Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Disney World has become my ultimate favorite theme park ride.

I've had a passion for roller coasters since childhood, often pleading with ride operators at Magic Springs in Arkansas to let me ride The Gauntlet over and over every summer. So, it takes something truly extraordinary for a ride to earn a spot on my all-time favorite coaster list.

Disney World's latest attraction, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, captured my heart before I even boarded the ride, and I can assert it's my new favorite at any theme park I've ever explored.

Epcot's first-ever roller coaster is set to officially launch on May 27, but I got the chance to experience it during a recent media preview hosted by Disney. It's genuinely tough to express just how much I loved every single aspect of the attraction. From the entrance to the queue design, the pre-show, the storyline, the soundtrack, and the ride itself — every element exceeded my high expectations (and trust me, my Marvel-loving heart was expecting a lot!).

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(Image by Kent Phillips/Disney)

As we approach the opening of this ride for Disney's 50th anniversary celebration, anyone planning a visit to the Most Magical Place on Earth is likely wondering if this coaster should be at the top of their must-see list. Here’s why Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has quickly become my favorite roller coaster and is a must-experience at Disney World.

It's an absolute blast — seriously, even the wait is enjoyable!

These days, "immersive" seems to be the buzzword that every theme park attraction loves to use, especially with Disney and Universal competing fiercely to create experiences that whisk you away to other realms — from Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Personally, I think the term has lost some of its impact.

However, when I say that Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind genuinely delivers an immersive experience, I truly mean it. The queue, the pre-ride atmosphere, and the coaster itself all transport you into the cosmos alongside the Nova Corps and the Guardians. Plus, it’s just an incredibly fun ride.

(Image by Madison Blancaflor/Dinogo)

To start, you'll meander through the climate-controlled (a crucial feature for those braving the hot Florida summers) Galaxarium, where you'll discover the connections between Xandar and Earth. This entire experience consistently emphasizes the theme that we are more similar than we realize — a core principle of Epcot as a whole.

Entrance queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. (Image by Madison Blancaflor/Dinogo)

As you approach the boarding area, you’ll walk through the Xandar Gallery, where you’ll uncover more about Xandar and spot a few familiar faces from your favorite "Guardians" characters. These displays are incredibly enjoyable and will help make those long waits much more fun.

As soon as you enter the pre-ride experience, the excitement kicks into high gear. I won't spoil all the surprises, but it genuinely feels like you’ve stepped aboard a Nova Corps vessel. If you’ve dined at Space 220, you’ll recognize some similar tech infused with a vibrant touch of "Guardians" flair. Plus, there are cameos that I absolutely loved, along with some delightful "OMG" moments throughout the pre-show.

For Marvel and "Guardians of the Galaxy" enthusiasts, the queue and pre-ride experience are truly exceptional.

It skillfully combines excitement with an engaging storyline.

Cosmic Rewind marks Epcot's inaugural true roller coaster, but it transcends that label. Sure, you’ll find yourself screaming (and if you’re like me, laughing uncontrollably) as you race through space and time, but you’re also part of an exciting narrative tasked with saving the galaxy.

On the intensity scale, I’d rate it a three out of five. You’re flying through the darkness with plenty of twists and turns, but it doesn’t quite match the speed and flips of coasters like VelociCoaster at Universal Studios.

As a fan of intense thrill rides, I would have welcomed even more twists, turns, and a couple of barrel rolls. However, on those kinds of coasters, you often lose track of the storyline once the ride begins. (It's tough to pay attention to a plot or visual effects when your stomach is in your throat and you’re screaming louder than the speakers.)

Guardians provides a unique experience — thanks to the speakers in each Starjumper ride vehicle, the stunning visual effects, and the coaster’s design that allows you to see every scene, it strikes an ideal balance between genuine thrills and an engaging narrative.

I won’t reveal the plot, as discovering the story as you go is genuinely one of the highlights of the ride. But true to the spirit of "Guardians of the Galaxy," you’ll be on a mission to save the universe ... with a few laughs and unexpected chaos along the way.

For those curious about the best seating arrangements, an Imagineer shared a helpful tip: Rows five and six, positioned in the middle of the ride, provide the best view of the narrative.

I experienced the ride multiple times from the front, middle, and back, and the middle section is definitely where you’ll get the most out of the storyline. However, my favorite spot was the third row (front seat of the second car), which combined the thrill of being near the front with an excellent view of the show.

The soundtrack is phenomenal.

I can’t recall ever caring about the music on a roller coaster before, but Cosmic Rewind is truly a ride of "firsts." The soundtrack was simply incredible.

The soundtrack features six fantastic songs:

• "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire.
• "Disco Inferno" by the Trammps.
• "One Way or Another" by Blondie.
• "I Ran" by A Flock of Seagulls.
• "Conga" by Miami Sound Machine.
• "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears.

"Every time you ride to a different song, it genuinely feels like a new experience," said Daniel Joseph, principal special effects designer and illusion development lead at Walt Disney Imagineering, during an interview with TPG.

I had the chance to ride Cosmic Rewind six times throughout the day and night, hearing three different songs, and it definitely transforms the experience.

