Savi’s Workshop: AKA Build Your Own Fancy (not a toy) Lightsaber
Amy Baranek
5.6.21
No way am I spending $200 on a lightsaber! Yep, I said that and somehow after researching with my son and watching countless YouTube videos, my mindset started to shift. My son worked all summer to save for a lightsaber from Savi’s. Partially due to his enthusiasm and partially due to my inner nerd, I booked an appointment for the both of us during our December trip to Disney.
A few words of advice if you are planning on building your own lightsaber; first, make your reservations as early as possible. Be sure to do your research ahead of time! There are so many choices to make- what group of lightsaber, selections within your light saber theme, and what color kyber crystal. All of these choices can be overwhelming if you don’t have some idea of what you want to do ahead of time. I recommend trying to book an appointment near the end of your park day. The lightsabers do come with a sling bag carrying case-but they are a bit awkward to carry around. I have been told if you are staying on property at Disney, you can stop at guest services and they will deliver your lightsaber to your resort in a day or two. My personal concern with that is that the lightsaber is large and awkward; I don’t want it broken. Also, I just paid for the lightsaber; I love it, I’m proud of my creation and I don’t want to be parted from it!
The Choices
There are four categories to choose from. When you check in for your reservation, you will be asked which category you choose. Cast members will have some visual aids for you as well as drawers with everything that you will get to choose from within each option. This is where narrowing your options down beforehand helps! Below are your four choices:
Protection and Defense: based off the old republic, has some history with the Jedi temple guards
Power and Control: strong, dominant traits-tends to be a Sith favorite
Peace and Justice: your traditional Jedi, put others before yourself, these scraps are taken from fallen Jedi temples
Elemental Nature: earth elements, utilizes all elements of the force, Jedis that also rely on the earth around them to help
Your choices don’t stop here. You will also need to choose your kyber crystal color. You will be able to choose between red, green, blue and purple.
You will also need to choose between your activation plate, 2 sleeves (grip plates), the pommel at the bottom of your saber, and the emitter at the top of your saber
The Process
When you check in, you will be reminded that you are there to search through ‘scrap metal’. After all, you wouldn’t want the First Order ‘bucket heads’ catching on to the lightsaber operation. You will first pay for the lightsaber-you will need to be prepared to tell them your group choice here. Based off of your choice, you will get a corresponding pin for the choice you made (Elemental Nature, Power and Control, etc). You will need to wear this pin to help the saber specialists inside. After you pay, you will be given a color-this is to identify you with your group. Each person building a lightsaber is allowed one guest to go in with them. When ready, your group will be called in to an outside holding/prep area. Here you will be lined up in the order you will proceed in, guests not making a lightsaber will be asked to stand behind the person that will be making a lightsaber. You will also be briefed on the ‘scrap metal’ you are about to put together.
Once you are ushered into the assembly room, you will listen to a short story immersing you in the lightsaber history. As you are told to pick your kyber crystal, you are asked to close your eyes, listen to your heart, and; if you’re like me, be left with goosebumps! Once you have your kyber crystal in your saber, you will get to start assembling the rest of the pieces. My advice here is to be sure you play with the pieces some, see what you like together and what speaks to you. For me, I ended up with something different then what I had originally thought! If you have any difficulty during the assembly process-don’t worry, there are plenty of scrap metal specialists (cast members) available to assist you! Once you have your completed lightsaber hilt, you will rest it in the stand until a cast member comes by to finish the process. The lights in the room will be lowered, the importance of the ceremony is discussed, (again goosebumps, and perhaps some moisture accumulating at your eyes) and everyone will raise their completed lightsabers together. There is something awe inspiring watching everyone hold up their completed lightsabers illuminating the room with their work! Shortly after, you will exit and everyone receives their lightsaber sling bag. Once you have exited the building, I recommend taking a few pictures outside Savi’s with the Batuu backdrop-just watch out for First Order troopers!
Were you debating between 2 color kyber crystals? Head to Dok-Ondar’s where they sell all the kyber crystal colors, including a couple extra (yellow and white). Did you know each color will create a slightly different sound to your saber? Also a side note on these crystals, there is an elusive black kyber crystal that 1 in every 300 or so red kyber crystal pack from Dok-Ondar’s will have.
This is an experience I am so happy I did! The completed lightsaber is well built, metal and heavy-it is not a cheaply constructed saber! To book your experience-the cost is $199.99 plus tax. You must be age 5 or older to enjoy this experience, and anyone under the age of 14 must have an adult with them.
If you are interested in planning your future Disney vacation, please email me at amyb@wishesfamilytravel.com . If it’s not time yet for you, please follow my Facebook page and Instagram. May the Force be with you!!
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