Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Sticks to Virtual Queue Despite Test Track Closure

Gallery / 56 Photos
Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind complete walk-through and tour

See all 56

Posted: Monday June 17, 2024 3:30pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

With EPCOT's Test Track now closed for a significant refurbishment, many park-goers hoped that the popular Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind would switch from its virtual queue system to a traditional standby line. However, Disney has decided to keep the virtual queue in place.

Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind Virtual Queue and Lightning Lane signs

While the virtual queue allows Disney better operational control and efficiency in guest flow management while minimizing congestion around the attraction, it creates a planning burden for guests and limits the number of times the attraction can be experienced in a day.

You can ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind up to three times in a single day. Secure a spot in the virtual queue at 7:00 am or 1:00 pm, purchase an Individual Lightning Lane access, and join the virtual queue again if staying at a Deluxe Resort during Extended Evening Hours.

Implications for Guests Visiting EPCOT

Wait times at EPCOT this summer will be impacted by the closure of Test Track

With Test Track closed and Cosmic Rewind sticking to its virtual queue, here's what you can expect:

Virtual Queue Timing: Virtual queue slots for Cosmic Rewind are released at 7:00 am and 1:00 pm daily. The 7:00 am release can be accessed from anywhere, while the 1:00 pm release requires guests to be inside EPCOT. The morning distribution typically reaches capacity in around 4 seconds, with the afternoon distribution usually remaining open for longer (minutes).

Increased Wait Times Elsewhere: Other popular attractions like Frozen Ever After, Soarin' Around the World, and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure may see increased wait times as guests seek alternative experiences. Even traditionally low-wait-time and high-capacity attractions like Spaceship Earth and Living With The Land boat ride will likely see longer waits.

Strategic Planning: More than ever, planning your day at EPCOT will be crucial. Use the My Disney Experience app to keep track of wait times, virtual queue releases, and available experiences.

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

valenrandy12 days ago

We came in through IG at about 8:10/8:15am. The line for GOTG was all the way to SSE when we joined it at 8:26am. At 8:30am the line started moving, reached the breezeway at 8:32am then reached the regular standby entrance to GOTG at about and finally getting on the ride at 9:20.

dmc49313 days ago

I think I saw one report, it seems like you need to be fine with the fact that there will probably be a couple hundred people in front of you by the time you get to the breezeway where they hold you (and honestly that seems like a good day). Still seems feasible compared to the wait times the rest of the day

gorillaball13 days ago

What’s the rope drop looking like for Cosmic Rewind coming from International Gateway? Are you just at a natural disadvantage and behind everyone from the front gate?

Purduevian24 days ago

I think this is especially true at EPCOT where most people prefer to be in the countries in the afternoon and evening.

wdwmagic24 days ago

Best Time to Ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT - Wait Time Guide https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/guardians-of-the-galaxy/news/06mar2025-best-time-to-ride-guardians-of-the-galaxy-cosmic-rewind-at-epcot---wait-time-guide.htm

Animaniac93-9830 days ago

Don't wait times usually peak around noon time? It's seems to be when the most people are in the park at once

James Alucobond30 days ago

Maybe Connections runoff or lunch reservation arrival spike? Would be interesting to see if it’s something that just happens more globally at the park.

UNCgolf30 days ago

I wonder why it has those random spikes mid-day. Seems like it's happened all week, where the wait time skyrockets around noon before going back down.

wdwmagic30 days ago

Quite busy midday today

PurduevianFeb 26, 2025

frozen is definitely not a people eater

wdwmagicFeb 26, 2025

These shows those attractions, but not on the same chart. https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/walt-disney-world-ride-wait-times-%E2%80%93-morning-afternoon-evening-stats.985625/post-11157412

buckeyegator55Feb 26, 2025

once test track re-opens you will have 5 people eaters gotg, rat, frozen, soarin, and test track, should,imo, spread out the lines.

PurduevianFeb 26, 2025

Would adding FOP and/or ROTR make it too busy? I feel like guardians compares closer to those 2 as it is the clear premiere attraction in a non-MK park. (Even though SDD amazingly has almost identical wait times to ROTR)