PHOTOS - Guardians of the Galaxy construction update at Epcot

Nov 12, 2018 in "Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind"

Guardians of the Galaxy construction - November 2018
Posted: Monday November 12, 2018 10:19am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney World's upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy coaster dominates the Epcot horizon, and it looks like we now have a clearer picture of just how Imagineering plans to enclose the building.

A series of exterior panels are now in place, beginning with dark green as the lowest level, moving to a lighter shade going upwards, and then moving to the tried-and-tested go-away blue for the upper levels. This strategy has been used numerous times before, including the Soarin' ride show building across the World Showcase Lagoon.

The above is a view of the building that will enclose the coaster tracker and below is a good view of the tunnel that will link the former Universe of Energy building (which will become queue and land area), to the actual coaster ride building.

Little has changed at the front of the building, although all of the solar panels have now been removed.

When it opens in a rumored Spring 2021, the ride will feature a new coaster ride system and promises to be one of the longest enclosed coasters in the world.

Aerial photos for WDWMAGIC by Colin Chardavoyne @cchard

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MisterPenguin4 days ago

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?

JohnD4 days ago

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.

lazyboy97o4 days ago

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.

DCBaker6 days ago

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

HauntedPirate17 days ago

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

Rich Brownn17 days ago

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

Bocabear17 days ago

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...

Andrew2518 days ago

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.

Bocabear18 days ago

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.

SpectreJordan18 days ago

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.

Phicinfan18 days ago

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.

Bocabear19 days ago

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!

Epcot82Guy19 days ago

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.

Skibum197019 days ago

and Hagrid's is mostly outdoor. I don't think that TRON compares to any of the UNI coasters as they are for different audiences. Hagrids has seven launches, a backwards section, a drop track, and is generally much more thrilling than TRON. I would have a difficult time comparing Guardians to any Universal coaster as well. I would rate TRON near the bottom of the coasters at Disney (one step up from Barnstormer) due to its shortness and repetitive track maneuvers. I enjoyed 7DMT more because it was longer and provided a better overall experience. Guardians is one of my favorite coasters at Disney, though.