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 journey information, we’ll reply questions concerning the digital queue, boarding teams, and FAQ concerning the Marvel blockbuster. (Up to date January 23, 2023.)
A complete ‘how one can’ information for a single journey might sound extreme. In spite of everything, isn’t it only a matter of “lining up, ready, and sitting down”?! Sadly, it isn’t. As a substitute, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind makes use of protocol and procedures that debuted just a few 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 can assist you keep away from comparable frustrations. If you happen to merely present as much as EPCOT at park opening and assume you’re going to have the ability to journey Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, you’re in for colossal disappointment. On the contrary, you’re virtually assured you gained’t be driving in the event you “solely” present up on the official opening time. Therefore this journey information and FAQ, so you possibly can plan accordingly, beat the crowds, and have an extremely environment friendly day in EPCOT…
Earlier than we dig in, one remaining word: 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–throughout the coming months.
In reality, precisely that has already occurred. Right 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 journey debuted…
January 23, 2023 Digital Queue Standing Report
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has now been open for almost 9 months at EPCOT, and the digital queue goes surprisingly properly. Above and under are a sequence of screenshots taken beginning at 1 pm, displaying the development of boarding teams and wait time.
Probably the most notable facet of those screenshots? There’s availability lengthy after 1 pm!!! Previously, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance crammed up inside seconds of the digital queue opening. Against this, Cosmic Rewind has availability minutes later, which means this isn’t a de facto lottery. Just about anybody can be part of who’s in EPCOT at or round 1 pm.
Though the 7 am digital queue usually nonetheless fills up inside seconds, it’s frequent for the 1 pm digital queue to stay open for hours. This actually will depend on the day, however on dates which have had reasonable crowd and attendance ranges, we’ve seen the afternoon digital queue stay open properly after 2 pm.
That point is vital 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 in a position to enter the Cosmic Rewind digital queue between 5 pm and 6 pm!
Once more, that is very a lot demand-dependent. If you happen to’re visiting throughout the Worst Week of Winter at Walt Disney World, this actually won’t be the case. On the contrary, on busier days, you possibly can count on each the 7 am and 1 pm digital queues to refill inside seconds. Nevertheless, it bodes properly that availability shouldn’t be instantly gone on many dates.
We knew Cosmic Rewind could be a dependable journey with comparatively excessive capability and minimal downtime (by the requirements of a brand new attraction), however we didn’t count on it to be this good. That is implausible information for anybody who has been wired about scoring a spot within the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue. Proper now not less than, anybody who makes an try round 1 pm will be capable of acquire a boarding group. Even when you have technical difficulties or sluggish fingers, that shouldn’t matter.
Curiously, the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue continues regardless of the benefit of getting into many days. For perspective, Remy’s Ratatouille Journey reached an analogous standing round this time final 12 months–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 preserve its digital queue till shortly earlier than TRON Lightcycle Run opens on April 4, 2023. Beforehand, Walt Disney World has ended digital queues forward of the subsequent massive journey opening, in an try and keep away from having a number of digital queues.
If you need the entire newest updates on the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue–or notification when the journey’s standby line is introduced–subscribe to our free Walt Disney World electronic mail publication. 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 that you must find out about driving Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT…
Methods 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 real system for accessing Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
Moderately than a standby line, you be part of this digital line by way of the My Disney Expertise (MDX) app and are notified when it’s your flip to journey. The method requires just a few clicks in-app, but it surely’s fairly intuitive.
What are boarding teams for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind?
Boarding teams are the technique of organizing company into teams when it’s their flip to journey.
For instance, quite than having a set 3-4 pm return time, you may be in boarding group 55. Your return time shouldn’t be specified upfront, however quite, primarily based upon how shortly the attraction cycles the company by way of 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 instances’ for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue boarding passes.
You may be 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 company 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 an identical to previous digital queues and much like the FastPass+ or Genie+ choice processes, in the event 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 part of Digital Queue.”
There’s a shortcut from the house display on My Disney Expertise in the event you simply scroll down somewhat bit. Typically the entire tiles take a bit to load on right here after you first open the app. (It seems above your PhotoPass photographs.)
You’ll have the choice of confirming your occasion beginning at 6 am, or an hour earlier than the digital queue opens.
Click on the blue button to substantiate your occasion, guaranteeing that everybody visiting with you is chosen for the digital queue. As long as tickets are correctly linked and everybody has a Disney Park Go reservation for Epcot, this course of needs to be easy crusing and self-explanatory.
When you affirm your occasion, you’ll see the above display till 7 am.
Use the “quick finger” technique under 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 part of Queue” button. Faucet that and also you’re accomplished!
This reveals your estimate ready time, which might 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 identical display will present you which of them 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.
As soon as it’s your flip to hitch the bodily queue, you’ll obtain a notification (in the event you’ve allowed the My Disney Expertise app to ship notifications). You may as well see your digital queue standing in the 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 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!
Subsequent, we’ll cowl some strategies to enhance your velocity and enhance your possibilities of success on the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue!
Digital Queue Pace Technique
Disney WiFi v. Mobile Knowledge?
