Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind SPOILER Thread

[No Name]

I think people often forget how the original Excavator plans were thematically not far from what actually got built. It was never going to be some authentic dinosaur land, it was always going to be focused on how Dinosaurs are a part of human (and specifically American) culture, which is an interesting idea. I’d say Primeval Whirl, and Chester’s and Hester’s and its surroundings, captured that fairly well for its low cost.

 

[MisterPenguin]

The full 30 minute Galaxarium film.

The Xandarian presentation includes information about:

• galaxies
• the Andromeda Galaxy v. the Milky Way, and the eventual merger of the two
• tri-star planetary systems (and info about one found in the Milky Way)
• atolls
• algae blooms
• atmosphere (role in life and blocking harmful radiation)
• harnessing natural processes for energy
• the Voyager probes that entered stellar space (outside the solar system) that are still active and the information that was included in case other intelligent life found them
• the Big Bang and formation of stars
• life cycle of stars (first stars going super nova that enables second generation stars to develop planetary systems)

Very educational. All presented in the form of entertainment based on Guardians of the Galaxy. Some sort of.... edutainment if you will.

Imagine that.


Also: Easter Egg reference to "possible multiverse"

 

[Epcot82Guy]

The Xandarian presentation includes information about:

• galaxies
• the Andromeda Galaxy v. the Milky Way, and the eventual merger of the two
• tri-star planetary systems (and info about one found in the Milky Way)
• atolls
• algae blooms
• atmosphere (role in life and blocking harmful radiation)
• harnessing natural processes for energy
• the Voyager probes that entered stellar space (outside the solar system) that are still active and the information that was included in case other intelligent life found them
• the Big Bang and formation of stars
• life cycle of stars (first stars going super nova that enables second generation stars to develop planetary systems)

Very educational. All presented in the form of entertainment based on Guardians of the Galaxy. Some sort of.... edutainment if you will.

Imagine that.


Also: Easter Egg reference to "possible multiverse"

This is the part where it feels like the story got overworked. I 100% see your point and agree this is an attempt (a legitimate one at that) to tie back to Epcot's theme. I also see how people think that's clever. It's just too muddied and and throw away for me - since the pavilion's story is now Wonders of Xandar - i.e. focused on Xandar and it's fantasy technology vs. the actual solar system.

I have to wonder if the original plan was something more like the "Wonders of the Universe, presented by Xandar Technologies" where Xandar was playing the corporate sponsor or something like that. Telling us about the history of our solar system. Then, inevitably, something goes wrong and we have to go back through the creation of the Universe or the like to get a Macguffin, save the day, etc.

While I'm sure I would have been very against that at the time, given current situations, I actually would have been more ok with that story. And, I can completely see how that makes a very direct (albeit tongue in cheek) reference to both UoE and Epcot/EPCOT Center.
Again, I totally see how people are ok with this lighter reference. I hope those people can also see where that feels like an after thought to some of us. And, it's frustrating because story changes could make such a huge difference. Much like BatB Sing Along, Harmonious, etc., I'm beginning to wonder if these rewrites and what not are being pushed by a group outside WDI.

 

[Tha Realest]

I have to wonder if the original plan was something more like the "Wonders of the Universe, presented by Xandar Technologies" where Xandar was playing the corporate sponsor or something like that.

Better yet, Xandar Texhnologies is the successor company to X-S Tech…

 

[Epcot82Guy]

Better yet, Xandar Texhnologies is the successor company to X-S Tech…

If they demonstrated the wormhole technology via Skippy, all will be forgiven.

 

[mergatroid]

This is the part where it feels like the story got overworked. I 100% see your point and agree this is an attempt (a legitimate one at that) to tie back to Epcot's theme. I also see how people think that's clever. It's just too muddied and and throw away for me - since the pavilion's story is now Wonders of Xandar - i.e. focused on Xandar and it's fantasy technology vs. the actual solar system.

I have to wonder if the original plan was something more like the "Wonders of the Universe, presented by Xandar Technologies" where Xandar was playing the corporate sponsor or something like that. Telling us about the history of our solar system. Then, inevitably, something goes wrong and we have to go back through the creation of the Universe or the like to get a Macguffin, save the day, etc.

While I'm sure I would have been very against that at the time, given current situations, I actually would have been more ok with that story. And, I can completely see how that makes a very direct (albeit tongue in cheek) reference to both UoE and Epcot/EPCOT Center.
Again, I totally see how people are ok with this lighter reference. I hope those people can also see where that feels like an after thought to some of us. And, it's frustrating because story changes could make such a huge difference. Much like BatB Sing Along, Harmonious, etc., I'm beginning to wonder if these rewrites and what not are being pushed by a group outside WDI.

