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Building a Droid at Droid Depot in Disneyland

by Tad on March 21, 2023 36 Los Angeles

Building a Droid at Droid Depot in Disneyland - pinterest'Sup? Tad here! Your favorite family photographer, videographer and a huge fan of all things Star Wars. Have you always wanted a little droid buddy similar to R2-D2 or BB-8 to roll about your house and take with you on adventures? Of course you do! Well, here’s your chance to build your own custom droid. When I made my first droid at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, I was too excited to stop and take pictures of the process! So, I recently hopped along with some tadpole friends who were hopping excited to build their first droid so I could take pictures and share all of the deets with you. Here’s all you need to know in our step-by-step guide to building a droid at Droid Depot Disneyland. (If you are looking for a pre-assembled droid, Droid Depot at Disneyland has them too!)

Steps for Building a Droid at Droid Depot in Disneyland

1. Make a reservation. You can make a reservation to build a droid up to 60 days in advance. But don't sweat it if you can’t plan that far in advance! You can usually book reservations close to your visit, or even find same-day availability for Droid Depot in Disneyland if it is not busy. You know that we frogs are planners, though, and having a reservation guarantees you will get your droid. Reservations are for one builder and up to one guest (although our little buddies took turns building the same droid without a hitch). You may get lucky and be able to find walk-up availability, so don't be afraid to ask if the mood strikes while you are in the park.

Speaking of reservations, Disneyland utilizes a theme park reservation system. That means in addition to a Droid Depot reservation, you need valid theme park admission and a theme park reservation for the same day. Park hopping begins at 11 a.m.

Building a Droid at Disneyland Droid Depot - BB-8

You’ll make your reservation online or through the Disneyland app (use the magnifying glass at the bottom of the home screen to type in "Droid Depot" and it will take you to reservations). The experience is recommended for ages 3 and up, and at least one party member must be 14 or older. If you have questions, you can call (714) 300-7805. Keep in mind that you will need to provide your credit card when you reserve. If you need to cancel, you must cancel at least one day before your reservation to avoid a cancellation fee of $99.99. This brings us to our next tip.

2. Allow plenty of time to arrive. Try to make your appointment at a time that is realistic (or not first thing in the morning) and arrive early. Some days, we park at Disneyland and arrive at the front gate in about 15 minutes. Other times, it can take over an hour (or more!) to hop through the process. It just depends on the crowds that day. If you plan extra time for parking, security, shuttles/buses and entrance lines to take longer than expected, you will have no trouble getting to your appointment.

Keep in mind that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is all the way at the back of Disneyland Park in a galaxy far, far away, so allow about 15 minutes to walk there once you enter the park. If you do happen to get inside Disneyland earlier than expected, great. You’ll have bonus time at Disneyland! We had a 9:10 a.m. appointment. We arrived at the parking lot at 8:00 a.m. on a holiday weekend and made it just in time for our appointment.

3. Check in and pay. You may arrive at Disneyland Droid Depot up to 15 minutes early. The store has no sign in English, BTW. The language of Batuu is Aurebesh. You can locate the store on the park map or in the Disneyland app. It's toadally cool, but you don't want to get lost! It's across from the land speeder garage.

On your way to the register, you can look at accessories you might want for your droid. You might want to shop for a Droid Depot personality chip before you go to the register. You may purchase Droid Depot personality chips when you pay for your droid, but you can also add one later if you cannot decide. The Droid Depot personality chips can make your droid part of the First Order, the Rebellion or a scoundrel. Our young Padawans chose a Rebellion chip, a blue one, in fact, because the cast member said it had more fun sounds (like a video game) than the orange chip. Sold! The droid costs $99.99 plus tax (no discount for the droid itself, but you can get a Magic Key discount on personality chips and accessories.)

Building a Droid at Droid Depot in Disneyland - Personality Chips

And speaking of fun sounds, if you want to test the sounds that the chips make before you buy one, you can do that! On the side of the room opposite from where you pay and enter, there is a wall of Astromech personality chips. You'll see a row of buttons under each chip color. Press the button to hear the sounds associated with the chip!

It’s decision time when it comes to choosing and paying for your droid. Do you want to build an R-series droid (similar to R2-D2, but with different head options) or a BB-series (similar to BB-8)? There is a newer C-series too. The cashier will hand you a basket that is clearly labeled with the parts you will need to collect to build your droid. The parts vary based on what type of droid you want to build.

