Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has shifted to a standby queue at EPCOT in Walt Disney World, and wait times have started to follow consistent patterns. If you're planning your trip and want to experience this ride with the shortest wait time, this guide breaks down the best time to ride Cosmic Rewind based on wait time data since the standby line launched on February 25, 205.
When Is the Best Time to Ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind?
The best time to ride Cosmic Rewind with the lowest wait time using the recently introduced standby line depends on whether you have Early Entry, Extended Evening Hours, or regular park access.
Best Times to Ride
- 8:30 am - 9:00 am (Early Entry) – Best time for Disney Resort guests
- 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm – Best time for regular guests
- 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm (Extended Evening Hours) – Best time for Deluxe Resort guests
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Wait Time Trends
Analyzing wait times since the standby line launch, here's how Cosmic Rewind's queue fluctuates throughout the day:
Morning – Early Entry and Regular Park Opening
8:30 am - 9:00 am (Early Entry)
- The shortest wait times of the day, averaging 34 minutes.
- Best time to ride for Disney Resort guests.
9:00 am - 11:00 am (Morning Rush)
- As regular park guests arrive, wait times spike to 69 minutes at 9 am.
- By 10 am, wait times climb to 74 minutes.
Midday Peak – The Worst Time to Ride
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
- Longest wait times of the day, averaging 82+ minutes.
- Avoid riding during this time unless necessary.
Afternoon – Gradual Decline in Wait Times
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- Waits drop slightly, averaging 64-73 minutes.
- A better time to ride than midday but still not the best.
Evening – A Good Time for Regular Guests
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
- Another peak at 86 minutes before slowly declining.
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
- Wait times drop to 62 minutes.
- Best time to ride for regular guests without Extended Evening Hours.
Extended Evening Hours – The Best Option for Deluxe Resort Guests
9:00 pm - 11:00 pm:
- Waits drop significantly for Deluxe Resort guests eligible for Extended Evening Hours.
- By 10 pm, wait times average 39 minutes.
- By 11 pm, wait times can be as low as 34 minutes, similar to Early Entry.
Best Strategies to Minimize Your Wait
Ride During Early Entry (Best for Resort Guests)
- Waits are lowest between 8:30 am - 9:00 am, averaging 34 minutes.
- If you're staying at a Disney Resort hotel, this is the best time to ride.
Ride After 7:00 pm (Best for Regular Guests)
- If you don't have Early Entry, your best bet is after 7 pm, when waits drop to around 62 minutes.
Ride During Extended Evening Hours (Best for Deluxe Resort Guests)
- After 9:00 pm, wait times drop significantly for Deluxe Resort guests.
- By 10 pm, waits are around 39 minutes, and by 11 pm, they drop to 34 minutes.
Avoid Midday (11 am - 2 pm) – The Worst Time to Ride
- Wait times peak at 82+ minutes.
- If you can, avoid Cosmic Rewind during this window.
Consider 2 pm - 4 pm as a Backup Plan
- While not the shortest wait time, this period sees declining wait times to 64 minutes.
- This is a good alternative if you can't ride during Early Entry or in the evening.
Final Recommendation – When Should You Ride Cosmic Rewind?
Early Entry (8:30 am - 9:00 AM)
- Ideal for Disney Resort guests.
- Average wait time is around 34 minutes.
Evening for Regular Guests (7:00 pm - 9:00 pm)
- Best option if you don't have Early Entry.
- Average wait time is around 62 minutes.
Extended Evening Hours (9:00 pm - 11:00 pm)
- Available for Deluxe Resort guests.
- Wait times drop to between 34 and 39 minutes.
Avoid Riding Between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
- This period sees the highest wait times (82+ minutes) and should be avoided if possible.
Have you ridden Cosmic Rewind with the new standby queue? Share your experience in the comments!
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