NEWS: How to Experience Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Beginning May 27

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be opening soon on May 27! We’ve already shared our thoughts and review on this amazing attraction. Disney has released some important details on how guests can experience this attraction. Learn more below.

Disney Cast Member Ashley Jones has all the details:

It’s almost time for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind to launch into EPCOT on May 27, and we can’t wait for the world to experience this intergalactic chase through space and time. Before you help us save the galaxy, there are a few things you should know about how to experience this incredible new attraction, which will open with a virtual queue. Guests may also have the opportunity to purchase an individual Lightning Lane entry to the attraction. At this time, there will not be a standby queue option.

How to enter the virtual queue

Beginning at 7 a.m. on the day of their park reservation, guests with a valid ticket or pass and a Disney Park Pass Reservation for EPCOT will be able to check for an available boarding group via the My Disney Experience app* and request access to the virtual queue. This can be done before you leave your Resort hotel or on your way to the park.

At 1 p.m., there will be another opportunity to join the virtual queue for anyone who wasn’t able to join a boarding group earlier in the day. Keep in mind, guests must be inside EPCOT to access this second virtual queue opportunity.

TIP: Make the most of your time while you wait for your virtual queue group to be called and check out some of the other experiences at EPCOT, including our other new addition, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.

In order to give as many guests as possible the opportunity to save the galaxy, each guest can enter the virtual queue no more than once per day during regular park hours. Please note that joining the virtual queue does not guarantee the ability to experience Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Virtual queue during extended evening hours

Registered guests staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort, Disney Deluxe Villa Resort or other select hotels will have an additional opportunity to request to join the virtual queue at 6 p.m. on select dates during extended evening theme park hours. Guests with this benefit do not need to be in EPCOT to request to join at that time.

Guests will need valid admission and a theme park reservation for the same park on the same day to experience extended evening hours — or, guests may experience extended evening hours if they have a ticket or annual pass with the Park Hopper option and first enter the park where they made their reservation. For more information about this benefit, visit the Extended Evening Theme Park Hours page.

Additional information, including tips for getting into the virtual queue, is available at disneyworld.com/virtualqueue.

How to purchase individual Lightning Lane entry

Guests with valid park admission and a park reservation can purchase individual Lightning Lane entry in the My Disney Experience app* via the Disney Genie service on the same day of their visit, subject to availability. To learn more about Lightning Lane entrance access at Walt Disney World, visit disneyworld.disney.go.com/genie/lightning-lane/.

Virtual queue and individual Lightning Lane entry are only accessible via the My Disney Experience app*. If you have questions or need assistance registering for virtual queue or purchasing an individual Lightning Lane entry, look for one of the Guest Experience Team cast members throughout the park, who will be happy to assist you with your plans.

How to download and share your attraction photos

After you’ve experienced Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, don’t forget about your attraction photo! There will be two options to have your attraction photo automatically linked to your My Disney Experience account:

• • • Use your mobile device. Enable Bluetooth® for the My Disney Experience app* before riding, ensure you’ve logged into the app sometime earlier that day, and keep your device out of low power mode. Then, just put your device in your pocket or bag while you enjoy the ride.*
    • Wear a MagicBand that is linked to your My Disney Experience account.

So, get ready for your close-up as you head on this cosmic adventure, and be sure to share your out-of-this-world attraction photos on social media using #CosmicRewind and #SaveTheGalaxyTime.

We can’t wait to welcome you to this awesome new family thrill-coaster! As Rocket says, “It’s save the galaxy time – again.”

*Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset, service provider or otherwise. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.

RELATED ARTICLE: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – Our Review and What You Need to Know

by Chad and Cindy Nykamp

Beginning May 27, 2022, guests visiting EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort will soon blast off on an awesome intergalactic chase through time and space in Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind! This new family-thrill coaster matches the fun of the blockbuster “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, featuring those legendary cosmic outlaws – Rocket, Groot, Drax, Gamora and Star-Lord (a.k.a. Peter Quill). The innovative attraction is another major milestone in the ongoing transformation of EPCOT and debuts as part of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration. We recently enjoyed a preview of the new attraction and loved it. Catch our thoughts and what you need to know below.

1 – Located in World Discovery

Located in the park’s newly renamed World Discovery neighborhood, the attraction is housed in the area that was once the Universe of Energy. The story goes, the Xandarians traveled from their homeworld in the Andromeda Galaxy to Earth – or Terra, as they call it – to create the Wonders of Xandar pavilion, inviting EPCOT guests to learn more about their people and their advanced technologies. That is … until something goes wrong and the Xandarians call the Guardians of the Galaxy for help.

2 – The First ‘Other-World’ Showcase Pavilion

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the first “other-world” showcase pavilion at EPCOT. Star-Lord visited EPCOT as a child and loved the experience so much, that he suggested the Disney park as the perfect place for Xandarians to connect with Terrans. The Wonders of Xandar pavilion features three main sections: the Galaxarium, the Xandar Gallery, and Phase Chamber.

3 – The Galaxarium

The Galaxarium is a sweeping planetarium-style space showcasing planets, stars and other intergalactic wonders that connect Terra and Xandar – reinforcing the notion that we’re all born of the same space dust. The Xandarian supercomputer, Worldmind, provides narration in the Galaxarium and gives context to the stunning visuals.

4 – The Xandar Gallery

In the Xandar Gallery, guests learn more about the Xandarian people, culture and history – including the heroes of Xandar – through specially crafted displays including models of starships and a Xandarian city. The gallery also features excerpts from “Good Morning Xandar,” where a host interviews the Guardians of the Galaxy about their heroic deeds.

