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Complete guide to Savi’s Workshop (cost, how it works, options for kids)

Complete guide to Savi’s Workshop (cost, how it works, options for kids)

Without a doubt, one of the most widely known images to come out of the Star Wars universe (aside from Princess Leia’s hair) is that of a lightsaber.

You don’t even have to be a huge Star Wars fan to recognize its iconic shape.

If you want to build a lightsaber on your next Disney trip, you’ll actually have a couple of different places where you can do that: Savi’s Workshop and Tatooine Traders.

Here’s how both of those experiences work, with our thoughts on who we think should consider each.

Savi‘s Workshop Overview

  • Price: $249.99 per person building
  • Location: In Galaxy’s Edge at Savi’s Workshop (a standalone building in Batuu)
  • Reservations required?: Yes, although you may be able to snag a walk-up spot, if this is a must-do, we highly recommend making reservations up to 60 days in advance.
  • Lightsaber: High-quality. Not a toy, but more like something you’d display or use for cosplaying.
  • Best for: Anyone looking for an immersive experience or older kids and adults who don’t intend to play heavily with their lightsaber

Savi’s Workshop is probably the more well-known option for building a lightsaber. Unlike the Build Your Own Lightsaber Station at Tatooine Traders, Savi’s is an entire experience where you become part of the story.

Getting Started

A short time ago in a galaxy far, far away, 2 women ventured to the far off planet of Batuu to build a lightsaber…

…and they were totally blown away with the entire experience.

Staying true to the immersive environment that the Galaxy’s Edge world provides, Savi’s Workshop is a wondrous place where participants get to actively dive deeper into the Star Wars story – both its history and its future.

Lightsaber hilt

Trust us on this one, while inside Savi’s you truly feel as if you are living the life of a Jedi (or, if you prefer, Sith).

What follows includes details and spoilers. If you prefer to avoid those, you might want to skip this post.

But, one thing we can relay that is spoiler-free – we absolutely loved it all.

Here’s how it works if you too want to build your own lightsaber:

Reservations

The first thing you need to know is that Savi’s does require reservations.

Now, of course there may be days when walk-ups are available, but if this is a must-do item on your list, a reservation is the only way to go.

Inside Savi's

Reservations can be made online up to 60 days in advance.

Rules

There are a few rules when it comes to who can do the building:

1.) For each person who paid to build a lightsaber, there can be 1 guest.

Disney World is pretty strict with this rule, and honestly, the space doesn’t allow for a bunch of extra people, so we understand why they have it.

Of course, the Cast Members there understand that there are instances when it may be necessary for 2 guests to go in (for instance when the number of children outnumber the adults) but this is something that is handled on a case-by-case basis.

2.) The minimum age to build at Savi’s Workshop is 5, which we feel may even be a bit young.

The height of the table would make it difficult for smaller children to even be able to see.

In fact, the entire experience is a lot to take in, and we personally wouldn’t bring anybody younger than about 10.

3.) Guests under the age of 7 must be accompanied by somebody over the age of 14.

Cost

The cost is $249.99 per person building and there are no discounts available. You pay when you arrive (not when you make the reservation). 

So, yes, this isn’t a cheap experience, but it is definitely something special that you might want to consider adding on to your visit to Batuu.

Details of the build at Savi‘s Workshop

Arrival

You’ll be asked to show up about 10-15 minutes before your scheduled reservation time. 

When you arrive to Savi’s Workshop you’ll notice that there aren’t any obvious signs that might tip off the First Order to what is happening inside.

The Gatherers work hard to keep the location a secret, but the banner out front does provide a hint as to what lies inside the building…

Outside of Savi's Workshop

You’ll first check-in with one of the Cast Members outside.

There they will confirm your reservation and direct you to a kiosk where you can transfer your credits (aka pay) to Savi.

Pay at Savi's Workshop

The lightsabers constructed here are unique in that they are built with “unusual parts, whimsical pieces, and miscellaneous memorabilia collected by the Gatherers from the far reaches of the galaxy.”

That’s part of what makes the build so personal:

Each builder gets to construct a custom lightsaber built around the pieces that are important to them.

With all that in mind, it’s at this time that you will be asked to choose your theme out of the 4 that are available:

  • Peace and Justice
    Salvaged scraps from fallen Jedi temples and crashed starships in these Republic-era designs honor the galaxy’s former guardians. 
peace and justice lightsaber theme at savi's workshop
  • Power and Control
    Originally forged by dark side warriors, this style features rumored remnants from the Sith homeworld and abandoned temples. 
power and control lightsaber theme at savi's workshop
  • Elemental Nature 
    This theme embodies the Force—an energy created by all living things, like Brylark trees, Cartusion whale bones and Rancor teeth. 
elemental nature lightsaber theme at savi's workshop
  • Protection and Defense 
    Hilt materials bear mysterious motifs and inscriptions that reconnect users with the ancient wellspring of the Force.
protection and defense lightsaber theme at savi's workshop

Tip: if you aren’t sure which one you want to do, ask if you can take a look inside the chest located nearby. There you’ll find all the different options laid out. They can’t be removed from the drawers (because they are attached) but being able to see them in person should hopefully help you make your decision.

