by Beth Keating
News
DisneyBizJournal.com
November 16, 2023
Disney fans have been gushing about the “Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind” attraction in EPCOT since it first opened in May 2022, but now the ride is also being recognized for its achievement with a prestigious “Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement – Attraction in 2024.” The award is given by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), and was announced at the IAAPA Expo (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) in Orlando this week.
The Thea Awards acknowledge exceptional achievements in the themed entertainment industry, and “is considered one of the greatest honors in the themed experience industry. The Thea Awards honor individuals, projects, and technologies in the arena of themed attractions and experiences worldwide.”
The 30th annual Thea Award recipients will be recognized at a special gala on March 16, 2024, in Hollywood. The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) has more than 1200 member companies in 40 countries.
The opening of “Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind” brought with it the first reverse launch for a Disney coaster, as well as the first Disney Omnicoaster ride system. The Omnicoaster system allows Imagineers to program the enclosed coaster so that vehicles make controlled rotations, assuring that guests are always facing the best action, guaranteeing storytellers that riders are always immersed in the experience. The attraction also provides great re-ridability, since there are six different songs to accompany each visit, and guests never know which song they are going to get on their adventure.
Cosmic Rewind is based on the 2014 Guardians of the Galaxy film and its subsequent sequels/additional volumes that are part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, featuring a band of misfits led by Star-Lord Peter Quill (Chris Pratt). The attraction’s backstory includes the fact that Peter and his mom had visited EPCOT when he was a child, and the “Wonders of Zandar” pavilion is the first other-world pavilion to be introduced to EPCOT. The “exhibits” in the pavilion share some of the culture of Zandar, and, as so often happens, things go awry and the Guardians must ask the Disney guests for their help in righting the universe during the ride. A series of “jump points” rocket riders through a mad chase across the galaxy.
If you want a peek at the creation of the ride, and you have Disney+, the recently dropped Season #2 of Behind the Attraction features a look at the ride in the EPCOT episode (episode #5).
“Congratulations to Walt Disney Imagineering on this well-deserved recognition,” said Jeff Vahle, president, Walt Disney World. “A highlight of our EPCOT transformation, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind combines the Disney hallmark of great storytelling with a ride experience that literally has guests coming back for more.”
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Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.
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