5 – Phase Chamber

The pavilion tour concludes in the Phase Chamber, where guests instantly teleport from EPCOT to a Nova Corps Starcharter cruiser orbiting Earth. Here they learn about the Cosmic Generator, a piece of Xandarian technology that creates jump points – artificial tunnels in space allowing for rapid travel across vast distances.

 6 – An Intergalactic Chase Through Time and Space

Upon reaching the Starcharter, guests quickly realize things are not going according to plan – or even 12 percent of a plan – when a massive being appears outside the ship …

• Eson, a Celestial, has been watching Earth for eons and now intends to use the Cosmic Generator to jump back in time and change the course of humanity.
• Nova Prime Irani Rael commands her top officer, Centurion Tal Marik, to contact the Guardians of the Galaxy right away and ask for their assistance (again).
• The Terrans must evacuate the ship via Starjumper shuttles – small escape pods that launch from the Starcharter cruiser.
• When the Guardians arrive on the scene, they reprogram the Starjumpers so guests can help them track down Eson, following the Celestial through a jump point on an intergalactic chase to save the galaxy. As Drax so matter-of-factly points out as guests prepare for their journey … if they can’t help stop Eson, “then you are likely doomed.”

7 – A New Kind of Family Thrill

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind offers several “firsts,” including:

• The first coaster attraction at EPCOT.
• The first reverse launch for a Disney coaster.
• The first Disney Omnicoaster, where vehicles make controlled rotations to always keep guests focused on the action.
• The first Walt Disney World attraction to feature the Guardians of the Galaxy. 

8 – An ‘Awesome Mix’ for an Awesome Coaster

Just like the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind weaves classic pop music – or “poet sorcery,” as Gamora would say – into the fabric of its experience. The attraction’s onboard audio cranks hit tunes from the ’70s and ‘80s as guests race through the cosmos.

Disney Imagineers tested more than 100 potential songs for the attraction. Imagineers used a combination of virtual and physical rides to assess which tracks best matched the spirit and movement of the coaster, finally choosing six songs in their original classic versions:

• • September”
  • “Disco Inferno”
  • “Conga”
  • “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”
  • “I Ran”
  • “One Way or Another”

Guests won’t know which song they’ll hear each time they ride until they jump into space with the Guardians.

9 – Our Thoughts on the Ride Experience

The pre-show sets the story, and you’re invited to help the Guardians save the galaxy! With the 360-degree spin, you’ll have to ride the attraction multiple times to see and experience everything that’s happening on your journey through space! As we mentioned above, there are six different song possibilities for your ride, giving each ride a different experience. There is so much going on during this attraction! There isn’t a dull moment! As far as intensity goes, Disney Imagineers told us that they feel the roller coaster is great for guests who have graduated from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad but may not be quite ready for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Whether or not you’re a Marvel fan, this is a fantastic new edition to Epcot!

Ride along with us and get a glimpse at the attraction by watching the video below!

10 – Motion Sickness Warning

Because of the nature of the ride, be warned that those who suffer from motion sickness may have trouble with this attraction. Not only is there a reverse launch, the ride cars spin as well. Another aspect of the ride that may cause an issue is that you are looking at movement on screens as you are moving in your attraction vehicle.

Our writer, Shari Dobyns, had this to say about her ride experience:

I’m so glad I was able to experience this ride. It is amazing! Unfortunately, I suffer from motion sickness, so I will not be able to ride it again. I can ride Big Thunder and Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train, but I can’t ride Everest or even Ratatouille. While it’s a smooth ride, the 360-degree spin combined with all the movements on the screen was too much for me. After the ride, it took me about two hours before I felt like myself again, but I know everyone reacts differently. I spoke with someone who said she can’t ride Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster but had no issues with Cosmic Rewind. In fact, she was able to ride it multiple times. I certainly wish I could ride it over and over again!

11 – Ride Requirements, Virtual Queue, and Individual Lightning Lane

First, be aware that this attraction has a height requirement since it’s a roller coaster. Guests must be at least 42 inches tall to ride.

Second, there will be no standby queue for Cosmic Rewind when the attraction opens. Guests will need to use the My Disney Experience app to request to join the Virtual Queue and receive a boarding group. The Virtual Queue will become available at 7:00 am. You’ll want to join as soon as possible as we expect it will fill quickly every day this summer. This is the same system that was once used for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. We expect the Virtual Queue will be used for the first several months the ride is open. Do note Boarding groups for a virtual queue are limited, subject to availability, and are not guaranteed. Not all boarding groups may be called to return, based on the availability of the experience.

Another option for guests is to purchase Individual Lightning Lane access to this attraction. This attraction is NOT included with a Disney Genie+ purchase and must be purchased separately. Lightning Lane selections for the top-tier individual attractions are made on the same day of your visit. Access to purchase Lightning Lane for the individual top-tier attractions is available to all guests at park opening. However, guests staying on Disney World property receive the benefit of early access to top-tier reservations and can make their purchases at 7:00 am on the day of their visit. Access to the Lightning Lane can hit capacity and will sell out, so we highly recommend you purchase access right at 7:00 am if you plan to purchase access. Prices will vary by date, attraction, and park. We’ve seen prices range anywhere from $7-$15 per person, per attraction. As this is a new attraction, we expect it will be priced at $15 per person. 

12 – Final Thoughts

Overall we love Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. We think it’s a fantastic addition to EPCOT, and we’re so excited that the park finally has a coaster for guests to enjoy! As huge Marvel and Guardians of the Galaxy fans, it’s so nice to have a Marvel-based attraction here at Walt Disney World. We really think this will help draw more people to the park. The attraction will see annual passholder and Disney Vacation Club previews in the next few weeks. The attraction officially opens on May 27, 2022.