Calling all Star Wars fans!! If you are looking for an out-of-this-world, one-of-a-kind experience, keep reading because this is for YOU! Ever think about how awesome it would be to create and build your own Disney droid? One that interacts not only with you, but with other droids? Well, now you can!
In the heart of Galaxy’s Edge you’ll find this amazing place called Droid Depot. This is a loud and often crowded spot in Black Spire Outpost where both young and young-at-heart Star Wars fans can experience a little extra Star Wars fun.
Building a Disney Droid in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge
Next time you visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios, visit Galaxy’s Edge and be sure to stop by the Droid Depot. This is an experience you won’t want to miss. For long-time Star Wars fans, it’s everything you’ve ever imagined it to be. I promise.
Let’s get into all the details of this droid building experience, so you’ll know exactly what to expect!
Where is Droid Depot?
Droid Depot is located in Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. It is located directly in the center of the land, across from where Wookie and Rey hang out on platforms, hiding from the Storm Troopers.
Near the entrance to the Marketplace and right next to Savi’s Workshop is this incredibly bustling, and a bit chaotic workshop where the most imaginative droids are built.
Disney best describes the experience as:
Where else in the world do you get the chance to build your very own custom Astromech Unit that you can take home with you? That’s right, Droid Depot at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! While exploring Black Spire Outpost, you and your friends can swing by the Droid Depot for a chance to create one of the galaxy’s most indispensable sidekicks.
Visit a workshop stocked with parts, chips, manuals and other tech items useful for constructing your very own droid, one of the galaxy’s most indispensable sidekicks.
Step inside and let your imagination run wild!
Making Reservations for Droid Depot
While reservations are not required, they are strongly recommended. Anyone with a reservation will take priority over anyone waiting in the standby line. So depending on how busy it may be, the wait time could be extensive without a reservation. Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance.
Generally, it’s not that difficult to get a reservation. You may find it challenging during extremely busy times, but otherwise, you should not encounter any issues finding a time that suits your itinerary.
Reservations for Walt Disney World can be made HERE.
Droid Depot Pricing and Options
Let’s take a look at the prices for building your own Disney droid, as well as the different options you can choose from.
How much does it cost to build a droid?
To start, building a droid will set you back $119.99, which includes building your custom droid and a carrying box to protect your purchase. If you choose, you can upgrade your carrying box to a custom backpack for $49.99 to transport your droid back to earth.
Payment is required at the time of reservation. The cost includes one droid and a carrying box.
Disney World Annual Passholder discounts apply to only the droid backpack backpack and some of the extras, but not the droid itself.
Note that you can also use your own backpack or tote to carry your droid. You do not have to use the box or buy a separate backpack.
R Series, BB Series, and C Series options
Upon check-in, you will also be asked what type of droid you want to build. Based on your choice (the R-Series, BB-Series, and C series), you’ll be given a basket and instructions on what is needed to build your droid of choice.
R Series
If you choose the R Series (like R2-D2), these are the parts you will choose:
- Dome
- Body
- Center Leg
- Set of Side Legs
BB Series
If you choose the BB Series (like BB-8), these are the parts you will choose:
- Dome
- Dome Connection Plate
- Body Sphere
- Motivator
C Series
If you choose the C Series (like Chopper), these are the parts you will choose:
- Dome
- Body
- Center Leg or Center Wheel
- Set of Side-C Legs
- If using Extender with Body, pick up Set of Side-R Legs
How to Build Your Own Droid
Choose the style of droid that you would like to build, then head on over the the assembly line (parts station) to pick out your pieces. There are many different color choices to choose from: red, blue, purple, orange, white, black and even clear pieces.
Parts Station
You will be guided to the parts station by a Cast Member. There you will find the conveyor belt moving at a decent pace completely filled with all sorts of droid parts and pieces in a variety of colors to build your custom, unique-to-you droid.
Along with the instructions provided at check-in, there are guides providing direction on what parts are required to build your chosen droid. There are different parts needed for each one.
You can mix and match colors as you wish, you do not need to stick to the traditional colors of R2-D2, BB-8 or Chopper. As a matter of fact, I highly recommend you don’t. It’s more fun to customize your droid and make it uniquely yours. You can even mix and match the different droids!
So step on up to the parts stations and start making your selections. You can take your time and review all of the choices before picking, if you need to. But I recommend you do not take too long as others are waiting to select their parts as well.
