Walt Disney World’s hottest new attraction is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT. It’s additionally probably the most troublesome resulting from no standby line. On this trip information, we’ll reply questions concerning the digital queue, boarding teams, and FAQ concerning the Marvel blockbuster. (Up to date September 29, 2024.)
A complete ‘tips on how to’ information for a single trip may appear extreme. In spite of everything, isn’t it only a matter of “lining up, ready, and sitting down”?! Sadly, it’s not. As a substitute, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind makes use of protocol and procedures that debuted a couple of years in the past for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and had been additional fine-tuned with the debut of Remy’s Ratatouille Journey.
All of this has been complicated even for longtime Walt Disney World followers, so our aim right here is that will help you keep away from related frustrations. In the event you merely present as much as EPCOT at park opening and suppose you’re going to have the ability to trip Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, you’re in for colossal disappointment. On the contrary, you’re virtually assured you gained’t be driving when you “solely” present up on the official opening time. Therefore this trip information and FAQ, so you’ll be able to plan accordingly, beat the crowds, and have an extremely environment friendly day in EPCOT…
Earlier than we dig in, one ultimate notice: Walt Disney World tinkers with digital queues commonly. If previous precedent is any indication, the Cosmic Rewind digital queue course of will “evolve” and can find yourself differing–or not current in any respect–inside the coming months.
In actual fact, precisely that has already occurred. Right here’s our on-the-ground report of how issues have modified, based mostly on our firsthand expertise getting into the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue dozens of occasions for the reason that trip debuted…
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has now been open for over two years at EPCOT, and there’s no finish in sight to the digital queue. It’s now the Walt Disney World attraction to have a digital queue for the longest period of time, surpassing even Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
Though the 7 am digital queue usually nonetheless fills up inside seconds or minutes, it’s frequent for the 1 pm digital queue to stay open for hours. This actually depends upon the day, however on dates which have had average crowd and attendance ranges, we’ve seen the afternoon digital queue stay open at 5 pm–generally even later.
Once more, that is very a lot demand-dependent. Throughout peak vacation dates or college breaks, it’s extra frequent for Cosmic Rewind to expire of digital queue area rapidly. On these busier days, you’ll be able to count on each the 7 am and 1 pm digital queues to replenish inside seconds. Nevertheless, availability shouldn’t be instantly gone on many dates.
It helps that Cosmic Rewind is a dependable trip with comparatively excessive capability and minimal downtime (by the requirements of a brand new attraction). Given all of this stuff, then why does Cosmic Rewind nonetheless have a digital queue?
Actually, we’ve no clue. We’ve been anticipating the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue to be retired for some time. We first wrote concerning the declining demand for it inside months of the trip opening, and predicted it might be retired by the beginning of the low season. That was two years in the past. When that ended up being unsuitable, we moved that prediction to mid-January…then shortly earlier than TRON Lightcycle Run’s opening. This was over a 12 months in the past.
Walt Disney World has sometimes retired digital queues both when demand for them dropped or the trip in query resolved its reliability points. On that foundation, TRON Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom retired its digital queue in Fall 2024, regardless of opening round a 12 months later than Cosmic Rewind. Now, the one different attraction at Walt Disney World that makes use of a digital queue is Tiana’s Bayou Journey–and it has one resulting from downtime woes.
Cosmic Rewind is a little bit of a distinct beast since there may be much less bodily queue area, however Disney put in overflow switchback queue outdoors (full with umbrellas!) final summer time, presumably for a standby line. It’s simply been sitting there since. Once more, that was over a 12 months in the past.
A pair months after the queue went up, benches had been inexplicably added contained in the queue (it amusingly regarded a bit like low-securiy “Disney Jail”). We additionally heard rumblings that Cosmic Rewind didn’t find yourself utilizing the out of doors overflow queue as a result of it was too slender for ECVs and wheelchairs and would have to be redone. However this was additionally over a 12 months in the past. That’s an terrible very long time to redo some stanchions and umbrellas!
Most just lately, it appeared just like the optimum timing for retiring the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue was when Take a look at Observe went down for reimagining for a 12 months (it’s set to reopen in mid-2025). In spite of everything, having the standby line to absorb friends–and one other attraction open for Early Entry to offset the loss–could possibly be advantageous. No cube. Cosmic Rewind nonetheless has a digital queue.
