Lightsaber making at Savi’s Workshop

Since Droid making was at the tippity top of my “must do” list for Batuu, I admittedly didn’t have as much of an appetite for the other immersive experience in Galaxy’s Edge: custom lightsaber building at Savi’s Workshop. It probably had something to do with the $200 price tag… but even after Mark snagged us a slot at Savi’s, I was happy to let him go off without me while I wanted for our return time at Oga’s Cantina. Insanity!? Probably. Anyway, I admit now how wrong I was.

With Galaxy’s Edge now for more than a month, I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy Savi’s lightsaber experience twice (read: my husband is a bigger Star Wars nerd than I am). And both times I got genuine saber-making induced chills! It’s such an awesome, immersive experience, and I think it’s something anyone and everyone would enjoy — whether you’re a diehard Star Wars fan or not.

How to book a lightsaber build time

In order to make a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop in Galaxy’s Edge, you need to first make a reservation through the Disneyland app or Disneyland website. These reservations currently open 14 days in advance, but Disney is going to open these up 60 days in advance very soon! In order to book your return time, you MUST pay in full in advance. Lightsabers are $199 plus tax, and no AP or CM discounts apply.

Also note — there are no cancellations or refunds, so make sure that you can actually attend the return time that you book, otherwise you’ll be out about $215 with no fancy lightsaber to show for it.

Choosing a hilt theme

When you check in for your return time at Savi’s Workshop, you meet with “Gatherers” and pick out one of four hilt themes. These correspond to a souvenir pin (which all Builders receive), and will determine the overall look and feel of your saber:

Elemental Nature (pictured above): this theme embodies the Force — an energy created by all living things, like Bylark trees, Cartusion whale bones, and Rancor teeth.

Peace and Justice: Salvaged scraps from fallen Jedi temples and crashed starships in these Republic-era designs honor the galaxy’s former guardians.

Protection and Defense: Hilt materials bear mysterious motifs and inscriptions that reconnect users with the ancient wellspring of the Force.

Power and Control: Originally forged by dark warriors, this style features rumored remnants from the Sith homeworld and abandoned temples.

Assembling your lightsaber

After choosing your hilt theme, you and the rest of the reservation group are ushered into the main assembly room (each Builder can bring a max of 2 guests in with them). Once inside, the Gatherers tell you a bit about the history and the sacredness of the Force, and the importance of what you’re about to do. It’s a really detailed and realistic looking space, with lights that change colors at various points and speakers that boom down Yoda’s voice. Definitely makes the experience feel like it’s worth the price tag.

After a short intro, each builder picks out their own Kyber Crystal, which is the center of the saber and determines the color of the blade. We chose green on our first go, and purple on our second. If you’re eternally indecisive, like me, know that you can buy additional Kyber Crystals at Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, and interchange them after the fact.

Once you choose your Kyber Cyrstal, Gatherers give you a tray of “scrap metal” that corresponds to the hilt theme you picked out. Then it’s time to assemble! Each tray comes with an array of interlocking choices for you to choose from, so even those who choose the same hilt theme won’t necessarily make the same saber.

This was our completed Protection and Defense hilt.

And our completed Peace and Justice hilt.

And, activate!

Gatherers give you ample time to assemble your lightsaber, but I’d say most people were done in about 10 minutes or less. Once everyone is finished with their hilt, it’s time for the best part. ACTIVATION. Gatherers will come around and place everyone’s hilts inside of these long sleeves on the table where the hilts connect to the saber blade. Then, at once, everyone moves forward and switches their saber on. And just like that, the blades come alive. You can watch the short video on my Instagram, but just know — it’s super epic.

And there you have it, custom lightsaber making at Savi’s Workshop in Galaxy’s Edge. Now, if you’ll excuse me…I’ve got Sith lords to battle.

xx,

K