Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind SPOILER Thread

[No Name]

I've seen videos from youtubers. I still don't understand the 'story after they get on the ride.' The majority of the time, the camera is so unfocused I really can't see anything other than lights. But since I probably won't be going to Disney anytime soon (missed out on DVC previews last trip) YouTube is all I have.

We see Eson go back in time in the preshow. Then on the ride, we somehow encounter Eson before going back in time. Immediately after the backwards launch, the entire laboriously built-up plot line is resolved out of sight, with Rocket simply saying “we have the generator!” A true hallmark of great storytelling!

I’m sure the coaster is fun but you aren’t missing anything story-wise.

 

[James Alucobond]

We see Eson go back in time in the preshow. Then on the ride, we somehow encounter Eson before going back in time.

You travel to multiple different points in time during the formation of our solar system, the galaxy, and the universe. Each time you switch to a different time period, you pass through one of the jump portals. The first takes you to the dawn of Earth, where Eson fled. Then, the Guardians bump into the cosmic generator, causing it to go out of control. You're sent back to the big bang. Once the Guardians regain control of the generator, Rocket works to re-calibrate everything so that you can return to your original time, but he goofs on his first attempt and sends you to the initial formation of the Milky Way. He then successfully sends you back at the end.

 

[No Name]

You travel to multiple different points in time during the formation of our solar system, the galaxy, and the universe. Each time you switch to a different time period, you pass through one of the jump portals. The first takes you to the dawn of Earth, where Eson fled. Then, the Guardians bump into the cosmic generator, causing it to go out of control. You're sent back to the big bang. Once the Guardians regain control of the generator, Rocket works to re-calibrate everything so that you can return to your original time, but he goofs on his first attempt and sends you to the initial formation of the Milky Way. He then successfully sends you back at the end.

I enjoyed reading your explanation, but I’m just pointing out that the story is not strong at all. Most guests aren’t and won’t be able to tell any of that because it’s either unclear and/or happens offscreen, unlike say Everest, where the story is readily apparent.

 

[Casper Gutman]

You travel to multiple different points in time during the formation of our solar system, the galaxy, and the universe. Each time you switch to a different time period, you pass through one of the jump portals. The first takes you to the dawn of Earth, where Eson fled. Then, the Guardians bump into the cosmic generator, causing it to go out of control. You're sent back to the big bang. Once the Guardians regain control of the generator, Rocket works to re-calibrate everything so that you can return to your original time, but he goofs on his first attempt and sends you to the initial formation of the Milky Way. He then successfully sends you back at the end.

Except we see Eson take Earth back in time... to the dawn of Earth... for some reason...

And again, none of this convoluted time shifting has any real effect on the ride or its visuals. We only sort of know what is happening because of vauge shouts on the soundtrack.

 

[flyerjab]

You travel to multiple different points in time during the formation of our solar system, the galaxy, and the universe. Each time you switch to a different time period, you pass through one of the jump portals. The first takes you to the dawn of Earth, where Eson fled. Then, the Guardians bump into the cosmic generator, causing it to go out of control. You're sent back to the big bang. Once the Guardians regain control of the generator, Rocket works to re-calibrate everything so that you can return to your original time, but he goofs on his first attempt and sends you to the initial formation of the Milky Way. He then successfully sends you back at the end.

Probably the best ride summary I have seen so far.

I must admit though, never having ridden out several times, it is odd how the setup in the pre-shows emphasizes how the cosmic generator is used to travel great distances across space. All of a sudden, Eson uses it to travel through time? That is kind of odd, and then Rocket of course reconfigures it to travel back to the present. So I guess Rocket helped create a time travel device before Stark did in Endgame?

Overall, it in no way detract from enjoying the ride.

 

[UNCgolf]

Overall, it in no way detract from enjoying the ride.

I think this is where Guardians is a failure in execution.

