On July 15th, 2017 at the D23 Expo, Disney announced the Guardians of the Galaxy would be coming to Epcot. It took a few more months for everyone to find out exactly where they would take over, but we soon found out it would be the vacancy left by Ellen’s Energy Adventure. This is part of the renovation of Epcot for the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration. The multi year transformation of Epcot is taking longer than expected because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Guardians of the Galaxy is one of the pillar transformational pieces of the reworking of the Epcot park.
What is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind?
The GotG ride is a “storytelling” roller coaster. This will feature spinning cars and the first reverse launch coaster at Walt Disney World. It will also be an “OmniCoaster” ride system that will point the riders in towards the view that Disney wants them to see (like Rise of the Resistance or a much more complex Haunted Mansion).
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is based off of the premise of EPCOT hosting the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion on Earth, its first otherworld hub, when it’s hit with a time-altering threat. A distress signal thankfully reaches friends of the Nova Corps the Guardians of the Galaxy aboard the Benetar.
When does Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind open?
There is not an official opening yet for the ride but Disney has said it will open in 2021 in time for the Walt Disney World 50th anniversary celebration. If we had to guess based on the construction so far, we would say it will open around early to mid-year 2021!
Where is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind?
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is located in the current Future World and Future World Discovery neighborhood at Epcot at Walt Disney World in Florida. This is the old Universe of Energy Pavilion that housed Ellen’s Energy Adventure. In addition to that building, Disney has built a massive gravity building that will house the bulk of the track ride. The World Discovery will also house Test Track, Mission: SPACE, the new Space 220 restaurant, and the PLAY! Pavilion.
Can I get a Fastpass+ for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind?
This is a tricky question to answer because we really don’t know yet! If they follow the path of Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios and Rise of the Resistance, it will be a virtual queue system utilizing boarding groups. If they choose to open it like Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railroad, it will be a Fastpass+ and standby option on day 1. We will keep this updated as we hear more news, but our guess here at Mitten to Magic is that it will be a boarding group virtual queue system.
How fast is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind?
Another question that we don’t have an answer to just yet. If we had to guess, it will be somewhere between Rise of the Resistance and Test Track as far as speed goes. It definitely won’t be as fast as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith if the ride will have a thematic story line.
Is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Scary?
GotG: Cosmic Rewind is listed as a family-friendly ride with some thrills. If we had to guess without riding it, it will be thrilling with movement, video, animatronics, and sounds incorporated into the experience. With it being the first reverse launch coaster at Disney, we also anticipate it to be medium to high thrill in regards to body experience.
How long is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind?
So far no details have been released on the length of time or an exact distance on GotG: Cosmic Rewind. All we know so far is that it will be one of the longest indoor tracks in the world. Space Mountain is 3,196 ft long and the longest indoor coaster in the world is Mindbender at the Edmonton Mall at 4,198 ft long. My guess would be somewhere near the higher end and we could possibly see it a little longer than Mindbender.
Is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind worth the wait?
Based off of our experience on Rise of the Resistance at Galaxy’s Edge, anything Disney touches with new technology is going to be worth it. Now, if you’re asking if its worth the long wait times at the park, that’s your judgement of your time. Personally I don’t wait for anything longer than ~90 minutes for anything. I broke that rule to ride Expedition: Everest at Animal Kingdom this past February and 100% wish I had moved on to ride something else! But it is definitely your call!
Your Thoughts?
Are you excited for the Guardians of the Galaxy to come to Epcot? The Disney purists of the world generally say no because it is not what the park was meant to be. I disagree because Walt was always one to say that the beauty of Disney World is that it is ever changing and never complete. Let us know in the comments below if you’re excited or not! We want to hear from you!
