News Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind attraction confirmed for Epcot

[JohnD]

I really wish I could've seen the original. The music for the ride was great, especially the exit track:

Heck, Ellens orchestral score was really solid:

I REALLY hope Guardians has a good soundtrack in and around the ride. But then again it could have "action movie violin syndrome".

Given the storyline, here's hoping it goes retro and includes old UoE music, and/or music from around the original EPCOT (Imagination 1.0, Horizons, WoM).

 

[Goob]

I wish Disney would drop Hanes and get a really great t-shirt vendor. The Space Mountain and Haunted Mansion Hanes shirts I have are among the worst quality t-shirts I own. Something like the American Apparel 50/50 shirt would be awesome. I don't know, it's always bugged me that these are just terrible quality shirts.

 

[rocketraccoon]

I wish Disney would drop Hanes and get a really great t-shirt vendor. The Space Mountain and Haunted Mansion Hanes shirts I have are among the worst quality t-shirts I own. Something like the American Apparel 50/50 shirt would be awesome. I don't know, it's always bugged me that these are just terrible quality shirts.

Yeah, their shirts aren't great most of the time. At least the printing process seems good.

Has there ever been merchandise specifically for Ellen's Energy Adventure? I feel like it's always been UoE and nothing else.

 

[mcjaco]

I'm hoping some of the AAs may be put in storage for an overhaul and future use elsewhere. Aside from that it's looking like a full gutting beyond the preshow room sadly. As it stands, both ride systems need a lot of money pumping into them. GMR as we know also needs an artistic overhaul. Many of the Energy show components are life expired. The company has deemed its not worth it to fix them.

Energy has been documented in huge detail since December for me. I won't be there when it closes. The pavilion holds a lot of personal memories for me. It was the first EPCOT Center attraction I rode in 1987 and had a huge impact on me. Bitter sweet.

I still laugh to this day about my family's adventure with Universe of Energy. Prior to our November '82 visit, we were watching a special on EPCOT, and I was so excited about the "ride with the dinosaurs" such as an eight year old would be. We spent almost the entire morning going from pavilion to pavilion awaiting to see the "ride with the dinosaurs." Somehow, even in mini newly planted tree, and pre-Horizons Future World East, we blew right past UofE (there's an argument among us that we saw the next showtime as about 30 minutes, so we moved on), and went straight to World of Motion (which we rode about ten times). I was dumbfounded on where the dinos were. It wasn't until much later in the evening we strolled out of World of Motion, and we headed toward UofE. Only five minutes to the next show, so we rolled in. Watched the Radocks and low and behold....the dinos!!!

 

[Horizons '83]

You know, I've been watching Martin's Tribute video and its sad to see all that hard work (hand painted dioramas, engineering of the structure and ride system the hundreds of effects) and its all going to be destroyed less than 35 years after it soft opened. I won't speak to the GotG replacement because i know little about it, but I really appreciated this attraction for what it was.

I really feel that if they pumped just a little bit of Capital into this one throughout the years it could have stood the test of time. What groundbreaking technology at the time. I know I was amazed as a kid the first time I rode it in 1985.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

You know, I've been watching Martin's Tribute video and its sad to see all that hard work (hand painted dioramas, engineering of the structure and ride system the hundreds of effects) and its all going to be destroyed less than 35 years after it soft opened. I won't speak to the GotG replacement because i know little about it, but I really appreciated this attraction for what it was.

I really feel that if they pumped just a little bit of Capital into this one throughout the years it could have stood the test of time. What groundbreaking technology at the time. I know I was amazed as a kid the first time I rode it in 1985.

That's the biggest problem. Nothing was updated when it needed to be, and many attractions were left to rot for so long that they had no other choice but to tear down completely (Horizons), or just throw in some IP to keep people interested (The Seas).

