Since the grand opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland and Walt Disney World, we’ve been inundated with questions about this new, immersive land — particularly with respect to the “scrap metal” purveyor found at Savi’s Workshop — Handbuilt Lightsabers!

Here, we’re breaking down some of the most frequently asked questions and providing answers that will help you know what to expect when you build your own lightsaber.

How do I get to Savi’s Workshop?

Disneyland

Savi’s “scrap metal” business (the cover for the Workshop) is located essentially right in the middle of Black Spire Outpost. In Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge, the entrance nearest to Savi’s is the Frontierland entrance behind Big Thunder Railroad. When you enter from that direction and turn right, you will pass Droid Depot on your right…

…then curve around the corner and pass Savi’s designated waiting area on your right as you make your way to check-in, pay, and select your lightsaber hilt theme.

You’ll know you’ve found the right place when you see this blue banner featuring a stylized lightsaber.

Walt Disney World

To find Savi’s in Disney World is basically the same! Heading in from the Toy Story Land entrance, the first location you’ll encounter here is Droid Depot as well.

Go left around the front of Droid Depot then Savi’s will be on your right just past the Depot.

The same tell-tale blue banner graces the front of the building. (Remember — there are no real “signs” in Galaxy’s Edge, so keep your eyes peeled!)

What do I do when I get there?

You’ll want to check in with the cast members outside of Savi’s Workshop. At present, you must have a reservation in order to enter the shop, so you’ll check-in for that reservation at one of the registers in front of the shop. In Disneyland, reservations can be made 60 days in advance, while in Disney World reservations can be made 180 days prior.

Note that, in the event the land is at capacity, your reservation for Savi’s can also act as your ‘ticket’ into Galaxy’s Edge (if they’re at capacity and running the boarding group process at the time), and you may enter the land up to an hour before your Savi’s reservation time (with a party of up to six). In Disney World, this hasn’t happened since the morning of opening day though, so we’re not TOO worried at this time!

Read more about opening day of Disney World’s Galaxy’s Edge here!

How can I go inside? 

When you make your reservation, a credit card is required to hold your spot. If for some reason you do not show up for your Savi’s reservation, you’ll be charged a $199.99 no-show charge (So…you know…don’t forget. Cause that’s a LOT of $$$$!!). When you DO arrive for your reservation, you’ll pay for your lightsaber at check-in and go through the process of selecting your lightsaber hilt theme.

The theme you select will determine the parts you receive during your build. The four themes include Peace and Justice, Power and Control (historically Dark Side), Protection and Defense, and Elemental Nature.

If you want to see the parts in person (you may want to feel the weight of them, look at the details, etc.), samples are stored in in a display case out front. You’ll see symbols beside each drawer that represent the themes — and those symbols will come into play shortly!

Once you’ve paid and selected your theme, you’ll receive a card with a group number and a pin representing your theme. The pin is yours to keep — and you’re encouraged to wear it so that the “gatherers” inside know which parts to provide to you.

At this point, you’ll wait in the designated area for your group number to be called. At that time you and your +1 (0r +2) can enter the Workshop.

When I go in, what happens? 

When your group is called into Savi’s Workshop, you’ll be shown to a station. Theatrical lighting and dramatic cast member performances create a ceremony in which the power of the lightsaber is described and the Kyber Crystals (that’s what powers lightsabers, dontcha know!) are discussed and displayed.

A gatherer comes around with a chamber of Kyber Crystals, and each builder selects the color crystal of her or his choice.

When all builders have their Crystals, gatherers bring a tray of hilt parts to each station. You receive only the hilt parts associated with the theme you selected when you checked in. We’ll cover what all of these parts are in just a bit!

Once you’ve got your tray, it’s time to assemble your hilt. A gatherer will always be nearby should you have any questions, and directions for each step will be given and further explained if needed.

As builders complete their hilts, the hilts are placed on a small stand to await the activation ceremony.

When all hilts are assembled, gathers insert hilts into the activation chamber where hilts will be “fused” with their blades.

