Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind: What to Expect

Disney World has a new roller coaster in town, Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind at Epcot! This attraction is marked as the World’s largest indoor roller coaster and Disney’s first reverse launch coaster. There are a lot of firsts to celebrate with this attraction. 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. Now let’s dig into more on Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind.

Warning: ride spoilers are ahead!

Cosmic Rewind Backstory

Your adventure starts by touring the Galaxarium! This is a planetarium-like exhibition showcasing the similarities and differences between Xandar and Earth’s galaxies. You’ll even get to discover some of the incredible wonders of Xandar and learn about their technology.

Just as you are about to reach the culmination of the tour, everything goes sideways, and you are called into action to help the Guardians of the Galaxy. Join Rocket, Groot, Gamora, and Star-Lord on an urgent mission where you’ll rewind, rotate, and head towards the action through an exciting space pursuit.

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The Guardians are asking for our help to stop Eson, the Celestial seen in the image above, from completing what I’m going to assume is a nefarious plan. I mean … look at that guy! Eson is huge. And powerful. And ancient. And seems poised to grab our pretty blue planet in one hand and slam dunk us like a basketball!

How to Join the Virtual Queue for Cosmic Rewind

To start Disney is running a virtual queue system for Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind. This means that there is no standby line. You must get in the virtual line in order to ride. The tricky thing is the spots to get in line fill up in under a minute at best you will have a few minutes to secure your spot.

If you have previously used this system for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance or Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure you can skip over the next bit as the process is exactly the same.

In order to book your spot in the virtual queue for Cosmic Rewind, you have to first have a park reservation for Epcot. Then at 7 am on the morning of your visit you can use the My Disney Experience App to book. If you miss your opportunity at 7 am there is a second chance at 1 pm but you must be inside the park to book it or have at least entered Epcot prior to 1 pm that same day. While we tend to opt for fighting for a morning booking the afternoon ones do seem to be much easier to snag.

When to Get an Individual Lightning Lane for Cosmic Rewind

Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind offers a paid Individual Lightning Lane. This is available for purchase to anyone. These do sell out quickly just like the virtual queue above but there is a major difference. If you use the hack of constantly refreshing the tip board we find that Lighting Lanes for Guardians of the Galaxy do appear throughout the day.

The price for an Individual Lightning Lane for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is set at $14. Note that at any time Disney could change this.

So just who should think about splurging for the Lighting Lane? It’s great for those who slept in and can snag one, do it. Also good for the big fans who have a limited trip and want to ride more than once. If you plan things well you should be able to get a virtual queue and in addition, you can also purchase a Lightning Lane and get to ride twice in one day. I would say Lighting Lane isn’t a good option for Annual Passholders who have multiple chances of coming back and taking a chance on getting into the free virtual queue.

Extended Evening Hours at Epcot

If you are staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort, Disney Deluxe Villa Resort, and The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, then take note of the days that have extended evening hours at Epcot.

On Extended Evening hours days, you can use the Virtual Queue twice, once during the 7 am or 1 pm distribution and again at the 6 pm distribution for evening hours. In addition, if you wanted to be really wild, buying a Lightning Lane would allow for a maximum of three rides on Cosmic Rewind in a day.

Cosmic Rewind Entrance

Before you enter Cosmic Rewind be sure to check out the full-sized 51-foot Nova Core ship. This is the ship from the end of the first movie where they were able to all unite and save the galaxy. Hmmm… this may be a bit of foreshadowing for what adventures lie ahead.

Queue for Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind

On our visit we first had to wait in the blazing outdoor sun, I would come prepared with a portable fan or umbrella if you are going to wait for this ride in standby. Disney did announce that Cosmic Rewind will open with no standby queue. To start there will only be a virtual queue (free) and the paid Lightning Lane option.

Galaxarium

Once you enter the indoor portion of the queue this is the first room you will be greeted with the Galaxarium. This first area is a sweeping planetarium-style space showcasing planets, stars, and other intergalactic wonders that connect Terra and Xandar. Just tying in the fact we are all born of the same space dust. The Xandarian supercomputer, Worldmind, provides narration in the Galaxarium and gives context to the stunning visuals.

Each time in the Galaxarium we got a different snippet as Worldmind shared different facts with us. It was especially funny to listen to what she learned from Peter Quill.

Xandar Gallery

Once you leave the Galaxarium it’s on to the Xandar Gallery. This is the area where you can learn more about the Xandarian people, culture, and history, including the heroes of Xandar! Don’t skip by these specially crafted displays including models of starships and a Xandarian city. There is a fun Easter egg in this area that shows Walt Disney himself presenting a plan for Epcot.

The gallery also features excerpts from “Good Morning Xandar,” where a host interviews the Guardians of the Galaxy about their heroic deeds. One of my favorite clips from this part of the line is when they are interviewing Peter Quill about his childhood trip to Epcot. I wonder who is going to tell him about Kitchen Kaberet.

Phase Chamber

This last area, the Phase Chamber, is where things start to heat up. Here you will instantly teleport from EPCOT to a Nova Corps Starcharter cruiser orbiting Earth. Learn about the Cosmic Generator, a piece of Xandarian technology that creates jump points. A jump point is an artificial tunnel in space allowing for rapid travel across vast distances. You also are going to stumble into your villain looking to rewrite time.

