Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (The Full Walk-Through)
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is an attraction at Epcot in Walt Disney World. For short, Cosmic Rewind is an indoor roller coaster that uses some of the same technology as Disney’s Omnimover ride system. This Omnicoaster is the first of its kind and is one of the longest indoor roller coasters in the world.
Below, we’ll discuss the details for experiencing Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. We’ll walk through the queue, check out the height requirements, and I’ll walk you through the experience with what to expect.
So close your eyes (or pretend it’s dark), put on the Guardians Awesome Mix Soundtrack in the background, and get ready for the ride of a lifetime. That’s the best way I know how to describe this riveting roller-coaster ride that’s become a staple in my life.
Here is a quick reference chart for experiencing Cosmic Rewind at Epcot.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind | Epcot Attractions |
---|---|
Location: | World Discovery |
Disney Height Requirement: | 42 inches or taller |
Lightning Lane: | Yes (Required Purchase) |
Ride Type: | Roller Coaster |
Seats Per Vehicle: | 2 per row, 4 per car |
Rider Switch: | Yes |
Early Theme Park Entry: | No |
Extended Evening Hours: | Yes, with the virtual queue (6:00 p.m. release). |
Good For: | Thrill-seekers |
Scare Factor: | Medium |
Must-Do List: | High |
Special Mention: | This ride utilizes a virtual queue system. |
Additional Info: To experience this attraction, guests must transfer from a wheelchair or ECV to the ride vehicle. Audio description, handheld captioning, and assistive listening are available. Details for those with mobility issues (i.e., wheelchair, ECVs) are available on Disney.com.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Cosmic Rewind is inside the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion at Epcot’s World Discovery, which was formerly home to the Universe of Energy Pavilion. The Guardians of the Galaxy Starship is at the entrance of this otherworldly area. A PhotoPass area is set up on the right side of the starship if you would like to have your photo taken.
To join either queue for this attraction, head toward the left side of the Starship. Cosmic Rewind has a virtual queue entrance (standby) and a separate entrance for those who purchase a Lightning Lane. If you’re using a DAS pass, you’ll want to walk to the far left and have your bands scanned before you reach the queue.
The interior portion of the queue, which doubles as an exhibit, doesn’t appear to have a lengthy holding area. However, given the virtual queue procedure to experience this attraction, it rarely backs up outside the interior portion of the queue. Here is the back of the Starship.
Disney calls the interior portion of the queue a Galaxarium. The Galaxarium compares the similarities and differences between our world and the galaxy of Xandar.
This large screen on the ceiling is pretty impressive. That’s a glimpse of a turkey leg as the narrator shares how we “Terrans” enjoy this type of theme park snack.
For the record, planet Earth is called Terra in galaxy-speak, and we humans are considered Terrans.
The queue circles around, providing a backstory of how things supposedly came into existence plays overhead. I say supposedly because there’s mention of the Big Bang. As a Christian, I believe in God, and I wasn’t offended by the queue. However, I felt like it was worth the mention. If you ever rode Ellen’s Energy Adventure, you pretty much got the same spiel.
Anyway, the queue continues into a room with several exhibits.
You’ll see some unique maps of the galaxy.
And there is a fabulous scale model of a city in Xandar.
The starship model sits on the opposite side.
Several screens have various characters pop-up relaying messages.
You’ll see Rocket and Groot. They are interviewed about how they helped save the galaxy.
Groot said something along the lines of, “I am Groot.”
Most will find the entire interior portion of the queue entertaining. Better yet, it’s air-conditioned.
As you approach the ride, you’ll enter a pre-show area. Glenn Close and Terry Crews appear on screen as Nova Prime and Centurion Tal Marik. They are soon joined by the Guardians, who have a plan to save the galaxy. Rocket will share your mission and a few ride details.
Cosmic Rewind has several warnings posted throughout the queue. As already discussed, the ride has a 42″ height requirement. Disney also has ride rules regarding riding with children: All children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by a person 14 years or older.
Then, you’ll enter a long hallway that looks down to the loading area on each side. A cast member will direct you to either the right or left side. Both sides are the same, so it doesn’t matter which one you board.
Then it’s time to ride!
Each set of cars holds four guests, with two riders per row. The ride vehicle has a front row and a back row.
After getting seated, you’ll pull the restraint over your lap. A cast member will come by to double-check it’s secured. Then you’re off on the ride of a lifetime! Initially, you’ll move forward and around an upcoming bend on the track before entering the galaxy. After that, there’s a brief pause where it appears you’re straightening up. That’s where the bad guy, Celestial Eson, appears.
Before you know it, you’re launching backward in a “cosmic rewind,” and one of the following songs plays in the background:
- “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire
- “Disco Inferno” by The Trammps
- “Conga” by Gloria Estefan, 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
Other than the reverse launch, the surprise factor is that your car spins from side to side, potentially resulting in motion sickness for some. While I’ve had some dealings with vertigo and motion sickness, I didn’t have any issues with the ride. The best way I know how to describe this attraction is that I felt like I was swinging from side to side while continuing on a roller coaster track.
However, I had a bit of a headache after the initial ride and wondered if the ride caused it later. I rarely have headaches, so it was something I noticed. (Since then, we’ve experienced the attraction at least a hundred times without any trouble.)
The most significant impact was how the background music enhanced the ride. My song was “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” and it was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
While I don’t believe the ride is scary, children who meet the height requirement might be intimidated because most of the ride is pitch black, and you cannot see the track ahead. However, there are no inversions or significant drops.
Lightning Lanes and Virtual Queues
At the time of this update, you must secure a virtual queue or purchase a Lightning Lane to experience Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. The first queue drops every morning at 7:00 a.m. Select guests will have to have a park reservation if the ticket requires one in order to secure the initial queue. You can secure the virtual queue by opening the My Disney Experience app and selecting “Virtual Queue” on the home screen. When the clock strikes 7:00 a.m. (and not a second later), you’ll want to select “Join the Queue.” Then select eligible members of your party and hope it works. The queue is usually filled within a few short seconds.
If you didn’t secure a queue at 7:00 a.m., you can try again at 1:00 p.m. However, you must be in the park at that time in order to be eligible to secure it. You’ll follow the same process listed above.
Guests also have the option to purchase an individual Lightning Lane to experience this attraction. You do not have to purchase Genie+ to purchase this a la carte ride option. Guests who purchase a Lightning Lane and secure a virtual queue will be able to experience the attraction twice in one day.
If you are a resort guest who qualifies for extended evening hours (deluxe or deluxe villa resorts), you have the option to secure another queue at 6:00 p.m. on the evenings that Epcot hosts extended evening hours.
Unfortunately, at the time of this update, Cosmic Rewind does not have a standby queue. If you do not secure a virtual queue or purchase a Lightning Lane, you cannot experience the attraction. The only time standby is offered for Cosmic Rewind is during Disney After Hours, a separate ticketed event at Epcot. (Disney After Hours at Epcot Review)
Overall, we love Cosmic Rewind and think it’s one of the best things Disney has done as far as thrill attractions! I hope you’ll love it as much as my family does!
For more Epcot attractions, try the following:
In the comments
Have you ridden the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster yet? If so, what do you think? What song did you get? We love to hear from you. Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Thank you for this review! I am headed to Epcot in a few days and have been debating on this ride. The last time I rode Space Mountain, Everest, and Big Thunder, I did not enjoy it and think perhaps I am “not a roller coaster person” in my older age…lol So this is one of those things I’m debating on trying or not! -M
Hi! You are welcome! It’s a hard decision because you don’t want to end up feeling bad, especially when it’s so hot!