In the event you’re in search of a prediction as to when the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue can be retired, we don’t know what to inform you. Our greatest guess was two years in the past, and our next-best prediction was over a 12 months in the past. There’s actually no rhyme nor purpose as to why it nonetheless exists. The digital queue will go away, ultimately, nevertheless it’s simply going to…occur. It gained’t be predictable. Could possibly be tomorrow, could possibly be in January 2026.
We’ve resolved ourselves to the Cosmic Rewind digital queue one way or the other nonetheless current when Megatron is tall sufficient to trip. Each time it looks like it’s about to occur, the plans are deserted for no matter purpose. (Past the whole lot mentioned above, we acquired a survey with main questions that, I believe, was despatched to strengthen the preordained conclusion that friends need the Cosmic Rewind digital queue.)
If you need the entire newest updates on the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue–or notification when the trip’s standby line is introduced–subscribe to our free Walt Disney World electronic mail e-newsletter. We additionally share different information and on-the-ground experiences from the parks, when reductions are launched, and rather more.
With that in thoughts, right here’s what you must learn about driving Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT…
The way to Enter the Cosmic Rewind Digital Queue
What’s the digital queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind?
The digital queue is the only system for accessing Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
Relatively than a standby line, you be a part of this digital line by way of the My Disney Expertise (MDX) app and are notified when it’s your flip to trip. The method requires a couple of clicks in-app, nevertheless it’s fairly intuitive.
What are boarding teams for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind?
Boarding teams are the technique of organizing friends into teams when it’s their flip to trip.
For instance, quite than having a set 3-4 pm return time, you is likely to be in boarding group 55. Your return time shouldn’t be specified upfront, however quite, based mostly upon how rapidly the attraction cycles the friends via who’re in entrance of you within the digital queue. (Plus what number of or few occasions it breaks down.)
When can we enter the digital queue?
One new constructive change Disney has made since reopening is a number of ‘drop occasions’ for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue boarding passes.
You’ll be able to be a part of the Cosmic Rewind digital queue at 7 am or 1 pm by way of the My Disney Expertise app. There’s additionally a 6 pm digital queue entry time for eligible friends on days with Prolonged Night Hours at EPCOT.
What’s the course of like for becoming a member of the digital queue?
The steps are similar to previous digital queues and just like the Lightning Lane choice processes, when you’ve accomplished both of these.
Right here’s a fast run-through:
Begin by hitting the hamburger button on the decrease proper nook of the My Disney Expertise app.
From there, choose the “Digital Queues” tile.
Then “Be a part of Digital Queue.”
There’s a shortcut from the house display on My Disney Expertise when you simply scroll down somewhat bit. Generally the entire tiles take a bit to load on right here after you first open the app. (It seems above your PhotoPass pictures.)
You’ll have the choice of confirming your social gathering beginning at 6 am, or an hour earlier than the digital queue opens.
Click on the blue button to substantiate your social gathering, making certain that everybody visiting with you is chosen for the digital queue. As long as tickets are correctly linked, this course of ought to be clean crusing and self-explanatory.
When you affirm your social gathering, you’ll see the above display till 7 am.
Use the “quick finger” technique beneath to get the timing proper, after which both hit the refresh button or pull right down to refresh at 7 am on the dot. You’ll then see the “Be a part of Queue” button. Faucet that and also you’re accomplished!
This reveals your estimate ready time, which can be a number of hours into the longer term (and never essentially correct) at 7 am since EPCOT isn’t even open but.
As soon as the park is open, this similar display will present you which ones boarding teams have been referred to as plus a extra correct estimate wait time. Even then, return occasions can fluctuate based mostly on downtime and different elements.
As soon as it’s your flip to hitch the bodily queue, you’ll obtain a notification (when you’ve allowed the My Disney Expertise app to ship notifications). You can too see your digital queue standing in direction of the highest of your My Disney Expertise dwelling display, in addition to on the digital queue web page itself.
With that mentioned, there’s no substitute for seeing for your self. Whereas it gained’t allow you to full the method, you’ll be able to undergo the primary a number of steps of becoming a member of the digital queue from dwelling. Be on the MDX app some morning proper at 7 am and undergo the motions. It’s good observe for the true factor!
Subsequent, we’ll cowl some strategies to enhance your pace and improve your probabilities of success on the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue!
