Walt Disney World’s hottest new attraction is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT. It’s additionally essentially the most tough as a consequence of no standby line. In this experience information, we’ll reply questions in regards to the digital queue, boarding teams, and FAQ in regards to the Marvel blockbuster. (Updated January 23, 2023.)
A complete ‘how to’ information for a single experience might sound extreme. After all, isn’t it only a matter of “lining up, waiting, and sitting down”?! Unfortunately, it’s not. Instead, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind makes use of protocol and procedures that debuted a number 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 Adventure.
All of this has been complicated even for longtime Walt Disney World followers, so our purpose right here is that can assist you keep away from comparable frustrations. If you merely present as much as EPCOT at park opening and suppose you’re going to have the ability to experience Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, you’re in for colossal disappointment. To the opposite, you’re virtually assured you gained’t be using when you “only” present up on the official opening time. Hence this experience information and FAQ, so you possibly can plan accordingly, beat the crowds, and have an extremely environment friendly day in EPCOT…
Before we dig in, one closing word: Walt Disney World tinkers with digital queues repeatedly. 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 reality, precisely that has already occurred. Here’s our on-the-ground report of how issues have modified, primarily based on our firsthand expertise getting into the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue over one dozen instances for the reason that experience debuted…
January 23, 2023 Virtual Queue Status Report
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has now been open for almost 9 months at EPCOT, and the digital queue goes surprisingly nicely. Above and beneath are a collection of screenshots taken beginning at 1 pm, exhibiting the development of boarding teams and wait time.
The most notable side of those screenshots? There’s availability lengthy after 1 pm!!! In the previous, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance stuffed up inside seconds of the digital queue opening. By distinction, Cosmic Rewind has availability minutes later, which means this isn’t a de facto lottery. Pretty a lot anybody can be part of who’s in EPCOT at or round 1 pm.
Although the 7 am digital queue usually nonetheless fills up inside seconds, it’s widespread for the 1 pm digital queue to stay open for hours. This actually will depend on the day, however on dates which have had average crowd and attendance ranges, we’ve seen the afternoon digital queue stay open nicely after 2 pm.
That time is essential as a result of it permits those that Park Hop to entry the afternoon digital queue. On a few low-crowd events, we had been capable of enter the Cosmic Rewind digital queue between 5 pm and 6 pm!
Again, that is very a lot demand-dependent. If you’re visiting throughout the Worst Week of Winter at Walt Disney World, this definitely is not going to be the case. To the opposite, on busier days, you possibly can anticipate each the 7 am and 1 pm digital queues to refill inside seconds. However, it bodes nicely that availability will not be instantly gone on many dates.
We knew Cosmic Rewind could be a dependable experience with comparatively excessive capability and minimal downtime (by the requirements of a brand new attraction), however we didn’t anticipate it to be this good. This is implausible information for anybody who has been wired about scoring a spot within the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue. Right now not less than, anybody who makes an try round 1 pm will be capable to acquire a boarding group. Even you probably have technical difficulties or sluggish fingers, that shouldn’t matter.
Interestingly, the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue continues regardless of the benefit of getting into many days. For perspective, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure reached an identical standing round this time final yr–and its digital queue was retired on January 10, as quickly because the low season began. That was regardless of that attraction opening within the fall, whereas Cosmic Rewind opened in the summertime.
On that foundation, we’ve been anticipating the Cosmic Rewind digital queue to finish for some time now. It hasn’t been wanted for a number of months, and Disney has beforehand retired digital queues shortly on that foundation. (Not that we’re complaining–not having to attend in an extended line is so good!) As such, it’s our expectation that the boarding group system is retired very quickly. In reality, we’re anticipating an announcement from Walt Disney World any day now.
With low season now right here, switching to standby within the coming weeks makes full sense. If that change isn’t made quickly, it’s probably that Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will hold its digital queue till shortly earlier than TRON Lightcycle Run opens on April 4, 2023. Previously, Walt Disney World has ended digital queues forward of the subsequent huge experience opening, in an try and keep away from having a number of digital queues.