I found myself singing along to "One Way or Another," which added a chaotic yet upbeat energy to our mission as we zoomed through time and space. "I Ran" intensified the ride and its storyline. My absolute favorite was "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," which had me dancing in my seat the entire time — it infused the story with a whimsical feel (very much in line with the "Guardians" theme).

"It’s remarkable how the audio track, which underwent numerous iterations, alters the entire experience, including both the visual and sensory aspects," remarked Joseph.

The song selection is based on chance, but an Imagineer mentioned that the songs play in a loop, giving you an equal opportunity to hear all six. Personally, I’m hoping to experience all of them as I continue to ride after it opens to the public.

It’s size-inclusive.

Last but certainly not least, I must highlight that this roller coaster is size-inclusive.

As a plus-size traveler who adores roller coasters, I often find that these two aspects don’t mix well. Many coasters tend to cater only to slimmer theme park visitors. In fact, there are several roller coasters at Universal Orlando that I cannot ride at a size 18/20, even though I have no health issues that would prevent me from enjoying the experience.

Given that many newer coasters often have small seats, I was genuinely concerned about whether I’d be able to ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — or at least, whether I’d have to squeeze into an uncomfortable seat that could ruin my experience. However, my worries vanished the moment I sat down.

Each seat features its own individual lap bar, the seats are spacious and comfortable, and I had no trouble fitting in at all. I heard similar enthusiastic feedback about the ride cars from other plus-size Disney fans during the media preview event.

There’s also plenty of legroom, so taller riders who may be concerned about their legs being cramped in a small car can relax.

"We invested a lot of time using mock-ups to determine the best configuration," said Liz Diaz, senior ride development engineer at Walt Disney Imagineering. "It is very inclusive."

From my own experience, there’s hardly anything worse than the gut-wrenching feeling when you realize you can’t ride an attraction you’ve eagerly waited in line for. That’s why the emphasis on size inclusivity — taking into account various ages, body sizes, and heights — in the design of the seats makes Cosmic Rewind hold a special place in my heart.

A few considerations to keep in mind

When I say I had no complaints about the ride, I truly mean it. I enjoyed every moment of the experience — and with each ride, my affection for it grew even more. However, there are a few aspects of the ride that might not justify the wait or the virtual queue for you and your family.

There is a height requirement.

To start, you must be at least 42 inches tall, which means not all kids will be able to ride. While it’s a family-friendly attraction that isn’t overly intense and features fun twists (both figurative and literal) for kids and adults alike, if you're accompanied by younger children, be prepared for one of you to wait with them outside while the other enjoys the ride.

Motion sickness and light sensitivity

Another factor to keep in mind is motion sickness and sensitivity to flashing lights.

While the Starjumper seats provide a remarkably smooth ride, there is a lot of twisting and turning amidst screens and flashing lights. If you’re susceptible to motion sickness, it might be best to sit this one out.

Brooke McDonald, a fellow Disney enthusiast and TPG contributor, shared with me that she found Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind to induce more motion sickness than even Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, especially if you ride it multiple times like we did during the media preview. Tarah Chieffi, a family travel writer at TPG, also mentioned that she experienced a bit of motion sickness after her second ride of the day.

I don't usually experience motion sickness, and honestly, I could have ridden it nonstop all day if I had the chance. However, if rides like Remy's or Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter make you feel queasy, there’s a strong likelihood that this ride will, too.

Additionally, you’ll encounter flashing lights in various segments of the pre-ride experience as well as throughout the entire ride. If you have photosensitive epilepsy or are sensitive to bright, flashing lights, it's important to consider this before deciding to board.

Marvel enthusiasts will find this ride especially thrilling.

I’ll confess that a big part of my enjoyment of this ride stems from my deep connection to Marvel. I’ve seen nearly every Marvel Cinematic Universe film in theaters, many on opening night and several multiple times. I've also watched every Marvel TV series, including both the Netflix and newer Disney+ offerings, and I’ve read a considerable number of screenplays available online.

While I’m not suggesting that you need to have watched every Marvel film and show to appreciate this ride (I genuinely believe that even those unfamiliar with Marvel will have a fantastic time), it’s something to keep in mind when reflecting on my experience.

Final Thoughts

I can confidently say that this is my all-time favorite attraction across any theme park — no small claim, I assure you. Although it may not be the most exhilarating roller coaster I've ever experienced (that title still goes to VelociCoaster at Universal), I would still choose to ride Cosmic Rewind over it any day.

Next to the ride exit, there’s an adorable merchandise shop called Treasures of Xandar, filled with unique "Guardians of the Galaxy" collectibles — including baby Groot plush toys, a cassette crossbody bag, and Peter Quill's signature leather jacket. If only I had more space in my suitcase, I would have loved to take one of each home.

The attraction is scheduled to open to the public in Epcot's World Discovery on May 27. Similar to other recent Disney attractions, Cosmic Rewind will debut with a virtual queue system for boarding. Guests will also have the option to purchase an individual Lightning Lane. There will be no standby line available when the attraction first opens.

There is genuinely no other ride like Cosmic Rewind at Disney (or in any theme park), and this experience cements Epcot as a must-visit park for every Disney vacation I plan in the future. Until my next journey to Xandar, I'll be enjoying the ride's soundtrack on loop.