The new ride has opened as part of Walt Disney World Florida’s 50th anniversary celebrations. Tracey Davies reports
Welcome to your life, there’s no turning back…” croon Tears For Fears when – whoosh – I’m catapulted backwards into the galaxy at high speed with Star-Lord, Rocket, Gamora and Groot in tow on a mission to save the world. It’s safe to say the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride, which opened on May 27 in Florida’s Walt Disney World Resort, is a true baptism of stardust.
Usually, I’m a big old scaredy-cat when it comes to rollercoasters, but I was lucky enough to have a preview of Disney’s new reverse-launch omni-coaster, which has launched during the park’s epic 18 month-long 50th birthday celebrations, and I wasn’t going to miss the chance to test it out.
Epcot’s first rollercoaster
What I love about modern rides is that there’s always a story. In this instance, the cosmic generator gets stolen and the Guardians call on us Earthlings to help save the world, resulting in a high-octane chase through space for nearly four minutes.
Because Cosmic Rewind is the first rollercoaster at Epcot, and it’s in Wonders of Xandar, Epcot’s first “other-world” pavilion, the story has to make sense, says Evan Miga, Disney Imagineer and the art director on Guardian’s of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. “The experience begins in the Galaxarium, a kind of planetarium that shows the differences and similarities between Andromeda and the Milky Way.”
The cosmic generator gets stolen and the Guardians call on us Earthlings to help save the world, resulting in a high-octane chase through space
“In the queue, you get to learn about the Nova Corps and the Guardians. Then you enter the Nova Corps vessel that’s hovering above Terra (Earth) where we meet Nova Prime, played by Glenn Close, and Tal Marik, AKA Terry Crews, before being led onto the escape pods for the ride of your life.” Cosmic Rewind is just part of Epcot’s transformation. Opened in 1982, Epcot – Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow – was Walt Disney’s concept of a future city and had the reputation of being the “educational” park. But the arrival of Cosmic Rewind is proof that Epcot is a firm rival to the more ride-focused parks such as Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.
Other highlights include Soarin’, a flight motion simulator that takes riders around the world, and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, a 4D ride that opened in October 2021 in the newly expanded France pavilion, which sees Chef Remy on a “daring culinary caper” around Gusteau’s restaurant.
New food at the park
From Mickey Rice Crispie Treats to Dole Whip, one of the highlights of any trip to Walt Disney World is the food. To celebrate the 50th anniversary, the resort has brought back some classic Disney dishes. Meg Franz, the food and beverage manager for Magic Kingdom, takes me through some of the 150 new treats developed for the 50th celebrations, including the Squid’s Revenge cocktail, Happy Haunts milkshake and the Toad Burger.
Pop over to Casey’s Corner and grab a 50th Celebration Hot Dog, which has funnel cake batter bits and strawberry jam drizzle
My favourite is the Monte Cristo, a turkey, bacon and cheese sandwich dipped in batter, fried, doused in icing sugar and served with strawberry jam, from The Plaza restaurant on Main Street.
“It was on the menu at Town Square restaurant when the park opened in 1971, so we just had to bring it back for the 50th,” says Franz. “Top tip, if you can’t get a reservation for The Plaza, pop over to Casey’s Corner and grab a 50th Celebration Hot Dog, which has funnel cake batter bits and strawberry jam drizzle.”
Celebration merchandise
I got my first glimpse of the mouse himself at the launch when I was granted an audience with Mickey and Minnie in their smart new threads. Mr Mouse looked dashing in his dapper gold shoes and EARidescent three-piece suit in purple, indigo and turquoise embroidered with Cinderella’s Castle. Minnie dazzled in a matching dress.
Naturally, dressing up in Mickey-branded gear is par for the course when visiting Walt Disney World (I still have a pair of personalised Mickey Mouse ears from the 90s).
Mr Mouse looked dashing in his dapper gold shoes and EARidescent three-piece suit in purple, indigo and turquoise embroidered with Cinderella’s Castle
If you haven’t packed your ears then there are many opportunities to buy them, including several new designs embroidered with ‘Walt Disney World 50’. I was taken with the Vault Collection, which has brought back some excellent retro designs from the past 50 years – in particular, the Pennant denim vest and Pennant cardigan, which have an American varsity vibe. There’s also a Disney X Coach collaboration with Disney-branded handbags and purses that are sure to be collectors’ items.
50th anniversary celebration fireworks
Of course, you can’t come to Disney World and not see the epic fireworks displays. New for the 50th is Harmonious at Epcot’s World Showcase Lagoon. One of Disney’s largest ever night-time spectaculars, the 20-minute show weaves together the music of Disney classics such as Aladdin, The Lion King and The Princess and the Frog, plus newer film scores from Coco and Moana, all with magnificent fireworks, moving fountains and a laser show. Even Magic Kingdom’s Festival of Fantasy parade has had an upgrade. And as Mickey and his larger-than-life crew dance down Main Street, the consensus is, age really is just a number in the Most Magical Place on Earth.
Cirque du Soleil at Disney Springs
As part of the 50th celebrations, Cirque du Soleil has collaborated with Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios to bring its new show, Drawn to Life, to Disney Springs. The 90-minute spectacular pays homage to Disney’s most-famous animations, including Baloo from The Jungle Book and Genie from Aladdin. It tells the story of a young girl named Julie, who, grieving the loss of her animator father, discovers a magical adventure with incredible acrobatic stunts, including a crew of unicycling fairies from Pinocchio. It’s an ideal family night out after a day at the parks. Ticket prices start from $80 for adults and $60 for children.
Book it
Walt Disney Travel Company offers seven nights at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort in Florida from £1,255, including flights with Virgin Atlantic departing on January 16, 2023.
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PICTURES: Kent Phillips; Matt Beard; Disney