I am Groot? Find out with Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (pictured; Kent Phillips/©Disney), an out-of-this-world new reason to visit EPCOT® at WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort in Orlando.

Ready to save the galaxy? Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has landed at Walt Disney World® Resort, bringing the first “other-world” pavilion to EPCOT® … and this time, the good guys need your help to win. Here’s what to expect from this intergalactic, family-friendly chase through time and space — one of many unforgettable experiences exclusive to Orlando.

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Welcome to Xandar

As a child, Peter Quill — aka Guardians of the Galaxy’s Star-Lord — visited EPCOT and loved the experience. No surprise there! When the Xandarian government came to him for advice on the perfect place to connect with Terrans (as the Xandarians call us), Quill could think of no better location than this future-facing Walt Disney World theme park.

You will know the Wonders of Xandar pavilion is close when the full-size Starblaster — the first ever built on Earth — comes into view. From there, you’ll step inside the pavilion itself, or more specifically, the pavilion’s Galaxarium. The sweeping, planetarium-style space showcases planets, stars and other intergalactic marvels that connect “Terra” and Xandar, with narrative details provided by the Xandarian supercomputer, Worldmind.

You will then enter the Xandar Gallery, which teaches about the Xandarian people, culture, history and heroes via specially crafted displays that include models of starships and even an entire Xandarian city. You will also see excerpts from Good Morning Xandar featuring the Guardians of the Galaxy being interviewed about their adventures.

Your next stop is the Phase Chamber, where you will be teleported from EPCOT to a Nova Corps Starcharter cruiser orbiting Earth. Here, you’ll receive a fun education in the Cosmic Generator, the Xandarian technology that creates jump points in space for rapid travel across vast distances — a lesson that ends unexpectedly when a massive being, the Celestial known as Eson, appears outside the ship.

Turns out that Eson has been watching Earth for eons (anagrams, anyone?) and wants to use the Cosmic Generator to rewrite the course of history. As the Guardians of the Galaxy arrive to assist, you’ll evacuate the ship via a Starjumper shuttle — a small escape pod that the Guardians reprogram so you can help defeat Eson and hopefully save the galaxy.

What happens if the mission isn’t a success? Well, as Drax so cheerfully puts it, “you are likely doomed.” Good thing that you and the Guardians are on the scene!

It’s Save the Galaxy Time

Not only is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind the newest attraction at EPCOT — it’s also the theme park’s first coaster. What’s more, it’s the first Disney coaster with a reverse launch, the longest fully enclosed coaster at any Disney theme park, and the first Disney Omnicoaster, where vehicles make controlled rotations to always keep you focused on the action.

But most importantly? It’s a whole lot of fun.

At its heart, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a dark ride in the classic Disney tradition, only taken to the Nth degree. Expect lots of twists, turns and surprises — including numerous characters from the blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy films — as you soar at whirlwind speeds through the galaxy. (Heads up that honorary Guardians must be at least 42 inches/107 cm tall to ride. Not even Rocket can help you sneak past that requirement!)

You’ll also be treated to some of the galaxy’s coolest music courtesy of the attraction’s own “awesome mix” — six songs selected from more than 100 candidates for your Starjumper’s onboard audio. The tunes are served up via random selection, so you won’t know which one you’re getting until you jump into space with the Guardians. All the more reason to ride it again and again! The tracks and their artists include:

• “Conga” (Gloria Estefan’s Miami Sound Machine)
• “Disco Inferno” (The Trammps)
• “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” (Tears for Fears)
• “I Ran” (A Flock of Seagulls)
• “One Way or Another” (Blondie)
• “September” (Earth, Wind & Fire)

Once you disembark, you’ll hear additional songs as you make your way out of the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion. And that’s on top of more than two hours of new music that was created by Guardians of the Galaxy composer Tyler Bates for the attraction’s score!

Shop the Treasures of Xandar

No visit to the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion is complete without stopping by Treasures of Xandar, where you can stock up on exclusive Guardians of the Galaxy fashions, accessories, home decor, collectibles and toys. How did they amass such an incredible collection? By partnering with The Broker, who appeared in the original film.

Get your 1980s on with retro silhouettes and graphic designs in the Guardians of the Galaxy: Through the Eyes of Peter Quill Collection. Or, shop the Heroes of Xandar Collection for gear and memorabilia that fans might collect if the Guardians were to embark on an intergalactic tour. You can even show off your new hero status with the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — Honorary Guardians Collection.

But our favorite? The Groot Through the Years Collection, which celebrates the sentient tree-like creature and his journey to becoming a defender of the galaxy. We are Groot, indeed!

Don’t miss your chance to save the galaxy — make a reservation for EPCOT the next time you’re in Orlando.

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