If you need all the newest updates on the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue–or notification when the experience’s standby line is introduced–subscribe to our free Walt Disney World e mail e-newsletter. We additionally share different information and on-the-ground studies from the parks, when reductions are launched, and way more.
With that in thoughts, right here’s what you’ll want to find out about using Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT…
How to Enter the Cosmic Rewind Virtual Queue
What is the digital queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind?
The digital queue is the only real system for accessing Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
Rather than a standby line, you be part of this digital line by way of the My Disney Experience (MDX) app and are notified when it’s your flip to experience. The course of requires a number 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 experience.
For instance, somewhat than having a set 3-4 pm return time, you may be in boarding group 55. Your return time will not be specified upfront, however somewhat, primarily based upon how shortly the attraction cycles the friends via who’re in entrance of you within the digital queue. (Plus what number of or few instances it breaks down.)
When can we enter the digital queue?
One new constructive change Disney has made since reopening is a number of ‘drop times’ for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue boarding passes.
You can be part of the Cosmic Rewind digital queue at 7 am or 1 pm by way of the My Disney Experience app. There’s additionally a 6 pm digital queue entry time for eligible friends on days with Extended Evening Hours at EPCOT.
What is the method like for becoming a member of the digital queue?
The steps are equivalent to previous digital queues and much like the FastPass+ or Genie+ choice processes, when you’ve executed both of these.
Here’s a fast run-through:
Start by hitting the hamburger button on the decrease proper nook of the My Disney Experience app.
From there, choose the “Virtual Queues” tile.
Then “Join Virtual Queue.”
There’s a shortcut from the house display screen on My Disney Experience when you simply scroll down a bit of bit. Sometimes all the tiles take a bit to load on right here after you first open the app. (It seems above your PicturePass pictures.)
You’ll have the choice of confirming your celebration beginning at 6 am, or an hour earlier than the digital queue opens.
Click the blue button to verify your celebration, making certain that everybody visiting with you is chosen for the digital queue. So lengthy as tickets are correctly linked and everybody has a Disney Park Pass reservation for Epcot, this course of needs to be clean crusing and self-explanatory.
Once you affirm your celebration, you’ll see the above display screen till 7 am.
Use the “fast finger” technique beneath to get the timing proper, after which both hit the refresh button or pull all the way down to refresh at 7 am on the dot. You’ll then see the “Join Queue” button. Tap that and also you’re executed!
This reveals your estimate ready time, which will probably be a number of hours into the long run (and never essentially correct) at 7 am since EPCOT isn’t even open but.
Once the park is open, this similar display screen will present you which ones boarding teams have been known as plus a extra correct estimate wait time. Even then, return instances can fluctuate primarily based on downtime and different components.
Once it’s your flip to affix the bodily queue, you’ll obtain a notification (when you’ve allowed the My Disney Experience app to ship notifications). You may see your digital queue standing in direction of the highest of your My Disney Experience dwelling display screen, in addition to on the digital queue web page itself.
With that stated, there’s no substitute for seeing for your self. While it gained’t allow you to full the method, you possibly can 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 apply for the true factor!
Next, we’ll cowl some strategies to enhance your velocity and enhance your probabilities of success on the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue!
Virtual Queue Speed Strategy
Disney WiFi v. Cellular Data?
It actually will depend on your provider and the place you’re situated within the park/resort/and many others.
We’d suggest doing a fast velocity check with each a couple of minutes earlier than it’s time to affix the digital queue. Anything at or above 50 Mbps needs to be adequate, however the increased the higher. If needed, transfer round to get away from different individuals or enhance your velocity to that threshold.
Are there any methods to enhance velocity?
Obviously, there’s solely a lot that’s inside your management with regards to your web velocity at Walt Disney World. With that stated, two huge issues are getting away from congested areas and out from underneath issues. Some lower-level Walt Disney World lodge rooms have points, so for the 7 am entry time, you may wish to go outdoors, to the foyer, the balcony, an exterior walkway, and many others.
