I’m “hooked on a feelin’” and that feelin’ is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind!! I was lucky enough this week to be a part of the AP preview for Epcot’s newest attraction and what an attraction it truly is! While I am going to do my best to avoid spoilers, I honestly don’t think a spoiler is possible with this ride. I’m my opinion, there’s no way you could even grasp this ride except to experience it firsthand!
As we checked into the AP event, you enter directly into the area where Guardians are located. Disney credits this as the first “other world” pavilion in the new reimagining of Epcot. From the first sitting of the Star blaster ship to the always hype Avengers-style music piping throughout the area, you instantly know, you are getting ready to experience something truly out of this world.
The height requirement for this attraction is 42” and the restraint type is an individual lap bar with handles. Each ride vehicle fits 4 guests (2 in front and 2 in back) in individual bucket-type seats. And heads up, as I’m sure you’ve heard….this attraction takes off with a backward launch! This is the “rewind”! The coaster is one of the longest fully indoor coasters currently. And, it’s a bit slower than a certain Forbidden Mountain in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, with speeds between 40-50 miles per hour. And I’m going to try my best to describe this attraction in Disney terms….I’ll say we have a 360 degree individually mobile ride vehicle similar to Haunted Mansion, the indoor coaster intensity of Expedition Everest, and the technology we love about Flight of Passage times about 500! And I still don’t know that this description does it justice. The creators of this attraction said that it’s more thrilling than Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, yet less intense than the beloved Rock n Roller Coaster. And Disney old timers like me may be interested to know Cosmic Rewind is located in the former location for Ellen’s Energy Adventure.
In the Cosmic Rewind storyline, Nova Corps is transporting us (Terrans) via a Nova Corp Starcharter cruiser orbiting Earth. Irani Rael, leader of Xandar and commander of Nova Corps will mention the “Cosmic Generator” their creation that allows you to jump from place to place throughout space. Excitingly, we are made aware we will be able to see a demonstration of this amazing creation once we arrive! But, one catch….Nova Corps has not yet transported Terrans (folks from Earth). And oh yeah, there just happens to be a celestial being on the hunt for this Cosmic Generator to change the course of humanity, but, what could possibly go wrong…..right???
Oh, just a power outage, and an angry cosmic being trying to destroy us! Lol! So of course the only thing to do is call for help…..and I know you can see where this is going! Insert our favorite mint key crew from Guardians of the Galaxy and their hilarious antics and great taste in music!! So we are off on an adventure ride/rescue menu like no other!
Fun fact: There are 6 music tracks that accompany this attraction, but another catch, is you won’t know your track until that trademark reverse launch! Here’s the official list:
- September
- Disco Inferno
- Conga
- Everybody Wants to Rule the World
- I Ran
- One Way or Another
I was so excited to hear “September” blasting in my ears on takeoff! Definitely would have been my selection if given the choice!
I won’t go into more detail so you can take this adventure on your own, real soon. But, my overall review is this. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the feel good pick me up that Epcot has needed for so long! I hear so many people dis Epcot as a park overall in comparison to her three sisters, but if this attraction is any indication of where the future of the park is headed, I am living for it! Walking off this ride, I could not stop smiling for hours! Just when I thought Disney attractions could get any more exciting and innovative, they blow my mind again! While upon its official open to the public on May 27th, Cosmic will be functioning as a virtual queue process, this one would definitely be worth the wait!
I do want to point out a few things to help you decide if you can hang with Rewind…..
- There are a few flashing light sequences in the pre-show that are a little intense.
- The ride vehicle has 360 spin capability but does not freely spin during the entire ride.
- There are huge screen elements combined with high speeds and constant motion.
- If you are prone to motion sickness, you may find this attraction challenging
I hope that you are all able to “Come and Get Your Love” from this attraction soon! It is most definitely an overload of fun and the unexpected!