Digital Queue Velocity Technique
Disney WiFi v. Mobile Information?
It actually depends upon your provider and the place you’re situated within the park/resort/and so forth.
We’d advocate doing a fast pace check with each a couple of minutes earlier than it’s time to hitch the digital queue. Something at or above 50 Mbps ought to be ample, however the increased the higher. If needed, transfer round to get away from different individuals or improve your pace to that threshold.
Are there any methods to enhance pace?
Clearly, there’s solely a lot that’s inside your management in terms of your web pace at Walt Disney World. With that mentioned, two large issues are getting away from congested areas and out from beneath issues. Some lower-level Walt Disney World lodge rooms have points, so for the 7 am entry time, you would possibly wish to go outdoors, to the foyer, the balcony, an exterior walkway, and so forth.
Relating to the 1 pm entry time, keep away from congested areas of the parks. If in any respect potential, try to hitch whereas not standing in line for anything, as some queues have ‘lifeless zones’ with out WiFi or mobile service. (Soarin’ and Rise of the Resistance are infamous for this, however you might need weak/no sign at different points of interest, too.)
How ought to we put together for becoming a member of the digital queue?
This would possibly sound like overkill, however milliseconds matter.
Be certain that your telephone is totally up to date and drive shut all apps, together with My Disney Expertise shortly earlier than it’s time to hitch the digital queue. Double-check the time in your telephone or watch towards time.gov, which is what Disney makes use of for opening the digital queue.
What’s the most effective strategic method for becoming a member of a boarding group? Ought to one particular person attempt for everybody, ought to we every attempt individually, or what?
Don’t attempt individually–you gained’t be in the identical boarding teams, which means you gained’t trip collectively.
We advocate everybody attempt for everybody in your social gathering. Launch the MDX app about 10 seconds earlier than the official digital queue entry time and hit the “Be a part of Boarding Group” button. If that doesn’t work, force-refreshing by flattening “onerous.”
Everybody in your social gathering who has legitimate admission for EPCOT ought to already be pre-selected. The particular person in your social gathering with the quickest fingers will rating the boarding group, whereas everybody else will obtain a “Not So Quick/Already in Boarding Group” message. Simply make certain that anybody in your social gathering who tries for boarding passes makes an attempt so as to add everybody.
Once more, it’s good to do a observe run or two at dwelling so that you’re comfy with the method within the My Disney Expertise app so that you don’t get flustered and mess up. We’ve heard horror tales of readers clicking via too rapidly and forgetting so as to add one among their members of the family. Don’t freak out if that occurs–go to the Visitor Expertise Staff Forged Members stationed on the blue umbrellas.
What if not everybody in my social gathering is pre-selected?
In the course of the technique of becoming a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue, everybody in your social gathering who has admission for EPCOT and/or has tapped into the park (as relevant) ought to already be pre-selected. Nevertheless, you will have the choice to hit “Change Social gathering” earlier than tapping the “Be a part of Digital Queue” button.
Our sturdy recommendation shouldn’t be mess with this–don’t even verify whether or not they’re or will not be in your social gathering–merely to click on “Be a part of Digital Queue” as quick as potential. Pausing for even a second to evaluate this display can doom your probabilities of success. If, for some purpose, somebody in your social gathering was not chosen, see a Forged Member on the Visitor Expertise Staff stands (search for the blue umbrella) within the park. Including one particular person to an current boarding group is an issue they’ll repair. Nobody in your social gathering getting boarding teams since you hesitated or didn’t be a part of resulting from an error is not an issue they’ll repair.
As soon as notified that “your group has been referred to as!” how lengthy do we’ve to return to Cosmic Rewind?
You’re anticipated to return inside 1 hour of being referred to as.
Can we have to be within the park for the 1 pm digital queue opening?
No. Nevertheless, everybody in your social gathering does must enter EPCOT sooner or later earlier than 1 pm with the intention to “unlock” entry to the digital queue at 1 pm. Which means you would arrive for park opening, take the Skyliner again to your lodge for lunch and a pool break, and check out once more at 1 pm.
It’s not geofenced or based mostly upon proximity—this performance unlocks within the My Disney Expertise app for every visitor after they’ve bodily tapped into the park’s faucet/turnstiles. You’ll be able to depart after tapping in and nonetheless be a part of through the afternoon entry time out of your lodge room or wherever.
