Guardians of the Galaxy Ride Coming to Epcot!
UPDATE: Walt Disney World has announced that a Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster is coming to Epcot, with the popular Marvel characters getting a big budget ride replacing Universe of Energy.
The project is now under construction with an anticipated opening date of Fall 2021. You can see progress on the gigantic show building in our monthly updates on the biggest construction projects at Walt Disney World.
Beyond that, not many official details are known about the ride. It’s expected to be a hybrid coaster, and if the show building’s size is any indication, it’ll be massive.
Note: what follows is info from prior to the official announcement, including a rundown of the rumors and permits about the Guardians of the Galaxy attraction…
As outlandish as this sounds, the rumblings of late have been that Guardians of the Galaxy would be replacing Ellen’s Energy Adventure, in a totally new build, or a partial expansion of the existing building (not exactly sure how that would be accomplished). There were even height balloons spotted, giving further credence to the ‘new build’ rumors.
Additionally, Disney filed with the South Florida Water Management District to re-route the canal behind Universe of Energy, and create two new retention ponds. The permits reason for the work is “for possible future changes to parking capacity and back of house areas.”
You might be thinking: “a water permit, so what?” That’s definitely one way to look at it. Even if the Guardians of the Galaxy project were dead, it’s possible Disney would still go forward in filing this permit. However, the permit mentions the addition of construction trailers, and contains a huge boundary (see below) that includes the Universe of Energy building.
Disney is well aware that fans are watching the construction permits it files, and after having the gondola story leak out before Walt Disney World was ready to announce it, it’s also possible the company is getting (even more) vague with permits.
It’s also possible that is for a project other than Guardians of the Galaxy. Universe of Energy is well past its prime and due a replacement regardless, and this could be setting the table for whatever is to come. As we reported in our 8 Huge Epcot Rumors post, a lot is on the table right now for the park, and Imagineering seems to be in “Blue Sky Overdrive” for a reimagining of the park.
Whatever is happening with Universe of Energy, I do not think it’s some simple canal work. This is the precursor to something bigger. Hopefully we’ll hear what that “something” is at the D23 Expo in a couple months.
My Reaction
I don’t care how much lipstick you put on it or layers of backstory are flung onto the walls of the queue and post-show, a Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster has no place in Future World. These characters are an inorganic fit for Future World, and any attraction featuring them necessarily will be shoehorned into Epcot.
If what follows sounds familiar, it’s because this is becoming somewhat of a refrain from me with each rumor or announcement that amounts to thematic denigration by management that either doesn’t understand or care (or both) about the distinct, overarching themes of parks and lands.
I can already anticipate the responses defending the addition of this roller coaster (or any potential Guardians of the Galaxy attraction): that Ellen’s Energy Adventure is stale, that Future World is stale, that the edutainment component of the original EPCOT Center has failed. I would agree with all of those premises.
However, before I agree to any conclusions that might follow from said premises, I’d add more to that: Disney ignored Epcot for decades, shoehorning things where they didn’t belong, and letting the park stagnate. As such, my ultimate conclusion would not be that Epcot needs thrill rides or a new mission statement to be relevant.
Future World stopped being “relevant” when Disney started ignoring its mission statement, not due to that mission statement being broken. The problems Epcot faces today were not caused by its lofty ambitions, but of Disney “updating” it by shoehorning in characters and going the cheap route on keeping the park fresh. A Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster is not the solution to Epcot’s problems, it’s another symptom of them.
Despite what many claim, Epcot’s mission statement is not obsolete, and learning has not suddenly become “boring.” An estimated 135 million people, including 45 million in the U.S., watched “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey,” hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson. Americans are fixated by SpaceX’s every move, and CEO Elon Musk is treated like a rock star wherever he goes. The tech companies of Silicon Valley rank as some of the world’s most admired companies. Pop culture has made being geeky cool, and information is more accessible than ever.
No, CSPAN isn’t the most popular network on television, but most people do like to learn. If educational subjects are presented in ways that makes them fascinating, they are well received. Which, as it were, was the whole point of “edutainment” in the first place. In their heyday, the original EPCOT Center attractions resonated with guests, who learned something while being entertained.
Focusing on innovation through edutainment is not dead as a viable concept for a theme park, just as learning and being entertained are not “dead.” What isn’t viable is trotting out woefully outdated attractions, shoehorning characters into existing attractions in a half-baked manner as a bandaid, and spending hundreds of millions of dollars on new attractions that are just flat out weak.
Above all else, it’s the execution that matters for an individual attraction, and how that attraction is integrated into the larger thematic tapestry of a land and park. Imagineers could make a strange attraction about a green martial artist, talking raccoon, and humanoid tree, and it could be awesome. It just depends upon the execution. Ironic that the very envelope-pushing, creative movie that proves this true is going to further obliterate Epcot’s theme as more franchises are shoved into Epcot in a way that is an inorganic fit (which is also to say that franchises could work in Future World).
