Announced at the D23 Expo in 2017, highly anticipated Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, has been in the spotlight. Dubbed Disney’s first “storycoaster”, the ride is set to open on May 27th, 2022.
However, Disney’s Annual Passholders, Golden Oaks and DVC members were able to sign up for a preview in April. I was able to get a reservation for the 10th to preview this new attraction. Stay tuned-I’m going in depth into the experience, to tell you whether or not it’s worth it. (Beware: Spoilers ahead)
Cosmic Rewind
Before we jump into my experience, lets talk a little about the coaster itself.
As mentioned above, the ride was announced at the D23 Expo in 2017, as part of a massive overhaul to EPCOT. Ellen’s Energy Adventure had its last ride on August 13, 2017 so that construction could begin. The new ride is housed in Ellen’s Universe of Energy show building, and also occupies a new building behind it. The new building had to be built to contain one of the world’s longest enclosed rollercoasters, at 5,577.4 ft
This attraction is the first Marvel attraction at the Walt Disney World parks (although it will probably not be the last). Originally set to open in 2021, Covid had delayed the ride’s construction and filming. Filming commenced in October 2021, and construction was completed in early 2022. This attraction is in the new World Discovery land of EPCOT, near Space 220 and Mission to Mars.
A unique aspect of the ride has to be the rotating cars of the coaster. CEO Chapek said, “On most coasters, the vehicles point straight ahead throughout the ride, but on this attraction, each individual cab will be programmed to direct your eye to the story happening around you. That means instead of whizzing by the action, you’ll be fully immersed in the story from the minute you launch.” This feature helps to create that continuous storyline that Imagineers created.
Checking In For The Preview
As you can see, signage is up for the attraction, posted as opening Summer 2022.
The preview slot I had was for 11:30am, so I was in the park shortly before that. Even though I had my reserved spot, the line still wrapped around the new Connections Cafe to enter the ride area. The surrounding area of the ride is closed off, accessible only by checking in for your reservation for preview. Luckily the line moved quickly, as cast-members effectively handled and directed the crowds.
*Last Chance to Avoid Spoilers!*
Guardians of The Galaxy Cosmic Rewind: The Queue
As you approach the massive show building, you can see the massive StarJumper displayed out front. When you walk around the StarJumper, towards the show building, you enter the queue. The Signage outside welcomes Terrans (Terrans are inhabitants of earth, for non-Marvel nerds) As you enter the queue, you are welcomed into the Wonders of Xandar. Inside, is the Galaxarium and the Xandar Gallery.
In the Galaxarium, is a Planetarium-Style dome, with a super computer showing different views of the galaxy, and the connections between Xandar and Earth. Its undoubtedly gorgeous picture is enough to make you forget you are waiting in line for an attraction. The Queue wraps around the Galaxarium, leading you to a ramp up into the Xandar Gallery. Here you get to see some incredible “artifacts”, a map of Xandar, and some screens with faces of Xandarians and even interviews cast on them. The interviews include different characters from the Guardians of the Galaxy Movie, including Gamora, Rocket, Groot and others.
The Preshow
Once through the queue, you enter the first room for the preshow. It glows a gorgeous violet, and you are then introduced to Nova Prime Irani Rael (Glenn Close). She explains that Xandar is going to be sharing some of its incredible and advanced technology with the people of earth, including the StarJumper and the Cosmic Generator, which will allow our StarJumper to reach Xandar. We are then introduced to our pilot, Centurion Tal Marik, played by the hilarious Terry Crews, who ushers us to the second preshow room, after asking us to refrain from recording or photographing what lies inside.
The second room is a circular room with a space-ship looking object above you. You are ushered to move in close to the center of the room. Moreover, it flashes brilliantly and the engine’s deafening roar disorients you, as the room goes black. After a moment, the lights turn back on, and in true Disney-magic fashion, the room around you has transformed.
Mousekemom Tip
The preshow and the ride itself, obviously are filled with lots of intense flashing lights, and incredibly loud sounds. If you are sensitive to these things, be especially careful.
You get to see the Comic Generator, as Prime Nova and Centurion Tal explain how it works and how you’ll get to Xandar. It sounds like a relaxing time, however you soon will find out that’s not true. As they’re explaining, we are interrupted by none other than the villain of the attraction, Eson. (If you’ve watched Disney’s Marvel movie, Eternals, you too will be familiar with Eson)
Eson steals the Cosmic Generator in order to create an artificial tunnel back to the big bang, to prevent Earth and Xandar from existing. Prime Nova, of course call the Guardians of the Galaxy (actors Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Bradley Cooper, Dave Bautista reprise their roles as Starlord, Gamora, Rocket and Drax respectively) to save the day. Before the Guardians can get there, they subsequently, need us to follow Eson into the tunnel. Rocket gets to work to program our StarJumper to be under his control, and finally, off we go into the loading queue.
Finally, The Ride
To board the ride, we are sent down a long, dark corridor, narrowing as you move through it to merge the crowd to a line. Dim red lights flash to give the feeling of urgency and emergency as you reach the loading area. It is then that you see your very own StarJumper (controlled remotely by Rocket of course)
A Different Song Each Time You Ride
You load into your ride vehicle, and one of six songs plays during your ride, to make each trip around the tracks different. These songs are:
- September
- Disco Inferno
- Conga
- Everybody Wants to Rule the World
- I Ran
- One Way or Another
I personally got to jam out with Gloria Estefan’s ‘Conga’, and it was incredible. You don’t know which song you get until the ride begins.
As you ride, you slowly come up to a screen (most of the ride is screens in front of the ride’s tracks, or projections, and your ride car rotates towards the focal point to keep the story going) you see the Guardians beginning to go after Eson. From there, you get sent backwards, through the tunnel that the Cosmic Generator made. This showers you with reflections of brilliant lights as you shoot backwards through the tunnel. Then, you commence the chase to defeat Eson and retreive the Comic Generator, to restore balance to the galaxy. As the ride ends, there’s a projection of the Guardians, thanking you for your help and Starlord Peter Quill makes you an honorary member of the team.
Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind: Hit or Miss?
If you love thrilling attractions, be sure to hit this ride! The story was easy to follow and exciting, and the pre-show really showcased the Imagineers ability to create magic. There were times I was legitimately speechless from what I got to see (and I am not one to loose my words easily- or ever). Do note, that there are a lot of flashing lights and loud noises. Some of the scenes are intense (especially if you find Eson very unsettling, like I do), so keep that in mind. You don’t need knowledge of the movies to be able to enjoy the attraction, but it definitely helps.
I, for one, would be willing to wait in an hours-long line just to experience this attraction again (and that’s coming from a gal who thinks 45 minutes is too long). This coaster is such a unique experience, that you definitely have to try it at least once, but once you try it, you’ll probably want to go again!
Mousekemom Tip
This attraction is a miss if you get motion-sick easily. Someone getting off the ride described it as “if Space Mountain and the Teacups had a baby”, which is somehow incredibly accurate. You get the speed of the coaster, with the g-forces of each car’s rotation, which can make even the toughest coaster enthusiast a little light-headed. If you think you can stomach it (or if you just take some dramamine beforehand) you should have a blast on this unique adventure.
Did you get to snag a preview reservation? Do you plan to ride this when it opens? Let us know in the comments below.
Can’t get enough? Listen to our Mousekemoms Podcast here.
Ready to Start Planning Your Next Adventure?
Our friends at Kingdom and Cruise travel are more than happy to help you begin planning. Click here for your free, no-obligation quote to get started on making new, magical memories that will last a lifetime