When it involves the 1 pm entry time, keep away from congested areas of the parks. If in any respect attainable, try to affix whereas not standing in line for the rest, as some queues have ‘dead 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 sights, too.)
How ought to we put together for becoming a member of the digital queue?
This may sound like overkill, however milliseconds matter.
Make certain your telephone is absolutely up to date and pressure shut all apps, together with My Disney Experience shortly earlier than it’s time to affix the digital queue. Double-check the time in your telephone or watch in opposition to time.gov, which is what Disney makes use of for opening the digital queue.
What’s the very best strategic strategy for becoming a member of a boarding group? Should one individual attempt for everybody, ought to we every attempt individually, or what?
Do not attempt individually–you gained’t be in the identical boarding teams, which means you gained’t experience collectively.
We suggest everybody attempt for everybody in your celebration. Launch the MDX app about 10 seconds earlier than the official digital queue entry time and hit the “Join Boarding Group” button. If that doesn’t work, force-refreshing by knocking down “hard.”
Everyone in your celebration who has a sound Disney Park Pass reservation for EPCOT ought to already be pre-selected. The individual in your celebration with the quickest fingers will rating the boarding group, whereas everybody else will obtain a “Not So Fast/Already in Boarding Group” message. Just make sure that anybody in your celebration who tries for boarding passes makes an attempt so as to add everybody.
Again, it’s good to do a apply run or two at dwelling so that you’re comfy with the method within the My Disney Experience app so that you don’t get flustered and mess up. We’ve heard horror tales of readers clicking via too shortly and forgetting so as to add one among their members of the family. Don’t freak out if that occurs–go to the Guest Experience Team Cast Members stationed on the blue umbrellas.
What if not everybody in my celebration is pre-selected?
During the method of becoming a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue, everybody in your celebration who has a Park Pass reservation for EPCOT and/or has tapped into the park (as relevant) ought to already be pre-selected. However, you could have the choice to hit “Change Party” earlier than tapping the “Join Virtual Queue” button.
Our sturdy recommendation will not be mess with this–don’t even examine whether or not they’re or should not in your celebration–merely to click on “Join Virtual Queue” as quick as attainable. Pausing for even a second to overview this display screen can doom your probabilities of success. If, for some purpose, somebody in your celebration was not chosen, see a Cast Member on the Guest Experience Team stands (search for the blue umbrella) within the park. Adding one individual to an current boarding group is an issue they will repair. No one in your celebration getting boarding teams since you hesitated or didn’t be part of as a consequence of an error is not an issue they will repair.
Once notified that “your group has been called!” how lengthy do we’ve got to return to Cosmic Rewind?
You’re anticipated to return inside 1 hour of being known as.
Do we have to be within the park for the 1 pm digital queue opening?
No. However, everybody in your celebration does must enter EPCOT in some unspecified time in the future earlier than 1 pm with a view to “unlock” entry to the digital queue at 1 pm. Meaning you possibly can 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 will not be geofenced or primarily based upon proximity—this performance unlocks within the My Disney Experience app for every visitor after they’ve bodily tapped into the park’s faucet/turnstiles. You can go away after tapping in and nonetheless be part of throughout 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 can really be advantageous to depart EPCOT noon, as that’s when crowds and wait instances are worst.
Anything else we will do pre-vacation to enhance probabilities of success?
As with each different theme park at Walt Disney World, you’ll want to start out by reserving a Park Pass reservation earlier than visiting EPCOT, often not less than a number of weeks upfront. Although attendance limits have elevated, Walt Disney World continues to be working beneath full capability as a consequence of staffing shortages.
With that stated, if/when that’s addressed and capability will increase additional (or pent-up demand dies down), park reservations may develop into extra of a formality with ample same-day availability for each park. (This will not be sometimes the case proper now, so the next recommendation solely applies if reserving Park Passes turns into simpler within the coming months.)
If you don’t thoughts monitoring the Disney Park Pass reservations calendar, think about reserving a number of days at EPCOT. Even when you’re solely going to do the park in the future, it’s savvy technique to ebook reservations for EPCOT in your Animal Kingdom day along with your devoted EPCOT day.
