Disney Imagineer shares first look at the exterior metal panels that will form the entrance to Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT

Nov 15, 2021 in "Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind"

Gallery / 3 Photos
Guardians of the Galaxy construction - November 15 2021

Posted: Monday November 15, 2021 10:33am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Progress on the exterior of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has been very slow, but today there are signs of progress as Imagineer Zach Riddley shares a look at some new exterior metal panels that were just installed.

Guardians of the Galaxy construction - November 15 2021

The panels will cover the entire front surface of the former Universe of Energy building, which will serve as the queue and pre-show area for the upcoming EPCOT roller coaster.

Guardians of the Galaxy construction - November 15 2021

Zach said in his post on Instagram, "These metallic silver panels bring a sleek, intergalactic aesthetic that fits perfectly in our World Discovery neighborhood."

Guardians of the Galaxy construction - November 15 2021

When the attraction opens in 2022, it will feature a new innovation from Walt Disney Imagineering – a storytelling coaster that rotates 360 degrees to focus guests on the action, including the first reverse launch on a Disney coaster. The thrill level is described as being between Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Rock 'n' RollerCoaster.

Inside Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind show building

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Coaster Lover31 days ago

I mean, ultimately, that's what ever scene on a trackless dark ride is. You want every scene to be long enough that the vehicles in front of you have enough time to clear the scene in front of you and for the scene to rest (if needed). The preference is to have lots of shorter scenes to allow more vehicles on the circuit at any one time. In roller coaster terms, each scene acts as sort of a block zone where only one set of ride vehicles can be in the block zone at any one time. Ideally, whatever is happening in each scene is long enough (and interesting enough) that it doesn't feel like you are just waiting in a scene (though sometimes that does happen if there is a delay at unload and a backup of vehicles in the scenes ahead of you).

Disstevefan131 days ago

Thanks for the correction. You're right Disney had no intention to eventually monetize FastPass. 🤣 I guess someone in Disney just woke up one day and said, "Hey, you know the FastPass system that cost us so much to develop and release and we give out for free, lets monetize it, Universal already does!!" I admit I am not an expert like you, but the moment I saw the tap points and and free magic bands, and the app, I KNEW we would be paying eventually (but that's just my thoughts).

MisterPenguin31 days ago

I learned that from Rollercoaster Tycoon!!

lewisc31 days ago

Isn't it an internet facts that Disney needs new E Ticket attractions every few years to motivate some return guests. LL revenue is the gravy

Fido Chuckwagon31 days ago

This is demonstrably false.

Mr. Sullivan31 days ago

This actually something I was wondering when I wrote it a few days ago. What is actually happening here? We’re not actually going anywhere we’re just sitting in that room for the brief elevator simulation, I know that. But does it serve a purpose beyond the storytelling element? If not, I don’t think that’s a problem, but I was curious if it was something that was included maybe as a clever way to hold vehicles in place for timing or to put enough distance between the set of vehicles you were riding with and the one ahead of you behind you, etc.

Professortango131 days ago

Its also how they use the space. The only "big warehouse" rooms that I notice are the start "tell them its a prisoner transfer" which is fine as we are essentially moving from the load station to the actual attraction. The other is the AT-AT room which works. The design does a fairly good job of making it feel like the ride is supposed to go to certain areas but then diverted and ditching out into other areas. I do wish the fake elevator sequence did have some simulation to make it feel like you are moving to another level.

lazyboy97o31 days ago

Which is why I said “trackless, but not true trackless”. Wire guided is considered as a type of trackless. It’s a technical difference but there’s really no experiential difference. Many people incorrectly assume Symbolica at Eftling is true trackless because it does all the true trackless gimmicks but it is in fact a much cheaper wire guided ride.

Disstevefan131 days ago

I think in addition to our "scope cut" drinking game we also need a "Sell LL" drinking game ;) But you have a point, we all know by now, Disneyparks is a business and their number one product, the "money for nothing" LL product is the absolute top priority to sell! Maybe my repeatedly posting about LLs and scope cuts is my copium ;)

Purduevian31 days ago

I guess there really isn't a big difference between Warehouse and Hanger... but yes it's in theme at ROTR.

Disstevefan131 days ago

I think it was safe to presume it was approved because Disney knew they were going to paid fastpass. Lets face it, when they developed and deployed the fastpass system, the company already knew they would eventually monetize it.

UNCgolf31 days ago

ROTR is blessed with a setting that's generally huge and open in the movies, so it gets around the problem.

Purduevian31 days ago

Very fair... I just know on Remy and MMRR... I feel like I'm super aware I'm just in a big warehouse. ROTR does a lot better at this. I feel like the kuka arm is the next evolution of the omnimover personally (basically a 3D omnimover) TOT isn't trackless AFAIK. I believe it's wire guided.