Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a steel roller coaster attraction at EPCOT's World Discovery. It is manufactured by Vekoma. Based on the Marvel Studios' film Guardians of the Galaxy, it is the first attraction at Walt Disney World based loosely on a Marvel Comics property. It replaced the Universe of Energy attraction, which closed on August 13, 2017.
It was originally set to open in 2021. However, it was delayed to May 27, 2022, as part of the park's 40th anniversary celebration, which is part of Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary celebration, since the opening was postponed indefinitely following the closure of the park due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Following the announcement, the attraction became part of the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion, EPCOT's very first Other-World Showcase Pavilion.
==History==
The ride was announced as part of an overall overhaul of Epcot at the 2017 D23 Expo. On August 13, 2017, Ellen's Energy Adventure was closed so that construction could begin on the attraction. At D23 Japan in 2018, it was confirmed that the ride would be one of the world's longest enclosed roller coasters and that the ride would open in 2021.
The name of the ride, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, was announced on August 25, 2019 at the D23 Expo 2019.
===Construction===
Construction began in late August 2017. The existing Universe of Energy show building will be reused and retrofitted for the new attraction; the roller coaster itself will be housed in a new, massive show building situated backstage behind the Universe of Energy building and the former Wonders of Life pavilion. On May 4, 2018, the Disney Parks Blog released a video stating that 960 truckloads of concrete had been poured for the foundation of the new ride show building.
The name of the ride, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, was announced on August 25, 2019, at the D23 Expo 2019. It is scheduled to open in Summer 2022, with filming for the ride commencing in October 2021. Guardians of the Galaxy film series cast members Chris Pratt, Zoë Saldaña, Dave Bautista, and Glenn Close with reprise their roles from the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Peter Quill / Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, and Irani Rael / Nova Prime, respectively. Additionally, Terry Crews would be cast in the role of a Nova Corps Centurion named Tal Marik.https://www.superherohype.com/geek-culture/513645-terry-crews-filmed-scenes-for-guardians-of-the-galaxy-cosmic-rewind The first footage from the ride was unveiled in March 2022.
==Summary==
Looking for a place to establish a peaceful connection to Earth, and at the suggestion of nostalgic Epcot fan Peter Quill, the planet Xandar and its Nova Corps have decided to establish Epcot's first "Other-World Showcase" Pavilion. For their presentation, they have decided to focus on deep space travel, with an elaborate planetarium called the "Galaxarium" serving as a way to give guests a look at the formation of the universe as well as offering a hyperjump visit to Xandar. However, our field trip to Xandar is interrupted when the Celestial Eson, AKA, The Searcher, comes to Earth to reset reality, resulting in the Guardians of the Galaxy coming in to try and defeat him. In the chaos, guests are sent back in time to witness the Big Bang.
==Soundtrack==
Tyler Bates, who composed the scores for the Guardians of the Galaxy films, contributed two hours worth of music for the attraction's queues and pre-shows.https://wdwnews.com/releases/its-save-the-galaxy-time-guardians-of-the-galaxy-cosmic-rewind-debuts-may-27-at-walt-disney-world-resort/ A rock instrumental cover of the original Universe of Energy attraction's self-titled theme song can be briefly heard when the Guardians are called in the pre-show and in the first scene of the ride.
The attraction's Awesome Mix selection includes six songs selected from 100 potential candidates. The playlist includes:
*"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
==Gallery==
===Logo and posters===
epcot-experience-attraction-poster-guardians-galaxy-cosmic-rewind-1.jpg|Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction poster
===Concept art===
Epcot GOTG Roller Coaster Concept Art 02.jpg
Peter Quill Epcot.jpg|A young Peter Quill at Epcot
Epcot GOTG Roller Coaster Concept Art 01.jpg|Original version of concept art
Guardians-of-the-Galaxy Full 39830.jpg|Updated version of concept art 
GOTG-Galaxarium.jpg|The Galaxarium
Guardians-of-the-Galaxy Full 45411.webp|The Xandar Gallery
Guardians-of-the-Galaxy Full 45412.webp
GOTG - Cosmic Rewind - Loading area.jpg|Loading area
Guardians-of-the-galaxy-cosmic-rewind.jpg
IMG 20200911 035726.jpg
Guardians of the Galaxy - Cosmic Rewind EPCOT.jpg
Gotg-nova-corps-starblaster-ship2.jpg|Nova Corps Starblaster Ship
GOTG - Cosmic Rewind - Celestial Eson Villain.jpg|A new villain, Celestial Eson appears in this attraction
==Trivia==
*On Avengers Campus maps highlighting all the various Marvel attractions around the globe, the attraction is referred to as the Xandarian Outpost. At Epcot itself, it is referred to as the Wonders of Xandar pavilion, a reference to the former Wonders of Life pavilion.
*During the pre-show, Star-Lord (who is said to have last visited Epcot in the '80s) expresses his excitement to visit several attractions that currently no longer exist, while being unaware of it. He mentions wanting to ride Horizons, see "the Energy dinosaurs", and hear the "Veggie Veggie Fruit Fruit".
*The news broadcasts that play during the queue are of "Good Morning Xandar", a potential homage to Good Morning America, an American morning television program that is broadcast on ABC.
*The exit of the attraction is made to resemble backstage areas of EPCOT. There is even a mirror next to the door, similar to one Cast Members check themselves in before stepping into the park.
*Unlike Mission: BREAKOUT!, Bradley Cooper does not reprise his role as Rocket.
*Eson, A.K.A. The Searcher, returns from the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie.
*Whereas Mission: BREAKOUT! is based primarily on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, this attraction instead takes inspiration from the first film. This is evident by the presence of the character Nova Prime (who only appeared in the first film), Groot being fully grown instead of a baby, and Mantis being absent.
==See also==
*Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT!
*Avengers Assemble: Flight Force
*Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure
==References==
Category:Guardians of the Galaxy
Category:Epcot attractions
Category:Future World
Category:Marvel attractions
Category:Marvel Cinematic Universe attractions
Category:Dark rides
Category:Roller coasters
Category:World Discovery