It actually will depend on your service and the place you’re positioned within the park/resort/and many others.
We’d advocate doing a fast velocity check with each a couple of minutes earlier than it’s time to hitch the digital queue. Something at or above 50 Mbps needs to be adequate, however the larger the higher. If needed, transfer round to get away from different folks or enhance your velocity to that threshold.
Are there any methods to enhance velocity?
Clearly, there’s solely a lot that’s inside your management with regards to your web velocity at Walt Disney World. With that mentioned, two massive 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 need to go exterior, to the foyer, the balcony, an exterior walkway, and many others.
On the subject of the 1 pm entry time, keep away from congested areas of the parks. If in any respect doable, try to hitch whereas not standing in line for anything, as some queues have ‘useless 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 may sound like overkill, however milliseconds matter.
Be sure your cellphone 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 cellphone or watch in opposition to time.gov, which is what Disney makes use of for opening the digital queue.
What’s one of the best strategic strategy for becoming a member of a boarding group? Ought to one particular person strive for everybody, ought to we every strive individually, or what?
Don’t strive individually–you gained’t be in the identical boarding teams, which means you gained’t journey collectively.
We advocate everybody strive for everybody in your occasion. Launch the MDX app about 10 seconds earlier than the official digital queue entry time and hit the “Be part of Boarding Group” button. If that doesn’t work, force-refreshing by knocking down “exhausting.”
Everybody in your occasion who has a sound Disney Park Go reservation for EPCOT ought to already be pre-selected. The particular person in your occasion with the quickest fingers will rating the boarding group, whereas everybody else will obtain a “Not So Quick/Already in Boarding Group” message. Simply ensure that anybody in your occasion who tries for boarding passes makes an attempt so as to add everybody.
Once more, it’s good to do a apply 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 by way of too shortly and forgetting so as to add certainly one of their relations. Don’t freak out if that occurs–go to the Visitor Expertise Crew Solid Members stationed on the blue umbrellas.
What if not everybody in my occasion is pre-selected?
Throughout the technique of becoming a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue, everybody in your occasion who has a Park Go reservation for EPCOT and/or has tapped into the park (as relevant) ought to already be pre-selected. Nevertheless, you’ve the choice to hit “Change Get together” earlier than tapping the “Be part of Digital Queue” button.
Our robust recommendation shouldn’t be mess with this–don’t even test whether or not they’re or should not in your occasion–merely to click on “Be part of Digital Queue” as quick as doable. Pausing for even a second to evaluation this display can doom your possibilities of success. If, for some cause, somebody in your occasion was not chosen, see a Solid Member on the Visitor Expertise Crew 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 occasion getting boarding teams since you hesitated or didn’t be part of resulting from an error is not an issue they’ll repair.
As soon as notified that “your group has been known as!” how lengthy do we’ve got to return to Cosmic Rewind?
You’re anticipated to return inside 1 hour of being known as.
Will we must be within the park for the 1 pm digital queue opening?
No. Nevertheless, everybody in your occasion does must enter EPCOT in some unspecified time in the future earlier than 1 pm in an effort to “unlock” entry to the digital queue at 1 pm. That means you may 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 primarily based 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 may depart after tapping in and nonetheless be part of throughout the afternoon entry time out of your lodge room or wherever.
You can 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 might probably truly be advantageous to go away EPCOT noon, as that’s when crowds and wait instances are worst.
The rest we are able to do pre-vacation to enhance possibilities of success?
As with each different theme park at Walt Disney World, you’ll want to start out by reserving a Park Go reservation earlier than visiting EPCOT, normally not less than a number of weeks upfront. Though attendance limits have elevated, Walt Disney World continues to be working under full capability resulting from staffing shortages.
With that mentioned, if/when that’s addressed and capability will increase additional (or pent-up demand dies down), park reservations might grow to be extra of a formality with ample same-day availability for each park. (This isn’t sometimes the case proper now, so the next recommendation solely applies if reserving Park Passes turns into simpler within the coming months.)
If you happen to don’t thoughts monitoring the Disney Park Go reservations calendar, take into account reserving a number of days at EPCOT. Even in the event you’re solely going to do the park at some point, 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 doable to aim to attain Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind boarding passes from exterior the park earlier than you begin your day. If you happen to’re unsuccessful, you possibly can change your Disney Park Go reservations day-of to Animal Kingdom topic to availability.
Needless to say this can be a dangerous strategy on busy days when reservations are filling up, however that has not been occurring as of early 2023. Nonetheless, keep watch over the Disney Park Go availability calendar and swap upfront if this appears to be like prefer it’s turning into an choice round your journey dates.
Frequent Cosmic Rewind Journey & VQ Questions
Is there some other approach to journey Cosmic Rewind?
Sure.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will use a digital queue and in addition supply paid Particular person Lightning Lane (ILL) entry. It’s probably the latter will promote out inside minutes–perhaps even seconds–of seven am, supplanting Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance as the most well-liked Particular person Lightning Lane in all of Walt Disney World.
Normally, we’re not followers of paying additional for ILLs, however Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind might find yourself being an exception to that basic rule. Our up to date Particular person Lightning Lane Data & Suggestions submit has extra data about this paid line-skipping choice.
