EPCOT’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has become a fan-favorite attraction since its debut in 2022. As Disney’s first-ever reverse-launch coaster, it offers a thrilling experience that keeps Walt Disney World Resort guests coming back for more. However, a recent malfunction gave riders an unexpected taste of what it’s like to roll backward at the wrong time.
A Technical Failure on a Popular Walt Disney World Coaster
More than two years after opening, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind remains one of EPCOT’s most popular attractions. It requires a Virtual Queue or a paid Lightning Lane reservation to ride, with spots filling up in seconds daily.
Unfortunately, the ride has been plagued by technical issues in recent weeks. Earlier this week, only half of the ride was operational, causing significant delays for guests. On Wednesday, the coaster didn’t open with the rest of the theme park, leaving many Walt Disney World Resort visitors disappointed. Additionally, reports of water damage in the ride building have raised questions about its upkeep.
Amid these challenges, TikTok user @kaylalittle56 shared a video documenting a rare and surprising malfunction while on the ride.
@kaylalittle56 roll back on guardians!!! full ride through. so scary but so cool #disneyworld #epcot #coaster #guardians #stuck
“We just got off Guardians, and the craziest thing just happened,” the Disney Park guest said in her video. “On our first launch out, we went up, and it all of a sudden rolled back. It’s called a ‘roll back’ on coasters. We rolled all the way back into the launch station and we were stuck there for like five minutes.”
A Silent Ride Experience
After the rollback, the ride restarted, but something was noticeably missing: sound. Typically, guests on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind enjoy one of six classic songs, including “Conga” by Miami Sound Machine, “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire, or “I Ran (So Far Away)” by A Flock of Seagulls.
Instead, riders experienced a silent version of the attraction, adding an eerie tone to the unexpected event.
The guest shared a video of the entire experience, including the rollback and the silent re-ride. Fortunately, Disney cast members compensated affected guests with free Lightning Lane passes so they could enjoy the coaster again at a later time.
While Walt Disney World Resort has not issued an official statement about the recent malfunctions, the rollback incident is the latest in a string of operational challenges for the Marvel-themed ride.
Has a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort ride malfunctioned during your trip? Share your story with How to Disney in the comments.