Building a Droid at Droid Depot in Disneyland - Conveyor Belt

Building a Droid at Droid Depot in Disneyland - Assembling the Droid

4. Take your basket to the conveyor belt to choose parts. Hop on over to the conveyor belt, which has all of the scrap metal and parts you’ll need to assemble your droid. You can choose different colors and styles to make your droid unique.

BB-Series

  • Dome
  • Dome Connection Plate
  • Body Sphere
  • Motivator

C-Series

  • Dome
  • Body
  • Center Leg or Center Wheel
  • Set of Side-C Legs
  • If using Extender with Body, pick up a set of Side-R Legs

R-Series

  • Dome
  • Body
  • Center Leg or Center Wheel
  • Set of Side-R Legs

5. Assemble your droid. Once you have collected the parts, it’s time to start building! You’ll take your basket of pieces to a building station. It has a placemat diagram with pictures showing you how to assemble the droid. The station has an electric screwdriver. If you need help, just push the “Alert Tech” button. (You can find links to instruction manuals online.)

Building a Droid at Disneyland Droid Depot - Activating the Droid

6. Activate your droid. Now, it’s time to activate your droid! The attendant will put the droid in a special spot and have you push the “Activate” button. You’ll see a panel light up and the droid will light up and come to life. It's so exciting! Now, it’s time to try out the remote control.

7. Test it. Here’s the toadally cool moment you’ve been waiting for! You can control your droid! You’ll learn how to position the legs/wheels (for the R-series unit) for use. The attendant will show you how to use the remote control to make your droid move forward, backward, to the left and right, turn its head and talk.

There’s also a button that will work with accessories, should you choose to get some. The attendant will turn the remote off and put it in the box. Keep in mind that the on/off switch can be very hard to move. Ask a parent for help if you need it!

Building a Droid at Disneyland Droid Depot - Testing the Remote

8. Add a personality chip (optional). If you have purchased a personality chip in advance, the attendant can show you how to install it. If you purchase it after leaving the building area, the cashier can do it for you. The personality chip affects the sounds the droid makes and how the droid behaves and interacts with elements on the land. A Rebellion chip will make your droid seem scared in the First Order area, but act happy and maybe even sing when near the Resistance area of the land. A First Order chip would have the opposite reaction in the land. A scoundrel chip will still interact with the land, but be more neutral than the droids who take sides.

9. Consider purchasing accessories. You can add a few accessories to your droid. You can get a backpack, which you can wear on the front or back to make carrying your droid around much easier on yourself. The R-series droid has jet attachments, blaster attachments, a serving tray with 7 cups and a serving arm. Toadally cool! We purchased decals to further personalize the droid. However, a recent trip uncovered more permanent R-Series accessory panels instead. A Ferry Droid Accessory Set comes with a dome, dome extender, arms, legs and an oar to go with your droid body.

Building a Droid at Disneyland Droid Depot - Meeting Other Droids

10. Begin your adventures with your new droid BFF! You’ll leave the store with your droid in a box. You can carry the droid around the land, pose for pictures, and see how your new partner interacts with other droids, characters and elements on Batuu. The droid uses Bluetooth technology to communicate with other Astromech droids, as well as elements and objects on Batuu and at Disney Parks and Resorts.

Building a Droid at Droid Depot in Disneyland - Droid Mats

You can now place your droid on the ground at certain times on special mats (when available). That way your droid can interact with other droids, and you can practice controlling it. You do not need a droid to play. You can use a cast member's iPad to control one of the R-series droids that live on Batuu!

Building a Droid at Disneyland Droid Depot - Stormtrooper

A stormtrooper came by and told us that we may need to swap out our personality chip ... and the chip for the droid too. Toadally hilarious.

11. Manage your droid at Disneyland. You cannot bring the droid box on some rides, such as Indiana Jones, and you do not want to get it wet on Splash Mountain, so you will either need to use Rider Switch service to watch your droid or check it at a store. Because carrying a big box around Disneyland gets cumbersome, drop your droid off with a “babysitter.” Bring your droid and receipt proving you purchased it that day to a Disneyland drop-off location such as Pioneer Mercantile, Star Trader, Small World Toys, Mlle. Antoinette's Parfumerie and Port Orleans. You can also drop packages at Elias & Co. in Disney California Adventure or at the stroller shop in the Esplanade. Droid Depot will droid sit for you, too! Just remember to pick it up by the end of the night. Your arm and hand will thank you.