You may actually be inside EPCOT or in Eugene, Oregon. The system solely validates whether or not you’ve tapped into EPCOT, not your present location. It could really be advantageous to depart EPCOT noon, as that’s when crowds and wait occasions are worst.
Widespread Cosmic Rewind Trip & VQ Questions
Is there some other method to trip Cosmic Rewind?
Sure.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind makes use of a digital queue and in addition provides paid Lightning Lane Single Move (LLSP) entry, which prices $14 to $18 per trip (relying upon anticipated crowds). Cosmic Rewind typically completely sells out upfront, with restricted availability as many as 8 days upfront beneath the brand new pre-arrival trip reservation system.
On the whole, we’re not followers of paying further for LLSPs, however Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind could possibly be an exception to that basic rule. Our up to date Lightning Lane Single Move Information & Suggestions submit has extra information about this paid line-skipping choice.
Which is simpler, the digital queue or shopping for a Lightning Lane Single Move?
That depends upon whether or not you’re staying on-site or off-site.
In the event you’re on-site, shopping for an Lightning Lane can be simpler, since you are able to do that beginning 7 days upfront of your trip. In the event you’re off-site, the digital queue can be simpler, since you can’t buy Lightning Lane Single Passes till 3 days forward of time. Up to now, there was some Cosmic Rewind availability each single day on the 3-day mark, nevertheless it stays to be seen what occurs throughout peak season.
Is it potential to attain a spot within the digital queue and buy a Lightning Lane Single Move for Cosmic Rewind?
There’s nothing that stops–which means that there’s no coverage stopping you from double-dipping that approach.
In actual fact, that is now simpler than earlier than with the Lightning Lane Single Move pre-arrival reserving. It was the case that each the digital queue and LL purchases each began at 7 am, same-day. The digital queue remains to be at the moment, however LLSP might be purchased forward of time.
Can we get multiple boarding go per day?
Not throughout common park hours–you can’t be a part of each the 7 am and 1 pm digital queue.
Nevertheless, on nights when EPCOT hosts Prolonged Night Hours, there’s a 3rd digital queue entry time at 6 pm. You’ll be able to be a part of at one of many earlier occasions and once more at 6 pm for the bonus hours after regular park closing time.
What occurs if we’ve an Advance Eating Reservation that conflicts with our return time?
Ideally, it is best to see a Forged Member on the Visitor Expertise Staff stands (search for the blue umbrella) situated all through the park. They will help with scheduling conflicts.
Failing that, see a Forged Member on the attraction entrance–they’re sometimes fairly versatile.
What time does Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind run out of boarding passes?
There is no such thing as a set time, however normally by 7:00:05 am and a pair of pm every day throughout a lot of the 12 months.
Nevertheless, on some slower days, there’s availability within the afternoon digital queue till 3 pm or later.
Does everybody need to be current to hitch or can we ship one ‘runner’ to the park?
For the 7 am entry, the one requirement is legitimate admission and a park reservation in case your ticket kind requires them. Since EPCOT isn’t open at that hour, getting into the park isn’t even potential for that.
For the 1 pm entry, everybody in your social gathering should faucet into EPCOT earlier than they’re eligible to hitch the VQ.
What if we’re all close to the park?
Nope.
It’s not based mostly upon proximity–this performance solely unlocks within the My Disney Expertise app when you bodily faucet into the park’s faucet/turnstiles. It’s price noting that you simply can depart after tapping in and nonetheless be a part of through the afternoon entry time out of your lodge room or wherever. The system solely validates whether or not you’ve tapped in, not your present location.
Can we depart the park as soon as becoming a member of the queue?
Sure. You may return to your resort and take a nap, eat lunch, and so forth.
How do we all know after we can return?
In case your telephone has push notifications for My Disney Expertise enabled, you’ll obtain an alert that your boarding group has been referred to as.
Failing that, the “My Standing” display on the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind display shows the identical info.
Does Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind accommodate Incapacity Entry Service (DAS) card?
Sure, however that is nonetheless actually first come, first served.
Meaning everybody should be a part of the digital queue first, which implies arriving and going via that identical to everybody else. To make the most of DAS, go to the Lightning Lane return line as soon as your boarding group known as.
What about Rider Swap?
Yep, similar course of as above.
How lengthy is the common wait as soon as within the bodily line?