That doesn't mean the ride itself is a failure (it's obviously not). But from reading comments here and elsewhere, people generally love the ride for the physical thrills (and the music). The story (and the Guardians themselves) is more or less superfluous to the enjoyment.

Theming/story should exist to improve a ride, not simply exist for the sake of existing. I get the impression that if they stripped out the story entirely and you were just looking at stars, planets, etc. it would not affect the ride's quality for the vast majority of guests. That's unfortunate, because they could have easily done that at EPCOT in a way that fit the park's original ethos.

 

[No Name]

The story should make the ride twice as good as it is without it, even though the physical thrill is the same. That’s really the bones of a theme park. This ride feels burdened by its story instead of elevated by it.

 

[flyerjab]

I think this is where Guardians is a failure in execution.

That doesn't mean the ride itself is a failure (it's obviously not). But from reading comments here and elsewhere, people generally love the ride for the physical thrills (and the music). The story (and the Guardians themselves) is more or less superfluous to the enjoyment.

Theming/story should exist to improve a ride, not simply exist for the sake of existing. I get the impression that if they stripped out the story entirely and you were just looking at stars, planets, etc. it would not affect the ride's quality for the vast majority of guests. That's unfortunate, because they could have easily done that at EPCOT in a way that fit the park's original ethos.

I will agree that this could have simply been about the Big Bang, universe, etc. without IP and the exhilaration and ride experience would have been the same. That I could not deny as the coaster portion is such an experience by itself.

I will say though, that listening to early 80s music as you soar through space has a certain quality to it. The joy that my wife and I had singing Tears for Fears as we rocketed through the stars was quite epic.

I only experienced the extremely watered down version of Epcot so I have no ties to its past. My expectations for what this park can offer is very different also. One can make the case that this ride doesn’t fit the original ethos of Epcot. But one could also argue that the point of “fitting” Epcot’s original theme is no longer relevant as the company moves toward their idea of what this park is becoming. The hook all along during this transformation is to pay homage to the past, not maintain this park for what it originally was. I think it is evident that they are significantly diluting the edutainment to an extent, while generalizing the overall theme, making it an easier palette to paint with.

I don’t think that this ride really fails, as I don’t think that the intent is an overly grand one. The story is never burdensome. To me it is story-lite, as I would think most Omni-coasters moving over 50 miles an hour would be, with an IP based off of a hip Marvel series. Most of the story exists in the pre-shows, as does any edutainment: science facts about earth and the universe compared against the science fantasy of Xandar. With IP integration into the 3 neighborhoods, I expect this to be the template moving forward, much to the chagrin of many posters in this thread. Legacy Epcot is gone, so one could say that this ride not fitting is counter intuitive to the actual direction the park is moving.

 

[UNCgolf]

I don’t think that this ride really fails, as I don’t think that the intent is an overly grand one. The story is never burdensome.

I don't think the ride itself fails either. I just think the story aspect is a failure. Compare it to something like Splash Mountain, where the theming is a major part of the overall appeal -- yes, people would still enjoy the drop without all of the story/theming, but it wouldn't be the masterpiece that it is.

The story/theming should be a significant enhancement to the ride, not something that's just kind of there. There's little point to including it otherwise. That's why I think that aspect is a failure.

 

[UNCgolf]

The story should make the ride twice as good as it is without it, even though the physical thrill is the same. That’s really the bones of a theme park. This ride feels burdened by its story instead of elevated by it.

Exactly the point I was trying to make. There's just no reason to spend all the additional money if it doesn't do anything to make the ride better.

 

[Incomudro]

The story should make the ride twice as good as it is without it, even though the physical thrill is the same. That’s really the bones of a theme park. This ride feels burdened by its story instead of elevated by it.

The bones of a theme park is the story each ride tells?
I have never felt this.
Sure, some rides tell quite a story (Spaceship Earth) others don't.
Coasters in particular don't have or need much of a story.
For me what separates a theme park from a place like say Hershey Park is largely the intergration of the ride systems.
Hiding the skeleton of a coaster, log flume, free fall etc., in well done cladding, detail etc. and yes to some extent story.