That's a fair point. I would argue that the reasons the people on here are being negative about this wouldn't change though as their criticisms go far beyond this part. Your point is a good one though.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

That's a fair point. I would argue that the reasons the people on here are being negative about this wouldn't change though as their criticisms go far beyond this part. Your point is a good one though.

Totally. I'm one of those people, admittedly. I think I'm just looking for a bone at this point. Haha But, the loss of coherent theme does seem to be laziness on Disney's part and the ability to clone or add in whatever they think will be most popular without having to adapt it - Pandora being a key example.

I truly, truly mourn losing what a modern, updated EPCOT Center could have been. But, the thing that now keeps me from setting foot in any Disney park (even as a recent local transplant) is the abandonment of thematic fit. That is what made Disney Parks so special to me. And, no one provided that type of environment. Ironically, Universal is arguably doing thematic fit better these days than Disney IMHO. But, it's not a replacement for Disney when it does theme well.

 

[Castle Cake Apologist]

Seriously though, where did all of these Primeval Whirl apologists come from?

I'm a Chester & Hester apologist in general. If you care to spend some extended time there (especially in their old gas station), it's a pretty intricately-themed area.

 

[celluloid]

The most frustrating part of no coherent theming is that it is typically a pencil and paper mistake. Meaning typically very little cost for a larger impact.

 

[celluloid]

I'm a Chester & Hester apologist in general. If you care to spend some extended time there (especially in their old gas station), it's a pretty intricately-themed area.

Ditto. It is a great love letter to roadside America and capitalizing on a natural interest and being captivated by animals who do not even exist anymore, which fits into the Animal Kingdom overreaching theme.

Inside that store is absolutely amazing.

 

[Casper Gutman]

This is the part where it feels like the story got overworked. I 100% see your point and agree this is an attempt (a legitimate one at that) to tie back to Epcot's theme. I also see how people think that's clever. It's just too muddied and and throw away for me - since the pavilion's story is now Wonders of Xandar - i.e. focused on Xandar and it's fantasy technology vs. the actual solar system.

I have to wonder if the original plan was something more like the "Wonders of the Universe, presented by Xandar Technologies" where Xandar was playing the corporate sponsor or something like that. Telling us about the history of our solar system. Then, inevitably, something goes wrong and we have to go back through the creation of the Universe or the like to get a Macguffin, save the day, etc.

While I'm sure I would have been very against that at the time, given current situations, I actually would have been more ok with that story. And, I can completely see how that makes a very direct (albeit tongue in cheek) reference to both UoE and Epcot/EPCOT Center.
Again, I totally see how people are ok with this lighter reference. I hope those people can also see where that feels like an after thought to some of us. And, it's frustrating because story changes could make such a huge difference. Much like BatB Sing Along, Harmonious, etc., I'm beginning to wonder if these rewrites and what not are being pushed by a group outside WDI.

The entire Xandar thing is so unnecessary. Honestly, the queue should have been the simplest thing in the world - an educational EPCOT queue that has been comically defaced by Rocket, Groot, and Drax. That gives you a queue that is both more appropriate for EPCOT AND that better represents the IP.

 

[Casper Gutman]

Ditto. It is a great love letter to roadside America and capitalizing on a natural interest and being captivated by animals who do not even exist anymore, which fits into the Animal Kingdom overreaching theme.

Inside that store is absolutely amazing.

Yup. I think some (not most, just some) of the animus directed at C&H comes from certain fans' sensitivity to the idea that WDW is in any way, shape, or form associated with anything as vulgar as carnivals and standard amusement parks. The invocation of such things in the sacred space of Disney touches on a sore spot. A lesser source of distaste, I think, is that all of Dinoland is lightly mocking Disney's commercialization of science, poking fun at EPCOT and AK itself.

I really wish they had expanded C&H with a genuine dark ride rather then turning the whole thing into another vacant lot in a WDW theme park.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

Yup. I think some (not most, just some) of the animus directed at C&H comes from certain fans' sensitivity to the idea that WDW is in any way, shape, or form associated with anything as vulgar as carnivals and standard amusement parks. The invocation of such things in the sacred space of Disney touches on a sore spot. A lesser source of distaste, I think, is that all of Dinoland is lightly mocking Disney's commercialization of science, poking fun at EPCOT and AK itself.

I really wish they had expanded C&H with a genuine dark ride rather then turning the whole thing into another vacant lot in a WDW theme park.

Jessica Rabbit's Vulgar Carnival Dino Activation confirmed.

 

[CntrlFlPete]

The entire Xandar thing is so unnecessary. Honestly, the queue should have been the simplest thing in the world - an educational EPCOT queue that has been comically defaced by Rocket, Groot, and Drax. That gives you a queue that is both more appropriate for EPCOT AND that better represents the IP.

part of me feels like they must have started development before they knew what they could do east of the Mississippi for (to me) it all sort of feels like an Xandar exhibit with Gaurdians thrown in.