The possibility of a Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster in Future World is indicative of there being no vision for Epcot. Management has its eye on the next few years–and this coaster will undoubtedly be a marketing draw the first few years it’s open–with no concern for the long-term. The net result is that 10 years from now every park will look the same: like a hodgepodge of attractions not designed with theme in mind, but on the basis of which franchise could fit where in any given year. Expedition Everest needs a big refurbishment next year? Well, good news! Cars 3 has a mountain in one of its backgrounds, and it did well in the Asian markets, so it’s a perfect fit for an overlay in Asia at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!
For fans, I know it might be easy to accept attractions that are poor fits, especially in Epcot, as the park has been neglected for so long. I also know there’s not exactly any love lost for Ellen’s Energy Adventure, which is long overdue for a replacement. However, that does not mean we should just gladly accept whatever. Theme still matters, and adherence to theme is part of what will be necessary to get Epcot back on track. After years of stagnation, the answer to Epcot’s problems does not lie with quick shots in the arm, but with a comprehensive vision that re-establishes its unique identity in ways that entertain and capture the imaginations of guests.
The reason so many of us are fans in the first place is because of the “Disney Difference,” or the high standards to which Disney held itself that differentiated its parks from the rest. After years of neglect, there is a lot in the pipeline right now for Walt Disney World (more on this soon…), just because we have been starved for anything new in the past does not mean we should lower our standards for what it means to be a Disney theme park.
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Your Thoughts
Do you agree or disagree with my take on Guardians of the Galaxy rolling into Epcot? Is Ellen’s Energy Adventure such a snoozefest that you just don’t care? Or do you “trust in Disney” to do a good job making any concept fit? Hearing from you–even if you disagree with me–is half the fun, so please share in the comments!
The original Epcot mission of education and entertainment is dead because people are satisfying that need elsewhere, with the click of a mouse, not at the Mouses’s house. If Disney doesn’t do some major face lifting at all DW parks to thrill and entertain, they will be outpaced Universal in theme park attendance. There’s a reason that the overrated Seven Dwarf kiddie coaster has 2 hour waits at MK…it’s the closest thing to a thrill ride that’s opened in the past several years.
“…people are satisfying that need elsewhere, with the click of a mouse…”
I’d argue that most people are not satisfying that need at all, but I’ll agree that Disney will continue increasing its thrilling attractions over the next decade. That’s the low-hanging fruit.
Unfortunately the old Epcot is dead they have killed it by putting in more and more thrill rides in it that it is so diluted now it’s just a mish mash of attractions. Also unfortunately how would they get back to the old Epcot. It would cost them way too much money and sponsors are getting harder and harder to find . I liked the old Epcot better but I realized a long time ago that the idea is dead pretty much the same way Hollywood studios original idea is dead. I love star wars but I’m not sure it’s going to be better than it used to be when you had the animation areas. The backlot areas. The area where they used to house Osborne lights. That old idea is dead. Would a star wars rollercoaster make people happier about it. If so it’s not about the mission statement it’s about the theme. I think for at least some that is the case
Epcot needs Guardians of the Galaxy it will be good for Epcot and Update Imagination with new sponsors and 3D movie too!
Hi. chanced upon your page while searching for info on Disneyland. Was just wondering whether it is possible to include the date of your posts somewhere? this could help the page visitors know how new/old the post is. thanks!
Every year we have to deliberate renewing our annual passes because of this very reason. Epcot was always my favorite park even as a child and my thirst for knowledge made it a perfect for me. It saddens me to see the changes they’re making. Why not add a few more countries to the showcase? There’s space for additional country pavilions and back in the 80’s there were talks of additional countries being added that never happened. While I agree that Ellen’s ride is seriously dated and in desperate need of an upgrade, I fail to see how a Guardian of the Galaxy themed ride will benefit Epcot in the long run when fans grow tired of the franchise.
Holy cow, Tom! This was a most wonderful, eloquent, even polite blasting of the direction Disney is going. Well done! You sir, are the spokesman for every man, woman, and child that ever felt or witnessed the Disney magic over the years. Even my adult kids are disgusted with the cash grabs Disney has been introducing lately. We skipped this year for the first time in 15 years. Is nothing sacred?
I 200% agree. They are putting movie themed rides in Epcot when they belong in Hollywood Studios. Why are they so intent on ruining Epcot? They feel there is not enough excitement there? Epcot is about innovation and countries, not movies and roller coasters. Just such a shame their vision is getting dismantled. All the parks will look the same and that is when I will stop going and sell my DVC points.
I agree completely. I always loved Epcot and the concept but I cannot tell you how much I dislike those monoliths with the names at the entrance. Epcot was once beautiful and quiet, a place to dream and think. It’s a shame that’s it’s becoming an advertisement. Thanks for putting this out there.
