The long wait is finally over, and preview rides are now underway at "Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind," EPCOT's first rollercoaster and Walt Disney World's big new attraction for 2022.
Cast Members are the first to ride, and some of the lucky first riders have shared some of their early impressions with us, which we have compiled into a guide to everything you need to know about "Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind."
Note that the following article is full of spoilers. Stop reading now if you do not want to know everything about the "Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind" rider experience. Also, photography during current previews is restricted as work is still underway on some show scenes. Early previews have also been beginning at load, bypassing the queue and pre-show. Information in this guide relating to the queue and preshow is based on previously released details. The ride experience description is based on preview rides taking place now.
Before we get into details, the answer to the one thing you want to know. In short, Cosmic Rewind is a FANTASTIC addition to Walt Disney World. A fast, better, more fun Space Mountain - unlike anything else! It's a hit.
The Entrance and Queue - Lightning Lanes and Standby
Arriving at the Wonders of Xandar pavilion, the first thing you see is the Nova Corps Starblaster sitting on display. Passing around the ship, you arrive at the main entrance, which has several entry points for different rider categories - standby and Lightning Lane.
So far, in the early stages of previews, Disney has not yet confirmed how the queue will operate. The temptation must surely be to open with a Lightning Lane individual attraction purchase to quickly monetize the line, but we await that final decision.
Passing through the entrance doors, you arrive in the queue area and into the first of the pavilion's show scenes - the Galaxarium.
Galaxarium
The Galaxarium is a large planetarium-style space showcasing planets, stars, and other intergalactic wonders that connect Earth and Xandar. It takes the form of a large projection screen on the ceiling, with the queue space circling the room.
The Galaxarium projection show is a 30-minute loop, so there is a lot to see if you are in the queue area for a long time.
Leaving the Galaxarum, the queue space moves into the second scene, the Xandar Gallery.
The Xandar Gallery
Here guests discover more about the Xandarian people, culture, and history – including the heroes of Xandar – through museum-like displays and projections.
The queue moves past the exhibits and into the pre-show area.
Pre-Show
Shot specifically for the ride by original Guardians of the Galaxy writer and director James Gunn, the pre-show lays out the story for Cosmic Rewind.
In short, just as your tour of the Wonders of Xandar pavilion is nearing its conclusion, you are called into action to help the Guardians of the Galaxy on an urgent mission. Riders join Rocket, Groot, Gamora, and Star-Lord through a space pursuit to save the galaxy from Eson, a Celestial that we learn has been watching Earth for eons.
All of the storytelling is thought to take place on screens, and there are likely no animatronic figures in the pre-show, and none anywhere in the ride portion.
Now, onto the ride.
The Cosmic Rewind Ride Experience
Arriving at the load station, riders are spit into ten loading gates, similar to other Disney rollercoasters. There are two loading platforms - similar to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Each of the five ride vehicles that make up the train accommodates four guests in two rows. The restraint is a large individual lap bar, securely holding you into a comfortable seat.
The height requirement for "Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind" is 42 inches, making it very accessible for most guests, including many children from around age 5.
Leaving the station, the movie's main characters appear on a screen and wish you luck on the mission. The train heads into a large space with a wrap-around screen and the ride then rapidly accelerates backward up a steep hill and into the main ride building. The launch is similar to Slinky Dog Dash intensity, and less than Rock 'n' Rollercoaster. In total there are three lifts, a short lift just after dispatch, the large backward fast launch, and a small slower launch near the end of the ride.
Once inside the gravity building, the train races through twists and turns on what Disney bills as one of the world's longest enclosed coasters.
The ride takes place through star fields in a dark environment, broken up by various lit scenes and projections. Some of these are very large and enveloping. The track itself isn't easily visible.
Like Rock 'n' Rollercoaster, "Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind" features onboard speakers to deliver the signature music from the Guardians of the Galaxy movies.
The vehicle rotates to direct attention to the scenes as the train passes by, and it also rotates on drops for added thrill. As you travel down most drops, the vehicle is not straight and is usually sidewards or near backwards. Some riders have described the motion as removing the feeling of being on a track, and a little like Daisy's dance scene at Runaway Railway.
In terms of speed, it is similar to Space Mountain. The coaster doesn't set any speed records, but it isn't slow either. The drops also feel similar in size to those on Space Mountain, but are amplified by the vehicle facing different direction to the track. Don't expect any airtime.
