Tucked away within Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is a place where you might be drawn if you are one with the Force. If you make your way through the Black Spire Outpost, you may seek out Savi’s Workshop, the covert outpost of the Gatherers.
Savi’s Workshop is next to Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities in Galaxy’s Edge. Those ready to learn this knowledge will find a symbol displayed on the front of the workshop indicating that they are in the correct location and they must give the secret phrase to the Gatherers to enter inside.
Exterior of Savi’s Workshop
As you approach the workshop, you may find that lines have already formed outside the area. Keep in mind that you should run here at the beginning of your reservation if you want to wait the shortest amount of time for this experience. That being said, we still lost two hours in the total experience doing this.
You’ll recognize this banner from the symbol of the Jedi Order. In the center of the crest is a beam of light erupting from the center, which represents the Force emanating from the kyber crystal inside a lightsaber.
The line culminates at this set of registers, where you pay for the experience in advance and secure a reservation return time and corresponding pin (more on that later.) Upon returning, you are directed to a holding area. The total price for the experience, with tax, comes out to $215.49.
Just like everywhere else in Galaxy’s Edge, this a living, breathing storytelling environment.
If the First Order shows up, the Gatherers manning the point of sale cease all activity, so as to not raise suspicion.
Savi’s Workshop stops taking orders if The First Order stops by. This is amazing storytelling. #StarWarsGalaxysEdge #GalaxysEdge pic.twitter.com/fVw0RhwmsE
— WDW News Today (@WDWNT) June 1, 2019
There’s plenty to look at while you wait, with cabinets and placards displaying parts of each of the four lightsaber themes available for you to browse. Which one will call to you?
Power and Control: Reclaimed from the ashes of the rumored Sith homeworld and abandoned Sith temples, these lightsaber pieces were originally forged by the Sith of their time. Characterized by sharp and strong forms, these pieces showcase the brutality and relentlessness of the Sith’s insatiable desire for power and control.
Protection and Defense: Cultivated from a time forgotten, these earliest lightsaber pieces contain designs and inscriptions that are shrouded in mystery. Believed to be created for protection and defense, conferring anonymity and symbolizing emotional detachment, a lightsaber made from these pieces reconnects the user with the most ancient wellspring of the Force.
Peace and Justice: Salvaged from fallen Jedi temples and crashed starships, these lightsaber pieces were created for Force wielders of the Republic era. The simple designs reflect the commitment to the devout life of those whom they were created by – the Jedi Order – the once guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy.
Elemental Nature: As we have been told, The Force is an energy field created by all living things; it surrounds us, penetrates us and binds the galaxy together. These lightsaber pieces are born of that same Force. They are as unique as the user and as the elements of nature: the wood as strong as metal from a Brylark tree, a bone of the Cartusion whale or even a tooth from a Rancor.
Custom Lightsaber Building Experience
Each lightsaber is presented to the Builder in pieces by a Gatherer, who then guides a room full of Builders surrounding an oval table through the process of communing with the Force and assembling their own custom lightsaber. Another Gatherer passes by with a vessel wielding various kyber crystals and allows Builders to choose one of their preference. Then, Builders show their pin and receive their corresponding hilt tray:
Then, the building process begins, starting with the insertion of your chosen kyber crystal into the hilt’s ignitor. It snaps into place nicely.
After that, you attach the switch, sleeves, emitter, and end-cap. You can watch us do all of this in order in the video later in the post.
Then, Builders are instructed to insert their hilts into pods stationed at each building bay.
Without too many spoilers here, you could say a few memorable Jedi make their presence known as part of the lightsaber building ceremony. The blade is magically attached to your saber when the pod opens.
Everyone then ignites their lightsabers all at once. It’s a great, big, lightsaber celebration.
Upon hilt completion, the unused parts are collected by the Gatherers and returned to Savi’s inventory. These are not included with your lightsaber package.
The Gatherers then see you out, happy to see another crew of Force-sensitive guests make their way out into Black Spire with their newly-forged lightsabers.
And yes, within reason, guests are allowed to have lightsaber duels within the land.
Now, if you’re curious to see the whole process from start to finish, (and the savers in action) check out this video chronicling Tom and Nick’s adventures through Savi’s Workshop, and get to hear their overall thoughts on the experience at the end of the video.
