Hollywood Studios: Build a Droid in Galaxy’s Edge 🌌🤖✨

There are so many unforgettable moments at Walt Disney World, but stepping into Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios feels like being transported straight into the Star Wars universe 🚀 Between the sounds of ships flying overhead, stormtroopers marching through the streets, and the smell of Ronto Wraps filling the air 🌮 it’s completely immersive. And one of the most unique experiences you can have there? Designing and building your very own droid at the Droid Depot 🤩

The Experience ✨

The Droid Depot is tucked away in Black Spire Outpost, where crates of parts and astromech shells line the walls 📦 From the moment you walk in, you’re surrounded by conveyor belts full of droid pieces, legs, bodies, domes, and personality chips whizzing by ⚙️ The Imagineers nailed the theming, it doesn’t feel like a gift shop, it feels like a real workshop where droids are born 🛠️

Cast Members act like droid mechanics, helping you pick out your pieces but keeping the in-world magic alive. Kids and adults both light up as soon as they realize, you’re not just buying a toy, you’re creating a Star Wars companion 💫

Our Droid-Building Crew 🤖💙🧡

When we visited, all three kids jumped right into the fun.

– Aiden and Oliver both gravitated toward the BB-Series droids 🟠⚪ They couldn’t resist building their own little versions of BB-8.

– Ava went for the R-Series droid 🔵⚪ giving her creation that classic R2-D2 look.

Each of them got to pick colors, parts, and details that made their droid unique 🎨 Watching their imaginations come alive as they scavenged for domes and bodies on the conveyor belt was half the fun!

Assembly Time 🔧✨

Once the pieces were gathered, it was time to build 🪛 The kids loved screwing in bolts and snapping the parts together at the stations. The highlight was flipping that power switch and hearing the first beeps and boops 🔋🔊 It’s like instant Star Wars magic ✨

We also added voice boxes so each droid had its own set of unique sounds 🎶 Hearing Aiden’s BB-8 chirp excitedly while Ava’s R2-D2 responded in its own way made them feel like they were carrying real Star Wars characters 💛💙

Backpacks with a View 🎒🤩

Each of the kids picked out a special droid backpack with a clear window, so their new sidekicks could peek out as we explored the park 🌟 The droids chirped and whirred as we walked through Batuu, reacting to their surroundings and even to stormtroopers 🖤 It was like having a little piece of the Star Wars story traveling right alongside us ✈️

Honestly, these backpacks are worth the extra cost because they make carrying the droids so much easier 💼 and the clear window lets everyone see your droid in action 👀 Plus, the kids loved showing theirs off with pride 🥰

Adding Personality 🎭🤖

The kids had the option to add personality chips too, deciding whether their droid would lean Resistance, First Order, or just be a free spirit 🌟 It made the whole experience even more customizable. The chips change the way the droids sound and even how they interact in different parts of Galaxy’s Edge 🎶🛸

Droid Fun Beyond the Parks 🚀🏨🏠

One of my favorite memories came later that night. When we got back to the hotel room 🏨 the kids immediately brought out their droids and played with them together. They were racing them across the floor 🏎️ laughing as the droids beeped back and forth 😂 and reliving all the magic from earlier in the day 🌌

Since we’ve been home 🏠 the droids haven’t lost their charm. They’ve been played with nonstop, rolling around the living room 🛋️ “talking” to each other, and even joining in pretend Star Wars missions. Aiden was so proud of his BB-8 that he even took it to school for show and tell 🎒 His classmates were fascinated and had a blast taking turns driving BB-8 around the classroom 🤩

That’s the best part, the magic doesn’t end when you leave Batuu. These droids become a part of everyday adventures, keeping that Disney joy alive long after the trip is over ✨

Tips & Secrets for Droid Depot 🔑💡

After going through it ourselves, here are some tips we learned that might make your experience smoother (and even more magical):

1. Make Reservations Early 📲 Droid Depot is popular, and time slots can fill up. Reserve ahead of time through the Disney app so you don’t miss out.

2. Budget for Extras 💵 The base droid is around $120, but add-ons like backpacks, voice boxes, and personality chips can add up quickly. If you know your kids will want those, plan for it in your budget.

3. Backpacks Are a Game-Changer 🎒 The droids come in a box, but the backpack is so much easier to carry. Plus, the window lets you keep your droid “alive” and interactive while you explore.

4. Your Droid Interacts in Batuu ⚡ Don’t be surprised if your droid starts chattering as you pass stormtroopers, Resistance fighters, or even certain doors. It really feels like they’re part of the story.

5. Use Rider Swap 🎢 If you’re planning to ride attractions afterward, keep in mind that droids can’t go on rides. The backpacks make it easier, but you may want to use Rider Swap or have someone sit with the droids while others ride.

6. Think About Travel Home 🧳 Droids aren’t tiny! The carry box is big, and the backpack makes it bulkier. If you’re flying, consider packing space ahead of time or shipping it home from the park.

7. Let the Kids Lead 🌟 The best part of the experience is watching their creativity shine. Even if you’re tempted to help them pick the “right” pieces, let them make their own choices, that’s what makes it special 💕

Is It Worth It? 💫

At around $120 each (plus extras like the backpacks and chips) it’s definitely a splurge 💸 But watching Aiden, Ava, and Oliver carry their droids around, giggling when the droids “talked” to each other, made it priceless 🥹 And the fact that they’re still playing with them weeks later proves that this isn’t just a Disney souvenir, it’s an experience that keeps giving joy 💕

Final Thoughts 🌠

Designing a droid at Galaxy’s Edge is one of the most magical hands-on experiences Disney offers ✨ Seeing the kids proudly carry their BB-8s and R2-D2 around Batuu, lights blinking and voice boxes chattering, made the adventure feel even more real 💛💙 And now, hearing them laugh as they race their droids across the living room at home, I can honestly say, this is an absolute must-do for any Star Wars fan family 🌟