The new family-thrill coaster at EPCOT takes guests on an intergalactic chase through time and space with the heroes of Xandar
This time, it will take more than just a dance-off to save the galaxy. In Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, visitors to EPCOT at the Walt Disney World Resort best get ready to crank up the tunes and take off on an exciting intergalactic chase across time and space!
Rocket, Groot, Drax, Gamora, and Star-Lord are the renowned cosmic outlaws, and this recently opened family-thrill coaster matches the “grandiosity” and enjoyment of the blockbuster “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies (a.k.a. Peter Quill). The cutting-edge attraction made its debut as a part of the 50th-anniversary celebration of Walt Disney World, marking yet another significant turning point in EPCOT’s ongoing metamorphosis.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the first “other-world” showcase pavilion at EPCOT, and it is situated in the park’s recently renamed World Discovery neighbourhood. The Wonders of Xandar pavilion, which welcomes visitors to EPCOT to learn more about their people and their cutting-edge technologies, was built by Xandarians who went from their homeworld in the Andromeda Galaxy to Earth, or Terra as they name it. That is until a problem arises and the Xandarians request assistance from the Guardians of the Galaxy.
The First Pavilion for the “Other-World”
Star-Lord proposed EPCOT as the ideal location for Xandarians to interact with Terrans because he visited Disney park as a child and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Three major sections make up the Wonders of Xandar pavilion:
- The Galaxarium is a vast planetarium-style area that connects Terra and Xandar by presenting planets, stars, and other intergalactic wonders, supporting the idea that we were all created from the same space dust. The Xandarian supercomputer, Worldmind, offers narration in the Galaxarium and adds explanation to the spectacular vistas.
- Through carefully designed exhibitions, such as models of starships and a Xandarian metropolis, visitors to the Xandar Gallery can learn more about the Xandarian people, culture, and history, including the heroes of Xandar. A host interviews the Guardians of the Galaxy about their valiant acts in the gallery, which also includes clips from “Good Morning Xandar.”
- After finishing the pavilion tour, visitors teleport from EPCOT to a Nova Corps Starcharter cruiser orbiting Earth in the Phase Chamber. Here, they are introduced to the Cosmic Generator, a piece of Xandarian technology that produces jump points, and man-made space tunnels that permit quick travel over great distances.
A Time-and-Space Intergalactic Pursuit
As soon as they board the Starcharter, passengers understand that things are not going as planned, or even 12 per cent as planned, as a huge being suddenly appears outside the spacecraft.
- A Celestial named Eson has been observing Earth for ages and now plans to utilise the Cosmic Generator to travel back in time and alter the fate of humanity.
- Centurion Tal Marik, Nova Prime Irani Rael’s top officer, is given immediate orders to contact the Guardians of the Galaxy and request their assistance (again).
- Small escape pods called Starjumper shuttles, which are launched from the Starcharter cruiser, are required to transport the Terrans off the ship.
- When the Guardians arrive, they reprogram the Starjumpers to allow visitors to assist them in finding Eson as they pursue the Celestial through a jump point in an attempt to save the galaxy. As visitors get ready for their trip, Drax points out in a matter-of-fact manner that… If they are unable to halt Eson, “you are probably doomed,” they say.
A Different Family Thrill
There are multiple “firsts” in Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, including:
EPCOT’s first roller coaster ride.
A Disney coaster’s first reverse launch.
The original Disney Omnicoaster features regulated revolutions to keep riders focused on the action at all times.
the first Guardians of the Galaxy-themed attraction at Walt Disney World.
A “Great Mix” for a “Great Coaster”
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind incorporates iconic pop music, or “poet sorcery,” as Gamora would say, into the experience just like the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies do. As visitors fly through space, the attraction’s onboard audio plays popular songs from the 1970s and 1980s.
- More than 100 possible songs for the attraction were examined by Disney Imagineers.
- Six songs in their original classic versions were ultimately chosen by Imagineers after testing them out on both virtual and real rides to determine which ones best captured the mood and emotion of the coaster:
* “September”
* “Disco Inferno”
* “Conga”
* “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”
* “I Ran”
* “One Way or Another”
- Guests won’t know which song they’ll hear each time they ride until they jump into space with the Guardians.
The Broker Offers Xandarian Treasures
- At the Wonders of Xandar pavilion’s Treasures of Xandar shop, visitors can look for Guardians of the Galaxy-themed apparel, accessories, home goods, souvenirs, and toys. The Broker was engaged by the Xandarians to run this brand-new store on Terra, which introduces a number of new product lines, including:
- Imagine if the Guardians were famous musicians. The Heroes of Xandar Collection conceives of all the gear and memorabilia fans might acquire during the Guardians’ hypothetical interplanetary tour and is inspired by classic concert stuff from the 1980s.
- A striking and vibrant line honouring Peter Quill’s early trip to EPCOT carries on the 1980s memories. Retro shapes and geometric patterns recalling bygone eras are featured in the Guardians of the Galaxy: Through the Eyes of Quill Collection.
- Visitors of all ages are invited to use the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – Honorary Guardians Collection to display their new hero status in style after aiding in the saving of the galaxy. The official Honorary Guardian colours of navy and gold, along with the Honorary Guardian insignia, which is proudly displayed on every item in the collection, will serve to differentiate Honorary Guardians in their status.
- The Groot Through the Years Collection honours the sentient tree-like being and his development into a galactic protector. The assortment, which features toys, furniture, and kid’s clothing, shows Groot’s development from a newborn to an adolescent to an adult.
Cosmic Rewind: Fun Facts from Guardians of the Galaxy
- A Starblaster spacecraft, the first full-size replica of this Xandarian ship ever constructed, is parked in a docking stand outside the Wonders of Xandar pavilion.
- The longest fully enclosed coaster in any Disney theme park and one of the longest enclosed coasters in the world is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
- With a primary show building that is longer than an American football field, the attraction has a floor area of more than 200,000 square feet. More than 9,000 cubic yards of concrete and more than 80 miles of rebar make up the foundation of this enormous building. This display building can accommodate four Spaceship Earths in terms of volume.
- As Nova Prime Irani Rael, the ruler of Xandar and commander of the Nova Corps, Academy Award® contender Glenn Close reprises her role from “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
- Disney Imagineers filmed scenes with the Guardians for this new attraction on the “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” set.
- For the score of the attraction, “Guardians of the Galaxy” composer Tyler Bates wrote more than two hours of brand-new music.
- Over 75 minutes of new material are present in Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
- I am Groot
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