Get ready to rock on EPCOT’s first roller coaster
Take a high-speed blast into the bast with the Guardians of the Galaxy on EPCOT’s best thrill ride. Located in World Discovery, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a unique indoor roller coaster, with a backwards launch, rotating cars, and massive projections.
It’s basically Space Mountain for the 21st century, although much faster and more intense.
An Other-World Showcase Pavilion
Guests are invited into the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion, EPCOT’s first Other-World Showcase Pavilion. The backstory is that Xandar, the main planet from the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie, wants to set up diplomatic outreach to Terra, aka Earth. As one of the heroes who saved Xandar, Peter Quill/Starlord recommended setting up the pavilion at EPCOT, which he has fond childhood memories of.
Inside, they’ll see the Galaxarium, which explains the history of our galaxy and the universive, along with some fun nods to the Guardians and Disney Parks. Keep an eye out for the biggest turkey leg you’ve ever seen.
Next, guests will walk through the Xandar Gallery, where you’ll learn more about the planet of Xandar. Guests will see video of the Guardians being interviewed here alongside the many highly detailed exhibits and models of the fictional planet.
After being transported to a spaceship, things go wrong on a cosmic level. The Celestial Eson (a giant bad guy for those not versed in Marvel Comics) wants to destroy Earth, and it’s up to us to help the Guardians stop him.
That’s when you’ll board a Starjumper and blast off on your adventure.
About the Cosmic Rewind Ride
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is one of the longest indoor roller coasters in the world, coming in at over 3 minutes.
The roller coaster features a unique Omnicoaster ride system. This takes the concept of an Omnimover like Haunted Mansion, where the ride cars can rotate independently of the direction of the track, and applies it to a roller coaster. Your vehicle will rotate to point your attention towards certain aspects of each scene, meaning you will be riding forwards, backwards, and sideways throughout the ride.
Speaking of backwards, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind features a backwards launch, which is a first for a Disney Coaster. The ride launches you backwards up a hill at 50 mph, which is the top speed of this ride.
This ride is entirely indoors, and it’s set in a dark building, like Space Mountain or Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster. The ride features massive projections that tell the story.
How intense is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind?
Pretty intense! At least, for a Disney World roller coaster. This doesn’t have any inversions like Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster, or any steep drops like Expedition Everest. It is very smooth, gliding you at fast speeds through a dark space, like a faster Space Mountain. If you are okay going on Expedition Everest, you will most likely be okay going on Cosmic Rewind.
How intense it feels for you depends on your tolerance for motion sickness. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has been giving some guests issues with motion sickness. Why?
- The Omnicoaster ride system doesn’t spin you like the teacups, but it does cause you to feel a bit disoriented as you are rotated during the coaster.
- The ride is in the dark, so it’s hard to tell which direction you’re going.
- There are giant projections, which take your gaze away from the direction you’re moving. This can exacerbate motion sickness.
If you’re worried about motion sickness on Cosmic Rewind, you can read our full Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Motion Sickness Guide.
Are there any inversions?
No. Cosmic Rewind doesn’t have any loops, flips, or anything else that flips you upside down.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Track List
Cosmic Rewind features six different songs, one of which is picked randomly for your ride. Each song gives the ride a different feel, so it encourages repeat rides.
- “September”
- “Disco Inferno”
- “Conga”
- “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”
- “I Ran”
- “One Way or Another”
How to Ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Riding on a new Disney World roller coaster isn’t as simple as showing up and getting in line. There are two ways you can ride the Guardians coaster:
- The Virtual Queue: Disney World guests can join the virtual queue at 7 am from anywhere or at 1 pm from inside EPCOT. Guests with access to Extended Evening Hours can join the queue at 6PM on days EPCOT has that perk. You’ll want to have your phone ready to join the queue exactly at those times, as slots run out FAST. You can find out detailed instructions on how to grab a boarding group for Guardians in our Disney World Virtual Queue Guide.
- Individual Lightning Lane: If you aren’t lucky enough to get a virtual queue slot, you can purchase an Individual Lightning Lane reservation for Guardians. Individual Lightning Lane goes on sale at 7 am for Disney World resort guests, and at park opening for other guests. Lightning Lane will also have a shorter line than the virtual queue. Here’s how to purchase Individual Lightning Lane.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Tips and Trivia
- For the least intense ride, request the front row.
- For the most intense ride, request the back row.
- If you’re worried about motion sickness, try the middle rows 5 and 6, and sit on the left hand side. This is what cast members are recommending, as it reduces the feeling of g-forces.
- Want to go on the ride more than once? You’ll have to both get a spot in the virtual queue and purchase an Individual Lightning Lane, as you can only do both of those once per day.
- Don’t go on Cosmic Rewind on an empty stomach! That will only make feelings of motion sickness worse.
- This ride replaced Ellen’s Energy Adventure.
