A visit to Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind at Walt Disney World brings you face-to-face with one of the most exciting attractions ever created. Located near the entrance of EPCOT, this coaster is the best attraction at Walt Disney World.

With a height requirement of 42 inches, it’s perfect for adventurous kids and adults alike.

The issue with Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind is strategizing the best way to ride it and avoid long waits. In this guide we’ll walk you through the 4 ways you can ride Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT.

Key Takeaways

• There are four ways to ride Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT
  • Standby Queue
  • Individual Lightning Lane
  • Lightning Lane Premier Pass
  • VIP Tour
• There are no virtual queues available for Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind as of February 2025.

4 Ways to Ride Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind

1. Standby Line (Free with park ticket)

This is your traditional option, though it was not available until February 2025 when Disney eliminated the virtual queue. For standby you simply go to the attraction and wait in line.

• Longest waits, often 2-4 hours
• Best at rope drop or late evening
• Mostly indoor, air-conditioned queue
• Long pre-show experience

Getting in the regular line is your most budget-friendly choice. The best time to use this option is right when the park opens. Try to arrive an hour before opening time. Lines are shortest early in the morning and late at night. During the middle of the day, you might wait 2-4 hours. Most of the line is inside with air conditioning, which helps on hot days.

2. Individual Lightning Lane ($14-20+ per person)

The entry level line skipping option for the attraction. Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind is not available for Multipass.

Purchase Individual Lightning Lane through the My Disney Experience App in advance of your vacation and allows you to skip the line through the Lightning Lane.

• Book 7 days ahead with Disney hotel stay
• Book 3 days ahead for off-site hotels
• Opens at 7am Eastern daily
• Can sell out quickly
• Pick your return time

3. Premier Pass ($169-249 per person)

An upgraded line skipping service that allows you to skip the line via the Lightning Lane for each attraction at the theme park of your purchase 1 time per day at any time you choose.

• Ride once anytime that day
• Access all EPCOT rides
• No advance booking for specific rides
• Expensive
• Purchase 7 days in advance with Disney Resort Stay, 3 days for off-site hotels

4. VIP Tour ($450-900 per hour)

• Private guide takes you straight to rides
• Skip all lines
• Up to 10 people per group
• Can visit all parks.

The standby line tends to peak between noon and 2pm. Early morning rope drop gives you the shortest regular wait, though you’ll still find many others with the same plan.

The air-conditioned queue helps during hot Florida days. Most guests find the Individual Lightning Lane worth the cost to save several hours of waiting.

Money-Saving Tip: For large families, rope drop might be your best value since Individual Lightning Lane costs add up quickly with multiple riders.

Best Times to Ride Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind

You can use several methods to ride this thrilling attraction at Epcot. The most basic way is using the regular standby line, which is free with park admission.

For the shortest standby waits, get to Epcot early for rope drop – at least an hour before the park opens. Lines are shortest first thing in the morning.

The busiest time is between 12:00-2:00 PM when wait times peak. Lines start decreasing in the evening, but rarely drop below 60 minutes throughout the day. The good news is most of the queue is indoors with air conditioning.

Individual Lightning Lane is a paid option costing $14-20 per person. Disney hotel guests can book 7 days before their trip. Other guests can book 3 days ahead. Book right at 7:00 AM Eastern when slots open for the best return times.

Premier Pass lets you ride once per day through the Lightning Lane. It costs $169-249 per person per day for all Epcot rides. This is separate from Genie+ Multi-Pass, which doesn’t include this attraction.

VIP tours provide the most exclusive access, with a private guide taking you through Lightning Lanes. Tours cost $400-900 per hour for up to 10 people.

The standby line can stretch 2-4 hours long on busy days. While paying extra for Lightning Lane adds up for families, spending $20 per person to save several hours may be worth considering.