Savi’s Workshop: Become a Jedi and Build Your Own Awesome Lightsaber!
If you’re planning to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you undoubtedly want to spend at least some time in the Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge portion of the park. One of the most popular things to do at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is the one-of-a-kind lightsaber building experience at Savi’s Workshop.
Lightsabers are one of the most iconic pieces in pop culture, even if you aren’t a Star Wars fan. Now that Disney is giving Star Wars fans (and non-fans alike) the chance to experience building one for themselves, you may be considering doing so yourself. However, you might also have questions – What is the experience like? How much does it cost? And (most importantly) is it worth it?
What is Savi’s Workshop?
Savi’s Workshop is a shop on the planet Batuu (aka Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios) where you can build your own custom lightsaber. This experience is not included in your regular ticket to the parks and requires an additional fee.
Part of Batuu‘s immersive story, this shop is run by “The Gathers” who are secretly sharing their knowledge about the Jedi, the Force, and of course the secrets of lightsabers. Unlike many of the other shops in Batuu, Savi’s Workshop does not have any branding or signs marking it. In keeping with the theming, the location resembles a random scrap seller, an inconspicuous front to avoid detection from the First Order troopers who roam around this section of the park.
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop?
As of writing this, it costs $219.99 (plus tax) to build a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. This is a lot for any souvenir! However, keep in mind that you are paying for the full experience at Savi’s Workshop. The process takes about 30 minutes to complete. Space is very limited. You will need to book a reservation in advance if you know you want to do it.
When you make your reservation, you will need to give a credit card number to reserve your spot. If you are a no-show, you will be charged full price. Like most Disney reservations, you must cancel 24 hours in advance to avoid cancellation fees.
What is Included in the Experience?
For that price tag, you probably want to know exactly what you’re getting. Understandable! We went into this without knowing much about the process, so we’ll break it down for you as much as possible.
When you check-in at Savi’s Workshop, they’ll likely ask if you’re here about the “scrap metal” and express concern that the First Order may be nearby. This storytelling is all part of the immersive experience, so don’t be surprised, and feel free to roleplay along! Once you confirm your booking, you’ll choose from one of four themes for your saber:
- Peace and Justice
- Power and Control
- Elemental Nature
- Protection and Defense
After you make your choice, you’ll receive a metal pin to signify your theme for the cast members. Once inside, you’ll choose pieces from the set of your choice to assemble a lightsaber. While there are 10 pieces available in each theme, you will only select 5 of those for your build. (The extra pieces will simply be returned at the end of the build.) You’ll also select a kyber crystal from one of four colors—usually red, blue, green, and purple. From there, you’ll go through a “bonding ceremony” with your new lightsaber.
So, here’s what comes with the experience:
- lightsaber hilt
- blade
- 2 sleeves
- 1 emitter
- 1 pommel cap
- 1 activation plate
- 1 kyber crystal
- a commemorative metal pin
- a carrying case
As you ignite your blade for the first time, remember Obi-Wan’s words to Anakin: “This weapon is your life.”
Additional Add-Ons
One of the more exciting features of a Savi’s Workshop lightsaber is the interchangeable colors. After choosing the initial color for your blade, you can go on to purchase additional kyber crystals at the nearby shop—Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities—that will change the color of the lightsaber blade. The current kyber crystal retail price is $12.99, and they come in six colors: red, blue, green, white, purple, and yellow. They can be used with any of Savi’s lightsabers (as well as the Jedi or Sith holocrons available for separate purchase).
You can also purchase a canvas lightsaber sheath at Dok-Ondar’s. These are sturdier than the carrying case included at Savi’s and a little more Star Wars-themed as well. They may be a good option if you want to travel with your lightsaber frequently. They retail for $49.99.
Savi’s lightsabers are customizable, meaning that you can create any combination of pieces for the hilt. However, you only get to keep the ones you use in your initial build. That is where the “scrap metal” element comes in once again. You can occasionally (depending on availability) visit Savi’s and request “additional scrap metal.” If it’s available that day, you can purchase additional hilt pieces for your saber so you can mix and match as you’d like.
If you’d like to display your lightsaber at home, you can purchase a stand at Dok-Ondar’s or Disney Springs. You can also pick up a belt clip at either location.
What’s the Savi’s Workshop Lightsaber Experience Like?
We don’t want to spoil the specifics for you, but be assured this is one of the most immersive experiences at a Disney Park to date. There’s nothing quite like the moment you and your group hold the newly assembled sabers aloft and activate them for the first time. For a moment, you might just swear the Force is really flowing through you.
The workshop only holds 14 stations for building a saber, so you really feel the benefits of this intimate space. The cast members – or Gatherers as they are called – bring a sense of solemnity and weight to the process. It never feels like you’re putting together an expensive toy but instead feels like you’re truly taking part in an ancient ritual for the Jedi. The cast members are wonderful in this respect. They remain in character as they take you through the process, and it’s fun to play along as you go.
The bonding ceremony is spectacular. We recommend not looking up too many details so you can walk in spoiler-free! All we’ll say is that the ceremony was unexpectedly delightful and brought the whole thing together at the end.
Other Savi’s Questions
Do I need a reservation? Yes! You should book a reservation for the experience as soon as possible. You can do so online or on the My Disney Experience app.
Can I bring someone with me? Yes! At this time, Savi’s allows you to bring one additional guest in with you per reservation. We suggest bringing someone who will take photos for you, as you’ll likely be too distracted to do it yourself!
Can I go inside without a reservation? No. The only way you can enter Savi’s Workshop is with a reservation or as a guest of someone with one.
How long does it take? From check-in to the ceremony, it’s about 30 minutes for the full experience.
Can I take a lightsaber on rides? Surprisingly, many rides in Disney’s Hollywood Studios can accommodate lightsabers fairly easily! For those that don’t let you take them on board, cast members are very skilled at taking care of them during your ride. Unfortunately, they do not fit in lockers, so be prepared to carry them with you around the park.
Is Building a Lightsaber at Disney World Worth It?
For the dedicated Star Wars fan, the answer is a resounding YES. This is an amazing one-of-a-kind experience that will thrill your entire group. There’s a reason that this remains one of the most popular parts of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It makes your entire day at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge just that much more fun. Not to mention we loved all of the opportunities for unique photos with a shiny, new saber (especially after dark!). For non-Star Wars fans? It’s still a stellar experience! Even casual parkgoers have glowing praise for the overall theming and interactive elements.
The saber quality is quite good, too. Despite the price, it’s still cheaper than some of the custom, non-licensed props you can get from other vendors. The interchangeable crystals to swap blade colors gives you more options, too, so you’re not locked into a single choice. If you’d rather have a souvenir from an established Star Wars character, you can always purchase one of the Legacy Lightsabers at Dok-Ondars. These run anywhere from $129.99 to $199.99 and include sabers inspired by Kylo Ren, Anakin Skywalker, Rey, Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, and more. However, if you want something unique and undeniably Star Wars, Savi’s is the best choice.
The experience may not resonate as much with smaller children for the price tag. We recommend waiting until your little one is at least 10-12 before investing this much money into a souvenir. For younger children, we suggest visiting Tattooine Traders. The shop offers a kid-friendly (and much cheaper) build-your-own plastic lightsaber station.
Overall, Savi’s Workshop in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is among the best experiences at the Disney parks. We highly recommend splurging for it if you can! If you’re a Star Wars fan, this is a MUST do on your list!
Have you built a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop? Drop us a link on Twitter and show us your creation!
Cover Image
Photo: Sergey Galyonkin via Flickr
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