When Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opened this summer at Disneyland, there were many things to be excited about. The environment in general, the characters, the new attraction, the dining, Oga's Cantina, the merchandise, and more. But, as a lifelong Star Wars fan, the one thing I was most excited and intrigued by was Savi's Workshop, where you could build your very own lightsaber, just like the ones in the films I had grown up loving. Admittedly, the price tag made me hesitate quite a bit, but, eventually, I could not resist any longer…I had to test it out.
Luckily, the Resort had opened up reservations for Savi's Workshop two weeks in advance, so I was able to book my appointment ahead of time and, rest assured, I would get in with no problems. The reservation system itself was the same as any other reservation you would make at the Disneyland Resort, I picked a date and a time and I was ready to go. When the day and time of my reservation rolled around, I headed to Savi's Workshop to check in. The Workshop is a little bit hidden, and there is no signage on the outside of it, due to the story of the workshop supposedly being hidden from the First Order and the patrolling Stormtroopers. However, once you find the Workshop, located in the midst of the other retail shops and across from the marketplace (hint: if you are near Droid Depot, you're getting warm), you head to the check-in station.
Savi's Workshop Check-In Station. Photo by Megan Walker.
Once you check-in for your reservation, the cast member will ask you which hilt theme you'd like to build from. The four choices offer you different styled pieces to build your lightsaber's hilt:
- Peace and Justice (honoring the fallen Jedi temples from the Republic era)
- Power and Control (inspired by the Dark Side and the Sith)
- Elemental Nature (embodying the pure nature of the Force, materials are from nature)
- Protection and Defense (inspired by the ancient wellspring of the Force, featuring a mysterious theme).
There are examples of each one of these choices' hilt options nearby, so if you want a peek of what each includes, you can take a look. Once you make your choice, the cast member checking you in will give you a pin that showcases your choice to wear while you build the lightsaber. This is great because the pin is basically an extra souvenir from the entire experience!
Savi's Workshop Pin for Peace and Justice. Photo by Megan Walker.
After checking in and making your choice, you wait in the waiting area for just a little bit near the workshop until it is your group's turn to build.
Savi's Workshop Waiting Area. Photo by Megan Walker.
Once you are taken inside the workshop, you line up around the table in the room in front of your own individual lightsaber building station.
Savi's Workshop Lightsaber Building Station. Photo by Megan Walker.
From there, the leader of the Gatherers (the group that works in the Workshop, who have traveled the Galaxy looking for pieces to bring back to the workshop) begins to tell the entire room the story of the Force and explaining the importance of the lightsabers.
Savi's Workshop Interior. Photo by Megan Walker.
They go through each piece of the lightsaber in detail and then it's time to pick your kyber crystal. The kyber crystal is the power of your lightsaber, and is also what gives your blade the color of light. Your choices are blue, green, violet, or red. The Gatherers also explain the previous wielders of each color saber and their importance to the Galaxy.
Savi's Workshop Lead Gatherer. Photo by Megan Walker.
Once you've picked your kyber crystal, it's time to start picking the other pieces of your hilt. There are four different options of sleeve (of which you pick two); two different emitters (of which you pick one); two pommel caps (of which you pick one); and two sets of activation plates and switches (of which you pick one set).
Savi's Workshop Lightsaber Hilt. Photo by Megan Walker.
Once you pick your pieces, you'll start putting together your hilt with the help of the Gatherers. Once you're done, the Gatherers will take your hilt and connect it to your blade, activating and igniting your brand new lightsaber.
A Gatherer Activating Your Lightsaber. Photo by Megan Walker.
Lightsaber Activation. Photo by Megan Walker.
When you're done building your lightsaber, you receive a carrying case and you're on your way. Overall, this is a fantastic experience. Not only is the atmosphere of the workshop really something special, but the cast members who act as the Gatherers are really special and make the entire experience more than worth the price tag. As a lifelong Star Wars fan, this was pretty incredible, it felt so real and I never imagined I would ever have a lightsaber before. Not only is the experience itself a blast, but the lightsaber is of incredible quality. The materials are incredibly high quality and it is definitely worth every penny. If you have the opportunity to visit Savi's Workshop and build a lightsaber of your own, I highly recommend it.
Savi's Workshop Lightsaber. Photo by Megan Walker.
Savi's Workshop Lightsaber Carrying Case. Photo by Megan Walker.
Savi's Workshop accepts reservations up to two weeks in advance. The experience is $199.99 per lightsaber (plus tax), and is one lightsaber per one builder per experience. Each builder can have two guests come into the workshop with them to view the experience. At least one person in each party must be over the age of 14. The lightsabers are nonrefundable and, unfortunately, do not allow any Annual Passholder discounts.
