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Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opens as Epcot’s first-ever coaster

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disney world epcot guardians of the galaxy cosmic rewind

The new family-friendly thrill coaster is the longest fully enclosed roller coaster in any Disney theme park.

Epcot’s first-ever roller coaster has opened, with the first visitors enjoying an intergalactic chase through space and time on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Walt Disney World Resort’s new family-friendly thrill coaster is the longest fully enclosed roller coaster in any Disney theme park. It’s also one of the longest enclosed coasters in the world at more than 200,000 square feet.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is part of the ongoing transformation of Epcot and launched as part of Disney World’s 50th anniversary.

Cosmic Rewind is what Disney calls an ‘Omnicoaster’, meaning its vehicles rotate 360 degrees throughout the experience so that guests are always immersed in the action.

New family-friendly thrill coaster

For Cosmic Rewind, Walt Disney Imagineering advanced the ‘Omnimover’ ride system that’s used for the Haunted Mansion and Spaceship Earth.

“Our Disney Imagineers actually created this new technology and hold a patent as to how it is accomplished,” said Wyatt Winter, senior show producer.

“What makes it unique is the ability to program and control that rotation to specific locations or times and allow guests to focus on the show taking place around them.”

“It’s really an evolution of that original Disney ride system that has been around for decades [and was patented in 1968]. We wanted the idea of having specific vistas or views while on the ride, like Haunted Mansion has, but now do it at high speeds,” he added. 

“Good ideas never really go away at Walt Disney Imagineering, and this shows that something good just continues to evolve and become something new.”

Disney’s ongoing transformation of Epcot

avengers campus disneyland paris

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind features the first reverse launch for a Disney coaster. “We had the idea for a backwards portion of the attraction from the beginning, but talked about doing it in different ways,” Winter said.

Riders join Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and Groot on a mission to stop the ride’s antagonist Eson, described by Disney as ‘huge, powerful and ancient’.

“We knew we needed to create a fun, exciting ride system that matched the scale, excitement, and fun of the Guardians films,” he added. 

“We also wanted to create something new and unique that only Disney could do. Combining an all-new coaster with media, special effects, and music at a scale never before done was a fun and exciting goal for our team.”

Elsewhere, Avengers Campus is opening as part of Disneyland Paris’ 30th anniversary on 20 July, offering new action-packed attractions, live-action stunts, heroic encounters and themed F&B.

Images: Disney

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Bea Mitchell

Bea is a journalist specialising in entertainment, attractions and tech with 10 years' experience. She has written and edited for publications including CNET, BuzzFeed, Digital Spy, Evening Standard and BBC. Bea graduated from King's College London and has an MA in journalism.

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