Once your selection is made and you’ve paid, the builder will be given a corresponding Star Wars cloisonné pin (which you’ll be asked to wear over your heart).

Savi pin

The pins shape matches the theme you’ve chosen and is another nice memento from the experience.

Savi pin

You’ll then be given a card identifying your build group and be asked to move into an area out front that is walled off.

Savi card

This is one part of the build that we didn’t like – we had about 15 minutes to wait and because of the lack of shade, we found ourselves waiting in the sun.

During the middle of the day, it was dreadfully hot, making us even more thankful when we were able to move inside and into the air conditioning. The lack of a covered area to wait is also an issue if it is raining.

They do have some umbrellas out, but they don’t offer a ton of protection, in our opinion.

savis workshop outside

This lack of shade (or protection from the rain!) isn’t always an issue, but something to think about when planning. 

They run a very tight schedule, so stick to arriving 10-15 minutes early if you want to avoid possibly waiting in the elements.

Building a lightsaber

Once you are inside, each builder is asked to find a spot at the table while the Gatherers assemble to help.

Selecting a kyber

First up is the selection of the kyber crystal.

kyber crystal

For those in the know, kyber crystals are the heart of the lightsaber and what gives each one its distinctive color.

You’ll have 4 different colors to choose from:

  • blue: like that of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Rey
  • green: like that of Qui-Gon Jinn, Ahsoka Tano, Luke Skywalker, and Yoda
  • violet: like that of Mace Windu
  • red: like that of Darth Maul, Darth Vader, Asajj Ventress, and Kylo Ren

Once you’ve selected your crystal, you’ll be given the hilt of your lightsaber and a tray of parts.

Build parts

Remember when you were asked at check-in what hilt theme you’d like? 

You’ll now be presented with a box of parts that represent that theme.

For each section of your build, you’ll be able to choose which pieces to use, and you’ll have a Gatherer stationed nearby you to help with the assembly (if you need it).

The parts of your lightsaber that you’ll be customizing are:

  • sleeve (you’ll have 4 available to choose from and you pick 2)
  • emitter (you’ll have 2 to choose from and you pick 1)
  • pommel cap (you have 2 to choose from and you pick 1) 
  • activation plate and switch (2 sets to choose from and you pick 1 set)

Note: Even though you’ll have choices for each section of your lightsaber, you won’t be allowed to take the extra parts with you.

lightsaber holder

After the hilt is constructed and you’re happy with how it looks, the magic happens.

Everybody places their lightsaber in a special slot where the blade will be magically attached.

You can see by the video just how mystic this part of the build ceremony is. Seeing all the sabers light up for the first time was amazing.

This was probably our favorite part – it was very exciting to watch them all come to life in the darkened room.

After the final ceremony is over, all builders will be provided a very nice padded carrying case to help with transporting their lightsaber back to their home planets.

lightsaber carrying bag

Savi‘s Workshop FAQs

Can you ship your lightsaber home (or back to your resort)?

Yes, you can. 

You can ship from Droid Depot (skip the line out front and go straight to the registers in the back of the shop) or from Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities.

If you get back to your resort and decide before you leave that you’d like to ship it home, many of the resort gift shops will be able to assist you with that (you’ll just need to make sure you have your receipt), but they’ll provide the box and everything needed for shipping.

As reference, it cost us $17.95 to ship one lightsaber from Pop Century.

International rates (including Canada) will be higher.

Shipping box lightsaber

How many guests can you take with you?

Just 1 additional guest per reservation, except in case of a young child who needs to stay with an adult or specific disabilities that may require it. They are pretty strict about this rule, too.

How big is the lightsaber?

The blade itself is about 34″ long (with 31″ of it actually exposed outside of the hilt). The hilts themselves vary in length, but are all around 8-10″ long.

You can detach the blade from the hilt.

Note: the blade doesn’t squish down any smaller like a toy lightsaber; it is 1 solid piece.

How long does it last?

The entire process takes about 30 minutes.

Are there spare parts available?

Currently, the only spare parts you can purchase are additional kyber crystals which are available at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities.

The price for additional crystals is around $20. In addition to the colors that you can find at Savi’s, yellow and white kyber crystals are available here (although their popularity often means that they are sold out).

kyber crystal

Can I go in to look around?

No, you can’t enter without pre-paying.

Can I take it on a plane with me? 

The TSA allows it, but check with your airline for their specific rules.

What is the better choice – building a droid or building a lightsaber?

These are 2 totally different experiences.

The droids you build at Droid Depot are adorable and cute and a toy, but the lightsabers are high quality display pieces (not something you’d use as a toy).

They are at a similar level as to what you might find with serious cosplayers.

What if I need to cancel my reservation?

Just like with Advanced Dining Reservations at Walt Disney World, you’ll be asked to provide a valid credit card number when you book your reservation and you must cancel 24 hours in advance to avoid paying a cancellation fee. If you don’t cancel (and are a no-show), Disney says you will be charged the full $249.99 per reservation on the credit card you provided. 

