Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind officially opens on May 27, 2022 in Epcot! I’ve been able to ride a few times during ride previews. I wanted to find out as much information as I could, because I am prone to motion sickness and while I love some thrill, I am not a huge coaster fan. Here is my Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind review as well as answers to Cosmic Rewind FAQs.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Review
This guide to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind does have some ride spoilers, but is a good resource for people who are nervous to ride roller coasters.
I have ridden 3 times and the experience varies on where you sit.
There were some technical issues the first time I rode, so it was down for a bit during the preview. And that’s what the preview is for. Overall I ended up waiting about 2 1/2 hours to ride, and honestly, it was worth it! I’m not going to make it a habit of waiting that long, but it was exciting to be a part of it since I’m a big Marvel fan!
The official description of the ride on Disney’s website is: This family-thrill attraction features the first ever reverse-launch on a Disney coaster and is one of the largest fully-enclosed coasters in the world! A new innovation from Walt Disney Imagineering—this coaster rotates 360 degrees so you can focus on the action!
I didn’t know what to expect and since I don’t looooove coasters, I wondered if I was going to even ride. YMMV if you enjoy this ride, because not all motion sickness triggers are the same as well as threshold for rides.
I do not like big drops, things that make my stomach drop, or rides that spin. Rides that make me motion sick include Star Tours, Flight of Passage, and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. 3-D mixed with motion is no bueno for me.
I do like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Rise of the Resistance, Rock n Roller Coaster, and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
I’ll ride Space Mountain but it’s too jerky for me, and I rode Expedition Everest once and that was enough. I have not ridden Tower of Terror, because drops are not my thing.
Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind Thrill Factor Tip: Cosmic Rewind is more thrilling than Seven Dwarfs Mine Train but less than Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Also, if you want more thrill, ride in the back car. If you want less, ride in the front car.
Does Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Go Upside Down?
No, Cosmic Rewind does not go upside down. Some people compare it to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, because it launches, but it launches backwards. The launch is slower if you ride in the front car but is faster in the back.
Are There Any Big Drops on Guardians Cosmic Rewind?
No, there are not any big drops. You will climb up a hill at first, but you turn and the track is flat, so you don’t go down a big drop. There are some twists and turns and some minor hills but nothing worse than Space Mountain.
It does have Space Mountain vibes, because the lights are dimmed and you’re traveling through the galaxy, but it’s not as dark. You can see the track and there is more light.
How Fast is the Backwards Launch on Cosmic Rewind in Epcot?
When I first rode Cosmic Rewind I was in the front car which later twists you to be in the back car for the reverse launch. The buildup is slow, and you launch backwards up a hill. So the back has less track to travel and the speed is about the speed of Slinky Dog Dash. You don’t feel it as much.
After riding in the back, the launch is definitely faster in the back. It takes a second to rev up, but since my car ended up in the front for the launch, it had time to travel and feel the effects of the backwards motion. So it felt a little Expedition Everest-like when you go backwards. It did make my stomach drop for a second, but by the time I was ready to scream, it was over.
Will Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Make You Motion Sick?
Cosmic Rewind will make some guests sick. It’s hard to predict who though. This was the part I was most worried about. So the description says you rotate 360 degrees, but you do not spin. That section on Remy when you spin a few times, oof, that does me in.
Some people may get more queasy the more they focus on the big screens around them. There are huge screens with some of the characters talking to you as well as other elements. The ride track is very smooth, but you also feel like you’re riding sideways sometimes. It’s a very fun and cool motion, but it’s hard to describe.
You’ll go semi-fast (feels faster in the back). If you usually need dramamine for rides, then it’s probably not a bad idea to take one. However, to me it wasn’t bad. I was a little dizzy, a little queasy, but rides like Star Tours are way worse. If you close your eyes if you start to feel anything, then I think it would alleviate it.
When getting off the ride, I did notice it felt like I had just been on a cruise ship, and I was a little wobbly getting off. However, the smoothness of the ride with the pumped up music distracted me. Immediately getting off the ride I thought, I wish I could ride again. That’s not always the case.
My husband who does not get motion sick on ride besides things like the teacups did feel queasy. He said he felt queasy every time the car was not going in a straight line or facing forward. Well that’s a lot of the ride. Like I said, you do go sideways on the track, so you’re not always facing forward. And he didn’t eat much in the morning, so that also probably made him more susceptible to queasiness.
Are the Cosmic Rewind Vehicles Comfortable?
Yes! They seem spacious, not super tight like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and everyone has their own lap belt. You don’t have to share with the person next to you a la Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
What is the Cosmic Rewind Height Requirement?
Guests 42 inches tall or taller can ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
Is Cosmic Rewind Kid Friendly?
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is not a scary ride and is a family coaster. The height requirement is 42 inches, so really young kids won’t be able to ride unless they are tall. The ride is somewhat dark and there is a villain, but the upbeat music and the Guardians of the Galaxy lighten the mood.
There is a spot in the queue where you enter a room and the room goes pitch black for a second. It’s kind of like the Haunted Mansion, but nobody screams and it’s not as creepy. However be aware it could frighten small children.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Playlist
There are different songs you can hear on your ride of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind including:
- “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 first time I rode I heard Disco Inferno and the second time I heard Everybody Wants to Rule the World. The third time I got Conga. I really want to hear Blondie when I ride.
Will Cosmic Rewind Have a Standby Queue?
No, when Cosmic Rewind opens on May 27, 2022, there will only be a virtual queue or an option to purchase Lightning Lane.
Is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Worth the Wait?
I waited 2 1/2 hours with a friend. If I was with my whole family, I would wait at least 90 minutes for this one.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a solid addition to Epcot. It needs more attractions. This one is a ton of fun that caters to families. Will major thrill seekers be disappointed? Maybe. It’s not a big coaster. But it has enough thrill and energy to make fans excited. And after riding a second time, I was much more satisfied. I’m not a huge thrill seeker, but I do like a faster ride, and for me, it was more fun riding towards the back even though that backwards launch did make my stomach drop a tiny bit back there.
I didn’t see one person get off the ride and say ‘oh that was lame.’ Everyone I saw really enjoyed it and had a great time!
Enjoy Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind when it launches May 27, 2022 in Epcot! If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below.