Ride Vehicles for Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind

The roller coaster vehicles are officially called Starjumper vehicles and most uniquely spin a full 360 degrees! Each section or car holds 4 people sitting two by two.

You just have a lap bar for this attraction but that’s not to say you are not held in tight. With all the motion of this ride as you fly quickly through space the seats in combo with the bar hold you in tight.

There is a small pocket for each person to place items. This is perfect for those sunglasses or ears since I do not recommend wearing anything on your head during this ride. Have a large bag or backpack? No worries! You are simply told to place it at your feet. During all our trips on Cosmic Rewind, all our belongings stayed safely in the car and surprisingly didn’t get jostled around on our rides.

Video of a Ride on Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind

Here is a look at the ride portion of Cosmic Rewind! This was when we got the song September.

Since every time you ride you have no idea what song you get, it adds an element of surprise. Here is a look at the ride with the song, “I ran”.

Will Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind Make Me Motion Sick?

Well it depends. When we rode no one in our party got motion sick. However we have heard reports from other who have. With the steep intensity of the ride I could see it happening. The ground was defiently moving when I left my ride vechile but I don’t feel sick.

If you are prone to motion sickness I highly recommend sitting in the middle or middle front of the car. This is because I found two tricks that helped me when I was not feeling the ride. First is close your eyes being in the dark not being able to see much of the track makes everything feel more intesne than it really is. Second tips stare at the cars in front of you and don’t try to focus on the screens you are flying by.

If you do find yourself as someone prone to motion sickness I would say to come prepared. I showed up with my ReliefBand, similar to Sea Bands but I find works so much better. You could also bring Dramamine, a ginger oil or other similar anti-nausea medication.

How Intense is the Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind

Disney labels this as a family coaster and I think that label is a bit of a stretch, Seven Dwarf Mine Train in Magic Kingdom is for sure a family friendly coaster. Guardians of the Galaxy is definitely up there in the intense ride category.

The intensity of this ride comes from its speed and tight turns. There are no major drops, upside-down flips, or corkscrews. There is no over-the-shoulder harness, just a lap bar, we promise you won’t be going upside down on this ride.

As for spinning. There is no teacup like spinning on Cosmic Rewind. So while the cars can spin 360 degrees you never actual do a full spin it only turns you from side to side as you move down the track.

What Ride is Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind Most Similar To?

When trying to figure out how intense this ride people are often looking at other Disney attractions to compare it to. While this ride is so intense and has this unique floating sensation we will do our best.

As far as comparable coasters at Disney there aren’t any true ones. I think it’s most like Escape from Gringotts at Universal Studios. It is on a roller coaster track the cars can rotate as they move along and there are screens. While the screens on Cosmic Rewind aren’t necessary to the story like the ones on Gringotts plus there is no 3D on Cosmic Rewind. While Gringotts I find makes me a little nauseous, Cosmic Rewind did not.

When we rank it against other Disney coasters it’s definitely an amped-up Space Moutain. I will say it just lacks a lot of the drop you get on Space Mountain but is way faster and smoother. I would still rank Expedition Everest and Rock and Roller Coaster as more intense than Cosmic Rewind. Though the speed and smoothness are similar to Expedition Everest.

The Songs and Tracklist for Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind

When Disney Imagineers were developing this family-thrill coaster, they came up with a list of more than 100 potential songs for the Starjumpers’ onboard sound system. The team rode the attraction over and over again (it’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it) testing how various tracks fit with the spirit and the movement of the coaster. They finally settled on this “Awesome Mix” of six songs, in their classic versions:

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

My favorite part is that you won’t know which track you’ll hear each time you ride until you actually blast off with the Guardians on an intergalactic chase through time and space. This means you will have to ride again and again to hear them all!

Frequently Asked Quetions

With any new ride addition to Disney World comes a lot a questions. So lets dig into the common ones we were asked on our social media pages!

Does cosmic rewind have drops?

Yes, there are slight dips in the ride but no major drops. The coaster is very smooth and you don’t get any dropping senstation, stomach in throat, from Cosmic Rewind.

What kind of ride is Cosmic Rewind?

It’s a indoor roller coaster. The largest indoor roller coaster in the world at that! It also features Disney World first reverse launch coaster.

Does Cosmic Rewind go upside down?

No. This coaster doesn’t go upside down.

What park has Guardians of the Galaxy ride?

Epcot at Walt Disney World. You can find it in the front of the park in the old location of Universe of Energy.

Height Requirement for Guardians of the Gaxaly Cosmic Rewind?

There is a 42-inch height requirement.

Is there Cosmic Rewind on Ride Photo?

Yes! There is a photo taken during the ride.

Cosmic Rewind Fun Facts

We all love knowing about those special nuggets inside any Disney attraction. Here are just a few for Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind.