You can also use the drop-off service for your lightsaber if you’ll be building a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop (next door to Droid Depot). Disneyland sends purchases to guest hotel gift shops for next-day pick-up. You can ship your droid home so you no longer have to worry about it at First Order Cargo or other shops such as Pioneer Mercantile.

12. Play with your droid at home. Download the Droid Depot app to play with your droid at home. You can use the app to maneuver, pilot or use strategies with the droid.

Tips for Building a Droid at Droid Depot in Disneyland

Building a Droid at Droid Depot in Disneyland - Droid Depot Entrance

Here are a few pointers for building a droid, enjoying it in the park and operating it:

  • You must have admission to Disneyland and a theme park reservation to access Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Droid Depot.
  • Building a droid is a fun activity for people of all ages (3+).

Building a Droid at Disneyland Droid Depot - Posing for Photos with Droid

  • Take pictures of your droid in the land. Be sure to have the imagers take some photos, too, for great professional shots.
  • Consider buying a droid backpack or bringing a backpack from home for it. (That box is awkward to carry around and can get heavy.)
  • Take your droid to tour the land. It may interact with other droids, get scared in some areas or be super happy and start singing in others.
  • If you can afford it, consider purchasing a second droid, especially if you have more than one Star Wars fan in the house. It saves on fighting, especially if, say, one of your family members is loyal to the Resistance and the other is ready to sign up for the First Order. Plus, the droids can interact with one another.
  • Do not use the remote control or operate your droid on the ground anywhere in Disneyland Park unless you see a designated area for this.
  • You can operate the droid without a Droid Depot personality chip, or switch out chips. Your droid will have a different sound with a chip than without.
  • Information about battery replacement and types of batteries can be found at the bottom of the box. Snap a pic of it before discarding the box.
  • The remote takes two AAA batteries. The droids take six AA batteries.
  • Check your droid at a designated Disneyland store so you do not have to carry it around all day.
  • Take some time to check out the cool details in Disneyland Droid Depot, including the droid parts hanging from the ceiling. Ask a cast member about the history of Droid Depot for some cool Batuu facts!
  • You may purchase other pre-assembled droids and droid-related merchandise at Droid Depot.
  • You’ll find some droids outside the shop. It seems that they were excited to meet our droid, as they lit up and made sounds when we approached with the droid!
  • If you need Instruction Manuals, you can find them on the Droid Depot page.

Are you looking forward to building a droid at Disneyland Droid Depot? You'll need valid Disneyland admission (and a park reservation) to access Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Did you know you can get a jump on saving money on Disneyland Resort tickets and Los Angeles area hotel stays? Exciting news! We now book discount hotel rooms at the Disneyland Hotel!

Related: Our Galactic Guide to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland

Related: How to Make Reservations at Oga’s Cantina Inside Disneyland

Stay cool!

Keep hopping, Tad!
View Comments
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Feb 26, 2024 at 2:12 p.m. Fruzsina Says...

Hello, can I buy a pesonality droid chip somewhere outside the Disney Word?

Can I acivate it, or not?

Thanks for your answer.

Reply
Feb 27, 2024 at 1:52 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Fruzsina!

Currently, personality chips are not officially sold outside of Disneyland or Disney World. You can keep an eye out from time to time on the Disney Store online, but right now, there aren't any offerings. You might see personality chips sold by resellers online, but they are not officially linked to Disney's merchandise channels.

Stay cool!

Tad

Reply
Mar 17, 2023 at 5:37 p.m. Debbie Says...

I just made reservations for the droid depot for our upcoming trip in April, it asked how many people, do you put one for the person who is building or do you put three for all of us but only one is building? Thank you for your help

Reply
Mar 17, 2023 at 2:57 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Debbie!

You'll only need to make a reservation for the builder - so if only one person is assembling, you just need a reservation for one. Note that the experience is limited to one builder and one guest, so one person can help assemble while the other members of your party may be asked to watch from behind the fence (only a few feet behind) due to space constraints.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Mar 17, 2023 at 10:42 p.m. Debbie Says...

Thank you so much for the quick reply, I did make the reservation for one so we're good ????

Reply
Mar 19, 2023 at 8:13 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

You are so welcome, Debbie! Enjoy your new astromech unit (and take lots of pics!)

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Jan 14, 2023 at 11:47 p.m. Elizabeth Coen Says...

