Three minutes into an intergalactic chase, with projections of teleportation portals that open and close, lights, explosions and villains, stars and planets that sometimes seem to be within reach, all set to music: this is the scene of the greatest fully enclosed roller coaster in the US, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which Disney opens this Friday (27), at Epcot park, in Orlando.
Installed in an 18,580 square meter structure and inspired by the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise, the attraction has a high-speed reverse launch (the initial start takes place backwards), a novelty in Disney parks, and is made up of vehicles with an omnicoaster system. —that is, the carts appear to float and can rotate 360 ​​degrees throughout the course.
The scenario recreates an adventure through time and space, with the characters of the film present, as if they were also on board.
The ride is packed with the great 1970s and 1980s soundtrack that helped the Marvel franchise gain fans around the world (“Guardians of the Galaxy” movies 1 and 2 together grossed over $1.6 billion; for To help with the comparison, the highest grossing film in history is “Avatar”, with just over US$ 2.8 billion grossed worldwide).
In Cosmic Rewind, six songs taken from the “Awesome Mix”, the famous cassette tape that accompanies the leader of the guardians, Peter Quill (played by Chris Pratt) during the two films, were adapted and set the adventure: “September” (Earth, Wind & Fire), “Disco Inferno” (The Trammps), “Conga” (Miami Sound Machine), “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” (Tears for Fears), “I Ran” (A Flock of Seagulls) and “One Way or Another” (Blondie).
The songs are played randomly each time, and are only known to the visitor when the trip begins.
Despite the speed and some unexpected turns, which make the visitor at various times stick his hands firmly on the “nave”, the route has a swing, is pleasant and smooth, with curves and harmonic movements, which match the soundtrack, which should please even the most fearful.
Special tip from the report: when it’s your turn, try to board the carts in row number 9 (pardon the mystery, but it’s worth avoiding the spoiler).
the queue
The new Cosmic Rewind is expected to be among the most popular attractions at Disney, which means that the visitor will have to face long queues to enjoy the ride. On the days when the report of the Sheet was in the parks, between May 2 and 6, the average waiting time for the most popular attractions was 62 minutes.
But, as with all attractions in the complex, the visitor of the new roller coaster begins to enjoy the experience already in line. Right in the first room, right before boarding, the ceiling shows a high resolution oval screen with images of stars, planets and elements that explain Earth’s connection with the planet of Xandar, where the story unfolds in both films.
Moving on, still in line, visitors go through an exhibition with models and models of ships and uniforms. On one screen, the film’s heroes are interviewed and tell about their achievements.
The wait ends at the so-called Phase Chamber, where visitors are greeted by a projection of Glenn Close, who relives his role as Nova Prime Irani Rael, the leader of Xandar, and dive into the game once and for all, with a fictional teleportation by through a huge, lit, noisy cosmic generator.
And, for those who still can’t stand the idea of ​​being in a queue for a long time, Disney offers three quick queue options.
For fans of Guardians, there will also be, just outside the roller coaster, a store with various themed products, such as the replica of Quill’s famous red leather jacket, t-shirts, caps, bags and other accessories.
Additionally, a full-size Starblaster craft will be on display right in front of the attraction.
The launch of the new attraction is part of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Disney in Orlando, and also marks the process of modernization that Epcot is going through, the only park in the Disney complex that still did not have a roller coaster to call its own. .
Epcot is Spaceship Earth’s park (that globe in the shape of a golf ball), and is known for its themed pavilions dedicated to countries: France, Germany, Mexico, Japan, Italy, among others.
With the new Guardians area, the park gains its first pavilion dedicated to another world, the Wonders of Xandar pavilion.
