I have a confession to make that may blow your mind: I’ve never been on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT in Disney World.
Cosmic Rewind
I know, I know…it’s shocking that someone who writes for DISNEY Food Blog hasn’t been on one of Disney World’s most popular rides. Now, I usually JUMP at the chance at riding a new ride when I get the opportunity, but I’ve been to Disney World several times since Cosmic Rewind opened and I haven’t even once even thought about riding it, but I have a very good reason that I’m going to share with you.
So, a little background information on me. I hate spinny things. I have hated spinny things my entire life, so this isn’t something that’s come about as I got older. When I was a kid, I avoided the merry-go-round at all cost,s and I was even leery of getting on a carousel. I once got tricked into doing a carnival spinning ride by a friend once and I never talked to her again. So I hate spinny rides.
I will never ride the Mad Tea Party
Obviously, that leaves things like Mad Tea Party in Magic Kingdom OUT. So here’s another funny story to make my point: the first time I visited Disneyland, I decided to ride Space Mountain because I’ve heard it’s so much better. One thing that I did not know is that, unlike the Space Mountain track in Disney World, the Space Mountain track in Disneyland goes downwards IN A SPIRAL. Anyway, I would like to apologize to the random person I sat next to on that Space Mountain who was probably wondering if I was going to hurl all over them — I had my hand over my mout,h and I’m sure I was paler than normal. Fortunately, I didn’t, but I had to find a place to sit down and take a nice, long rest. I didn’t ride anything else that day, though.
Space Mountain
Now, the weird thing is I can ride motion simulator rides all day long: Star Tours is a favorite, and I’ll ride it over and over. But for some reason, if something goes in a circle, I can’t handle it. No,w since my youth, I’ve also developed vertigo, which makes it that much worse.
Star Tours
So fast forward to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind’s early previews. I’d already had my concerns hearing about how the coaster vehicles swivel and rotate around. Then I heard from DFB team members and others who rode it early that it could be a bit nauseating. Of course, there was also a lot of talk about how there are quite a few trash cans at the exit of the ride, which is almost ALWAYS a bad sign that people are getting off that ride sick.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
So I did my research: I watched a full ridethrough video of the ride, and it confirmed my worst fears: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is NOT for me. I haven’t even once been tempted to ride it because I remember those times where my ENTIRE day was ruined because I made a bad ride choice.
So why am I sharing this? Well, people often go to Disney World thinking they MUST ride one ride or another, but I’m here to tell you that it’s up to you and you should really decide if you want to ride something that might be sketchy for you and then deal with the consequences of losing time in having to recover from that ride experience.
Inside Disney World’s Cosmic Rewind Coaster: Everything You Don’t See When the Lights Are Out
In my opinion, it’s way better to miss out on a ride than to miss out on a lot of other Disney World experiences because a ride made you feel sick.
I’ll just admire it from the outside
If you REALLY still want to experience part of the ride, though, you can always go through the queue, experience the pre-show, and use the “Chicken Out” exit when you get to the loading area. That’s perfectly acceptable, and you just need to let a Cast Member know that’s your plan.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind pre-show
The beauty of Disney World is that there is something for EVERYONE in the parks. I always tell folks that you could go to Disney World or Disneyland and not get on a single ride and STILL have plenty of things to do. Plus, there are rides for those of us who don’t want to spin in circles to choose from (and, honestly, I’ll just ride Haunted Mansion five times in a row and be happy). Stay tuned to DFB for more.
Do Yourself a Favor and Avoid These Disney World Rides
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Thanks for the article, I have the same problem with spinning rides. I did go on Guardians when I was at Epcot last year and I did not fair well. I probably would have been okay if my Vertigo had not started during the ride. I’m glad I experienced it once but that is enough.
Don’t worry . I rode it for you, it was fun but it was a lot me time only for the trip. I do understand skipping rides because they make you not feel well, it’s why I skip Space Mountain at Disneyland.
Guardians is a good coaster, it’s a cross between a coaster and a spider type ride at six flags. The last row is the worst for people prone to vertigo sickness (spins the most). My favorite seats are row 1 and 2. Some people prefer 4 and 5. Tell cast members that you have a seat preference and you are willing to wait.
Hi Robin. The cars don’t randomly spin around and around. They only point you toward the graphics being presented to tell you the story line. I don’t ride spinning rides as well. But Guardians is one fantastic coaster.
I have never been affected by any rides, but I went on cosmic rewind 2 years ago and felt nauseated for at least 12 hours after. Never again!
Hey Robin! I took used to get horribly nauseated on anything spinny both at the playground with my kids and especially on rides and motion simulators… That is until I bought a little device off Amazon that sends electric impulses up my arm into my brain and stops almost all of my nausea. I just came back from Disneyland and rode everything with our ever needing to throw up or curl in the fetal position on a bathroom floor in California adventure. It was a true game changer for me and made my park visits 100x more enjoyable. It’s called the Eme Term Band (Canada) and relief band in the states. I’m kinda blown away by how little I see online about these devices but truly I am impressed. Check them out!
