Knowing that the ultra-anticipated LEGO Palace Cinema modular set was being released in stores to non-VIP shoppers March 1st is one thing, but being able to see it displayed in all its glory is quite another! I know many readers don’t have a local LEGO Store to soak in the glory of their LEGO Creator Palace Cinema display case, so over the weekend I headed to my local LEGO stores, where I had the opportunity to see the LEGO Palace Cinema 10232 in-person and snap a few photos of it fully-built and displayed grandly in the stores…

I first talked about the LEGO Palace Cinema back in January, when photos of the set first started to be released by LEGO. As soon as I saw it, I knew that this wasn’t a 2013 LEGO set I needed to own–it was the 2013 LEGO set that I needed to own. This gorgeous old-time theater Palace Cinema set is easily my favorite LEGO set that’s come out in the last few years (although I am a huge fan of the LEGO Winter Village sets).

Both of my closest local LEGO Stores have the LEGO Palace Cinema 10232 modular set proudly displayed behind a glass case in the middle of the stores. I prefer this to having it in the front window, as it allows customers (and me!) to circle the set and see the full 360 degrees of its splendor.

I actually had to wait a few minutes to take all my photos of the LEGO Palace Cinema display case at one store, as kids kept wandering over from the LEGO Chima Speedorz stand to gaze at the Palace Cinema longingly (and be subsequently be told by their mothers that their allowance isn’t enough to buy the Palace Cinema). I’m planning to pick my Palace Cinema set up later this month, and I already feel kind of giddy about it.

For 2,194 pieces, the LEGO Creator Palace Cinema modular set really is a deal at the retail price of $149.99. If you don’t have a local LEGO Store, don’t fret! You can also purchase the set from the online LEGO Store as well.