Assuming nothing breaks down and the attraction didn’t simply return from being down, round 20-40 minutes.
Boarding teams are pretty small in dimension, so when you get fortunate and return on the “proper” time, a lot of the queue can be empty and also you’ll virtually stroll on the attraction. Time it poorly and issues can again up fairly a bit, and also you is likely to be in a line that’s nearer to an hour lengthy. We’ve been in line when the trip breaks down and ended up having to attend over 2 hours.
Ought to we purchase Park Hopper tickets?
In the event you’ve learn our Cash-Saving Walt Disney World Ticket Information, you recognize that we sometimes advocate Park Hopper tickets. They assist you to bounce round, which is strategically advantageous.
Morning at EPCOT and night at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of the best ways to expertise each parks if you wish to get pleasure from decrease crowds and shorter wait occasions. This isn’t simply private choice–it’s strategically superior given regular working hours and the truth that Fantasmic nonetheless has not returned. (EPCOT does have a nighttime spectacular–the comparatively new Luminous–that’s price seeing a kind of nights.)
For that reason, we extremely advocate buying Park Hopper tickets proper now. Examine what to anticipate and why in our Information to Park Hopping at Walt Disney World.
Which days of the week are finest for visiting EPCOT?
Our regular recommendation is to keep away from EPCOT on weekends, however that has nothing to do with higher success on the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue. Relatively, it’s as a result of locals descend on World Showcase to drink and snack across the lagoon on weekends, grazing and imbibing from the meals cubicles.
With that mentioned, we’d additionally keep away from EPCOT on weekends if you wish to enhance your odds of success with the digital queue. It’s because locals usually tend to be expert and skilled at doing digital queues, making them more durable “competitors” than the common first-timer or rare vacationer. It’s like taking part in towards the Los Angeles Dodgers as an alternative of somewhat league group. (Not that your loved ones ought to go round trouncing youngsters at baseball, however you get the thought!)
What time can off-site friends enter EPCOT?
On the formally revealed park opening time–so 8:30 am for many dates within the subsequent couple of months.
Does arriving to EPCOT for park opening matter?
Not for the Cosmic Rewind digital queue.
It’s at all times good observe to point out up early, as that’s when regular points of interest (those with standby traces) may have their shortest wait occasions of the day.
Is it secure to depend on Walt Disney World transportation for attending to EPCOT in time for park opening?
Sure.
In the event you’re staying at one of many Crescent Lake resorts, it’s best simply to stroll to EPCOT. For different resorts, the buses and Skyliner are additionally as soon as once more dependable for arriving at park opening. Nonetheless, friends who keep at BoardWalk, Yacht & Seashore Membership, and Swan & Dolphin ought to stroll quite than utilizing boats. Strolling is way and away the quickest and finest method to arrive within the morning.
Ought to we simply wait to do Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind till our 2024 Walt Disney World journey?
Though the digital queue creates winners and losers, when you’ve already learn the three,000+ phrases above, you’re more likely to be one of many winners. You might be much better positioned than 95% of different friends–lots of whom arrive with out realizing what a digital queue even is or when it’s supplied–and are extra doubtless to reach scoring a boarding group. With a digital queue, your wait time can be considerably shorter than when you simply wait till the digital queue is changed with a standby line.
You’ve already realized what to do and tips on how to do it–now put that information to make use of!
Is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind price leaping via all of those hoops?
Once more, when you expertise the digital queue in particular person, it’s actually not that troublesome.
Furthermore, as we write in our spoiler-free Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Trip Evaluation, that is one among Walt Disney World’s most enjoyable points of interest. It’s completely well worth the effort.
When will this all die down?
By no means? Possibly when your youngsters have youngsters?
Flight of Passage is simply as standard at present because it was when it debuted a number of years in the past. Ditto Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Marvel is a equally standard property and that is an addition to EPCOT, a park that’s perpetually starved of rides. Whereas it’s doubtless that the digital queue will final lower than a 12 months, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind may have lengthy wait occasions and require efficient technique for years to return.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study lodges on our Walt Disney World Inns Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a novel take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for the whole lot you must know!
Your Ideas
Do you will have any questions this FAQ didn’t reply? In the event you’ve accomplished Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, do you suppose there’s anything first-timers ought to know? Do you agree or disagree with any of our recommendation or solutions? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
