
Guardians of The Galaxy make EPCOT new
30 June 2022/ New indoor coaster opens at EPCOT /
EPCOT has always been one of the most futuristic parks around, an experimental hub for the living of tomorrow. So it only makes sense that it is the first place to host an “other-world” showcase pavilion: the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion, where people of the Earth can learn more about the planet of Xandar in the Andromeda Galaxy, about Xandarians and their technologies, and about the commonalities between the two cultures. The group of intergalactic outlaws-turned-heroes known as the Guardians of the Galaxy are also visiting for the inauguration, as their leader Star-Lord was the one who suggested the Disney park as the perfect place for Xandarians to connect with people from the Earth. And it’s lucky that they are present, because suddenly something goes terribly wrong…
This is the storyline around which EPCOT’s latest addition is developed. But the truth is not very far: if Walt Disney once said EPCOT “would always be in a state of becoming” as a place that changes with the times, the park is currently undergoing what Disney as a company has called its “biggest transformation in history.” And the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind! indoor family-thrill coaster, manufactured by Vekoma and opening on May 27th, is a major milestone both in this ongoing transformation of EPCOT and as part of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration.



Located in the park’s newly renamed World Discovery neighborhood, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind! is the first coaster attraction at EPCOT, the first Disney Omnicoaster, where vehicles make controlled rotations to always keep guests focused on the action, and the first Walt Disney World attraction to feature the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. This seems to be especially important for Disney at this stage, as the company is focusing more and more on its streaming for revenue, and attractions like this serve to solidify the connection between streaming content and the extraordinary experiences lived inside theme parks. So for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind! the company has gone all out: the ride covers more than 18,000sqm, its main show building is longer than an American football field, and the coaster itself is the longest fully enclosed coaster in any Disney theme park and one of the longest enclosed coasters in the world.
Arriving at the new attraction, the first thing guests see outside the Wonders of Xandar pavilion is a Starblaster starship, resting in a docking stand: it’s the first full-size version of this Xandarian ship ever built. The queue goes through the Galaxarium, a sweeping planetarium-style space showcasing planets, stars and other intergalactic wonders while the Xandarian supercomputer Worldmind provides narration and gives context to the stunning visuals, and then through the Xandar Gallery, where guests learn more about the Xandarian people, culture and history, including the heroes of Xandar, and watch excerpts from “Good Morning Xandar,” where a host interviews the Guardians of the Galaxy about their heroic deeds.
For the pre-show, guests are…
Continue reading Games & Parks Industry June 2022, page 30
Photos Courtesy: © Disney
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