by Our review of Savi’s Workshop in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge reveals that the force is strong with this experience.
When Disney first announced that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge would have a custom lightsaber building experience, we were instantly excited. In short, we could finally become Jedis! If this has ever been your dream, Savi’s Workshop lightsaber build is the experience for you. That is, if you’re willing to pay for a lightsaber.
These aren’t your cheap, plastic lightsabers found in stores. Instead, they are heavy, metallic objects that look and feel real. The blade makes similar noises to those in the films, and the hilt can be customized to your liking. We loved this part, especially when a quick swing of the blade makes a crashing sound like in the films.
How Much Do Savi’s Workshop Lightsabers Cost?
Lightsabers are $199.99 each and include all parts of the experience. That is, the hilt, the blade, the kyber crystal that changes the blade’s color, a pin, and a sleeve. There are no annual pass or Disney Vacation Club discounts either. Therefore, this experience is best for serious Star Wars fans.
If you want to build a lightsaber, book online early on Disneyland.com or WaltDisneyWorld.com (we include the links at the end of this post). There are no cancellations and if you skip your reservation, Disney still charges you the $199.99. So, be prepared to show up on time and fully commit. Additionally, you may bring one guest with you into the experience. On busy days, expect Savi’s Workshop to book up, so plan ahead.
Inside the Experience
Savi’s exists in “secret” behind the facade of a scrap metal yard. Depending who you talk to, the cast member may speak about Savi’s in a hushed tone. Part of the story is that if the First Order discovers Savi’s, all will be ruined. These details also play into why you must keep your saber sheathed after building.
When paying for the lightsaber, you’ll select one of the following handles: Peace and Justice (Republic-era Jedi), Power and Control (dark side/Sith), Elemental Nature (wild Jedi), or Protection and Defense (guardians). From there, you’ll be given a pin that correlates to your lightsaber hilt.
When your reservation time slot opens, a member of Savi’s Workshop invites your group into a secret, enclosed room. We won’t go into any more spoilers, but you’ll pick the color of your blade and the pieces of your hilt. So, even if someone else picks an Elemental Nature hilt, you may both end up with entirely different looking sabers.
Overall, the show lasts about 20 minutes. You’ll be told the history, legacy, and techniques of building a lightsaber. A beautiful score by John Williams brings everything together for a true Star Wars experience. We found the show emotional with some longtime fans moved to tears (okay, okay we got a little misty-eyed, too).
Interestingly enough, a cast member said that many groups pick the same lightsaber colors. This happened in our group as well, with all purple and green! If you would like a different hilt or kyber crystal (the gem that changes the color of the blade), you’ll need to purchase these in Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities in Galaxy’s Edge.
Though the saber comes with a padded carrying case, they are still a little bit tricky to carry. Even just moving your body might swing the case and hit into another guest roaming the land—so be careful. Also, these sabers to compact like the ones in the movies, so you’ll have to carry one around as they won’t fit into a Disney-sized locker.
When we rode Space Mountain, the cast member made us place the saber between our legs with the blade sticking up! To avoid this hassle, we recommend booking your Savi’s Workshop experience at the end of your day.
While Disneyland doesn’t want guests walking around the land with their weapons out, so it will have to stay in the protective case. Photographers will allow you to take them out for pictures around Disneyland, but you’ll need to sheath it right after.
Magic Tip: The best spot for lightsaber photos is in front of the Millennium Falcon at night. Remember that if you’ve purchased MaxPass, you’ll have access to unlimited downloads of your photos taken by Disney photographers. The photographers next to the Falcon usually have some fun ideas for lightsaber photos!
Overall, we give Savi’s Workshop a 9.5/10! We love the look and feel of our sabers, and the emotional experience of building one was unforgettable. Though Disney states Savi’s is for ages 5 and older, we recommend 10 and older since the hilts are metal and a little complex for a young kid to assemble. We do wish that there were more Star Wars characters displayed in this show—like a Force Ghost—to really pull things together. Still, we love the lightsaber and think that the experience was one of Disney’s best extra-paid options.
To book at Savi’s Workshop, visit one of the following links:
Savi’s Workshop – Disneyland
Savi’s Workshop – Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Walt Disney World)
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