WELCOME to Savi’s Workshop — Handbuilt Lightsabers in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge!! Actually, we should probably be a little less enthusiastic, as this spot is a guarded secret from the First Order. So, it’s best to keep things quiet. Understood? Great. Then let’s proceed…

When visiting Black Spire Outpost, you may just happen upon Savi’s scrapyard. Turns out, this is no ordinary scrapyard. It merely provides a front as a salvage business to disguise the true purpose of Savi’s Workshop.

Do you sense the Force guiding you here? Then you may want to visit the Gatherers. These men and women — “keepers of the Force” — are dedicated to restoring balance in the galaxy. They do so by sharing their knowledge of both the Force and the ancient ways of the Jedi. You see, Savi himself was one of the original Gatherers. And it’s in this hidden space where a Gatherer can guide you in constructing a customized lightsaber that’s all your own.

But first, you have to find the secret symbol to identify Savi’s workshop. You’ll recognize it when you see this blue banner with what might be a stylized lightsaber.

Next, tell the Gatherer the secret password. And NOW… it’s time to begin the process of entering Savi’s Workshop.

Logistics

Your customized lightsaber costs $249.99 and includes a carry case. Additional customization is available at Dok-Ondar’ Antiquities. When you pay for your lightsaber outside the shop, you’ll also be given a card with your group number. (The info on your card is written in Aurebesh, but while you’re waiting, use your Datapad to translate. This card says “Savi’s Workshop” on the top and “Group 7” in the center!)

You’ll also select your themed lightsaber hilt.

Lightsaber themes include:

Peace and Justice: Materials include recovered scraps of fallen Jedi temples and starships to create a Republic-era lightsaber. Simple designs are favored to honor the commitment of the devout life of the Jedi Order, who served as guardians of peace and justice throughout the galaxy.

Elemental Nature: “The Force is an energy field created by all living things; it surrounds us, penetrates us and binds the galaxy together.” Materials “born from the Force” — which include bits of Brylark trees, Cartusion whale bones, and Rancor teeth among the options — are used to construct these unique lightsabers.

Protection and Defense: These earliest of lightsaber materials include hilt pieces etched with mysterious script meant to connect the lightsaber holder with “the ancient wellspring of the Force.”

Power and Control: Materials are said to come from the rumored Sith homeworld and their abandoned temples to construct a lightsaber like those who chose the dark side. The designs are sharp in order to represent the brutality of the Sith and their dark desire to control the galaxy.

The theme you select will determine the options you have for parts when building your lightsaber. You’ll receive a tray of parts when you enter the experience. On the tray will be two options per hilt part.

Once you’ve selected your theme, you’ll receive a card that indicates which theme you selected. You’ll hand that to a Gatherer when you enter the experience. We went with Elemental Nature. You can have some fun translating this, too!

You’ll also receive a pin representing your theme. This pin is yours to keep, and wearing it through Batuu is a badge of pride. 😉

Then, you’ll wait. Possibly a long, long time. When your group number is called, you (and a +1, if you choose) will be moved into a holding area and be next to enter the shop.

Once inside, you’ll proceed through the selection and building process! No more than 14 people will be allowed into the shop at a time, and we saw about three groups entering per hour. And note that unless you pay for a lightsaber, you won’t be allowed into Savi’s Workshop.

Inside Savi’s Workshop

Savi’s workshop is filled with all manner of parts and pieces and memorabilia from across the galaxy.

Collection bins and transport pods for transporting scrap metal across the galaxy…

Trinkets, tools, weapons, and… of course, scrap metal from the far reaches of the galaxy…

Protective wear that the Gatherers use when cleaning or sculpting the scrap pieces to prepare them for their reincarnation into a lightsaber hilt…

Saber pieces, kyber crystals, and, of course, tales of the Force and the Jedi provide the tools you need. In the center of the workshop is the Builder’s Table. Fourteen builders at a time can gather ’round to begin the process of creating their very own lightsaber.

