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Cosmic Rewind is the start of a roller coaster war

By Judy J. Beasley

Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of Theme Park News! We’re talking about the crazy new attraction from Disney, news from coast to coast, and even a surprise from Disneyland Paris. Here’s everything you need to know that you might have missed! :

DISNEY HAS ENTERED THE THRILL RIDE CHAT

If you know about theme park news, you probably already know the first few words about Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Return, the new roller coaster that will open at Walt Disney World on May 27, has been overwhelmingly positive. Disney has a massive hit on its hands with this reverse launch Marvel themed coasters it is also one of the largest interior coasters in the world.

Frankly, it’s a a whole turn. As intense as it is massive, Cosmic Rewind remains an unprecedented amount of fun so far not really seen within Epcot. (And no, Mission: SPACE is do not fun and i will do not hear otherwise!) I started my first ride fearful that I would come away wobbling or nauseous – or worse, unimpressed, but what I felt can only be described as a kind of religious experience, both overwhelming and unforgettable . Once I was able to wrap my brain around its scale, I was able to enjoy the ride in a new way, but it was still extremely fun and free from the diminishing returns I had mistakenly anticipated. (That nausea I’m talking about is real, though. This coaster triggers for people with motion sickness, so take my advice into account and pop the Dramamine!)

Personally, every time I review a new ride I have certain requirements, including a non-negotiable number of times I must sit on board before writing a single word. I put my ass on that seat a total of seventeen times, not for research, but because I… had to go again. I HAD to turn it back ON. I skipped coffee, lunch, water, even the bathroom just to keep rolling while attending a media preview, reaching such joyous heights that I found myself dancing in my seat and desperately trying to squeeze through one more turn before my flight home the next day.

Since Disney folks are one of the hardest fandoms to please, the ride’s reception is nothing less than a triumph. If you’re on the fence about it, I have write a little guide to help you with that – including answers to some popular questions:

But, the real story here isn’t about how this coaster is a banger worth booking a trip, which it is. It’s almost more significant of a triumph considering how badly Epcot and Walt Disney World as a whole needed an attraction like this.

You see, Universal Orlando Resort has always positioned itself as the spot in town for thematic thrills. Just take a look at this ad campaign from a few years ago, aimed at kids growing up and not having fun in Fantasyland. Disney is known for combining themes, intellectual property and family experiences while Universal? Universal has positioned itself as the place you go for real fun for scary fun, for flips and drops and physical scares. Cosmic Rewind, however, bridges the gap and takes us back to a pre-pandemic era where Disney and Universal are battling it out for Orlando-bound consumers, leaving them torn over what new park experience to plan next.

Not to give you a piss-poor lesson about market share and economics and the benefits of competition – I barely paid attention in stats class because I was on Tumblr so I can’t simply not – the significance of this coaster goes way beyond being the first Marvel Attraction at one of Disney World’s theme parks. This officially puts Disney once again in competition with this thrill-packed new attraction that Universal has cornered the market on for the past few years.

Still from Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Return

Still from Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Return Photo: Marvel/Disney

Of course not all A single ride at Universal Orlando Resort is a high-octane masterpiece, but Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure breathed new life into Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley when it debuted in 2019 with surprises to edge, shocking speed and the most interesting vehicle ride (motorbikes and sidecars!) to date. Followed by the opening of Velocicoaster – a good time, pardon my tongue, balls on the wall that pushes the boundaries to a mind-blowing level, even for people who love coasters – Universal solidified as the place for themed thrills, as Disney rolled out more themed experiential attractions.

Because, really, what has Disney World released recently that some would consider “scary”? The company’s ideology of putting storytelling first has, of late, been mostly on display through trackless vehicles on Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and yes, even Rise of the Resistance. (2018’s Slinky Dog Dash, Disney World’s newest coaster, has a secondary launch but is more playful and uplifting than anything else.) It’s a great place for family fun and the themed experience that keeps them entertained. Serves well — but if you want to feel the rollercoaster rush, especially on Velocicoaster and Hagrid’s, you’re bound to consider even just a day at Universal Orlando Resort.

Still from Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Return

Still from Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Return

Still from Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Return Photo: Marvel/Disney

Most of the real Disney roller coasters, the ones with big drops or inversions, are classics at this point. Expedition Everest, whose back drop and detailed design are still among Disney’s all-time bests, opened in 2006; Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Disney’s most aggressive thrill ride, second only to the one that had barf bags on boardopened 22 years ago.

So having an absolute petard of a ride that combines true rollercoaster thrills, a franchise fans rave about, and a party atmosphere solidifies Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind not just the flavor of the month but one of the most important rides in DisneyWorld. And right behind that comes Tron LightCycle Run, a futuristic Shanghai ride dupe that, as someone who’s experienced it first-hand, is a surefire hit, officially putting Disney back in the roller coaster game for kids. years to come.

What does all this mean? Well, for starters, a bunch of fantastic new attractions for anyone making their trip back to Orlando since the pandemic began. But more than that, with Universal’s epic new universe on the way, proof that the future of Florida theme parks will be filled with worthy new rides, and in the rollercoaster wars between the two resorts, we’re the ones who profit. .

CONNECTIONS! CONNECTIONS! CONNECTIONS!

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

This will be my last issue of Theme Park News on SYFY WIRE! I’ve had a wonderful time over the past three years and am so grateful for the time I’ve spent here and everyone I’ve worked with.

If you liked what you read here, you can follow my many (many, many) thoughts on theme parks at Twitter, instagram and ICT Tacas well as on my theme park podcast, Great fun with Carlye Wisel. Good road!

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Judy J. Beasley
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