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Disney fans are all abuzz with the upcoming opening of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, the new (and, so far, positively reviewed) thrill ride. D23, the Official Disney Fan Club, has expressed just as much excitement as Disney World visitors — and so the D23 podcast trio recently spoke to Disney Imagineers from Walt Disney Imagineering in order to learn more about how the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction was developed!
Guardians of the Galaxy: #CosmicRewind opens at @WaltDisneyWorld TOMORROW! 💥Go behind-the-scenes of the rockin' new attraction with this special video episode of the #D23InsideDisney podcast! #DisneyWorld50 https://t.co/piC7OWzZ5q
— Disney D23 (@DisneyD23) May 26, 2022
Josh D’Amaro, the Chairman of Disney Parks Experiences and Products, confirmed that the Imagineers “have outdone themselves again” with this Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster. Imagineer and Senior Ride Development Engineer Liz Diaz spoke to D23 about the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion that houses the new thrill ride in EPCOT’s World Showcase. “The Wonders of Xandar Pavilion is all about showing the world the Xandar culture and the people and their communities,” Diaz said.
Her co-worker, Imagineer and Creative Portfolio Executive Tom Fitzgerald, jokingly called the pavilion Disney’s “first otherworld showcase Pavilion in EPCOT”. He also added that this ride’s groundbreaking pavilion “gives us a chance to talk about our planet through the lens of another planet”. Guests will be able to learn some fun information about Xandar while waiting in line and passing decor like a Xandar mural.
Credit: Disney
A clip from Walt Disney’s film about plans for EPCOT is featured in the Xandar pavilion, and Xandar citizens apparently call Disney a “visionary” in the attraction. There’s even a reference to the famous Disney turkey leg — not to mention the presence of actress Glenn Close, who is reprising her role as Nova Prime (the commander of Nova Corps) for the ride!
The Guardians of the Galaxy are, of course, involved as well. Fitzgerald called the show’s filming process a “warmup” for the Guardians of the Galaxy actors before they were immersed back into the Marvel Cinematic Universe to film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3!
Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Chris Pratt as Peter Quill / Star-Lord, Vin Diesel as Groot, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, and Michael Rooker as Yondu Udonta in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. Credit: Marvel
“We’re excited about [the ride],” Imagineer and Creative Portfolio Executive Tom Fitzgerald said happily. Disney Guests riding on this new Walt Disney World Resort and EPCOT roller coaster can expect 360-degree turns and some moments that Imagineer Liz Diaz referred to as “very exciting” — i.e. adrenaline-fueled and unexpected!
Are you headed to Walt Disney World to try this Individual Lightning Lane attraction — especially after May 30, when the price changes?