One has to wonder the longevity of the new GotG coaster. Will guests in 20 years be calling this a classic? Will GotG 6 be just coming out in theatres? Will anyone even care? I feel like when you tie things to an IP, you automatically unintentionally attach a shelf life to your whole attraction. Give it a decade.

 

[Meeko77]

So this is a thing

View attachment 220584
View attachment 220585

Shirt is $30, hat is $25. There's also passholder merch of a slightly different shirt and an ornament ($15). Being sold inside the exit to UoE and one of the stalls on the bridge to World Showcase. They're using Hanes as the base for the shirts.

At least UoE is getting merch but I didn't expect it to be this sad. Hat is alright though.

Thanks for sharing these pictures, but I agree it is sad.

 

[MisterPenguin]

It is. What's the difference?

Back on topic, when is Guardians expected to open? Before or after Star Wars?

GotG: 2021

SW:GE DL: 2019 Spring
SW:GE HS: 2019 Fall

See here for a timeline summary: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/rumor-and-upcoming-timeline-tracker.926402/#post-7675649

 

[Amidala]

That's the biggest problem. Nothing was updated when it needed to be, and many attractions were left to rot for so long that they had no other choice but to tear down completely (Horizons), or just throw in some IP to keep people interested (The Seas).

One has to wonder the longevity of the new GotG coaster. Will guests in 20 years be calling this a classic? Will GotG 6 be just coming out in theatres? Will anyone even care? I feel like when you tie things to an IP, you automatically unintentionally attach a shelf life to your whole attraction. Give it a decade.

For me, this is generally on a case-by-case basis (I have no idea if Avatar will still be in the public zeitgeist 20 years from now, but still think Pandora will be an enjoyable park) but I agree. TPTB seem very desperate to give WDW a GOTG ride since the success of Mission Breakout, but they clearly didn't factor in the original ToT's popularity as a ride...Whether it was themed to Twilight Zone or GOTG, people were going to go on that ride. And people will go on this one...it's a roller coaster in a park with virtually no thrill rides. But that would be true no matter the IP TDO slapped on it...I'm not against IPs across the board, but would have preferred something more full of wonder, like BH6 or Inside Out, which would maintain the spirit of Epcot without needing to be outright edutainment. A roller coaster ride through Riley's mind or a flying coaster aboard Baymax would have been incredible, and likely more family-friendly as well–especially since you already have Tron (the fastest coaster at Disney worldwide) opening at MK soon.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

For me, this is generally on a case-by-case basis (I have no idea if Avatar will still be in the public zeitgeist 20 years from now, but still think Pandora will be an enjoyable park) but I agree. TPTB seem very desperate to give WDW a GOTG ride since the success of Mission Breakout, but they clearly didn't factor in the original ToT's popularity as a ride...Whether it was themed to Twilight Zone or GOTG, people were going to go on that ride. And people will go on this one...it's a roller coaster in a park with virtually no thrill rides. But that would be true no matter the IP TDO slapped on it...I'm not against IPs across the board, but would have preferred something more full of wonder, like BH6 or Inside Out, which would maintain the spirit of Epcot without needing to be outright edutainment. A roller coaster ride through Riley's mind or a flying coaster aboard Baymax would have been incredible, and likely more family-friendly as well–especially since you already have Tron (the fastest coaster at Disney worldwide) opening at MK soon.

Well, considering there are currently FOUR new Avatar sequels in the works, it could very well still be in the zeitgeist by then

Also, while MB was a "success" on paper, attendance at DCA overall was down. Sure, GotG gave it a brief boost, but the whole Summer of Heroes didn't live up to expectations.

I guess in this case though, it will be a brand new ride instead of just a re-skin, so it has that going for it.

TBH, TDO is also probably just super desperate to get whatever Marvel (oops, I mean Super Heroes) stuff into WDW that they can to compete with Uni.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

That's the biggest problem. Nothing was updated when it needed to be, and many attractions were left to rot for so long that they had no other choice but to tear down completely (Horizons), or just throw in some IP to keep people interested (The Seas).