Which is less complicated, the digital queue or shopping for an Particular person Lightning Lane?
That will depend on whether or not you’re staying on-site or off-site.
If you happen to’re on-site, shopping for an Particular person Lightning Lane might be simpler, since you are able to do that beginning at 7 am. If you happen to’re off-site, the digital queue might be simpler, since you can’t buy Particular person Lightning Lanes till park opening. They’re lengthy passed by then.
Is it doable to attain a spot within the digital queue and buy an Particular person 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. Nevertheless, it may be a problem juggling each proper at 7:00:00 am–except you’ve one particular person in your occasion “assigned” to every.
One other various is doing the digital queue first, after which ready for a refill of the Particular person Lightning Lane for Cosmic Rewind. See Journey Reservation Refill Guidelines at Walt Disney World for timing on when these sometimes happen.
Can we get multiple boarding move per day?
Not throughout common park hours–you can’t be 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 may 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 Eating Reservation that conflicts with our return time?
Ideally, it’s best to see a Solid Member on the Visitor Expertise Crew stands (search for the blue umbrella) positioned all through the park. They will help with scheduling conflicts.
Failing that, see a Solid 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 isn’t a set time, however count on it to happen by actually 7:00:05 am and 1:00:05 pm every day throughout a lot of the 12 months. That’s what occurred with Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Remy’s Ratatouille Journey.
Going ahead, we count on this pattern will proceed with Cosmic Rewind.
Does everybody should be current to hitch or can we ship one ‘runner’ to the park?
For the 7 am entry, the one requirement is a sound Disney Park Go reservation. Since EPCOT isn’t open at that hour, getting into the park isn’t even doable for that.
For the 1 pm entry, everybody in your occasion 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 primarily based 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 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 depart the park as soon as becoming a member of the queue?
Sure. You can return to your resort and take a nap, eat lunch, and many others.
How do we all know after we can return?
In case your cellphone has push notifications for My Disney Expertise enabled, you’ll obtain an alert that your boarding group has been known 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.
Which means everybody should be part of the digital queue first, which implies arriving and going by way of that identical to everybody else. To benefit from DAS, go to the Lightning Lane return line as soon as your boarding group is named.
What about Rider Swap?
Yep, identical course of as above.
How lengthy is the typical 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 measurement, so in the event you get fortunate and return on the “proper” time, a lot of the queue might 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 journey breaks down and ended up having to attend over 2 hours.
What time does EPCOT enable on-site company to enter the park?
For the summer time, count on EPCOT to proceed transferring ahead its opening time to eight:30 am, which implies Early Entry will start formally at 8:00 am. Unofficially, the park opens even earlier, and it’s doable to do Remy’s Ratatouille Journey and Frozen Ever After with brief waits in the event you’re arriving by way of Worldwide Gateway.
Our current Early Entry at EPCOT: Higher Than Genie+ covers this in step-by-step element. That is nice technique to pair with efficiently scoring boarding teams for Cosmic Rewind.
Ought to we purchase Park Hopper tickets?
If you happen to’ve learn our Cash-Saving Walt Disney World Ticket Information, you already know that we sometimes advocate Park Hopper tickets. They permit you to bounce round, which is strategically advantageous.
For company who actually need to journey Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, we advocate reserving Park Go reservations for not less than two days at EPCOT. As with the above day-of switcheroo above, you may take into account 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 one of the best ways to expertise each parks if you wish to get pleasure from decrease crowds and shorter wait instances. 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 Harmonious–that’s price seeing a type of nights.)
Because of this, 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. Moderately, 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 is because locals usually tend to be expert and skilled at doing digital queues, making them more durable “competitors” than the typical first-timer or rare vacationer. It’s like enjoying in opposition to the Los Angeles Dodgers as an alternative of somewhat league workforce. (Not that your loved ones ought to go round trouncing children at baseball, however you get the thought!)
What time can off-site company 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 all the time good apply to point out up early, as that’s when regular points of interest (those with standby strains) could 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?
Sure.
If you happen to’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, company 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 approach to arrive within the morning.
Ought to we simply wait to do Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind till our 2023 Walt Disney World journey?
Though the digital queue creates winners and losers, in the event you’ve already learn the three,000+ phrases above, you’re more likely to be one of many winners. You’re much better positioned than 95% of different company–lots of whom arrive with out realizing what a digital queue even is or when it’s provided–and are extra probably to achieve scoring a boarding group. With a digital queue, your wait time might be considerably shorter than in the event 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 how one can do it–now put that information to make use of!
Is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind price leaping by way of 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 Journey Assessment, that is certainly one of 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 children have children?
Flight of Passage is simply as common as we speak 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 common property and that is an addition to EPCOT, a park that’s perpetually starved of rides. Whereas it’s probably that the digital queue will final lower than a 12 months, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind could have lengthy wait instances and require efficient technique for years to return.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study accommodations on our Walt Disney World Inns Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To save cash 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 singular take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every thing that you must know!
Your Ideas
Do you’ve any questions this FAQ didn’t reply? If you happen to’ve accomplished Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, do you assume 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 once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!