Our Team Does “COSMIC REWIND”
Disney World’s newest attraction will be open to the general public in Epcot beginning tomorrow!
Without giving away too much about Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (no-one likes a spoiler – well, I do, but I’m not about to spoil it for the rest of you), I felt like there are some things you need to know. Being a Disney Travel Specialist, it’s my pleasure to share first-hand information with you😊
Two weeks ago, I was able to score preview passes to GOTG Cosmic Rewind at Epcot with Beth Pesakoff on a spur of the moment Disney trip. To say we were excited is a bit of an understatement.
On the way to Disney World, we listened to many of the songs from the ride playlist on our car ride to get hyped up, imagining what each song would feel like running in tandem with a roller coaster. Disney released the set list a few weeks ago… so if you want to get in the spirit:
“September” by Earth, Wind & Fire.
“Disco Inferno” by the Trammps.
“Conga” by Miami Sound Machine.
“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears.
“I Ran” by A Flock of Seagulls.
“One Way or Another” by Blondie.
The music for the ride will change with each ride train, giving every voyage a different vibe. We got Tears for Fears. While I love Rule the World (and have for years) I wasn’t sold on this being a great choice for a roller coaster… but OMG.
It. Was. Awesome.
Quite literally the perfect song.
Anyway… the ride is located at the front of the park, nestled between the new Connections Café (you need to eat here: roomy building, blasting AC and the food is pretty good… oh… and Starbucks is inside.)
The ride queue, at least in our experience, moved pretty dang fast… so that’s encouraging. And while the queue is longer than I’d anticipated, once we were inside the building, it’s entertaining and there’s plenty to look at to keep you busy.
The ride vehicles themselves are VERY roomy and comfortable. I know some people who are taller than average or who consider themselves Pooh-sized and were worried about fitting comfortably. You will have no problem at all.
The ride itself is smooth as can be, literally gliding through the show building with a slick feeling that makes you feel like you’re sliding along a playground slide as opposed to riding a roller coaster.
In my time since riding, I think I’ve fallen more in love this coaster… it was an overall great experience, and I can’t wait until everyone gives her a go…
That being said, a few words of caution. If you have ANY issues with motion sickness, I strongly advise taking preventatives. I suffer from what I’ve consider light motion sickness… meaning I can get away with taking a single pill of my two-pill dosage.
However, in anticipation of riding something previously untried, I went ahead and doubled up, just to be on the safe side.
My double dose barely held its ground. I didn’t get sick (I’ve heard tales of others who did) but when I got off, I was visibly shaking and needed to sit down for a bit to pull it together. I felt off the rest of the day and didn’t start to feel better until we returned to our room where I was able to shower and relax.
Everyone’s motion sickness hits them in different ways. For some it’s the screens on attractions or sudden drops and spins, going upside down, etc. For me, it’s that g-force in tight curves and sometimes the screen movement. I’ve heard riding in the middle of the train is the easiest on those prone to motion sickness but, we were in the 5th car back, so I don’t know if I’d agree with that advice.
Despite all of this. I LOVED IT!!
I’m seriously considering making an appointment with my doctor to ask for stronger motion sickness drugs for our next visit.
That’s how bad I want to ride this attraction again.
It was that good. This coaster rotates 360 degrees and is SICK (no pun intended)!
NOW, HOW TO BOARD THE RIDE:
Disney has announced Guardians will utilize a virtual queue (boarding groups like Rise of the Resistance and Remy’s previously used) as well as purchasable Lightning Lanes.
Both options will go fast, for sure… so I would recommend a multi-pronged approach: have everyone in your party who has their own My Disney Experience app and private log-in attempt to get either the Boarding Group or purchase Lightning Lane. You can assign the duties of who will go for what before the 7:00am rush.
You know the drill:
Night before and double check on the morning of, make sure all parties in your group are linked
Get off Disney Wi-fi and use your mobile data
Close all other apps on your phone
Set another device in the room to the World Clock – in this case yes, milliseconds will matter.
Sorry if I’m overly dramatic but, it’s true. So, make sure you refresh finger is in good shape!
Log in and out at 6:50/6:55-ish
Go to your chosen section in the MDE app to either buy the Lightning Lane or join a Virtual Queue
At 6:59:30, start refreshing like your life depends on it and pray the Amusement Park gods are on your side.
A FEW MORE IMPORTANT DETAILS TO MENTION
1. There will be multiple boarding group drops. The first one will be at 7:00am, which you can attempt to get from your hotel room. The second drop at 1:00pm (all the same rules apply) EXCEPT you must be IN Epcot to attempt for a 1:00pm boarding group. Finally, on select days (Meaning whenever Epcot has Extended Evening hours) and for qualifying guests, there will be a 6:00pm boarding group drop.
2. Your entire party should have been pre-selected since you double-checked to make certain you are all linked. If you are linked and everyone has a valid Epcot Park Pass Reservation, they should automatically populate within your Boarding Group Party. Do me a favor: don’t pause to check. It will slow you down. Your goal here is to be fast. And you need to be super-fast to make this magic happen. So just skip right by that screen where it asks you to confirm your party. If, you reach the other side and and your party is incorrect, go to one of those lovely blue Customer Service tents and they’ll lend a hand.
3. Finally, there is the distinct possibility you will end up with both the Lightning Lane AND a Boarding Group. It happened to me last Fall when Remy’s first opened. (I was going for the Boarding Group and my sister was going for the Lightning Lane.) In that case… be grateful for that extra bit of Pixie Dust and enjoy your day!
I know it’s a lot. And yes, I agree… if feels a little stressful for vacation. You’ll find your heart pounding away as you work your way through this process. Just know you aren’t alone.
These days, I just look at the 7:00am dash as a way to get hyped for an exciting day. I hope you feel the same… and if you want some Disney coaching and to book a vacation to the Most Magical Place on Earth, please get in touch with me at heather@letstalktravel.us