One has to wonder the longevity of the new GotG coaster. Will guests in 20 years be calling this a classic? Will GotG 6 be just coming out in theatres? Will anyone even care? I feel like when you tie things to an IP, you automatically unintentionally attach a shelf life to your whole attraction. Give it a decade.

What...you mean you wouldn't be interested in riding Matrix: Mission There is no Spoon that replaced SSE in 2004?

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Yeah, their shirts aren't great most of the time. At least the printing process seems good.

Has there ever been merchandise specifically for Ellen's Energy Adventure? I feel like it's always been UoE and nothing else.

Nobody cares for EEA. It's just the silly make-over of the classic ride UoE that everybody does love. Ellen was Disney trying to be hip and contemporary (What is the current formula? Timeless, relevant and Disney?), which always goes awry. And which then got stuck in 96 until Ellen herself had enough while TDO was pushed to shove GotG in their parks somewhere, anywhere.

We mourn not the removal of anything Ellen, but of the brilliant ride system and of the dinosaurs, perhaps the grandest show scene Disney has ever done. At seven minutes, in itself twice as long as modern rides.

 

[Mike S]

That's the biggest problem. Nothing was updated when it needed to be, and many attractions were left to rot for so long that they had no other choice but to tear down completely (Horizons), or just throw in some IP to keep people interested (The Seas).

One has to wonder the longevity of the new GotG coaster. Will guests in 20 years be calling this a classic? Will GotG 6 be just coming out in theatres? Will anyone even care? I feel like when you tie things to an IP, you automatically unintentionally attach a shelf life to your whole attraction. Give it a decade.

It really depends on the IP. Star Wars, Marvel, DC, Nintendo, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, etc. are all examples of IP that have proven they will stand the test of time. One could even say the Disney animated classics will as well and the same could go for Pixar. When it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe I have to say it could be very possible. It's made a huge impact and kids seeing it now will share it with their kids.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

One has to wonder the longevity of the new GotG coaster. Will guests in 20 years be calling this a classic? Will GotG 6 be just coming out in theatres? Will anyone even care? I feel like when you tie things to an IP, you automatically unintentionally attach a shelf life to your whole attraction. Give it a decade.

The shelf life is intentional. Bob Chapek wants rides that can be redressed every ten years to refect whatever franchise is popular in the future.

Doesn't really fit the "timeless" goal for Epcot moving forward though.

 

[*Q*]

Nobody cares for EEA. It's just the silly make-over of the classic ride UoE that everybody does love. Ellen was Disney trying to be hip and contemporary (What is the current formula? Timeless, relevant and Disney?), which always goes awry. And which then got stuck in 96 until Ellen herself had enough while TDO was pushed to shove GotG in their parks somewhere, anywhere.

We mourn not the removal of anything Ellen, but of the brilliant ride system and of the dinosaurs, perhaps the grandest show scene Disney has ever done. At seven minutes, in itself twice as long as modern rides.

I wouldn't quite say that. Ellen's Energy Adventure isn't as amazing as the original, but it has its redeeming qualities. The Big Bang sequence, in particular.

 

[Mike S]

I wouldn't quite say that. Ellen's Energy Adventure isn't as amazing as the original, but it has its redeeming qualities. The Big Bang sequence, in particular.

The Piggy Bank????

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I wouldn't quite say that. Ellen's Energy Adventure isn't as amazing as the original, but it has its redeeming qualities. The Big Bang sequence, in particular.

I love that scene! The opening of the first movie is great. EEA's music is good too. I like the commentary in the second theater too, before the film.

The second theater movie is fine.

What I dislike is the pre-show, the last movie, the general Jeopardy / dream theme, the Ellen AAs in the dinosaurs, and the absence of the artistry, gravity and grand showmanship of UoE - lasers, smoke and mirrors, rousing score.

