Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers is among the hottest issues in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. This evaluate affords images & video from this build-your-own lightsaber store, reservation particulars, spoiler-free data, and whether or not it’s well worth the excessive value. (Up to date February 25, 2024.)
Savi’s Workshop is an unassuming storefront situated in the course of Black Spire Outpost subsequent to Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities and Droid Depot. Underneath the steering of the Gatherers, visitors are ushered right into a covert workshop the place they’re utilizing uncommon elements to construct lightsabers amidst the First Order.
Initially, we deliberate on skipping Savi’s Workshop. To be sincere, I laughed on the concept of a $200+ lightsaber, and may have used the phrase “sucker” to explain our pal who wished to do it. That is no knock at Star Wars followers (nicely, I suppose it’s), however I spend cash on loads of issues others would think about foolish or frivolous, so to every their very own. Because you’re seeing this evaluate, we did find yourself doing Savi’s Workshop, so there’s additionally that.
February 25, 2024 Replace: Disney Visa has introduced that Cardmembers obtain 10% off at Savi’s Workshop for Handbuilt Lightsabers at Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. Beforehand, this was one of many excluded areas, nevertheless it now joins different retail and eating places in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge providing 10% off choose merchandise when utilizing the Disney Visa bank card or debit playing cards.
Be aware that this solely applies to the Savi’s Workshop location at Walt Disney World in Florida. It doesn’t apply to the outpost in Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland in California. At the very least, not for now. The low cost simply launched, so it’s doable Disneyland will provide the Disney Visa low cost quickly, too.
Nevertheless, we wouldn’t wager on it. There’s already a pricing distinction at Savi’s Workshop between the 2 coasts, with the Walt Disney World model costing $249.99 and the Disneyland model costing $219.99. Even with out the Disney Visa low cost, Savi’s Workshop at Disneyland continues to be cheaper.
Savi’s Workshop at Disneyland did value $250 for a quick bit, however fell from that value again right down to $219.99 final 12 months. With regards to Disney, any drop is an enormous one, as costs sometimes solely go in a single course–up. That’s nonetheless up from the $200 price ticket on the Savi’s Workshop lightsaber constructing expertise when it first debuted, however just about every part at Disneyland is costlier than it was ~5 years in the past.
As for the rationale for the lower, it’s doubtless that demand dropped for the Disneyland model of Savi’s Workshop after the value improve, and this was the way in which of fixing that. Actually, this isn’t an enormous shock. Savi’s Workshop continues to be a comparatively well-liked reservation at Walt Disney World due to a gentle stream of recent vacationers.
Against this, Disneyland is extra dependent upon a neighborhood fanbase. It’s thus doubtless that the California park has largely exhausted demand for lightsaber constructing amongst locals, and is now reliant on the smaller slice of vacationers that go to Disneyland.
This may additionally clarify the addition of the Disney Visa low cost at Walt Disney World–demand is beginning to drop for Savi’s Workshop, however continues to be pretty robust. Providing a focused low cost is a method to entice extra visitors to do Savi’s Workshop, whereas stopping wanting lowering the value for everybody. Good ‘ole value discrimination in motion!
With the 2024 pricing and reductions at Savi’s Workshop addressed, let’s flip to the traditional one and begin with the titular query. Regardless of that title, this actually isn’t expressly about whether or not the lightsaber itself is price $220 (Disneyland value), $225 (Disney Visa Cardmember at Walt Disney World value) and even $250 (full value).
I can not envision a single state of affairs by which I’d view a lightsaber as holding that quantity of worth. Maybe as soon as the expertise will get to the purpose that it’s an precise instrument I can use to carve a Thanksgiving turkey or defend myself in opposition to the First Order, however even then, it’d be a troublesome promote. To somebody, I’m certain a lightsaber could possibly be price greater than $200. I’m not that individual, although.
With that stated, the lightsaber itself has heft to it, is substantial, and feels actually good within the hand. Then once more, I’ve by no means wielded a high-end lightsaber, and am evaluating this (no joke) to the economic design of my DSLR digicam lenses. For all I do know, this could possibly be on the low finish of replica-caliber lightsabers. I do know that it’s considerably nicer than something I’ve ever seen in Walt Disney World or Disneyland.
