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 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; 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.
Next time you visit Walt Disney World, visit Galaxy’s Edge and be sure to stop by 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 so you’ll know exactly what to expect!
Overview
Droid Depot is located in Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. Located directly in the center of the land, across from where Wookie and Rey hang out, near the entrance to the Marketplace and right next to Savi’s Workshop is this incredibly bustling, loud 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!
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.
The full experience takes approximately 30 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.
Reservations
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 Pricing & Types
To start, building a droid will set you back $99.99, 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. Annual Passholder discounts apply to only the backpack and some of the extras, but not the droid itself. These choices must be made at the time of check-in.
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.
Upon check-in and at the time of payment, you will also be asked what type of droid you want to build. Based on your choice (the R-Series or BB-Series, more details on that in a moment), you’ll be given a basket and instructions on what is needed to build your droid of choice.
As Disney describes:
Select your choice of a BB-series or an R-series, then choose from a colorful variety of components to customize the droid, activate it, then you’re in business! Whether heading to the far corners of Wild Space or wandering around Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, be sure to bring your personal droid — the ultimate travel companion for all your Outer Rim adventures.
You will be guided to the parts station by a Cast Member. There you will find a conveyor belt moving at a decent pace completely filled with all sorts of 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 (R-Series or BB-Series). 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 or BB-8. As a matter of fact, I highly recommend you don’t. It’s more fun to customize your droid and make it uniquely yours.
Parts Station
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.
Select from a colorful variety of components to customize your droid as they roll by on the shop’s conveyor belt:
If you choose the R-Series (like R2-D2), these are the parts you will choose:
- Dome
- Body
- Center Leg
- Set of Side Legs
If you choose the BB-Series (like BB-8), these are the parts you will choose:
- Dome
- Dome Connection Plate
- Body Sphere
- Motivator
Once you have selected all of your parts, you will move to a build station. 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.
Build Station
Once at the Build Station, you’ll follow 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!
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 and BB-Series droids. These chips change how your droid sounds and interacts in the park. They cost an additional $12.95 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 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.
Droid Interactions in 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 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.
Droid Depot 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 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!
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!
