In 2012, Disney introduced the Star Wars Build-A-Droid Factory stations at Walt Disney World, and they later made their way to Disneyland and international parks. It was similar to the Build-A-Lightsaber experience guests had been enjoying since 2008. Guests could create their own custom 3.75’ droids with thousands of possible combinations available. In 2015, the line was revamped with new parts and special edition droids were introduced in boxed sets and individual packs.

              In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic reached the United States, and with that, all Disney Parks were shut down. When the theme parks were reopened in July of the same year, all interactive experiences were closed for safety reasons. About a year later, the Build-A-Lightsaber experience returned to Walt Disney World, but unfortunately, the Droid Factory didn’t. The pandemic is no longer an excuse for why this experience is not available to guests since WDW and Disneyland have returned to their pre-pandemic state. Although it seems Disney has given up on this Droid Factory line, this is not the case. Disney is still releasing the special edition droids and even expanded the line to include pins. Having these droids are great, but what is missing is the heart of the line. The customizable element was what pulled so many, including myself, to the line and it allowed for droids we would have never gotten in the 3.75’ scale otherwise.

            Disney, please bring back the Build-A-Droid stations back to Walt Disney World and Disneyland. The station has returned to Disneyland Paris with great success, so please let collectors in the United States enjoy building 3.75’ scale droids.