‘Sup! Tad here. Some of my favorite characters from the "Star Wars" movies are the droids who accompany the main heroes on their galactic adventures. Droids such as R2-D2 and BB-8 are the perfect sidekicks in a galaxy far, far away. Ever since I first saw the films as a young tadpole, I’ve always wished I had my own. So, you can probably imagine my excitement when I had the opportunity to create my own droid at Disney World’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! I named mine F2-0G. ;)
Droid Depot isn’t just any ordinary store. It’s where you can build your own droid at Galaxy’s Edge in Disney World. This is just one of the many toadally rad experiences you can find on the planet of Batuu. The droids even interact with certain elements while you’re inside the land. If you’re a "Star Wars" fan like me, you won’t want to miss out on this experience. Here’s everything you need to know.
Making Reservations for Droid Depot at Disney World
Even after four years, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge continues to be a hoppin' place. You may experience lengthy wait times for the attractions, restaurants and shops. Disney highly recommends making a reservation for Droid Depot, which can be made up to 60 days in advance on Disney's website or through the My Disney Experience app. Droid Depot may be able to accommodate walk-ins each day, but it's subject to availability.
The build-your-own-droid experience costs $119.99 per builder and includes choosing your own pieces, putting the droid together and taking the droid with you with a box and remote control. A valid credit card is required when booking, but won't be charged until arriving at the shop. If you need to cancel a reservation, you must do so at least one day in advance to avoid a $119.99 per builder "no-show" fee (this is the full cost of the experience!). It would be charged to the credit card that you provided when booking. Late arrivals may not be allowed to enter. Keep this in mind when picking a time! You'll need to account for the time that it takes to get to the park, go through security and the entrance touchpoints and walk to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.
The experience is also limited to the builder and one guest. At least one person must be 14 years old or older. If this experience is high on your must-do list, we recommend snagging a reservation if one is available. However, don't fret if you aren't able to get a reservation. Arrive early in the morning or late at night as these are the best times for walk-ins. Most Batuu travelers build their droids in the afternoon (noon to 3 p.m. is a peak period for this experience, according to one of the cast members).
Finding Droid Depot and Checking In
If you enter Galaxy’s Edge by Toy Story Land, Droid Depot will be one of the first shops you’ll see. It’s right next door to Savi’s Workshop, which is where you can build your own lightsaber. If you come from Grand Avenue, stay right past the Black Spire Marketplace until you reach the bottom of the stairs. Despite all of the signs being written in Aurebesh, it’s pretty easy to spot the store because there are audio-animatronic droids lined up outside.
If you have a reservation and need to check in, you should get there no earlier than 15 minutes before your reserved time at the check-in location in front of the store. Each person in your party must be present upon check-in and entering Droid Depot. Be prepared to show your reservation confirmation, photo ID and the credit card that you used when booking. Once again, if you do not cancel the day before and do not show up, you'll be charged the cancellation fee. If you're late, you may not be allowed to enter and have to face the "no-show" fee.
Once you walk inside, there are droids of all shapes and sizes everywhere. Some even move around in the background or on the walls. Be sure to look up high and down below, as lots of details are packed into this space.
Droid Depot Options and Pricing
First, you must pick between the two styles of astromech units: the R-series (the classic R2-D2 style) or the BB-series (the newer BB-8 style). Once you make your selection, you will be given a blueprint with assembly instructions and a basket to put the parts in.
Each droid unit costs $119.99, plus tax. It comes with a special carry box and instructions. Once you’ve built your droid, it’s nonrefundable, as the people of Batuu believe the droid and its person pair for life. However, the personalized building experience is part of the price tag — and you've got a loyal friend for life. So, don’t rush through choosing your parts, and try to have an idea of what you want it to look like beforehand! There's a wall with all the available options just to the left of the register. There are no discounts available, including the usual merchandise discount for annual passholders. For an additional charge, you can purchase Droid Depot personality chips for $14.99 each, as well as other various accessories, such as the droid backpack for $49.99.
In addition to the regular build-your-own droid at Galaxy's Edge, Droid Depot also has model kits, pre-made and premium droids for sale. These range from small to larger authentic replicas of the droids from the films. The pre-made interactive droids operate the same as the customized ones, allowing you to have exact mini replicas of fan favorites such as R2-D2, BB-8, D-0 and C1-10P or "Chopper" from Star Wars: Rebels.
How to Build Your Own Droid at Galaxy’s Edge in Disney World
Once you’ve paid, it’s time for fun! The process is basically split into two stages: the parts station and the building station.
At the parts station, you’ll choose which pieces to use for building your droid. Each style of droid has four different parts. The BB-series model has a dome, a dome connection plate, a body sphere and a motivator. Meanwhile, the R-series model has a dome, a body, a center leg and a pair of side legs.
These parts come in various styles and colors, so you can mix and match however you please. Just make sure you’ve got each of the four main parts! For easy selection, they move down a conveyor belt. If you miss something or change your mind about a piece, you can put it back on the belt and wait until another comes back around.
After you've selected all four parts, you'll bring your basket to the building station where a cast member will assist you. You'll follow instructions on your placemat or the digital monitors to assemble the parts in the right order. Once it's completed, your droid will be paired with a remote control and activated! It was toadally cool watching my droid, F2-0G, come to life.
Droid Interactivity Inside Galaxy's Edge at Disney World
These customizable droids use Bluetooth technology to communicate with other astromech units, as well as other elements and objects on Batuu and at Disney parks and resorts. Using the remote control to operate a droid while at the theme parks is generally not allowed due to safety, but you can carry it around in its box or bag so it can interact with these elements in the land and other droids.
After we walked out with F2-0G in its box, we noticed it started to make noise when we passed by the droids outside of the shop. F2-0G also started beeping and chirping around the Millennium Falcon. We chatted with a Batuu resident (cast member) who mentioned that droids associated with the Resistance will have negative reactions to The First Order. Sure enough, F2-0G started to make noises around the TIE fighter.
There's a mat across from Droid Depot, perfect for operating your droid! Get some maneuvering practice in and see what friends your droid might make.
Playing With Your Droid at Home
Fun with your droid can continue even when you return to your own planet! We highly recommend downloading the Droid Depot app. Once paired, your phone can be the remote control for much better maneuverability. You can also play games with your droid such as Tic-Tac-Toe or even have a droid dance party! The app is fairly limited but is a great option to revisit that unused droid just sitting on the shelf.
Remember when storing your droid to turn off both the droid and the remote to conserve battery. The remote can be switched off on the back and the droid has a small switch in the inner mechanism. If needed, the remote takes two AAA batteries and the droid takes six AA batteries.
You can always bring your droid back for return visits to Batuu as well. 'Til the spire!
Would you rather build a BB-series or an R-series droid? What would you name it? Let us know in the comments below!
Related: Our Galactic Guide to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney World
Related: Hollywood Studios Hidden Gems
Stay cool!
