Disney begins recruiting Cast Members to open 'Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind' at EPCOT

Jan 12, 2022 in "Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind"

Posted: Wednesday January 12, 2022 12:51pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

In a very positive step towards opening the long-delayed 'Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind,' Disney is about to begin the process of recruiting the attraction's opening team.

Disney is inviting existing Cast Members to apply for transfer opportunities from existing roles to 'Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind' and the upcoming restaurant, 'Connections Cafe and Eatery.'

Typically, the opening team is recruited a couple of months ahead of opening to allow for training and test and adjust periods. Disney has not yet given an opening date for 'Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind' but has said the rollercoaster will open in the summer of 2022.

The ride, which replaces Universe of Energy, was originally planned to open in early 2021 but faced numerous delays during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent cost-saving initiatives.

Disney Executives have already taken early test rides, with Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle recently commenting on his ride.

In a post on Instagram, Disney World President Jeff Vahle said, "After getting an update on the latest progress and an early test ride on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, I have three words: it is AWESOME!!! Thank you to the teams at Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney World who are bringing this amazing attraction to life. I’m looking forward to seeing the finishing touches over the next several months and can’t wait for you to get a look when it opens at EPCOT next summer as part of the park’s transformation!"

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Henry Mystic18 days ago

There’s no reason why they can’t do that in Tomorrowland.

MisterPenguinMar 15, 2024

Do you know why they would leave out the actors and Marvel gang that provided the thematic portion of the ride? Or is it just about the mechanical engineering?

JohnDMar 14, 2024

I scrolled through the credits like I would for a movie. But their accolades are well-deserved. I rode it again on Tuesday and, man, I just LOVE that ride! The exhilaration. The music. The "wind". The movement of the vehicles. I could ride it over and over and over again.

lazyboy97oMar 14, 2024

For context, this list was created to qualify for the Thea Awards and will be published on the TEA website in the awards ceremony program after the event this weekend.

DCBakerMar 12, 2024

An official credits list of those who worked on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has been posted online from an Imagineer at WDI.

HauntedPirateMar 01, 2024

Agreed. Everest at night is a completely different experience due to the complete darkness.

Rich BrownnMar 01, 2024

Every time I rode Everest there was light bleed in the backwards section revealing the inside structure. I dunno why they couldn't seal it better

BocabearMar 01, 2024

Guardians suffers from too much light and reflection in a few scenes but is still easily my favorite Disney Coaster next to Old Space Mountain. If they could use a matte paint on some of the surfaces in the Guardians show building that would help...but it would also be difficult to clean... but I really think it is a solid, super-fun ride...

Andrew25Feb 29, 2024

Not sure if it's just me, but is Tron's indoor portion easier to see now? Last few rides (different time of days each) have been very bright and easy to see that your in a warehouse. Don't have that problem on Everest/Guardians.

BocabearFeb 29, 2024

I think visually it looks completelty different from anything in Tomorrowland...there was no attempt to integrate the architecture with the area...Make it more harmonious....If they had Tron-ified the Speedway and the Speedway queue was in covered with a similar canopy and the cars redesigned to look futuristic and decked out with lighting and some sets around the course.... but there was no attempt to actually make it look like it belongs there...so to me, personally, I do not think it looks like it fits...and frankly Tomorrowland all seems to be a bit of a mess...A shuttered attraction right at the entrance, Half finished theming...it really needs some love.

SpectreJordanFeb 29, 2024

I think the theming is better in Velocicoaster. The only wow moment in Tron is the scene in the queue when the window reveals the rest of the line. But Velocicoaster has the raptor animatronics in the line, the fantastic rock work in the actual ride, etc... I think Tron works well in Tomorrowland tbh.

PhicinfanFeb 29, 2024

Sorry, but not everything has to be a mini-land. I have no issue with some IP being only attached to one ride. Now that being said, I am pretty darn sure at one time insiders had the speedway getting a "tron" update. But that got budgeted out.

BocabearFeb 28, 2024

Tron was such a knee-jerk reaction...and bad placement... a whole Tron themed miniland at DHS could have been so cool...Flynn's Arcade could have been the portal to both a TRON miniland and a Wreck It Ralph/Sugar Rush/Heroes Duty Miniland...Multiple rides and attractions... it would be great!

Epcot82GuyFeb 28, 2024

I see what you are saying. I would very easily put all 3 (TRON, CR and Hagrids) in one category myself. They are all ultimately family coasters with different tricks. Disney is trying to push Tron and Guardians as thrill rides. Universal almost downplays the thirll a bit, I find. Tron and Guardians both have a main launch speed of 60 mph. Hagrid's, while multiple launches, is only 50 mph. On the other hand, Tron and Guardians both launch into effectively a lift and then use gravity while Hagrid's uses the speed and terrain to create the feeling of speed. They all use unique riding positions (bike for Tron and Hagrid's) or controlled spin (Guardians). And, none really use height all that much. It's more show and twists/turns. I do agree Hagrid's (and for different reasons Guardians) are more successful at creating actual sensations of thrill and better rides overall. TRON just isn't that successful for me as either a family ride or a thirll ride, so I agree it's an easy third place.