I have the same problem but take dramamine whenever I’m going to ride those type rides.
Thank you for your article. My husband is prone to motion sickness and will not ride GOTG. His entire day is ruined once he gets sick on a ride. He often tells me that people just don’t understand how debilitating motion sickness can be. People should not judge others who cannot experience certain attractions.
This ride made me so sick. Took me two and a half hours to be able to leave the bench just off the ride and walk up the straits to exit. The moment was forever captured by the photo pass and my brother even sent it to one of those photo printing websites and had it made into a blanket I have to see every time I go to her house or at family holiday gatherings. I can laugh at it now,
if you didn’t like the 360 projection video walls like in Reni’s or in Canada pavilion or Simpson ride at universal this is not for you.
You’re really missing out. This ride is by far the coolest I’ve ever been on. I’m a fellow spinny thing hater but I was only slightly dizzy after this one.
I’m right there with you. I rode Gaurdians once and thought I was going to join the man at the exit with his head in the garbage can. Thankfully I made it outside into the cool evening and sat at a bench for 15 minutes, then straight to my resort and to bed. Ruined the rest of my evening.
I am much like you with the spinning rides. I cannot and will not do the teacups or anything that spins like that. However, I can and absolutely love guardians of the galaxy. It does not make me dizzy or nauseated like I thought it would. Thank goodness. I was really scared the first time I rode it thinking that I would puke at the end. Alas, I rode it back to back. I wish that you were able to ride it but I understand. It is not for everyone just like the teacups are not for everyone. Thank you for your article.
I would not ride on Guardians when we were at Epcot this past November. I don’t hate these types of rides, but I had a sinus headache and thought it would certainly ruin the rest of my day. The rest of my group (including my wife) went on the ride and had no issues.
In fact, they were all teasing me for “wimping out” …. what I DIDN’T know at that time was that you could go through the entire pre-show and then “bail out” if necessary when you get to the actual ride … I would have definitely done that at a minimum. It didn’t help however that people were warning in the days before we went just how disorienting and motion-sickness inducing the ride was going to be.
I think the funniest review I’ve seen so far from another blogger for how to ride GOTG Cosmic Rewind was:
1.) Hope you get in the Virtual Queue or a Lightning Lane Pass
2.) Ride the Ride
3.) Spend the rest of the day feeling like you’re going to puke ….
How do you rates rides and have Motion sickness? I am an amusement junkie..Cosmic Rewind is the best ride I have ever rode..This coming from someone who grew up in an amusement park owning family. I have rode so many rides, and even tested rides. This is hands down the best.
Love that ride. I am not a huge fan of spinning rides. Fortunately,that ride just turns…..it doesn’t spin.
I went on it for the first time in November. I thought I was going to vomit, and I usually can do those kinds of rides.
I have the same issues with rides that spin, but I went on Guardians of the Galaxy the last time I was in Epcot with little trouble. I am always wise enough to take my motion sickness pill(Bonine is our go to) before I visit any park. I have found that to my key to an enjoyable day in the park.
We rode it for the first (and only) time yesterday Sept. 17. Glady it was the last thing we did before heading home. I am happy other people love it. I just can’t handle the sensory overload. I have the same issue with Star Tours. It was more trying not to pass out than a nauseous feeling. Thank you, Disney, for the experience. I really mean that. The Imagineers outdid themselves on the total attraction, it’s just not geared to us. I’ll stick to the right side of the park and World Showcase.
Totally agree with you did the ride once with a motion sickness patch behind my ear. I wasn’t sick but I just didn’t like all the movement. I did it once and I’m good.
I did read another comment about the Relief Band and will look into it for other rides that make me just a little ill feeling.
I always pop a mint in my mouth after riding it to take off the edge.
You say you don’t like merry-go-rounds and also carousels. What’s the difference? I’m English and in the UK those terms are interchangeable.
I have the same issue with spinny rides. I was excited for the ride and failed to do all my research and went ahead and rode it with my family. I lost half a day recovering back at our room!
The music was great but that’s the only good thing about that ride. Felt really bad during ride but quickly recovered.
I was reluctant to rude it when I heard about the spinning. But to me, it wasn’t that bad at all. If anything the G-Force affected me a little more than expected. But It is a great ride.
Hi Louise! I believe the writer is referring to merry-go-rounds that you’d see on playgrounds here, which are non-motorized and generally spun around by other kids or parents while the kids are on them, whereas a carousel would be a motorized theme park attraction with horses, etc.
Thank you DFB Gigi. In England the playground ride would be called a roundabout. And yes, that’s the same as what we call a particular type of road junction!