Make your own Star Wars droid at Disney World

The Tattoine Traders store at the Disney Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World will soon have a build-your-own-droid option, along with a cardback box so that you can package it up to look like one of the original Star Wars figs. This is one of the rare times when the official Star Wars product is as interesting as the incredible, imaginative array of fannish creations.

[T]he Droid Factory has 71 different pieces to create the 3 ¾-inch figures! To get started, guests chose a dome, a body and legs offered in a variety of colors and styles (Cody said that availability of various parts and colors may change). There are optional third legs and novelty hats that can be added.
“We wanted lots of options for [the Droid Factory],” continued Cody. “There are literally thousands of combinations making each droid unique. Guests can also name their droids with sticker sheets provided at checkout.”
Three domes – R6, R8 and R9 – were created exclusively for this experience at Disney Parks. Cody also told me the multi-colored ear hats were inspired by Jedi Mickey’s Astromech droid, R2-MK. Four additional hats arrive later this summer including a Goofy hat, a pirate hat, a fedora and a Yoda cap.

Build Your Droid at the Droid Factory Coming to Tatooine Traders at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

I write books. My latest is a YA science fiction novel called Homeland (it's the sequel to Little Brother). More books: Rapture of the Nerds (a novel, with Charlie Stross); With a Little Help (short stories); and The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow (novella and nonfic). I speak all over the place and I tweet and tumble, too.

MORE: Disney • Gadgets • gift guide • happy mutants • Kids • makers • star wars • these are the droids you're looking for • toys

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funkyderek

These aren’t the droids I’m looking for.
- niktemadur
  
  Maybe you’ve seen the droid I’m looking for? He’s about so high and black, boxy with legs, answers to the name of “Gonk”. If you see him, tell him both my laptop and cell phone ran out of charge YESTERDAY, so he should get his opaque metal ass back home, pronto!
  
  http://www.jedidefender.com/collect92/power%20modern.jpg
  - niktemadur
    
    Oh, one more thing. If you do see Gonk, please tell him I’d send a text to let him know, but how am I gonna do that, IF MY FREAKING CELL PHONE RAN OUT OF JUICE??!
    
    Jeez… one of these days, I’m gonna sell that damned droid to the Jawas, they do a Swap Meet once every couple of months nearby, in the parking lot across from the Bantha Burger joint and the Hispanic seafood place, Mariscos Ackbar’s.
- http://tomcat.pip.verisignlabs.com/ Tommy
  
  That’s the comment I was looking for.
http://twitter.com/AntiBoredomTeam Dan Century

I’m not big on Star Wars memorabilia (except for Suckadelic) but that is freaking awesome!
Brainspore

Do they offer exchanges? Mine had a bad motivator.
- skabob
  
  I was just telling my Uncle Owen that…
- chellberty
  
  yes but only for some power converters.
Donald Petersen

Looks like Disney World finally got on the Freezing You In Carbonite bandwagon as well. 8 inches tall, takes 4 weeks to ship, costs $99.95 plus shipping, but it looks just like you.

Kinda surprised it took them this long to start doing this.
- LinkMan
  
  That’s pretty awesome, but 8 inches?
  
  I’ve got a bad feeling that the junior marketing analyst in committee jotted down 8″ when he meant to jot down 8′…
Dave X

I’m eagerly awaiting news of the first super-fan who attempts to buy every possible variation. It’s like trolling Star Wars collectors, haha.
http://twitter.com/TerryBorder Terry Border

I wish I could put Star Wars in Carbonite.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ROVGMU7U6DJ2Y74KQWFLDY4HHQ octolover

optional third legs…
Mister44

Thats cool. Dunno when I’ll get back down there, but I look forward to it! My little one will love it too!
Pirate Jenny

If only I didn’t have to go to Florida to get these things :(
http://www.matthewpetty.com/ Matthew Petty

I had the Droid Factory playset when I was a kid. Endless fun!
http://www.12back.com/playsets/droid.php3
- DevinC
  
  Same here. It was awesomesauce, before awesome was even sold in sauce form!
crummett

Somewhere in there is _exactly_ the droid I’m looking for!
penguinchris

They look neat. I hope they plan to expand the parts selection though, there really aren’t that many options in the photos. Also, going by the typical Disney parks prices, these will probably be just expensive enough to make you have to seriously consider your sanity if you buy one.

I’ve always assumed their overall marketing plan with everything they sell is to make up for that sanity check with kids who’ll cry if they don’t get what they want. The adult-oriented souvenirs are typically not too overpriced and are often pretty nice (though like a typical SoCal resident I’ve been to Disneyland many times but have never bought anything).
http://twitter.com/dsrg Anders Ekbom

Would be nice if you could design and then print these things directly from some kind of device at home…

(Yes, I’m reading Makers.)
Ryan Lenethen

So long you can make a HK-47 droid the meatbags will be happy.
VBartilucci

And how long before they make a boxed set of all 71 pieces so you can mix and match them at home? Anyone?