 

[UNCgolf]

The bones of a theme park is the story each ride tells?
I have never felt this.
Sure, some rides tell quite a story (Spaceship Earth) others don't.
Coasters in particular don't have or need much of a story.
For me what separates a theme park from a place like say Hershey Park is largely the intergration of the ride systems.
Hiding the skeleton of a coaster, log flume, free fall etc., in well done cladding, detail etc. and yes to some extent story.

I think it's overall theming; not necessarily the story itself. But the story/theming seems to be at least somewhat of a failure in Guardians in that I have not seen anyone suggest it actually makes the ride better.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I think this is where Guardians is a failure in execution.

That doesn't mean the ride itself is a failure (it's obviously not). But from reading comments here and elsewhere, people generally love the ride for the physical thrills (and the music). The story (and the Guardians themselves) is more or less superfluous to the enjoyment.

Theming/story should exist to improve a ride, not simply exist for the sake of existing. I get the impression that if they stripped out the story entirely and you were just looking at stars, planets, etc. it would not affect the ride's quality for the vast majority of guests. That's unfortunate, because they could have easily done that at EPCOT in a way that fit the park's original ethos.

Exactly.

But IP to Disney corporate is like ketchup to a child.

They refuse to try anything unless its splattered on top.

 

[flyerjab]

The bones of a theme park is the story each ride tells?
I have never felt this.
Sure, some rides tell quite a story (Spaceship Earth) others don't.
Coasters in particular don't have or need much of a story.
For me what separates a theme park from a place like say Hershey Park is largely the intergration of the ride systems.
Hiding the skeleton of a coaster, log flume, free fall etc., in well done cladding, detail etc. and yes to some extent story.

Agreed. With Expedition Everest, if the queue is removed, there isn’ta lot of story on the actual ride itself. The physical build of the mountain, scenery, etc is very front and center. The main difference with EE is that it stops in the middle of the ride for 30 seconds or so. IMO, a coaster is different with regard to story. It caps off what you learn in the queue and pre-shows. Especially in this case since the coaster itself never stops.

For omnimover dark rides, I completely agree that story is tantamount to ride execution. With SSE, I get nothing out of the movement of the vehicle. It is much more the story and the visuals while on the ride itself. What I am absorbing while on the ride is why I like SSE so much. With CR, I enjoy the visuals and the info provided while in the queue and pre-shows. The thrill of the ride experience is the icing on the cake for me. Same with Everest or R&R or Velocicoaster.

 

[Magic Feather]

A new version of the photo border appears to be testing today.

 

[UNCgolf]

Agreed. With Expedition Everest, if the queue is removed, there isn’ta lot of story on the actual ride itself. The physical build of the mountain, scenery, etc is very front and center. The main difference with EE is that it stops in the middle of the ride for 30 seconds or so. IMO, a coaster is different with regard to story. It caps off what you learn in the queue and pre-shows. Especially in this case since the coaster itself never stops.

I agree about story, but that doesn't account for the theme. Everest would be a significantly worse ride if it was just the coaster track without the mountain. The part where you emerge at the top is a major part of the ride that would not have nearly the same effect without the surrounding theming. That appears to be the issue with Guardians -- not that I've been on it, but I have not seen anyone claiming it actually enhances the ride. It sounds like as long as the music was playing, the screens could be turned off and it wouldn't really affect anyone's enjoyment.

Guardians seems to be a fun coaster with a bunch of extra money spent on stuff that does nothing for the experience, which isn't good.

It's why Slinky Dog is an execution failure IMO, even though people enjoy it.

 

[No Name]

The story should make the ride twice as good as it is without it, even though the physical thrill is the same. That’s really the bones of a theme park. This ride feels burdened by its story instead of elevated by it.

@raymusiccity would you like to elaborate on your laughing reaction?

