Disneyland in Anaheim, California opened its highly-anticipated attraction, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge last month, offering a new wave of fantastical possibilities. One of which is the ability for Disney-goers to create and take home their very own lightsaber.
It's a fully-immersive experience from the moment you enter the planet of Batuu. Guests can opt to join the Resistance or the First Order and use their decision to create their own Star Wars story. As they explore the Black Spire Outpost, guests will happen upon a covert shop. Here, they can choose their kyber crystals and relative theme to build their own lightsaber. Here is everything you need to know about building a lightsaber in at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
10 10. It's In A Secret Location
The secrecy of the shop where you can build your own lightsaber is an extension of the theming that Disney is famous for in many of their parks and attractions.
Under the guise of a junkyard filled with the galaxy's most unwanted treasures, wanderers will have to ask to purchase salvaged scrap metal in order to get inside. The outside of the shop is manipulated as to not let the First Order be privy to its whereabouts.
9 9. The Backstory
The galaxy's Resistance is in need of new recruits. But before they can take on new Jedi, they must be issued their own lightsaber. In order to deceive the clutches of the First Order, aspiring Jedi must go to a junkyard and ask for scrap metal, as mentioned above. This secret code allows guests permission to enter Savi's Workshop.
Once inside, the Gatherers will give a brief history of Savi and include tales of past heroes and their hopes to find a new leader amongst the Builders before them (a.k.a Disney's guests).
8 8. Savi's Workshop
Savi was one of the original Gatherers who built his shop under the ruse of a junkyard to train new Force leaders. The outside is meticulously packed with weathered pieces and rusty parts from space ships.
But inside Savi's shop, you'll find a very different story. There are several work stations hidden inside, each fashioned with all the materials needed to build your very own lightsaber.
7 7. The Gatherers
The Gatherers are the instructors in the shop. It is their duty to "pass on their knowledge of the Force and the ancient ways of the Jedi."
The Gatherers will give a full tutorial on the construction of a lightsaber. The teachings take place in the center of the room so that each potential Jedi will be able to easily follow the Gatherer's instructions.
6 6. Choose Your Saber
After the backstory and instructions, it's time to build. Disney guests or the "Builders" can choose one of many different themes. There are Peace and Justice, which are made from the scraps of fallen Jedi pilots. Power and Control are the abandoned templates of Sith warriors.
Elemental Nature has an "energy" that embodies the Force, and finally, Protection and Defense bear inscriptions that relate to ancient Force-wielders. Each saber base looks slightly different and Builders must choose based off of which of the themes calls to them.
5 5. Kyber Crystals
Next, Builders must choose from one of four different colored kyber crystals. These serve as the core of your saber and the source of its power. They come in red, blue, green, or violet and will be the color of your lightsaber once it has been assembled and turned on.
So choose wisely! One experienced saber-builder said to put your crystal in a holocron before deciding, as it will tell you what character you represent.
4 4. It Can Take Three Hours
The process to indulge in this interactive story can be a lengthy one. Each show brings in up to fourteen people and the Gatherers have to make sure that each person has fully constructed their unique lightsaber.
The building process involves putting the pieces together. Each Builder will be given a hilt, two sleeves, an emitter, a pommel cap for protection, two sleeves, and a set of activation plates and switches. Then the Gatherer must go to each Builder and add a 36-inch lightsaber blade. Needless to say, the process takes awhile.
3 3. The Price Tag
A single lightsaber runs at about $200. It's not cheap, considering the price it costs to get into the park. However, most lightsabers that are available for purchase online run at about the same price, without the added bonus of a full Jedi experience.
The lightsabers are also said to come with a carrying case in the event that your workshop excursion takes place in the middle of your day. Guests are then able to easily take their lightsaber home right after a full day at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.
2 2. There Are Three Shows An Hour
Despite its high price tag, the lightsaber building adventure has proven to be a popular attraction. To negate long lines, the lightsaber building sessions or "shows" are held three times every hour.
And with fourteen people to a group, that makes the crowd thin out by about 42 people an hour. You may also need to schedule your session in order to reserve a spot. There can only be one lightsaber builder and a guest per reservation request.
1 1. It's A Hands-On Experience
As you have learned by now, this attraction is a hands-on experience. Guests will be encouraged to actively participate, though help will be offered, in order to have the experience run smoothly for everyone. Gatherers (a.k.a the employees) will be too busy assisting other Builders and will not be able to linger at one worktable for too long. The pieces that come in your personal lightsaber kit are a part of a basic assembly so that anyone will be able to handle this excursion.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has a bevy of new adventures, but none will leave you feeling like a true Jedi like this experience. It's a fun-filled training session and your participation is what makes your lightsaber one-of-a-kind.