Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened in 2019 at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, allowing us to roam the planet of Battu in search of adventure! You can fly the Millennium Falcon on a smuggling mission, be a part of the Resistance and escape with the rebellion, or just enjoy the day on a planet far, far away. 

As a Star Wars fan, or just someone who appreciates the Star Wars world, one of the best parts of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at both Disneyland and Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World is the ability to do some very immersive activities like Droid building or creating a lightsaber! We have been waiting to be able to do both, and last week, we finally did!

*Warning, there are spoilers for the experience ahead!

How to Book Savi’s Workshop– Handbuilt Lightsabers

It is very important to have reservations to build your lightsaber! Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers is an incredibly popular experience in the parks and does book up quickly. Advance reservations are highly recommended. However, a limited number of same-day reservations may be available up to 2 hours in advance. You may get lucky and be able to sneak into a reservation if one opens up! Here is the booking window for Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers:

• Guests with a Valid Disney Resort Hotel Reservation: Make reservations for your entire length of stay (for up to a 10-night stay) up to 60 days in advance of your arrival! This can help you enjoy streamlined vacation planning, since you can make all your reservations on the same day—rather than checking availability day after day.
• All Other Guests: Make reservations up to 60 days in advance.

To book your reservation contact your travel advisor and let them know you’d like to add this on to your vacation. They can book it for you. Or, visit the Walt Disney World or Disneyland website and book directly from the Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers page. 

Let the Fun Begin!

Savi Workshop might be a little hard to find. That is actually on purpose! To keep up with the theming in the land, Cast Members keep the shop a hidden gem. You will not see any signage or anything that leads you to check in. If you are having trouble locating it, ask the closest Cast Member. Savi’s Workshop is run by a group of “Gatherers” hiding from the First Order. They bring you in to build your custom lightsaber and get you ready for the rebellion!

Once you confirm your reservation, you are given a sheet to look over and choose from 4 styles of lightsabers representing different aspects of Jedi and Sith lore.

4 available hilt themes and receive a cloisonné pin to identify your selection. Themes include:

• Peace and Justice
  Salvaged scraps from fallen Jedi temples and crashed starships in these Republic-era designs honor the galaxy’s former guardians.
  
  
• Power and Control
  Originally forged by dark side warriors, this style features rumored remnants from the Sith homeworld and abandoned temples.
  
  
• Elemental Nature
  This theme embodies the Force—an energy created by all living things, like Brylark trees, Cartusion whale bones and Rancor teeth.
  
  
• Protection and Defense
  Hilt materials bear mysterious motifs and inscriptions that reconnect users with the ancient wellspring of the Force.

After choosing your style, guests are given a cloisonné pin corresponding to their choice. Guests must wear this pin to signal to their Gatherer helpers which pieces they will work with. 

At building time, guests are led inside the Gatherers Workshop and given a spot at one of 12 stations on a large circular work table. The workshop’s walls are lined with old crates and ancient items from across the galaxy. After settling in at their stations, you are greeted by a Gatherers member who explains that their purpose is to collect and protect rare and interesting scrap pieces that most might consider worthless. Watch the video below and see a just little peek at our build!

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Guests are then given a choice of Kyber Crystal to power their lightsaber. The crystals come in red, green, blue, and violet and will determine the lightsaber blade’s color. These crystals can also be used in the Holocron boxes sold at Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities. A Gatherer then presents the builder with the pieces they can choose from to create their weapon.

The lightsaber hilts have 5 sections: an emitter, an activation plate, a pommel cap, and two sleeve pieces. Guests may examine each piece and match the fit to find their perfect setup. These pieces are mostly made from metal and have a nice weight to them that gives the toy a realistic feel.

Next, begin assembling your hilt—parts will be provided based on your theme and cloisonné pin. Each box of parts includes:

• 1 hilt
• 4 sleeves (pick 2)
• 2 emitters (pick 1)
• 2 pommel caps (pick 1) 
• 2 sets of activation plates and switches (pick 1 set)

Upon hilt completion, the unused parts will be collected by the Gatherers and returned to Savi’s inventory. These are not included with your lightsaber package.

While you are building your hilt there is little time for discussion with the Gatherers about the lightsabers. In our build, there was a little boy who was extremely into it and had so much to say. The Cast Members did a fantastic job with him throughout the whole process. 

After assembling their lightsaber, guests then step back from the table while a Gatherer takes their hilt and attaches it to a chamber built into the workstation.

The whole experience is emotional, powerful, and fully engaging for all that participate. Once it’s time, the builders then step forward and activate their new weapon. This is where the show begins and everyone gets goosebumps!  As the lights dim and the builder flips the switch on their hilt, the chamber begins to glow with the chosen blade color. The chamber then opens to reveal the finished lightsaber with a glowing blade.

The builders then raise their weapons to the sky, some final farewell words are spoken, and you are set on your own way. In our case, to build a Droid next!

Each lightsaber comes with a long black padded bag with the Black Spire logo on it. This makes it a little easier to transport home. Just keep in mind, it is fragile! 

Final Details:

• $249.99 per lightsaber, plus tax
• Payment will be due upon arrival at the location
• One lightsaber per builder per experience
• Carrying case included
• Additional customization items can be purchased at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities
• Age Recommendation: 5 years or older
• The experience area is limited to the builder and one Guest—at least one person in the party must be age 14 or older
• Guest of the builder may not build a lightsaber when accompanying the builder
• Custom lightsabers are nonrefundable and are not eligible for Annual Passholder or other discounts

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