EPCOT’s latest attraction has officially opened at Walt Disney World and it’s truly out-of-this-world! Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind officially launched in World Discovery on May 27, 2022, after weeks of Cast Member, Annual Passholder, and Disney Vacation Club previews. Now EPCOT guests can take on this new coaster, and we’re here to share everything you need to know about it!
Wonders of Xandar
For the first time, guests can visit an other-world showcase pavilion in World Discovery known as the Wonders of Xandar. When you enter this pavilion you’ll find the Galaxarium, a massive planetarium-style space where you’ll learn about some of the connections between Xandar and Earth. As you continue to make your way through the queue of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, you’ll visit the Xandar Gallery. Here you’ll discover even more about the Xandarian people, their heroes, and even their history and culture.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the first Disney parks coaster to feature a reverse launch. This family-thrill coaster is also one of the largest fully-enclosed coasters in the world! Cosmic Rewind is a dark, thrill coaster with a ride vehicle that can rotate 360 degrees, allowing you to pivot right along with all of the action. Guests who are at least 42 inches tall can enjoy this attraction, but it does require an Individual Lightning Lane or boarding group in the virtual queue.
Virtual Queue
Since this attraction is still so new, a virtual queue is in place. Using the My Disney Experience app, guests can request to join the virtual queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind twice a day. Their first opportunity is at 7:00 AM, and at this request time guests do not need to be in EPCOT to join, but they must have a theme park reservation for EPCOT. The second opportunity to join the virtual queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is at 1:00 PM and guests must be in EPCOT to be eligible to join the queue. A third opportunity to request to join the virtual queue may be available at 6:00 PM for guests staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort, Disney Deluxe Villa Resort, or other select resorts.
Guests can only enter the virtual queue once per day during regular park hours, and the only way to experience this attraction without a virtual queue boarding group is with an Individual Lightning Lane reservation. These policies will change once a standby queue becomes available in the future!
Attraction Playlist, Villain, and More
This all-new Guardians of the Galaxy coaster wouldn’t be complete without its very own “Awesome Mix” and this playlist doesn’t disappoint! Guests won’t know which of the six tracks they will get until their Starjumper blasts off, but it will be fun attempting to experience all six over time! Here’s the tunes you can expect to hear:
- “Conga” - Miami Sound Machine
- “Disco Inferno” - The Trammps
- “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” - Tears for Fears
- “I Ran” - A Flock of Seagulls
- “One Way or Another” - Blondie
- “September” - Earth, Wind, & Fire
According to Disney Parks Blog, there was originally a list of more than 100 potential songs from Disney Imagineers for this attraction’s playlist, but the six tracks above are what you’ll be jamming to while aboard your Starjumper!
These tunes will come in handy because you’re in for quite the galactic adventure. Your goal is to help the Guardians of the Galaxy stop Eson the Celestial, who possesses the Power Stone, and has his sights set on Earth.
Details & Easter Eggs
Disney Imagineers love to add fun nods and details to the Disney parks attractions and queues, and this new coaster is no exception. Since the Wonders of Xandar replaced the Universe of Energy pavilion, it’s no surprise that some nods and references to this now-extinct pavilion can be found here. In the queue, you’ll see footage of Good Morning Xandar where Peter Quill and the other Guardians are being interviewed. Star-Lord shares that he can’t wait to get back to EPCOT and experience Horizons and Universe of Energy – two attractions that are now extinct. The columns in the attraction have more references to the old pavilion written in Xandarian – words like “Alex, Dino, E=MC, and Ellen.” These refer to the previous attraction, Ellen’s Energy Adventure! On the ride itself, the Guardians fly in listening to a rock version of the theme song for Universe of Energy.
Other details to look out for in the ride queue area are Walt Disney sharing his Progress City presentation, a Hidden Mickey in the Xandarian City model, a giant turkey leg in the Galaxium, and a “Maelstrom” weather pattern – which is a nod to the now-extinct Maelstrom attraction in the Norway pavilion.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is officially open at EPCOT and is quickly taking on the title of “favorite attraction” for many Walt Disney World goers. From the stacked Awesome Mix playlist to the thrilling ride technology, this new coaster is sure to be a highlight on your next Disney vacation!
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