With the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there came an exciting opportunity for Star Wars fans of all ages. If you’ve always dreamed of building a lightsaber for yourself, you’ll want to make a reservation for your next trip at Savi’s Workshop. Here we’re going to share with you everything you need to know about this activity and what you can expect from the experience.
Plan Ahead Before Your Trip
Before your trip, we highly encourage you to book a reservation for Savi’s Workshop. This is one of the most popular experiences in the resort, and you won’t want to be disappointed if this is something that is high on your bucket list. There may be a chance of getting a walk-in reservation on your day in the park, but this can’t be guaranteed. You can book for Savi’s Workshop up to 60 days in advance of your trip on either the Disney World website or the My Disney Experience app.
When making your reservation, you’ll need to have a valid credit card, and it’s important to note there is a no-show fee associated with this booking, which is a whopping $219.99. Make sure you cancel the reservation at least a day before if you change your mind, or you may face this huge cancellation charge. When it comes to the day of your reservation, arrive in plenty of time, so you don’t miss your spot. Remember that you’ll have to enter the park and pass security and then travel all the way to the back of the park to enter Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Who Can Build a Lightsaber?
The lightsaber building experience is recommended for anyone over the age of five. Anyone under the age of 14 will need to be accompanied by an adult, and only the builder and one guest are allowed into the area. The guest can’t buy their own lightsaber, so keep this in mind if a few of you in your party are looking to enjoy this experience. When you arrive at Savi’s Workshop, you’ll be required to show your reservation confirmation and may need to present a photo ID. Try to arrive 15 minutes or so before your reservation time, as late arrivals can’t always be accommodated.
Where is Savi’s Workshop Located?
Savi’s Workshop is located in Black Spire Outpost with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Pick up a park map or use the app to find the location if you are unsure, as many guests find it to be a bit hidden away. It’s located between the Droid Depot and Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities and is opposite Ronto Roasters. It’s quite a discreet and hidden building, which doesn’t help when you are in a rush trying to find the location. If you are trying to obtain a walk-in reservation, head there first thing in the morning. Sometimes they create a standby list, but these spaces will be taken up very quickly. Of course, there is no guarantee of getting a reservation even if you are the first person here in the morning, so we always recommend booking ahead of time if this is something you are desperate to do.
How Much Does Building a Lightsaber Cost?
The experience at Savi’s Workshop costs $219.99 per lightsaber, plus tax on top of that. Payment is due when you arrive for your reservation, and a carrying case is included with the purchase. The lightsabers are non-refundable, and there are no discounts, such as Annual Passholder discounts available on these. If you do want to add on additional customization items, you can then head to Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities following your visit. It’s certainly not a cheap experience, but for many people, this is quickly becoming one of the highlights of their time in Walt Disney World.
The Experience in Savi’s Workshop
Although receiving your own lightsaber is likely to be the highlight of the visit, the experience itself is also something you’ll remember for a long time after your trip. The workshop is located in Black Spire Outpost, where the “Gatherers” will welcome you to the hidden workshop that’s packed with unique parts and pieces that were collected from a galaxy far away. With their help, you’ll be able to construct your own lightsaber, which will be brought to life with the kyber crystals. You can then head back out into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and continue to embark on further adventures in this incredible land.
Choosing Your Lightsaber’s Theme and Design.
When you begin the process of building your lightsaber, you’ll be able to choose from one of four themes for the hilt. You then receive a cloisonné pin, which showcases your selection. These are the four themes you can choose from currently:
- Peace and Justice – Featuring scraps from Jedi temples and starships, this theme honors the former guardians of the galaxy with Republic-era designs.
- Elemental Nature – Embodying the Force, this is an energy that’s created from any living thing, including Rancor teeth and Cartusion whale bones.
- Power and Control – While the dark side warriors originally created this style, it features remnants from the home world of the Sith and temples which were abandoned.
- Protection and Defense – The fourth option features mysterious inspirations and symbols that help to connect the user of the lightsaber with the wellspring of the Force.
The kyber crystal will also be selected with the help of the Gatherers, and you can choose a green, red, violet, or blue one to form the heart of your lightsaber.
Assembling Your Lightsaber
Based on the theme you choose for your lightsaber, you’ll be provided parts. Each box of parts will include a hilt, sleeves, emitters, pommel caps, and activation plates and switches. You’ll have to select your favorite options in order to make your fully customized lightsaber. Once you have the parts in front of you, you’ll place your kyber crystal into the chassis before adding the rest of the pieces that make up the hilt. The building work isn’t always super easy, but there are always people around to help you, and the Gatherers are extremely helpful and engaging. You can take as much time as you like during the experience, and we found it to be not at all rushed on our visit.
The unused parts are then returned to the inventory before your hilt is connected to a 31” blade to completed the process. Your hilt is placed into a stabilization chamber, where the blade is added to complete the process. As you can see, it’s certainly a unique experience, and no two lightsabers will look exactly the same. It’s a very hands-on workshop, which is why reservations are so limited, especially while social distancing is still a big consideration. The workshop is quite dimly lit and enclosed, which is something to keep in mind if you struggle in busy or small spaces.
At the end of the experience, the room turns green, and you hear from Master Yoda, who welcomes you to form a bond between the lightsaber and the builder. This is one of the most fun parts of the experience, and while we don’t want to spoil too much about it, you’ll remember this as one of the highlights of your time in Savi’s Workshop. You’ll deactivate the lightsaber before leaving, and you’ll receive a protective sheath to carry it around for the rest of the day. We encourage you to make the most of your time in Batuu and take loads of photos with your new prop. If you are hanging around in the park until the end of the day, make sure you take some night-time photos, as they look amazing lit up.
How to get lightsaber home from disney world
All of us worry about having too much luggage when leaving Walt Disney World, but the good news is that TSA has said lightsabers can be checked in or taken on the plane as carry-on luggage. Check with your airline for their rules, as this varies from company to company. They can usually fit in the overhead compartment, but check onboard what they would prefer for your journey home.
You can also ship the lightsaber home for rates starting around $16. To do this, head over to the Droid Depot or Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities. If you’ve already left the parks, head to your Disney Resort’s gift shop, where they are able to help you ship it home safely.
Are you ready to build a lightsaber on your next trip to Walt Disney World? Make sure you book ahead to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s certainly something you’ll remember forever and will go down as one of the highlights of your next visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