 

[Amidala]

It really depends on the IP. Star Wars, Marvel, DC, Nintendo, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, etc. are all examples of IP that have proven they will stand the test of time. One could even say the Disney animated classics will as well and the same could go for Pixar. When it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe I have to say it could be very possible. It's made a huge impact and kids seeing it now will share it with their kids.

I think the specific Marvel franchise matters as well, though. Captain America and Spider-Man have a popular history w/ audiences, w/ their own merchandise, films and animated television series going back decades. GOTG was adapted from a lesser-known Marvel series (which IMO took itself more seriously and had far more heart than the MCU versions), so whether GOTG specifically will stand the test of time is debatable for me. But that being said, plenty of attractions remain popular despite being attached to a lackluster IP (Splash Mountain is the obvious example) so this may be moot if the attraction is good enough in itself. Not to mention that a pure coaster with no dark ride elements could be easily rethemed later down the line, if it ever comes to that.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

Okay, I was going to write this up later. But with all due respect, I experienced seven anxiety attacks while reading your post. So here's what I say. And I'd love to hear if and how you/others disagree.
-----

Fifty years ago, the idea of spending a week at theme/amusement parks was completely foreign. "Why would anyone want to do that... wouldn't that be too much of the same thing?" they'd say. Disneyland was built with the intention of being a day-trip (or one night) place, just like any amusement park or carnival. Magic Kingdom was also built with the intention of being one park in a resort of other things (like a city of tomorrow).

When Disney decided to add more parks to WDW, they had to sell people on the idea of a theme park vacation. So they made each park fundamentally different.

It's fine to have one Magic-Kingdom-like park, but two? Three? Four? Think about how terrible UO would be with Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Peninsulas of More Adventure, and Plateaus of Epic Adventure. I already can't tell the difference between the two parks... four of them would feel rediculous, confusing, and probably unappealing to the general public.

Today, the theme park vacation is so ingrained in our culture that things won't change overnight. But if guests begin to feel that it's too much of the same thing, they could begin to spend less time or fewer vacations in Orlando. Or at DL. Or at any place that wants you to go to more than one park. As someone who has no interest in seeing the downfall of the theme park resort, I really think each park needs to be fundamentally different.

As long as the IPs are different each park is still unique.

Heh, I went USO about 8-ish years ago. I didn't know they were two separate parks until the band director (yes...high school band trip) said to stay in USO and not to go to IOA even though the tickets were good for both parks. I jumped on my phone and was disappointed I couldn't ride Hulk or Dueling Dragons.

To add to your point, I completely agree each WDW park should have its own theme. MK=generic castle park/generic-ish space/fantasy/adventure/frontier lands, Epcot=science/exploration, HWS=movies, AK=animals/habitats/preservation. I don't want to see WDW turn into a awkward mish mash of...things. I've been wanting to go to DL mainly because of how much better maintained (except the People Mover) everything is and there's more of that "Disney magic". I'm sure it's not perfect, but it sounds like there's more love for the rides and upholding the idea of "magic" out there.

I go to Cedar Point to get my thrills. The most theming there is some rocks and fences for Maverick, some trains that look like dragsters for TTD, Magnum had a rip off Stormtrooper sign at one point, and a mess of mythological animals slapped onto rides where the closest sense of theme is a sign. I don't care there. Cedar Point has and always will be a mess of themes and it works like that. But, I expect Disney to uphold a single theme that works for its' parks.

I think the DL has better maintenance is a myth. I saw broken AAs and chipped paint etc. I saw that in Tokyo. I saw that in Shanghai and I saw it at WDW. I think the maintenance at each resort is great. TDL has great maintenance for the attractions but I found many chipped and cracked pathways probably because of the earthquakes though.

Edit: you have to cherry pick to find problems with maintenance at each resort

 

[Kman101]

If you say so.

So you've seen the plans and know what the ride will entail?