Scroll on for the definitive guide to the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind coaster coming to EPCOT in May, 2022.
As the opening date approaches of the Guardians of the Galaxy EPCOT ride, Disney is trickling out some tasty info to get our mouths watering. Wondering what to expect from the new ride? Read on to see what we know so far about Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
Can’t wait for Cosmic Rewind to open? Check out the NEW Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy game– it’s as good as the movies!
When Will Guardians of the Galaxy Open at EPCOT?
Disney Parks announced that May 27, 2022 will mark the grand opening of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT. Annual Passholders, Cast Members, and DVC Members have already received information about queuing up early for preview dates throughout early May.
Fans had expected Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opens in spring or summer of 2022 as part of the Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary Celebration. Scroll on for some exciting in-ride details announced last fall at D23 by Josh D’Amaro, Experiences and Products Chairman at Disney Parks (side note: what a freaking awesome job!).
Where Is the Guardians Ride?
You’ll find the new Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster in EPCOT, built on the site of the former Universe of Energy Pavilion. In 2017, Disney permanently closed Ellen’s Energy Adventure to make way for the Guardians coaster.
The former Universe of Energy Pavilion will be the site of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Photo courtesy of Danny Shuster
When it reopens, the pavilion will be named the Xandar Pavilion in honor of the planet from the Guardians of the Galaxy film franchise from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
How to Ride Guardians of the Galaxy
Disney confirmed that there will be a virtual queue—no standby line—when Guardians of the Galaxy opens on May 27. That means if your My Disney Experience skills are not up to snuff, it’s time to start practicing.
This virtual queue will be similar to catching a ride on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure or Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
WDW Magazine will be testing the virtual queue this month, so stay tuned for updates!
It’s a Guardians of the Galaxy EPCOT Ride
There’s a lot still under wraps about the new roller coaster, but there are a few things we do know thanks to several knowledge drops courtesy of Disney.
It’s a “Storycoaster”
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is no ordinary roller coaster. Disney calls it a “storycoaster.” In addition to that, we know that it’ll be one of the longest fully enclosed coasters in the world. Just like the Guardians movies, you’ll be entertained as well as thrilled.
Photo courtesy of Disney
The Xandar pavilion (EPCOT’s first other world pavilion) is the starting point of your adventure.
Photo courtesy of Disney
From there you’ll explore the Galaxarium. This is where Disney says you’ll discover the “similarities and mysteries that connect Earth and Xandar.” Intriguing, right?
Photo courtesy of Disney
Here’s where things get interesting. Your tour concludes with a demonstration of some advanced Xandarian tech …
This doesn’t look good … Photo courtesy of Disney
… and it looks like things don’t quite go according to plan. Suddenly, you’ll be called into action and join the Guardians on an intergalactic chase through time and space.
Good thing these guys are around to help. Photo courtesy of Disney
So … what happens next? Disney is says we’ll have to experience it for ourselves. As Rocket says, “It’s save the galaxy time.”
Glenn Close Reprises Her Role as Nova Prime
The story starts in the Wonders of Xandar “other world” pavilion in EPCOT, which houses the ride queue. You’ll learn all about the Xandarians’ culture, history, and love for the Guardians of the Galaxy.
And the best part? You’ll see a cameo from none other than Glenn Close as Nova Prime.
The Wonders of Xandar pavilion will house the ride queue. Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
You’ll learn all about the Xandarians’ culture and history at the Wonder of Xandar pavilion. Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
Guardians at EPCOT Will Have a Sweet Soundtrack
Music plays an important role in the franchise. Photo courtesy of Marvel
Six songs that made Peter Quill’s playlist will play during your Guardians Cosmic Rewind ride. Just like the Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout! ride at Disney’s California Adventure, one song will play per ride, and there are six different ride sequences to experience. Who will be the first guest to see all six?
Six ride songs available on Guardians of the Galaxy:
- “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire
- “Disco Inferno” by the Trammps
- “Conga” by Miami Sound Machine
- “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears
- “I Ran” by A Flock of Seagulls
- “One Way or Another” by Blondie
The Guardians Ride Vehicles Rotate
Concept art for the new ride vehicle for EPCOT’s Guardians of the Galaxy attraction. Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
We also know that the ride vehicles will rotate 360 degrees so you’re able to be fully immersed in the storyline for what promises to be a memorable ride experience.
Pro Tip: Our CEO, Stephanie Shuster, got word from a Cast Member that rows five and six are the best options for people with motion sickness.
Guardians Has a Reverse Launch Function
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be the first roller coaster in Disney history to feature a reverse launch function. Pretty sweet, right? While you may be used to “falling” backward on Expedition Everest over in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, this will be more of a speedy retreat.
Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster Facts
Photo courtesy of Disney
Let’s recap what we know so far. We’ll keep this Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind guide updated as we learn more over the next few months!
How Tall Is the Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster?
Disney has not yet announced a final height for the first hill, but we do know that the building that houses the ride is more than 12 stories high (130 feet tall). We will update this when we learn more.
How Fast Is the Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster?
Disney hasn’t specified how fast Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be, but the ride is rated as having a “High” thrill level, so we can assume it’ll be pretty fast! We’ll update as we learn more.
How Long is the Guardians of the Galaxy Ride?
Again, Disney is keeping the specifics of the ride length under wraps, but the track is estimated to be approximately 5,000 feet long. We do know that it’ll be one of the world’s longest fully enclosed coasters, though. Once we know more, we’ll update this with the actual information.
What are the Guardians Ride Vehicles Like?
The ride vehicles for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind are designed to look like the Milano starship from the movies. The vehicles can each hold four riders, and the train will be made up of five cars. The cars are designed to be able to rotate 360 degrees in order to fully immerse riders in the story.
We don’t know about you, but we can’t wait to experience this new ride for ourselves in summer 2022! We’ll be sure to update you as we learn more about what we can expect.
Thanks to Disney for hosting us on a 2-night The Celebration Continues: Even More Magic Media Event where we got to conduct interviews, learn about exciting updates made for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary, stay at Gran Destino Tower, and experience new entertainment offerings. #SaveTheGalaxyTime #CosmicRewind #DisneyWorld50
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