Build Station
Once you have selected all of your parts, you will move to the building stations. A Cast Member will guide you to the appropriate spot. If there are two of you, but only one is building a droid, that is the person that will step up to the station and be directed on how to build their droid. The other guest will need to observe from behind.
A Cast Member is behind every build station and guiding you every step of the way on building your droid. There are parts of the build that may be tricky, especially for younger kids, so having the Cast Member there is very helpful. Building each droid takes about 4-5 steps to assemble.
Once at the Build Station, you’ll follow the simple “placemat” instructions or graphic monitor displays to assemble your droid in the proper sequence. Once complete, your droid will be paired with a remote control and activated as you watch it come to life!
Personality Chips
Your droid will come with a personality chip that allows him/her to interact both at home and in Galaxy’s Edge. You will choose your personality chip at the time of initial purchase.
There are however additional personality chips you can buy separately that can be used in both the R-Series, BB-Series and C Series droids. These chips change how your droid sounds and interacts in the park. They cost an additional $14.99 each.
Once it’s paired with a remote control and activated (the Cast Member is in charge of activating the droid – it’s awesome to watch!), you are good to go! Congratulations, you just built your very own droid!
Droid Interaction Inside of Galaxy’s Edge
Your droid is programmed to interact with other droids and elements throughout Galaxy’s Edge through Bluetooth technology. You will hear him/her beeping and buzzing while either in the box or backpack.
Note that you cannot remove your interactive droid from the box or backpack and play with him while you’re in the park.
As Disney states:
Using a remote-control device to operate a droid while at the theme parks is prohibited. Please carry the droid around Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to allow it to interact with elements in the land.
This is reinforced, so please be sure to keep your droid protected and safe in the box or backpack. There is a droid play area right outside of the Droid Depot, with mats on the ground and a cast member. This is a great place to play and interact with other droids, and the cast member droids as well.
Droid Depot Mobile App
And now the fun doesn’t have to end when you get home! Disney announced an all-new Droid Depot App that you can download from the Apple and Google Play app store.
Even if you haven’t yet had the opportunity to build a droid in Galaxy’s Edge, you can join in on the fun because the app lets you design and build your very own virtual version for free!
Visit HERE for more information!
Frequently Asked Questions About Droid Depot
These are the most frequently asked questions about building your very own droid at the Droid Depot.
How old do you have to be to build a droid?
Disney recommends this experience for Guests ages 3 and up. Any visitor 7 years old or younger must be accompanied by somebody at least 14 years old to enter.
Can you bring your own carrying bag?
You do not need to purchase the Droid Depot backpack. If you are trying to save money, you can use the cute box that comes with your droid, but that can be hard to carry around all day.
It is very nice to have a bag that you or your child can wear and carry around the park. It also makes for great pictures! You can absolutely bring your own bag. Many people like to create their own bag.
Sarah and her daughter decided to save some money and make their very own bag for less than $15.00. She found this affordable backpack on Amazon and they created a stencil and painted their own logo onto the bag.
All you need to do is unzip the top of the bag and fold it over so your new friend can peek out! This bag is great because it has a spot to hold a water bottle, and a zipper pouch for snacks.
You can even wear it on the front like a baby carrier, or on your back like a backpack. They received a lot of compliments all day, and were able to save money for extra Star Wars snacks!
How long does the experience last?
The full experience takes approximately 30-45 minutes. The experience area is limited to the builder and one Guest—at least one person in the party must be age 14 or older. Only the builder will be allowed to build a droid; the Guest of the builder may not build a droid, but only observe.
This is a great parent and child or couple experience, as it saves a lot of money if you are only purchasing one droid for your family unit.
What if I need help operating my droid?
Droid Depot doesn’t give you any formal instructions or a manual about your droid before you leave. So, when you return home and require some assistance, be sure to reference one of the links below. The manuals are available online if you need them.
Is the experience worth it?
If you are a Star Wars fan, you have probably always dreamed of having your own Star Wars droid to call your own. This is a great opportunity that you will not find anywhere else. The theming is great, there is so much to look at and so many droids to see.
I highly recommend this fun and entertaining option when visiting Galaxy’s Edge. It’s great for all ages, and while a bit pricey, you will walk away with a one-of-a-kind souvenir that you will treasure forever!
