroyer so the Falcon has a higher recommendation in my opinion. If you you're an avid Lego fan and don't mind the price, it's recommended to pick this up while it's still available and at regular pricing (at least directly from Lego) before it retires.

So let me start off by saying legos are not what they used to be! We had primary colors with a few different size pieces, over the years they added the little people, the cars, the trees, and other “accessories”. As legos began partnering with different company’s for character, movie, and tv references the whole game changed. I love the 3d effect and following “blue prints” to make ever evolving, often times extravagant molds. This particular Lego set was used to create Star Wars millennium falcon, and it is HUGE! I truly enjoy the atime and patience it takes to put these things together, it reminds me of making the model cars and airplanes as a kid. Sure the legos can be used to create whatever you can dream up, I love putting together these “kits”. The bigger and harder the better. The blocks are still durable, versatile, and easy to assemble (in imagination mode lol). They are still a death trap for the barefoot, when a straggler gets left out. All in all they are the same classic kids toy that has been around for ages but they have adapted and grown with the times keeping the classic building blocks relevant for todays kids (as well as adults). Downside— the selling point of some of these sets is RIDICULOUS! But the entertainment is worth it in the end🙂

I have read several reviews about the playability of this model, and I would have to agree with many of them. First of all the overall size millennium falcon at over 18 inches long and the sheer bulkiness are not easy to grasp, especially by younger hands.
If a younger person picks it up and wants to fly it around, they might experience problems and a catastrophic drop.
However, where this model excels in play is when it is used in imagination, as having landed on a planet or space station. Then the entire roof opens up and allows access to the inside. Where are you can move around all the characters. There is a hollow chess board, or a wookie can challenge another crewmate and rip off their arms , If you so choose.
There is a room for resting or healing. Another area for coffee or refreshments, and the well-equipped fire control system for automated shooting of the upper and lower turrets
If there was any part of the model, that I would consider, as being delicate, it would be the rotating turrets on the top and the bottom, and I will consider the possibility of having to use some “KRAGLE“ to permanently hold this area together to enhance play .
One wonderful area of this model is the huge open floor space where you to design your own furniture and place it anywhere you want or add additional characters onto your model.
If you look at my photos, you will notice that I have moved the hollow chess away from the wall because the players cannot sit or stand in the configurations that l Lego presented in the manual. But moving the chairs to the other side of the table, allows the players (Minifigs) to sit or stand and covers to still close.
The model rest beautifully anywhere for display or demonstration, and I would highly recommend it. I had no missing parts of pieces as others have complained, and as I have had with other sets in the past, this one was perfect all the way around.

This is probably my least favorite Lego set I've ever worked on. It's definitely not the same quality level I've come to expect from many years of building and playing with sets.

This Falcon will just not stay together. The many minifigs and the liftable top flaps imply this set is meant to be interactive -- you're supposed to play with it when you're done building. But the FLAPS WILL NOT STAY ATTACHED and WILL NOT STAY TOGETHER.

Moving it from your build site to another location? At least one of the flaps will come off unless you move at a glacial pace. And when they fall off, it's almost guaranteed they will break into several pieces (even if you pressed all the pieces together firmly).

I had hoped this set would mimic the UCS Falcon set in quality while taking up a smaller display footprint and at a more budget-friendly price. Unfortunately, did not even come close on the quality side of the equation.