 

[mergatroid]

I agree about story, but that doesn't account for the theme. Everest would be a significantly worse ride if it was just the coaster track without the mountain. The part where you emerge at the top is a major part of the ride that would not have nearly the same effect without the surrounding theming. That appears to be the issue with Guardians -- not that I've been on it, but I have not seen anyone claiming it actually enhances the ride. It sounds like as long as the music was playing, the screens could be turned off and it wouldn't really affect anyone's enjoyment.

Guardians seems to be a fun coaster with a bunch of extra money spent on stuff that does nothing for the experience, which isn't good.

It's why Slinky Dog is an execution failure IMO, even though people enjoy it.

I appreciate that's how you see it and that's your opinion which is fair enough. I'd argue though that a lot of kids (and some adults) want the guardians to be featured in some way in the ride and would feel let down if they weren't. Similarly to when I rode Gringotts. I'm not a Harry Potter fan and quite honestly thought the 'story' was people just shouting spells, there was more than that obviously but not a memorable or interesting story line for me. I still had fun though with the visuals and waiting to see where we'd go next and when the drop was that I'd heard was coming. However some there 'oohed and aahed' when the spells were spoken and were mainly youngsters who obviously got some extra enjoyment from that addition that did nothing for me. Likewise what does nothing more for you might make the ride for fans of the Guardians films and would be a big miss for them if not featured?

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

I appreciate that's how you see it and that's your opinion which is fair enough. I'd argue though that a lot of kids (and some adults) want the guardians to be featured in some way in the ride and would feel let down if they weren't. Similarly to when I rode Gringotts. I'm not a Harry Potter fan and quite honestly thought the 'story' was people just shouting spells, there was more than that obviously but not a memorable or interesting story line for me. I still had fun though with the visuals and waiting to see where we'd go next and when the drop was that I'd heard was coming. However some there 'oohed and aahed' when the spells were spoken and were mainly youngsters who obviously got some extra enjoyment from that addition that did nothing for me. Likewise what does nothing more for you might make the ride for fans of the Guardians films and would be a big miss for them if not featured?

They're not saying it was a waste to decide to feature the Guardians - they're saying the way the Guardians are featured is a waste of the opportunity to feature them.

The Gringotts story may not mean anything to you, and that's fine, but to Potter fans its comprehensible and its presence generally improves the experience. But on Cosmic Rewind the story makes little sense and is somewhat difficult to track even if you're a fan, which is silly. If what they're doing doesn't work for fans and non-fans alike, then what even is the point of doing it that way?

Especially since the ride itself has been touted so highly as a "story-coaster" . . . you'd think they'd have really wanted to get that part right. They should have written a story that guests could percieve and digest by the end of the ride. Instead it's basically just a (fun) space chase that starts and ends when we enter and exit the gravity building, and not much that happens between those points is designed to register.

 

[UNCgolf]

I appreciate that's how you see it and that's your opinion which is fair enough. I'd argue though that a lot of kids (and some adults) want the guardians to be featured in some way in the ride and would feel let down if they weren't. Similarly to when I rode Gringotts. I'm not a Harry Potter fan and quite honestly thought the 'story' was people just shouting spells, there was more than that obviously but not a memorable or interesting story line for me. I still had fun though with the visuals and waiting to see where we'd go next and when the drop was that I'd heard was coming. However some there 'oohed and aahed' when the spells were spoken and were mainly youngsters who obviously got some extra enjoyment from that addition that did nothing for me. Likewise what does nothing more for you might make the ride for fans of the Guardians films and would be a big miss for them if not featured?

That's kind of my point, actually. I love the Guardians films, and the ride doesn't feel like it really features them at all. That's one of the reasons it seems poorly executed.

I was on board with the idea of using massive screens even though I'm normally not a fan, mainly because it seems like the best way to do a fast story coaster set in space. They just didn't do a very good job with that part of it.