Cast members explain the process of building a lightsaber and walk builders through the entire process.

Each builder has a station at the Builders Table. The station has a resting place for the Kyber Crystal the builder selects and a place to rest a hilt or completed lightsaber.

With lots of pomp and circumstance (cool lighting, serious atmosphere, etc), the Gatherer explains the history of lightsabers and the characters who owned them. Then it’s time to choose your kyber crystal! Are you BLUE like Luke Skywalker and Obi-wan? Green like Yoda? Purple like Mace? Or Red like the powerful Sith warriors?

The Savi Workshop instructor will highlight the strengths of each kyber crystal. They are not innately good or evil, but have strengths and gifts that could be exploited for the light or dark side of the Force. However, when a Force-wielder turns to the dark side, the act of bending the crystal to their will results in a red crystal and red saber.

Lightsabers channel their energy from a kyber crystal, which a Jedi finds. A Jedi must use the Force to guide them through the selection process, and once a connection is formed, that’s when the crystal turns blue, green, or purple.

When you feel the Force guide you to your crystal, you can select from the tube of salvaged kyber crystals the Gatherers present.

You’ll place your Kyber Crystal on your station as you proceed through the building process.

Once your kyber crystal — which powers your lightsaber (not really…but in Star Wars Land) — is chosen, it’s time to start building! Your tray of metal parts is delivered to you…

…and construction begins! Gatherers will walk through the group and help.

You will select your hilt pieces from the selection provided, and the Gatherers are there to offer assistance, as needed.

Builders start with a cylindrical base that’s powered by Kyber Crystal.

Each kyber crystal, no matter which you chose, clicks snuggly into place in the base.

And the whole build process takes about 10 minutes.

You can mix and match pieces as you decide what your hilt will look like. First, to protect your Kyber Crystal, select one of two pairs that join via powerful magnet to enclose the crystal.

Then, mix and match hilt parts until you’ve got a combination you love (perhaps one combination of parts will help you feel the Force more strongly…).

The variety of hilt options means that the saber you build will be unique and customized to your preferences.

Your completed hilt can rest while you wait to attach its blade. You can see the parts we didn’t select are arranged in the tray.

Once you’ve got your saber built, it’s time for the next big reveal! Builders place their sabers in a special chamber to activate the kyber crystals…

The kyber crystals will imbue the hilt with their energy and connection from you to create one unified lightsaber.

…and then this happens! All the lightsabers activate together for a really cool effect!

The final product is a customized lightsaber!

You can examine your completed lightsaber and see the grand reveal for your fellow Force-sensitive peers.

Lights are dimmed so that builders can test the luminosity of their lightsabers. This… is really cool.

Then, there’s a final goodbye, builders are given a canvas sheath for their saber that they can sling around their backs (note that your lightsaber does not fold down to fit into your suitcase unless you take it apart yourself), and builders are ushered outside through a different door.

Completed hilts weigh between 2-3 pounds and are comprised primarily of brushed metal. Blades contain LED lights. A battery pack is fitted into the end of the hilt, accessible by removing the end cap.

And that’s how Savi’s Workshop — Handbuilt Lightsabers allows visitors to Black Spire Outpost an opportunity to assemble their very own lightsabers, thus participating in an age-old tradition known only in the Star Wars universe! The experience around the Builder’s Table takes about 20-30 minutes, so plan accordingly! And don’t forget: if you must build your own lightsaber, plan to head straight to Savi’s when your visit begins; lines have been very long during previews.

And remember — the cost on your saber is at least $219.99. That’s steep. But if you’re a dyed-in-the-wool Star Wars fan…maybe it’s worth it.

Savi’s is an engaging and powerful ceremony for Star Wars fans, and the opportunity to become one with the Force is particularly meaningful in Black Spire Outpost. We expect Savi’s Workshop will be a popular location for a long, long time.

Will you build a lightsaber in Savi’s Workshop? Which theme would you choose? Share with us in the comments!