As Disney gets ready to officially open the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction at EPCOT, Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley unveiled what the attraction will look like at night.
“Today (I mean, tonight!) we’re excited to debut our exterior lighting design for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind,” said Riddley on Instagram.
“Our team has been working hard to develop and implement a look that allows the building to show off its unique character and fit into the emerging aesthetic of our reimagined EPCOT and World Discovery neighborhood,” he continued. “We want to ensure that the people of Xandar have a suitable beacon for the message of peace and cooperation that they have brought to our park.
The lighting design reinforces the layering of space and scale that we focused on as we developed our exterior architecture, finishes, and color palette. We had such an amazing starting point with the pre-existing Universe of Energy building and looked for every opportunity to preserve and extend the many strong points of that facade.
Our lighting is sculptural and chiseled, designed to highlight the intricate layering of masses and forms that define the building—not to mention its very imposing scale! It supports the Nova Corps Starblaster in the front courtyard as the iconic centerpiece of the design … and its programming is intended to allow the Xandarians to play along in the vibrant skyline of our new vision for EPCOT.”
The new attraction, which is located in the former Ellen’s Energy Adventure Universe of Energy Pavilion, will now be known as the Wonders of Xandar pavilion.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind was originally to have opened last October, in time to celebrate Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic two years ago, the project experienced delays.
Disney says the ride will feature the longest indoor track ever made at Walt Disney World and one of the longest indoor coaster tracks in the world. In addition, the attraction uses a ride car similar to the Omnimovers, but with the capability of turning riders 360 degrees mid-ride, as well as large screens immersing riders in the story.
Cast Members have described the ride as “smooth” and “incredible.” One said that it was as if Space Mountain and Aerosmith’s Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster has a baby.
Cast Members have already begun to experience this highly anticipated attraction with annual passholders, DVC and D23 members previews coming in the next few weeks. The attraction will open to all guests on 27 May 2023.