 

[DavidDL]

I'm not sure at what point the discussion shifted over to Primeval Whirl but I'll throw in my two cents; it wasn't a quality attraction but it being there as an option is better than what they have right now. Which on my most recent trip in April, was just empty blacktop.

 

[MisterPenguin]

part of me feels like they must have started development before they knew what they could do east of the Mississippi for (to me) it all sort of feels like an Xandar exhibit with Gaurdians thrown in.

Disney always knew that GotG was ok to fully use.

 

[TheEPCOTHistorian]

Couple notes after ride #20...

1. My lapbar had vomit on it.
2. The building reeked of vomit at 5 pm, but not in the morning.
3. The cars say "82" on them

 

[Clopin Trouillefou]

I got to ride today! Here are some meandering thoughts:

1. I smelled no vomit at any point. so that's something to be grateful for apparently.
2. At this point, I think it's somewhat pointless to talk about whether or not it fits original epcot. Calling a spade a spade, it's a comic book-based roller coaster that they dropped in the park (although I do have a little bit of a soft spot for them calling it the first "other-world" pavilion, that was cute).
3. There were no education elements, at least to my ears. My galaxarium clip had a funny joke about turkey legs.
4. Queue and preshows are somewhere between ok and good. It's about as interesting as Dinosaur's. Nowhere close to Flight of Passage or ROTR in my book.
5. The story is borderline incoherent, and that's coming from an MCU fan haha. You're trying to follow a celestial through space. if you're looking for more story than that, I would consider waving the white flag there.
6. Terry Crews is a riot. Opinions to the contrary are not welcome here.
7. If any of that sounds indifferent to the actual ride, I have to say the roller coaster itself is a blast. If Space Mountain puts a big smile on your face, I give you every assurance this will do that.
8. As someone who can do Mission Space Orange and largely have no issue but feels queasy just looking at Teacups, I had absolutely no motion sickness to speak of. I don't know if that's a helpful reference or not.
9. The coaster itself is so, so, so, so, so smooth. I have to think, but that has to be the smoothest coaster I've ever been on. I would honestly say you get more jerked around on seven dwarves than Guardians.
10. Has anyone described the sensation as going sledding on either a trash can lid or a lunch tray? That's what I'd equate it to, you're going downhill and around bends but sideways, frontways, backwards, etc., without ever truly "spinning." And that's fun!
11. I had "September" and it was an A++++ song for the ride, no notes.
12. I really don't think having animatronics anywhere would've improved anything, at least in this specific case. For the ~30 seconds you're interacting with the characters you're speaking them via transmissions from their ships. For example, do you need to see an animatronic of Dr. Seeker on Dinosaur? I'd equate it to that.

So the very summarized version is it's a very fun, very forced ride. Which I assume most people thought it would be when it was announced 5 years ago hahah.

 

[Marc Davis Fan]

I think some (not most, just some) of the animus directed at C&H comes from certain fans' sensitivity to the idea that WDW is in any way, shape, or form associated with anything as vulgar as carnivals and standard amusement parks. The invocation of such things in the sacred space of Disney touches on a sore spot.

I've always boiled down the problems with C&H to:

1. While it's thematically good (in terms of properly representing a roadside carnival), it's aesthetically bad. Unlike the "visual rhyming" and other design principles that are carefully followed throughout the rest of DAK - making it one of Disney's most beautiful parks - C&H simply isn't beautiful.
2. The premise of a Disney environment is supposed to make sense immediately, even if it requires time and attention to understand in more depth. With C&H, most regular guests will not understand that it's "themed to be an un-themed amusement park." They just see an un-themed amusement park. This breaks the park's transportive "spell" and blurs the line between Disney and the "real world."

There are some things they could've done to mitigate this, especially #2. For example, the "Diggs County" sign could've been much larger and read something like: "welcome to our small town where big fossils were discovered and The Dino Institute was founded." Boom. Now everything makes sense.

 

[BubbaisSleep]

I've always boiled down the problems with C&H to:

1. While it's thematically good (in terms of properly representing a roadside carnival), it's aesthetically bad. Unlike the "visual rhyming" and other design principles that are carefully followed throughout the rest of DAK - making it one of Disney's most beautiful parks - C&H simply isn't beautiful.

Highly agree.
It's odd considering I've heard many times on here AK's miserable parking situation was designed that way so guests can see the clear transition from a hot parking lot to a lush park, but then Disney decided to create a land where most of it is contained inside a cheap carnival parking lot.
No wonder C&H sticks out in a bad way.