Audience-participation attractions
“I want to build a lightsaber at Disney, but I’m an introvert.”
Introversion Insight:
Introverts are planners. They want to be prepared for what the world has in store for them. Let’s avoid surprises at all costs, please. They like knowing how to do things, especially around other people. At the same time, doing something new, getting out of your comfort zone, and acting like an extrovert can be a lot of fun.
Are you or your child introverted and a little apprehensive about building a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop in Disney’s Hollywood Studios (DHS) or Disneyland (DL)? I get you. You’re in the spotlight, and now you have to build something in front of other people? Oof. As a D•Introvert, audience-participation attractions—like Savi’s—can be intimidating.
This is one of those moments in life when you act like an extrovert for the sake of doing something you really want to do. May the Force be with you! And to help you feel more prepared—and reassure you it’s not so bad—I’m going to break down the experience of building a custom lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop in DHS.
Warning: As you might expect, potential SPOILERS ahead!
Check in
Look for a “Gatherer” (Cast Member) standing out front of the workshop and give them your name. You can check in up to 15 minutes before your reservation. Each builder can bring one guest.
PIck your hilt theme
They’ll give you a laminated card that describes the four available hilt themes.
You’re then directed to the courtyard area to review which theme you want. If you want to see physical replicas of each theme, pull out the nearby cabinet drawers.
Purchase your lightsaber
A second Gatherer will come over and direct you to the registers. This is when you’ll need to know which hilt theme you’re purchasing.
You’ll buy your lightsaber and receive credentials and a pin. Go ahead and put the pin on your shirt and head toward the gate to the right of the registers.
Update: If you're building a lightsaber at Disney's Hollywood Studios, full payment is due at the time of booking now.
Get excited (and maybe nervous because that's how you roll)
A Gatherer will let you through the gate into a holding area outside the workshop’s entrance. You’ll wait here a few minutes as it fills in. Everyone in the holding area will be going through the experience at the same time.
When it’s time, you’ll enter the workshop single file, first builder then their guest, second builder then their guest, etc. Be sure your pin is prominently displayed and your credentials are held chest high as you go in.
Build your lightsaber
You’re directed to your building station where you’ll place your credentials. The first thing you’ll do is pick the color of your kyber crystal. Red, blue, green, and violet are available through Savi’s Workshop.
You’ll then be presented with the rest of the components. A Gatherer will explain how many of each component you’ll need. In our experience, there was one Gatherer for every two builders, so you’ll have a mostly devoted person helping you the whole way through.
The actual assembly is fairly easy. For two of the pieces, you’ll need to line up the markings by color, blue with the blue and red with the red. I think the toughest part was fitting the kyber crystal in. You don’t have to worry about connecting the lightsaber blade. The Gatherer will do that for you.
You did it! You just built your custom lightsaber. Now relax, be in the moment, and enjoy the theatrics of it all. At a certain point, you’ll activate your lightsaber (switch it on) and raise it high.
One last thing: They’ll give you a carrying case as you exit. You’ll insert the lightsaber blade first into the case.
Have fun with your magical sword, Trekkie!
Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers
Location: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at DHS or DL
Price: $249.99 (DHS) or $219.99 (DL)
Discounts Available: No
How to Book: Online (DHS or DL), walk-ins may be available
Duration: ~30 minutes
Party Size: Builder with one guest allowed
Park Admission Required: Yes
Cancellation Policy: Up to 1 day before