For me, the query about whether or not that is “price it” comes right down to the hand-built lightsaber itself plus the overarching expertise at Savi’s Workshop. As you’ll learn within the evaluate that follows, we had been completely blown away by the present part of Savi’s Workshop and have zero regrets that we did it. The workshop itself together with having a nighttime lightsaber battle under the Millennium Falcon rank extremely among the many issues we did in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Nevertheless, worth is within the eye of the beholder and it’s very a lot a your mileage might range kind of factor. Finally, you’re a 25 minute expertise plus a lightsaber for $250, plus the hassle of snagging a reservation or ready in line to do Savi’s Workshop.
This brings us to the capability of Savi’s Workshop, which is abysmal. There’s lots to be stated for the intimate setting of the workshop, which positively enhances the present. Nonetheless, the choice to make this a single room (quite than modeling it after multi-room meet & greets) is a puzzling one. The result’s a store with an hourly capability of below 50 lightsabers.
Shortage is the opposite purpose why the query of worth is sort of irrelevant. With such a low variety of each day time slots for Savi’s and such a excessive variety of Star Wars followers with surplus disposable earnings (or keen to save lots of and splurge for one thing particular), Savi’s may cost double its present costs and by no means have an issue filling up. (To not give Disney any concepts…)
After we did Savi’s Workshop, it didn’t provide reservations. This imply {that a} line fashioned every morning and also you needed to wait to enroll, then return and have your group referred to as to enter Savi’s Workshop took a whole lot of time. (Type of like how Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance works now.) Consequently, we had practically 2 hours of “misplaced time” because of the system.
The excellent news is that Savi’s Workshop now affords advance reservations on-line and by way of each the My Disney Expertise and Disneyland apps. At each Walt Disney World and Disneyland, reservations can be found 60 days upfront. For each, we extremely suggest making reservations ASAP earlier than your journey dates.
This technique streamlines the entire course of, however the draw back to that’s it means you will get shut out solely should you don’t assume to make reservations nicely upfront of your trip. Usually, reservations sometimes refill quicker at Walt Disney World than at Disneyland. In the event you aren’t in a position to rating your required slot early, preserve checking the system–particularly the day earlier than, as cancellations do happen.
In the event you’ve already determined you wish to do Savi’s Workshop and are solely not going to do it within the occasion that one thing discourages you, cease studying now. This isn’t going to be that “one thing.” We cherished the expertise, would do it once more if cash had been no situation, and would extremely suggest getting in with out having something about it spoiled for you…
Once more, to keep away from spoilers, cease studying/scrolling now.
Significantly. Don’t wreck this for your self should you plan or wish to do it.
For now, Savi’s Workshop really is a ‘covert’ location: there’s no discernible signage, and save for the lengthy line, crowds, and money registers outdoors, it doesn’t even look like a storefront consistent with the design-style of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Previous to paying, you’ll choose one of many 4 themes. These are Peace and Justice (with salvaged scraps from fallen Jedi temples and starships in Republic-era designs), Energy and Management (solid by darkish facet warriors, utilizing remnants from the Sith homeworld), Elemental Nature (embodying the Drive and comprised of dwelling issues, like Brylark timber, Cartusion whale bones, Rancor enamel, and so forth.) and Safety & Protection (mysterious supplies that reconnect customers with the traditional wellspring of the Drive).
These are a place to begin, with the precise items chosen and assembled inside the workshop. Pictured under is a full set from Elemental Nature:
After paying, you can be given your pin and a credential that may function your group quantity. The pin is your key to enter the secretive workshop and it additionally identifies which of the 4 lightsaber designs you’ve chosen.
Naturally, we selected Elemental Nature as a result of one of many choices for that may be a Rancor tooth. We felt that’d give us probably the most road cred in intimidating the neighbor’s canine. (As we all know from firsthand publicity, dachshunds are ferocious.)
As soon as your group is among the many subsequent to enter the store, you’ll be allowed to enter a courtyard the place you’ll wait to be allowed entrance by one of many Gatherers.
Right here’s a quick video providing a snippet of the opening act inside Savi’s Workshop for Handbuilt Lightsabers:
As you may see, inside Savi’s Workshop, introductions are made and a solemn tone is established for the ceremony of crafting a lightsaber.