• A Starblaster ship rests in a docking stand outside the Wonders of Xandar pavilion, the first full-size version of this Xandarian ship ever built.
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the longest fully enclosed coaster in any Disney theme park and one of the longest enclosed coasters in the world.
• The attraction covers more than 200,000 square feet, with its main show building stretching longer than an American football field. This massive structure’s foundation contains more than 80 miles of rebar and 9,000-plus cubic yards of concrete. By volume, four Spaceship Earths would fit inside this show building.
• Academy Award® nominee Glenn Close reprises her role from “Guardians of the Galaxy” as Nova Prime Irani Rael, the leader of Xandar and commander of the Nova Corps.
• Disney Imagineers were on the set of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” to film with the Guardians for this new attraction.
• Composer Tyler Bates from the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films created more than two hours of new music for the attraction’s score.
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind features more than 75 minutes of original content.
• I am Groot.

Terms to Know from Cosmic Rewind

Andromeda Galaxy – Spiral galaxy home to the Xandar system; galaxy nearest the Milky Way

Xandar – Paradise-like planet in the Andromeda Galaxy home to a diverse, peace-loving population

Terra – Xandarian term for Earth, home to Terrans (residents of Earth)

Wonders of Xandar Pavilion – First “other-world” showcase pavilion at EPCOT, where the people of Terra can learn more about Xandarians and their technologies, as well as the commonalities between the two cultures

Galaxarium – Sweeping planetarium-style space showcasing planets, stars and other intergalactic wonders that connect Terra and Xandar

Worldmind – Xandarian supercomputer that narrates the Galaxarium; holds the collective knowledge, memory and experience of all the Xandarian people

Xandar Gallery – Showcase of Xandarian people, culture and history – including the heroes of Xandar – through specially crafted displays

“Good Morning Xandar” – Popular news program on Xandar, often featuring interviews with famous personalities

Phase Chamber – Xandarian teleportation room used to instantaneously transport people from Terra’s surface to an orbiting ship

Treasures of Xandar – Retail shop at the Wonders of Xandar pavilion, operated by The Broker

Jump Points – Artificial tunnels in space allowing for rapid travel between two different points separated by a vast distance

Cosmic Generator – Xandarian technology that creates jump points, linking distant points in space to one another

Nova Corps – Defense and peacekeeping force for Xandar and the Andromeda Galaxy

Nova Prime Irani Rael – Leader of the Nova Corps, charged with protecting the Xandarian people from threats while serving as an emissary of peace through understanding across the galaxy

Centurion Tal Marik – Commander of the Starcharter, leader of the Nova Corps peacekeeping efforts, and close advisor to Nova Prime (this is the character’s first appearance, as he was created for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind)

Starblaster – Nova Corps short-range patrol craft, notable for its eight pointy fins that look like a star; can connect with other Starblasters to form a physical barrier

Starcharter – Large Nova Corps cruiser

Starjumper – Small escape shuttle that launches from a Nova Corps Starcharter

M-Ship – Class of personal spacecraft owned by Peter Quill, serving as base of operations for the Guardians of the Galaxy

Celestial – A cosmic being of immense power whose size and scope defy human perception

Eson – A Celestial watching over Earth for eons, growing increasingly frustrated with the course of human history

I Am Groot – I am Groot

Treasures of Xandar

Of course, every good attraction features its own gift shop! Here you can find Guardians of the Galaxy-themed fashions, accessories, home décor, collectibles and toys at the Treasures of Xandar shop, located at the Wonders of Xandar pavilion. The Xandarians hired The Broker to operate this new merchandise location on Terra, which debuts several new product lines!

• What if the Guardians were rock stars? Inspired by vintage concert merchandise of the 1980s, the Heroes of Xandar Collection imagines all of the gear and memorabilia fans would collect during the Guardians’ fictional intergalactic tour.
• The 1980s nostalgia continues with a bold and colorful line celebrating Peter Quill’s childhood visit to EPCOT. The Guardians of the Galaxy: Through the Eyes of Quill Collection features retro silhouettes and graphic designs evoking decades past.
• After helping save the galaxy, guests of all ages are invited to show off their new hero status in style with the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – Honorary Guardians Collection. Honorary Guardians will be distinguished in their rank through the official Honorary Guardian colors of navy and gold paired with the Honorary Guardian emblem, which is proudly displayed on each item in the collection.
• The Groot Through the Years Collection celebrates the sentient tree-like creature and his journey to becoming a defender of the galaxy. The collection, which includes toys, home décor and children’s apparel, illustrates Groot’s evolution from baby to adolescent to adult.

Holiday Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Overly

This season, the Guardians will trade in their classic hits playlist for a mash-up of seasonal jams at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT. Guests will blast off to the tune of an awesome holiday single, bringing joy to Xandar and Terra, too.

Conclusion on Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind

This new Disney World coaster stole my heart. What I hate about large coasters, big drops. Sorry, just not a fan of that stomach drop feeling. Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind is still fun and intense thrill ride without my least favorite thing! So this is why it’s such a win in my book.

When talking to others who have ridden they love it for its unique sesation it gives you when riding. It really does make you feel like you are floating in space. I think it’s more a flying ship on a race feeling but I get it! Overall tons of fun and I recommend trying this attraction at least once and making your own judgment call.