Of the different Personality Chips that are available, which of the three (Resistance, First Order, or Scoundrel) would give my Droid a sassy personality? Just curious.

Reply
Jan 27, 2023 at 1:51 p.m. Sue Says...

It’s the scoundrel chip you want for “sassy”. That’s what they advised me at the Droid Depot. I didn’t hear it right away, but soon that droid was chirping back with attitude :-)

Reply
Jan 17, 2023 at 4:14 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Elizabeth!

You know, that's a good question! We're going to open it up to others in the Frog Pond so they can share their experiences with the different droid personalities.

Stay cool!

Tad

Reply
Jul 27, 2022 at 5:54 a.m. Brycen Says...

My droids arm is loose and he falls over now. My mom can't find the receipt with the email or phone number or customer service. I want to get him fixed

Reply
Jul 28, 2022 at 2:04 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Brycen!

Try reaching out to Disney Merchandise Guest Services at (877) 560-6477 or [email protected] and hopfully a cast member will be able to help you get your droid's arm fixed!

Stay cool!

Tad

Reply
Jul 15, 2022 at 9:20 p.m. Cardine Says...

It says the droids require batteries. Do the batteries come with the droids when you build them or do they cost extra?

Reply
Jul 18, 2022 at 11:58 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Cardine!

Batteries are included initially, but you will need to replace once they run low.

Stay cool!

Tad

Reply
Jun 18, 2022 at 7:23 p.m. S Johanson Says...

My family just returned from Disneyland. We had decided to build one robot but had so much fun doing it that I, grandma, funded a second build. Even grandparents can enjoy the process and ownership of their own Droid. It was a fun activity for all members of our family whose ages ranged from 4 years to 95 years old. We all participated and brought home 2 wonderful memories of our great trip.

Reply
Jun 21, 2022 at 8:28 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi S!

Thanks so much for sharing your experience :) Building a droid is a lot of fun, and we toadally agree that it can be for any age!

Stay cool!

Tad

Reply
Jun 17, 2022 at 6 p.m. Russ B Says...

My kids absolute love their droids and love building their droids. However, recommended my kids get the droids that could get accessories at a later point so they had something to spend birthday/Christmas money on and family members could purchase accessories for gifts. We live in Oklahoma and I just found out the accessories can only be purchased in park. This was not explained when we signed up, purchase, and built the droids. I only found out when I went to purchase some accessories for my kid's birthday. I can understand only being able to purchase the droids in park because you have to build them and it is part of the experience, but not being able to purchase the accessories online in 2022 is just poor customer service. The only justification for this policy is to try to sell more park tickets, which doesn't work for those of us that live multiple states away. On top of this, the staff was not helpful at all while we were there. One of my children want to build an R-series unit and they didn't inform him he picked out parts for a C-series unit. He is 7-years-old and picked it out thinking he had gotten the right parts and he liked the color better than the offerings for the R-series. He would have picked a different color if he knew it was a C-series instead of a R-series. No employee informed him of his error and I assumed after it was complete that he had changed his mind since I was letting him build it on his own while I watch from the side. He only found out later when comparing it to R2-D2 while walking around the park. Thankfully we were able to convince him it was still good because he like the color and he built it himself. But, that shouldn't have happened.

Building a droid is a great experience and worth the money, but make sure you get all the accessories while you are there. There are eBay sellers with the accessories, but they definitely mark up the prices.

Reply
May 6, 2022 at 12:45 p.m. Luke Says...

Hi

We are looking to visit the park in July, traveling from UK. I want to book this and the light-saber. When I go onto the app there is no option to book a slot like the dining.

I have been on the website and it says to book via that page on the site or use the app but there are no time slots or possibility to select a slot.

Is the only way to book to call them?

Thanks

Luke

Reply
May 10, 2022 at 2:22 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Luke!

Have you tried booking these experiences through these exact links for Droid Depot & Savi's Workshop? We're seeing lots of availability for both, so we hope this helps!

Stay cool!

Tad

Reply
Mar 18, 2022 at 12:53 a.m. Penny Beckstrand Says...

If I purchase the Disney R2-D2 will it communicate with a droid my son just made? It doesn't come with a personality chips but I want it to have R2-D2's personality. Does it need a chip?

Reply
Mar 24, 2022 at 7:15 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Penny!

It will have R2-D2's personality (you can also get a different personality chip and swap it out, if you ever want to). And it can interact with the customizable droids from Droid Depot.