With the 7 am entry time, it’s attainable to try to attain Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind boarding passes from outdoors the park earlier than you begin your day. If you’re unsuccessful, you possibly can change your Disney Park Pass reservations day-of to Animal Kingdom topic to availability.
Keep in thoughts that this can be a dangerous strategy on busy days when reservations are filling up, however that has not been occurring as of early 2023. Nevertheless, control the Disney Park Pass availability calendar and change upfront if this appears prefer it’s turning into an possibility round your journey dates.
Common Cosmic Rewind Ride & VQ Questions
Is there another approach to experience Cosmic Rewind?
Yes.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will use a digital queue and likewise provide paid Individual Lightning Lane (ILL) entry. It’s probably the latter will promote out inside minutes–possibly even seconds–of seven am, supplanting Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance as the preferred Individual Lightning Lane in all of Walt Disney World.
In basic, we’re not followers of paying further for ILLs, however Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind may find yourself being an exception to that basic rule. Our up to date Individual Lightning Lane Info & Tips submit has extra data about this paid line-skipping possibility.
Which is simpler, the digital queue or shopping for an Individual Lightning Lane?
That will depend on whether or not you’re staying on-site or off-site.
If you’re on-site, shopping for an Individual Lightning Lane will probably be simpler, since you are able to do that beginning at 7 am. If you’re off-site, the digital queue will probably be simpler, since you can not buy Individual Lightning Lanes till park opening. They are lengthy passed by then.
Is it attainable to attain a spot within the digital queue and buy an Individual Lightning Lane for Cosmic Rewind?
There’s nothing that forestalls it except for how shortly each ebook up–which means that there’s no coverage stopping you from double-dipping that method. However, it may be a problem juggling each proper at 7:00:00 am–until you could have one individual in your celebration “assigned” to every.
Another various is doing the digital queue first, after which ready for a refill of the Individual Lightning Lane for Cosmic Rewind. See Ride Reservation Refill Rules at Walt Disney World for timing on when these sometimes happen.
Can we get multiple boarding cross per day?
Not throughout common park hours–you can not be part of each the 7 am and 1 pm digital queue.
However, on nights when EPCOT hosts Extended Evening Hours, there’s a 3rd digital queue entry time at 6 pm. You can be part of at one of many earlier instances and once more at 6 pm for the bonus hours after regular park closing time.
What occurs if we’ve got an Advance Dining Reservation that conflicts with our return time?
Ideally, it is best to see a Cast Member on the Guest Experience Team stands (search for the blue umbrella) situated all through the park. They can help with scheduling conflicts.
Failing that, see a Cast 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 not any set time, however anticipate it to happen by actually 7:00:05 am and 1:00:05 pm every day throughout a lot of the yr. That’s what occurred with Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
Going ahead, we anticipate this development will proceed with Cosmic Rewind.
Does everybody need to be current to affix or can we ship one ‘runner’ to the park?
For the 7 am entry, the one requirement is a sound Disney Park Pass reservation. Since EPCOT isn’t open at that hour, getting into the park isn’t even attainable for that.
For the 1 pm entry, everybody in your celebration should faucet into EPCOT earlier than they’re eligible to affix the VQ.
What if we’re all close to the park?
Nope.
It’s not primarily based upon proximity–this performance solely unlocks within the My Disney Experience app when you bodily faucet into the park’s faucet/turnstiles. It’s price noting that you simply can go away after tapping in and nonetheless be part of throughout 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 go away the park as soon as becoming a member of the queue?
Yes. You may return to your resort and take a nap, eat lunch, and many others.
How do we all know once we can return?
If your telephone has push notifications for My Disney Experience enabled, you’ll obtain an alert that your boarding group has been known as.
Failing that, the “My Status” display screen on the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind display screen shows the identical data.
Does Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind accommodate Disability Access Service (DAS) card?
Yes, however that is nonetheless really first come, first served.
