Who’s ready to ride Epcot’s first roller coaster ever?
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the newest thrill ride at Walt Disney World. If you’re a lover of roller coasters and a Marvel fan, this attraction is probably for you.
Since Cosmic Rewind is so new, there’s a lot you might not know and want to learn about the ride.
Here we answer frequently asked questions about the new ride, including when it opened, where it is, what it is, if it has a virtual queue, and more important details.
Is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind open?
Yes, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is open. Cosmic Rewind officially opened on May 27, 2022 over Memorial Day weekend.
What is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind replacing?
You can find Cosmic Rewind where Ellen’s Energy Adventure used to be in what is now the defunct Universe of Energy pavilion.
Where is the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride?
The new Guardians of the Galaxy ride is located in Epcot’s World Discovery neighborhood, which is part of the former Future World.
As previously described by Disney, this neighborhood is where “stories about science, technology, and intergalactic adventure come to life.”
Cosmic Rewind is housed in the “Wonders of Xandar pavilion,” which is named in honor of the Xandarians from Guardians of Galaxy and their advanced technologies, which they’re bringing to Terra, aka Earth.
You can also find Mission: SPACE, Test Track, and Space 220 in this neighborhood.
What is the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride?
The new Guardians of the Galaxy ride is an indoor roller coaster themed after Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy.
The roller coaster features the first-ever reverse launch for a Disney coaster and is one of the longest enclosed coasters in the world.
If that isn’t enough, the ride vehicles rotate 360 degrees!
As for the indoor queue, this is where the experience begins. You enter the “Galaxarium,” a planetarium-like exhibition showcasing the connections between Xandar and Earth.
The Galaxarium’s full viewing experience is over 30 minutes long and shows Xandar, Earth, the Andromeda, Milky Way Galaxies, and Star-Lord’s iconic Awesome Mix Vol. 1.
Eventually you are called upon to help the Guardians of the Galaxy (Rocket, Groot, Drax, Gamora, and Star-Lord) on an urgent mission where you rewind, rotate, and head towards the action through an exciting space pursuit.
The attraction also sees Glenn Close reprise her Guardians of the Galaxy role as Nova Prime. There’s even a Nova Corps Starblaster on display outside the ride’s building.
When you exit the ride, you’ll find a gift shop nearby called “Treasures of Xandar,” which is operated by The Broker.
Here you can find Xandar-inspired merchandise, along with other Guardians of the Galaxy items.
What is an Omnicoaster?
Ominicoaster is a new term crafted by Disney, which combines 2 words and mashes them together: Omnimover and roller coaster.
Avid Disney park visitors know Omnimover rides very well, including Haunted Mansion, PeopleMover, Journey of the Little Mermaid, to name a few.
Attractions with an Omnimover system have continuously-moving ride vehicles with the ability to swivel 360 degrees so ride goers are pointed towards most of the action.
Enter Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which features “a first-of-its-kind programmable Omnicoaster ride system, where guests can be rotated along the ride track towards the action.”
To be clear, the ride vehicles spin in a controlled turn, not a free-spinning motion. This way, you’re being directed towards the action, while the coaster track travels in another direction.
How tall do you have to be to ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind?
The height requirement for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is 42 inches.
We also have guides on other WDW thrill rides and height requirements for attractions at other theme parks and water parks.
Does Cosmic Rewind go upside down?
While this coaster does have a reverse-launch with ride vehicles that rotate 360 degrees, Cosmic Rewind does not go upside down.
Does Cosmic Rewind have drops?
Cosmic Rewind has moderate drops and fluid movements, but nothing major like Expedition Everest.
How fast is Cosmic Rewind?
Cosmic Rewind goes 60 mph. There are both slower and faster speeds throughout the whole experience.
We’ve been on Cosmic Rewind several times and can confirm its super smooth and does go fast, but the speed also depends on the row and car.
Here’s our breakdown:
Keep in mind that the rows in each car move the same. For example, if you get row 5 or 6, these will both move at the same speed since they are both in Car 3.
You can ask a Cast Member for a certain row, but know you might have to wait.
Is Cosmic Rewind for kids?
Cosmic Rewind is described as a “family-thrill attraction.”
That said, the ride probably won’t be for all kids. Between the reverse launch, darker moments, being a roller coaster, and spinning ride vehicles, some kids could be scared of the ride.
Feel free to check also out our list of some other things that might scare little ones at Walt Disney World.
Does Cosmic Rewind make you sick?
Whether Cosmic Rewind makes you sick or not really depends on the person and what they can handle thrill-wise.
The reverse-launch, the use of screens, and the controlled 360-degree spin of ride vehicles, can all cause motion sickness.