Stay cool!

Tad

Reply
Feb 28, 2022 at 5:49 p.m. Jason Says...

Great article. We are going to Droid Depot in April. Are the same stores still willing to "babysit" the droids in 2022?

Reply
Feb 28, 2022 at 1:53 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Jason!

Yes! You can leave your droid at Droid Depot and pick it up later.

Stay cool!

Tad

Reply
Feb 27, 2022 at 9:13 p.m. Kevin Says...

I built my Droid at my previous visit. Can I bring him back to the park(Disneyland)?

Reply
Feb 28, 2022 at 8:21 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Kevin!

Absolutely! Your droid would love going back to Batuu :)

Stay cool!

Tad

Reply
Feb 26, 2022 at 6:36 p.m. Anna Says...

My daughter bb unit stop working I’ve change batteries in unit and remote and get nothing what do I do to fix it

Reply
Feb 28, 2022 at 8:32 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Anna!

There is a very small switch in the inner mechanism that gets switched on or off — that may be the issue if it isn't the batteries. Here is the instruction manual for the BB-series droid. It's the same one that came with the droid, but in case you don't have it anymore, it may be hopful. If you get it back up and running, then we'd recommend to turn off the remote and the internal switch to the off position when not in use to prolong its battery life. Hope this helps!

Stay cool!

Tad

Reply
Feb 24, 2022 at 8:22 p.m. Lynne Says...

It is so hard to decide what time to make my appointment. If I make an appointment, but end up showing up before my time, do you think they will take me earlier and move my appointment time?

Reply
Feb 24, 2022 at 4:48 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Lynne!

It would likely depend on availability. If Droid Depot is accepting walk-ins, then they most likely would let you in earlier — it doesn't hurt to ask! But if they're not accepting walk-ins, then you may need to stick to your originally scheduled reservation time.

Stay cool!

Tad

Reply
Jan 31, 2022 at 8:25 p.m. Toni Says...

Do these last? I saw other reviews saying they break and stop working really soon? And that the bought personality chip is the same as the one that comes with it. How are they different at home when you’re out of the park?

Reply
Feb 2, 2022 at 2:37 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Toni!

Personality chips will change how the droid sounds, so you can stick with its default (without an extra personality chip) or get a personality chip for different sounds and reactions. Whether it has a personality chip or not, it will react to other bots and things while in Galaxy's Edge. Outside of the park, it does not react unless you have another droid nearby (then they may talk to each other).

Stay cool!

Tad

Reply
Nov 3, 2021 at 4:48 a.m. Jodi Says...

What are the best personality chips? And which interact the best with each other????? Thanks!

Reply
Nov 3, 2021 at 9:13 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Jodi!

You can opt for three different types (with two colors each; six total to choose from) - First Order, Resistance and Scoundrel. Droids with First Order chips might have more lively interactions near the TIE Echelon and other First Order droids, while droids with Resistance chips might act excited near Resistance Encampment and nervous by the First Order areas in Batuu. For Scoundrel chips, the droid would not show a particular allegiance to either the First Order or the Resistance but still interact with the land. So as far as "the best" goes, it depends on which side you support!

Stay cool!

Tad

Reply
Oct 13, 2021 at 4:50 a.m. Jen Says...

Great overview! About how long does it take to build a droid?

Reply
Oct 13, 2021 at 8:20 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Jen!

It typically takes about 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how long it takes for you to pick out the parts you want, put everything together and shop for additional accessories if you choose to do so.

Stay cool!

Tad

Reply
Aug 25, 2021 at 5:32 a.m. Elizabeth Says...

We're thinking about letting our six and seven-year-old each make one. It's a little unclear to me: You're not allowed to use the remote for the Droid while in Disneyland but it interacts with the land? So this guy does stuff on its own? Any tips on particular places we should go to see it interact? And do I understand correctly that you are allowed to use the remote control in certain areas? Is everything still going on with covid restrictions as far as droid making and Droid interactions?

Reply
Aug 26, 2021 at 9:24 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Elizabeth!

As you walk around Batuu, your droid will make noises. We saw ours get pretty excited near the other droids outside of Droid Depot! (Also, once you're home, download the Droid Depot app. You can sync your droid to play games and win achievements — your droid may even do a dance when that happens!) The experience is not modified (though there may be plexiglass to divide the building stations).

Stay cool!

Tad

Reply
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