With more dramatic lighting and theatrics, the lightsabers activate in unison, creating a colorful, striking effect.

Once activated, the build is complete (TAA-DAA!). Cast members provide carry bags in the style of a sling, and builders emerge into Black Spire Outpost with their new bundles of lightsaber joy!

What is in the Hilt Kit? 

The hilt kit provided to each builder contains a chassis into which the Kyber Crystal fits and around which all of the other pieces fit.

Not EVERYTHING presented is going on your lightsaber. You choose which of the pieces you’d like and leave the rest behind.

There are four sleeves, from which the builder selects two. There are two emitters (for the end of the hilt where the blade comes out), from which the builder selects one. There are two pommel caps (to cover the end of the hilt), from which the builder selects one. And there are two sets of activation plates (fastened around the Kyber Crystal and used to turn the saber on and off) from which the builder also selects one.

In the kit below, parts are, from left to right, chassis, sleeves, emitters, pummel caps, and activation plates.

Can the hilt parts be interchanged? 

If you visit Savi’s more than once and end up with 2 or more hilts, all of those pieces are interchangeable. So you can take a sleeve from any theme and combine it with activation plates from a different theme, for example. Because you have two sleeves with any theme, you could also switch them around if you wanted a slightly different design but only purchased one lightsaber.

What are the hilts made of? How much do they weigh? 

The lightsaber hilt parts are made entirely of metal. (The chassis inside is plastic.) The metal hilt parts are treated to various colors and textures. The hilt itself weighs over two pounds.

What are the blades made of? 

The blades of the lightsaber consist of LED lights inside a “hybrid plastic” formed tube. Disney has described the blades as “duel-ready.”

Can I build more than one at a time? 

Disney specifies “one lightsaber per builder per experience.” Whether Disney will let you pay for the parts but only build and activate one during the Savi’s experience is uncertain (plus, the experience of building it is half the fun!).

How long does this take?

Expect the whole ceremony, build, and activation to take 15-20 minutes (plus whatever time you spend waiting outside).

What do I get for the money?

For the cost of $199.99 (plus tax), builders receive their hilt, a 31″ blade, a carry bag, a theme pin, exclusive access to Savi’s for the build experience, and street cred. 😉

Can I change Kyber Crystals?

The Kyber Crystal determines the color and sounds your lightsaber makes, and you can purchase additional Kyber Crystals in order to make your lightsaber do different things. Kyber Crystals can be purchased at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities for $12.99 plus tax.

Will my blade work with legacy hilts from Dok Ondar’s?

Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities does sell Legacy Hilts, meaning ones that resemble those seen in the actual movies of the Star Wars franchise. If you purchase a Legacy Hilt, your Savi’s lightsaber blade will fit the Legacy Hilt. Alternatively, Dok-Ondar also sells lightsaber blades separately for the Legacy Hilts.

What does the Lightsaber do?

You Savi’s Workshop lightsaber makes a sound and lights up at start-up. The start-up light moves from the hilt outward. The lightsaber also makes sounds unique to each color Kyber Crystal when the lightsaber is wielded. The hilt also makes sounds when the Kyber Crystal is inserted or removed.

How do I change the batteries? 

There’s a cylindrical battery pack in the bottom of the chassis that’s hidden by the pommel cap. The pommel cap screws onto the bottom of the hilt, so when you need to replace the three AAA batteries that power the lightsaber, you must unscrew the cap and remove a screw that holds the battery pack in place. Slide the pack out, replace the batteries, reinsert the pack, reinsert the screw, and put the pommel cap back on the hilt. Boom. Done.

If paying $199 for a lightsaber seems a little steep, that’s because it’s a lot. Truly. But for Star Wars franchise fans, for those who love the drama of building one, and for those who are looking for a customizable souvenir, it may well be a must-do. We found the experience to be really impactful; the sight of fourteen sabers lighting up simultaneously around the Build Table was magical, and the reactions of Builders in the room made it clear that there’s a Force at work in Savi’s Workshop.

Are you planning to build a lightsaber in the scrap metal shop? Tell us what you’re most looking forward to in the comments!