Our riders clocked the total Cosmic Rewind ride time from leaving the station to arriving back at unload at just over 3 minutes.
Cosmic Rewind's Music
The soundtrack to the ride is similar to the movie's "Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix." There are several different ride soundtracks, with a different music selection in each. There is also a lot of spoken word during the ride, including a nod to the Universe of Energy - "Going Back to the Big Bang."
Songs include "Fire" by Ohio Players, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears, "Conga" by Gloria Estefan, "I ran (so far away)" by a Flock of Seagulls, "Disco Inferno" by the Trammps, "One Way or Another" by Blondie, and "September" by Earth Wind and Fire.
So far, one song plays per ride.
The Characters
Although we have not seen Chris Pratt and Zoe Saldana in the run-up to the Cosmic Rewind opening, the main characters Peter Quill and Gamora are very much present in the ride. We see them in the pre-show and projected scenes during the ride.
Unload
The unload station is in its own space, separate from the load station, and guests at load/unload cannot see each other.
Treasures of Xandar Gift Shop
No Disney E-Ticket ride is complete without a gift shop, and the Wonders of Xandar pavilion is no exception. The gift shop isn't currently stocked or open, so we don't know what the full range of merchandise will be.
Thrill Level Comparison
The 42" height requirement for "Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind" puts the new EPCOT coaster in the middle of the pack for Walt Disney World thrill rides.
Less intense than Rock 'n' RollerCoaster, we rank "Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind" close to Expedition Everest for overall thrill level, which coincidentally also features a backward section. It can also be viewed as a faster, spinning Space Mountain.
By design, Cosmic Rewind is a family coaster, accessible to almost everyone who visits EPCOT. It does not feature any inversions, loops, or large drops. The most thrilling aspects are the reverse launch and the ride vehicle's rotation. Being a brand new Vekoma coaster, it is buttery smooth on the track, so don't expect to be jolted around like Space Mountain.
Spinning and Motion Sickness
Many people are concerned about ride vehicle rotation and wonder if the spinning will be a problem. We would describe the vehicle motion as more like a rotation, not rapid spinning. This is not the teacups on a track, and it isn't uncontrolled spinning like Primeval Whirl. The reverse launch and rotation is a unique experience, and your mileage may vary. If you have trouble on Alien Swirling Saucers (motion) or Soarin' (large screens) - this may not be the ride for you.
Capacity and Reliability
"Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind" is a people eater capable of handling a significant number of guests per hour. However, due to high demand, we expect Cosmic Rewind to have limited availability and long standby lines if that option is available at opening.
Rollercoasters are typically reliable ride systems. Reports from the test and adjust team show that Cosmic Rewind has been doing well in testing, so we should not see a repeat of Rise of the Resistance that frequently breaks down. The ride did go down a couple of times during the first day of previews, but this is expected and part of the opening process and exactly what these soft opening previews are for.
In Summary
"Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind" is a desperately needed addition to EPCOT, which after five years of construction, finally brings another major must-do E-ticket class ride to Walt Disney World's forgotten park. EPCOT's first rollercoaster will be welcomed and LOVED by many guests. Walt Disney World has a new hit attraction on its hands.
Walt Disney World has some great family rollercoasters, including Expedition Everest, Slinky Dog Dash, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, and even Rock 'n' Rollercoaster may fall into that category. "Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind" can hold its own against them all, with a favorite probably coming down to personal preference. The overwhelming impression is that Cosmic Rewind is a chaotic, crazy fun experience. Comparing it to Rise of Resistance, Cosmic Rewind is as "fun" as Rise of Resistance is "wow."
Many will question the ride's place in EPCOT, but for those who have accepted that the original EPCOT is no more, this ride delivers on family thrills in a way that only rollercoasters can. Most importantly, this a unique coaster, unlike anything else out there. Those that have ridden it describe it to us as almost losing track of it being a rollercoaster ride - the motion of the vehicle adds so much to the experience. There is no doubt that Cosmic Rewind will be immensely popular with the vast majority of guests so expect demand to start out high and remain that way for years to come.
And the final measure of any really good attraction - you will want to get right back on and do it all again. The only question is, will Genie+ let that happen.
We'll have more coverage of "Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind" as more previews get underway, so stay tuned.
If you have any questions that we may have answers to, leave a comment on the forum.
"Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind" officially opens to guests on May 27 2022.
Annual Passholder previews will take place for those already registered on May 8, 9, 10, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21.
Disney Vacation Club previews will take place on May 9 and 18.
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