Shopping on Batuu is an experience. While not everything will break the bank, it helps to bring a considerable amount of space currency along. Seth Kubersky, coauthor of The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland, and Liliane Opsomer, coauthor of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids, went on a Batuu shopping spree. Here is their report.
Batuu boasts a Marrakech-esque marketplace of shops selling unique in-universe merchandise, some of which are practically attractions in and of themselves. Note how none of the packaging bears the standard Star Wars of Disney Parks logos, in order to maintain the illusion that all the souvenirs for sale were actually crafted by and for the Black Spire villagers themselves.
Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities is home to a surly hammerheaded Ithorian, the godfather of blackmarket goods; he sells ancient artifacts, a.k.a. memorabilia from the movies and pre-built legacy lightsabers. If you are in for a Sith holocron, you may have to barter with the animatronic big-mouthed bigwig. Haggling is Dok-Ondar’s life, so get used to it. Sharp-eyed fans will spot Easter eggs from practically every Star Wars film and television show, including a 12-foot-tall taxidermy Wampa from The Empire Strikes Back.
At Savi’s Workshop, up to 14 guests at a time are led by “Gatherers” through the 20-minute process of building their own lightsabers, from picking a colorful kyber crystal, to selecting customizable handles from a range of eras and alignments. Custom build lightsabers cost $200, with accessories available for an additional price. The initial price includes a carrying sling.
If you are in the market for a custom-built lightsaber, reserve your spot via the Disneyland App or online at disneyland.com/SavisWorkshop, up to 60 days prior to your visit. Some same-day reservations will be available as of 7 a.m. on the morning of your visit. Savi’s workshop can only handle 14 paying guests every twenty minutes so reservations will go fast.
You can proudly pair your lightsaber with a screen-accurate Jedi tunic ensemble from Black Spire Outfitters, but only wear it outside the park (costumes are unfortunately still forbidden for guests 14 and older).
For kids young and old, the Toydarian Toymaker has plush dolls of legendary characters that look handcrafted from up-cycled scraps of fabric, metal AT-ATs assembled from spare parts, and other unconventional playthings.
For more typical T-shirts, hats, pins, and the like, you can either report to First Order Cargo, a spaceport hangar selling Dark Side propaganda, or sign up at the makeshift Resistance Supply stall and show your support for the freedom fighters.
Finally, Jewels of Bith has accessories and trinkets from across the Outer Rim.
Bina’s Creature Stall has unique companions such as cackling Kowakian monkey-lizards for you to take home. Adopt a plush Porg puppet, a disgustingly adorable writhing baby Rathtar, or a shoulder-sitting monkey-lizard like Salacious Crumb. All the animals react to your touch with sound and movement, and the stall is stuffed with additional animatronic aliens that, unfortunately, can’t be taken home.
Another big hit is Mubo’s Droid Depo, where you can build your own droid. Pick robot parts off of conveyor belts to build your own pint-size R-series or BB-series droid, which will then communicate with its full-scale counterparts around the land. Pre-assembled droids, like a chatty C-3PO and a Rex bluetooth speaker, are also available. Greet the gregarious robots outside, one of whom is enjoying a relaxing grease bath. Custom build droids start at $99, with upgrades available for an additional price. The initial price includes a carry box. Reservations are available up to 60 days in advance, through the app or online.
Shopping on Batuu is a lot of fun, and it will be hard to go home empty-handed. So, Seth and Liliane challenge you to tell us what you think is the ONE item that both of them bought to take home. Enter our GIVEAWAY below.
We will each give away a set of our upcoming 2020 Unofficial Guides (Disneyland and Walt Disney World with Kids) to three (3) lucky readers with the correct guess. We will announce winners after June 23rd.
Also check out where to eat at Galaxy’s Edge and our Batuu 101. For an inside look of The Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and a preview of what to expect from Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, opening later this year, make sure to read our post here.
Opening hours, access, and Fastpass procedures for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge are likely to change over the coming month. Check out our free, updated information as it becomes available.
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