Cosmic Rewind is also well-known for making many guests sick.
Several of our team members find Cosmic Rind smooth and walk away sick-free. They also aren’t prone to motion sickness.
However, another team member who is extremely prone to motion sickness definitely felt that after effects and was down for about 4 or 5 hours before she started feeling better.
We have a guide on motion sickness that’s filled with information and tips, so feel free to check that out.
Does Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind have a virtual queue?
Cosmic Rewind does have a virtual queue instead of a Standby Line.
The virtual queue operates similar to how the boarding group system worked for Rise of the Resistance and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
The following is how the virtual queue works for Cosmic Rewind.
Before your trip everyone in your group must make a park reservation for Epcot in order to attempt to get a boarding group via the virtual queue.
There will be two drop times: the first at 7 a.m. (you will be able to join the virtual queue from anywhere as long as you have a valid park reservation) and the second at 1 p.m. (you must be inside the park before 1 p.m. in order to join).
If you’re lucky enough to score a virtual queue position, when your boarding group is called you’ll have 1 hour to make your way to the ride and then get in line.
Your tickets or MagicBand will have to be scanned in order to ride.
Important note about park hopping: The official rule is that park hoppers cannot try to join the virtual queue at 1 p.m. You must have an original park reservation for Epcot and be inside the park in order to try for the 1 p.m. time slot. Since park hopping at Disney World doesn’t begin until 2 p.m., park hoppers aren’t eligible.
However, there is sometimes an exception to this rule. If you park hop and there is still boarding group availability, you might be able to join the virtual. All you have to do is try and see what happens. We know many who have had success doing this.
There is also a third virtual queue drop time — but only for select Disney Resort hotel guests.
Starting at 6 p.m., registered guests of Deluxe, Deluxe Villa, Swan and Dolphin, and Shades of Green resorts will be able to try to join the Cosmic Rewind virtual queue.
The 6 p.m. virtual queue time is only available on select nights when Extended Evening Theme Park Hours is offered at Epcot.
Important: guests who are eligible for the 6 p.m. drop time do not need to be in Epcot to request to join the virtual queue.
Remember, guests can enter the virtual queue no more than once per day during regular park hours, meaning eligible resort guests with access to Extended Evening Theme Park Hours who obtained a virtual queue spot during regular hours can try again at 6 p.m.
Can you book an Individual Lightning Lane for Cosmic Rewind?
In addition to a virtual queue, you’ll also be able to book an Individual Lightning Lane for Cosmic Rewind.
If you are unable to score a boarding group via the virtual queue, you can always try to purchase an Individual Lightning Lane Selection.
Keep in mind that the virtual queue system is completely separate from Individual Lightning Lanes, meaning if you can book both, you could end up riding Cosmic Rewind twice.
Tip: If you are traveling with at least 2 people with their own My Disney Experience accounts and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a “must do” for you, split up the duties and have 1 person try for the Virtual Queue right at 7 a.m. while the other one tries to purchase an Individual Lightning Lane selection.
And — if you’re an eligible Deluxe Resort guest with access to Extended Evening Theme Park Hours, you can try to join the virtual queue at 6 p.m., meaning you could possible ride Cosmic Rewind 3 times.
At this time, the pay-per-ride price varies based on demand and the time of year. We’ve seen the cost range between $14 and $17 per person.
Does Cosmic Rewind have Single Rider?
At this time, Single Rider is not available for Cosmic Rewind.
Currently, the only attractions at Disney World with Single Rider are:
- Test Track – Epcot
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster – Hollywood Studios
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – Hollywood Studios
- Expedition Everest – Animal Kingdom
Is Rider Switch available with Cosmic Rewind?
Rider Switch is available with Cosmic Rewind.
If you don’t know, Rider Switch (or as some refer to it “Child Swap” or “Rider Swap”) is Disney’s system that allows people with small children to take turns riding the bigger rides while the other person/people wait with the child.
What are the songs on Cosmic Rewind?
There are 6 songs that rotate and play at random with each ride.
The songs you’ll get while riding are:
- “September” by Earth, Wind, and Fire
- “Disco Inferno” by the Trammps
- “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears
- “One Way or Another” by Blondie
- “I Ran (So Far Away)” by A Flock of Seagulls
- “Conga” by Gloria Estefan
During the holidays, you may even hear a fun Christmas song.
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We’ll update this article whenever new information becomes available. Have any other questions about Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind? Ask away in the comments!
Tamara Berg
Friday 15th of April 2022
We have both the 16th & 18th, can we enter the park at rope drop? We are also staying at a deluxe resort.