The Gatherers go over Jedi historical past, lightsaber lore, and the ability of the Drive. It’s an excellent preface, and successfully units the temper.
Following that, you select a kyber crystal, which is able to give your lightsaber its coloration. The choices are crimson, blue, inexperienced, or (for the Samuel L. Jackson followers on the market) purple.
At “solely” $13 every, kyber crystals are in all probability probably the greatest items of merchandise in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge; each modifications the colour of your lightsaber blade.
You’ll additionally obtain a hilt package with the mandatory elements to select from to assemble your hilt. Every field of elements consists of 1 hilt, 4 sleeves (decide 2), 2 emitters (decide 1), 2 pommel caps (decide 1), 2 units of activation plates, and switches (decide 1 set).
Gatherers flow into to help on this course of, which takes a number of minutes.
We’d suggest ending rapidly to offer your self a couple of minutes to understand the themed design of the workshop.
As with every part in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the design of Savi’s Workshop is good and moody. Savor it, since you’ll in all probability solely ever be in right here as soon as.
As soon as everyone seems to be completed assembling their hilts, Gatherers assist connect the hilts into meeting pods at every constructing bay. That is when the bonding ceremony begins, which is the spotlight and wow second of the entire expertise at Savi’s Workshop.
On the conclusion of this, the blade of the lightsaber is ‘magically’ hooked up and everybody raises and prompts their lightsabers in unison because the voice of Yoda enters the chamber.
I had the Yoda portion of this spoiled for me previous to this (as I by no means thought I’d do it), and my preliminary response was disappointment that it wasn’t a hologram of Yoda making an look.
Whereas that may’ve undoubtedly been cooler, it’s inconceivable to place into phrases simply how cool the fruits of this ceremony is.
Savi’s Workshop hits the entire proper emotional notes; there’s a way of urgency, solemnity, and delight upon completion. Yeah, you’re simply assembling a glorified toy lightsaber, nevertheless it seems like a lot extra.
We each agreed that this was a very highly effective expertise, and we are saying this as people who find themselves not closely invested in Star Wars. I can solely think about how transferring it might be for somebody who grew up on Star Wars, and has a powerful nostalgic bond.
Finally, we’ve got zero regrets dropping $200+ to do Savi’s Workshop. I’m really glad we didn’t go along with the unique plan of solely me coming into (free of charge) to look at our pal construct his lightsaber, as a result of my response to Sarah upon exiting would’ve been, “it’s important to see that.” In truth, Sarah’s response upon exiting Savi’s Workshop was, “we’ve got to do this once more and get one other lightsaber so we every have one.”
To be clear, we positively usually are not going to do this–it was merely Sarah’s response within the warmth of the second. The purpose right here is that our first impressions–at the same time as frugal individuals who aren’t hardcore Star Wars followers–had been so satisfying and the top end result so cool that we had been high quality having dropped over $200 on it.
Nevertheless, Savi’s Workshop now prices $50 greater than after we did it. Whereas I’m glad we bought the prospect to do it as soon as and located the expertise to be extremely memorable, it’s robust to say the already-high value we paid can be price $250 to us. It’s a detailed name, however I’d in all probability do it for the primary time even at $250. Once more, worth is within the eye of the beholder–and what you’re getting right here is not only a elaborate lightsaber.
Even on the $250 price-point, Savi’s Workshop is really one thing particular–an expertise to be savored and remembered lengthy after the lightsaber breaks or dies. This is among the hottest Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge choices at each Walt Disney World and Disneyland, and for good purpose. It’s not going to be one thing that everybody can afford to do when it comes to time or cash, nevertheless it’s one thing we suggest as a splurge for many who can do it. You received’t remorse it.
In the event you’re planning on visiting the brand new land, you’ll additionally wish to learn our Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Information. This covers a spread of matters from fundamentals concerning the land and its location, to strategically selecting a lodge on your keep, advisable technique for the land, and the way early to reach to beat the crowds. It’s an excellent primer for this big addition.
Your Ideas
Have you ever stepped inside Savi’s Workshop for Handbuilt Lightsabers? Is it one thing you’d love to do, or is the $250 price ticket a non-starter for you? In the event you’ve completed it, do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Assume it was (or might be) well worth the time and cash dedication? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