Is Savi’s Workshop worth it?

We loved it. It was an amazing experience and the lightsaber itself was of very high quality (like a nice cosplay-level piece).

galaxy's edge lightsaber photopass

If you are a Star Wars fan that has always dreamed of owning your very own lightsaber, we think this is a great way to make that happen.

Finished lightsaber

The entire process goes by very fast, especially considering the $249.99 price tag, but if you’ve always dreamed about becoming a part of the Star Wars story, we definitely think this is something you should add to your bucket list.

Alternative lightsaber option for kids

As much as we love the Savi’s experience, we don’t think it is a great option for younger kids. They will probably think it is cool, but if they want to have a lightsaber they can really play with, this isn’t a great choice.

tatooine traders

Instead, if you know you have someone who has hopes of being able to take their lightsaber into battle, we recommend you opt for the Build Your Own Lightsaber option at Tatooine Traders.

Build Your Own Lightsaber at Tatooine Traders

  • Price: $29.99 (single) $44.99 (double)
  • Location: Inside Tatooine Traders, which is a shop at the exit of Star Tours
  • Reservations required?: No
  • Lightsaber: Toy-style
  • Best for: Anyone who wants a lightsaber they can play with

While not as immersive as Savi’s Workshop, the Build Your Own Lightsaber option at Tatooine Traders is perfect for younger kids who just want a lightsaber they can play with. The much lower price point is also a lot easier on the pocketbook, too.

build a lightsaber disney world

Building a lightsaber at Tatooine Traders

Unlike Savi’s workshop, the lightsaber build at Tatooine Traders is way more informal. Reservations aren’t required, which means you aren’t having to commit to it way ahead of your trip; you can just pop in whenever you are ready to build.

You don’t have as many customization options here, but you do get to select the color, hilt style, and an end cap. And, the lightsabers here do light up, too.

tatooine traders

Plus, unlike Savi’s, you can also choose to do a single OR a double lightsaber.

In the past, guests were able to select their pieces from bins, but current protocols mean that Cast Members bring parts to you. Here are the steps to the build:

Step 1: Choose Emitter

Your first choice will be selecting your emitter for your blade. You can go with the single ($29.99) OR deluxe double versions ($44.99).

Step 2: Choose Blade

Just like at Savi’s, you can choose the color of your lightsaber: red, yellow, green, blue, or purple.

Step 3: Choose Hilt

Step 3 is choosing the hilt, which is the part of the lightsaber you hold.

Step 4: Customize Hilt

After you’ve selected your hilt, you can customize it by adding rings and sleeves of varying lengths. The sleeves have things like “buttons” or decorations on them. You’ll get to select several pieces to fill up the space of your hilt.

build a lightsaber at tatooine traders

Step 5: Choose End Cap or Adapter

Finally, you get to choose an end cap or adapter for your lightsaber.

Once all the pieces are together, you’re done!

There isn’t the same level of pomp and circumstance as what you get at Savi’s – which is usually just fine for kids.

lightsaber at tatooine traders

Which one should you choose?

You want to build a lightsaber, but which experience should you choose?

After giving both a try, we think it comes down to what your plans are for the lightsaber when you are finished.

savi's workshop graphic

If you want a lightsaber you can play with, or you know your kids are going to want to play with it, skip Savi’s and build one at Tatooine Traders.

But, if you are looking for something special to do or if you want the full experience, and you are just looking for a display piece or something to use when cosplaying, go ahead and give Savi’s a try!

Jon

Saturday 17th of February 2024

How long were the lightsabers from tatooine traders?

Charlie

Thursday 21st of December 2023

Can I build a double bladed lightsaber at Savi's? And would that cost more?

Brandon

Tuesday 26th of December 2023

Yes, You would be required to purchase two of the lightsabers at Savis. However in one of the shops, I believe Black Spire Outfitters, they have a connection piece to join together both Hilts into one. Can confirm as I was just at WDW, FL on the 22nd of December and they offered the piece for an additional $50. @Charlie,

Paolo Cevo

Saturday 2nd of December 2023

I want to book a reservation at Savi’s and have searched all over the Disney’s web page and My Disney Experience app, and can’t find where to book. I read somewhere that if you’re outside the US, you can’t book. Is it like that?

Jessica Porter

Sunday 10th of December 2023

@Paolo Cevo, If you use a vpn you can book. I did that from the UK.

Amy

Wednesday 26th of July 2023

Does anyone know if there is a way to have a lightsaber fixed that was built at Savi’s workshop?

john

Saturday 20th of January 2024

IF you are still at the park you can return it and have it fixed @Amy,

Suzan

Sunday 26th of March 2023

We made a reservation at Savis for our kids going in a week. Can they pick their own color of lightsabers?

Brad

Saturday 1st of April 2023

@Suzan, When building one, you can choose from blue, green, purple and red. If you want additional colors, you can purchase white, yellow and if you want to take a 1/300 chance a black crystal at the shop near Savi's. The colors are keyed to a crystal that goes inside the hilt, which run $29 each.