At Disney’s 2017 D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, Disney announced a new coaster coming to EPCOT – Guardians of the galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. The new attraction would replace Ellen’s Energy Adventure at the Universe of Energy pavilion. At the 2019 D23 Expo Bob Chapek, then Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman, gave more details on this new rollercoaster.

According to the Disney Parks Blog – at the time – the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which will be one of the world’s longest enclosed roller coasters and will feature a “new innovation” from Walt Disney Imagineering – a storytelling coaster that rotates 360 degrees that will focus the riders attention on the action. It will also be the first reverse launch on a Disney coaster.

“The adventure starts in the ‘Galaxarium,’ a planetarium-like exhibition that explores the similarities and mysteries of the formation of Earth’s galaxy and Xandar. Travelers will be invited to learn more about the treasures Xandar has to share – until the moment when the Guardians of the Galaxy arrive, and adventures across the cosmos ensue.”

Shortly after the 2019 Expo, the Disney Parks Blog provided an up-close look at the new innovative coaster vehicles. According to the blog, each individual cab in the attraction’s OmniCoaster ride system will direct the rider’s eyes to the story happening around them. Instead of whizzing by the action, the system will fully immerse guests in the attraction’s story from the minute they take off.

Last month, various Disney fan blogs and bulletin boards are reporting that the TRON Lightcycle Run at the Magic Kingdom and the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind rollercoaster at EPCOT may not open in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary next year. It was rumored that Disney was working on these two attractions until they can seal up the show buildings and then put a pause on the work until additional funding becomes available. Some believe this would push the attraction back into 2022, however, to date there has been no official word from Disney regarding either of these two rumors.

Today, Zach Riddley, Portfolio Executive, Walt Disney World Resort at Walt Disney Imagineering, gave fans another peek at the ride vehicles. This time there were many vehicles being prepped and ready at a Disney warehouse in Orlando, Florida.

“Here is an exclusive sneak peek of two of our ride engineers as they prep some of EPCOT’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind vehicles at our warehouse in Florida,” posted Riddley on his Instagram account.

Riddley also revealed a detail about each of the coasters or “coaches” in roller coaster engineering speak. “If you look closely at the colorful paint design …each one is unique with different wear patterns and impact marks,” wrote Riddley. “Imagineers were inspired by markings that appear on NASA Space Shuttles and other spacecraft upon reentry into Earth’s atmosphere.”