That means everybody should be part of the digital queue first, which suggests arriving and going via that similar to everybody else. To reap the benefits of DAS, go to the Lightning Lane return line as soon as your boarding group known as.
What about Rider Switch?
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 “right” time, a lot of the queue will probably 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 may be in a line that’s nearer to an hour lengthy. We’ve been in line when the experience breaks down and ended up having to attend over 2 hours.
What time does EPCOT enable on-site friends to enter the park?
For the summer season, anticipate EPCOT to proceed transferring ahead its opening time to eight:30 am, which suggests Early Entry will start formally at 8:00 am. Unofficially, the park opens even earlier, and it’s attainable to do Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Frozen Ever After with brief waits when you’re arriving by way of International Gateway.
Our current Early Entry at EPCOT: Better Than Genie+ covers this in step-by-step element. This is nice technique to pair with efficiently scoring boarding teams for Cosmic Rewind.
Should we purchase Park Hopper tickets?
If you’ve learn our Money-Saving Walt Disney World Ticket Guide, you recognize that we sometimes suggest Park Hopper tickets. They help you bounce round, which is strategically advantageous.
For friends who actually wish to experience Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, we suggest reserving Park Pass reservations for not less than two days at EPCOT. As with the above day-of switcheroo above, you may think about reserving 2 days at EPCOT and 0 days at DHS—and plan on sticking with these reservations not less than one of many days.
Morning at EPCOT and night at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the easiest way to expertise each parks if you wish to get pleasure from decrease crowds and shorter wait instances. This isn’t simply private desire–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 Harmonious–that’s price seeing a kind of nights.)
For this purpose, we extremely suggest buying Park Hopper tickets proper now. Read about what to anticipate and why in our Guide 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. Rather, 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 stated, we’d additionally keep away from EPCOT on weekends if you wish to enhance your odds of success with the digital queue. This is as a result of locals usually tend to be expert and skilled at doing digital queues, making them more durable “competition” than the common first-timer or rare vacationer. It’s like enjoying in opposition to the Los Angeles Dodgers as a substitute of a bit of league crew. (Not that your loved ones ought to go round trouncing children at baseball, however you get the thought!)
What time can off-site friends enter EPCOT?
At the formally printed 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 apply to point out up early, as that’s when regular sights (those with standby traces) may have their shortest wait instances of the day.
Is it protected to depend on Walt Disney World transportation for attending to EPCOT in time for park opening?
Yes.
If 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. Still, friends who keep at BoardWalk, Yacht & Beach Club, and Swan & Dolphin ought to stroll somewhat than utilizing boats. Walking is way and away the quickest and finest approach to arrive within the morning.
Should we simply wait to do Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind till our 2023 Walt Disney World journey?
Although 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 are much better positioned than 95% of different friends–lots of whom arrive with out understanding what a digital queue even is or when it’s supplied–and are extra probably to reach scoring a boarding group. With a digital queue, your wait time will probably be considerably shorter than when you simply wait till 2023 or at any time when the digital queue is changed with a standby line.
You’ve already realized what to do and the best way to do it–now put that data to make use of!
Is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind price leaping via all of those hoops?
Again, when you expertise the digital queue in individual, it’s actually not that tough.
Moreover, as we write in our spoiler-free Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Ride Review, that is one among Walt Disney World’s most enjoyable sights. It’s completely definitely worth the effort.
When will this all die down?
Never? Maybe when your children have children?
Flight of Passage is simply as well-liked at the moment because it was when it debuted ~5 years in the past. Ditto Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ~3 years after its debut. Marvel is a equally well-liked property and that is an addition to EPCOT, a park that’s perpetually starved of rides. While it’s probably that the digital queue will final lower than a yr, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind may have lengthy wait instances and require efficient technique for years to come back.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To get monetary savings on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips 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 Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for every little thing you’ll want to know!
Your Thoughts
Do you could have any questions this FAQ didn’t reply? If you’ve executed Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, do you suppose there’s the rest first-timers ought to know? Do you agree or disagree with any of our recommendation or solutions? Any questions? Hearing your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!