We felt the same way about Animal Kingdom. Beautiful, quiet, peaceful. Now they are jazzing the place up with bright lights and loud music and parties. Really Disney? Now they throw out of place thrill rides in Epcot, just because they think it will make more MONEY. The magic is slowly slipping away……….
I agree completely. I always loved Epcot and the concept but I cannot tell you how much I dislike those monoliths with the names at the entrance. Epcot was once beautiful and quiet, and place to dream and think. It’s a shame that’s it’s becoming an advertisement. Thanks for putting this out there.
Couldn’t agree with this more! 🙂
I have no issue with tieing a popular film to the EPCOT concept if done right. Using a Frozen hook the get folks to learn something about Norway or Dory for the Ocean is not a bad concept, It just has to be done right. Disney more than almost any other company has the talent to carry this off in an entertaining and tasteful way. I think Test Track is a good example, if a bit of a GM commercial. But GoTG at EPCOT is a bit of a stretch for me. I don’t see the education tie in at all. It should be put over at the Studios.
I love Ellen’s ride and will miss it. I think Disney is going down the wrong track losing the continuity of the park. A GOTG ride should be in Hollywood Studios, not Epcot. I hope they don’t do something utterly stupid like removing Tower of Terror, my all time favorite ride.
You are so right on all points. I thought putting Frozen in Epcot was weird and sorely miss the amazing ride it replaced, but at least the theme was consistent. If they really think Epcot is the place for GOTG, build something completely new near Mission:SPACE for at least some thematic venue. Personally, I love roller coasters, but don’t see that as a fitting representation of the movie. And it’s not all about rides. GOTG interactive ride along with displays, movie props, and such would be welcomed.
Your blog has been so helpful to us on many trips so heaps of thanks for publishing and keeping it up to date!
I agree 100% Tom; however, the feed back on this leans to acceptance of this atrocity! It seems like people want anything , rather than nothing, in Epcot.
Where does this Guardians of the Galaxy theme actually fit in Epcot???? It doesn’t, but I guess it is popular now, so……………..I admit I haven’t even seen this movie yet, so am in the dark.
I think it all started with the success of Frozen, and putting it in Epcot. So, if there is another popular (at the time) movie, then lets just put it into Epcot, somewhere. Seems to be Disney’s thinking right now.
I am saddened to see these cheap changes on Disney’s Epcot park.
One day I fear that WDW will be like 6 flags; ie; coasters in each park, no theme, just same old same old. I hope someone at WDWCo. will recognize this and realize that the reason most of us go to WDW is that it is different from all the others. When it is the same, then I for one will not be going back.
You make several great points in this article Tom. In particular, the following line sums up what it is to be a Disney Parks fan:
“The reason so many of us are fans in the first place is because of the “Disney Difference,” or the high standards to which Disney held itself that differentiated its parks from the rest.”
Let’s just hope they know what they are doing with this Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster idea!
This is so very sad and wrong. What has happened to EPCOT? I completely agree with you that the edutainment concept could be amazing if they just put the money and effort into it. I also couldn’t agree more than in 10 years there might be no real difference between Epcot and DHS – both just a hodgepodge of whatever fit in at the time. So disappointing. Thank you for sharing this (bad) news with us
I back you wholeheartedly, 100%.
Would LOVE to see the frontier of the cosmos playing a big role in FW. There are infinite possibilities which I’m sure Imagineers could have a field day with. Epcot feels to me like “fantastic reality”, and I really wish they could see all the potential it still holds.
Themes change.
Mission statements change.
Especially is amusement parks.
Old school Epcot enthusiasts (of which I most definitely am one) would like everything to be as it was.
But that’s not reality.
The future is constantly evolving, and keeping up with it is very, very difficult & expensive, not to mention totally lame if done poorly.
Despite our fond memories as kids of Future World & EPCOT CENTER, isn’t it possible that it wasn’t quite as fantastic as we want to remember? That we elevated it to ridulous levels through the lenses of our child eyes? That maybe today, while not perfect, it’s still pretty awesome.
Accepting and enjoying change is important to being a Walt Disney World fan. It’s certainly preferable to becoming a bitter old curmudgeon that thinks everything was better “back in the day”, even when it most certainly was not.
The mystery of this move at Epcot is that Disney has a property ideal for Epcot’s theme, but seems not to have noticed.
Epcot’s original design was meant to emulate the World’s Fairs with their combo of exhibits of future-tech on the one hand and international culture on the other. Those had already ended by the time Epcot opened, but in the early 80s were recent enough people knew what it was about. The original corporate sponsors clearly had that in mind; when I first started visiting, the Innoventions buildings were packed full of interesting “world of tomorrow” stuff.
The World’s Fairs have faded, but various Tech Expos are now bigger news than ever, every year. Epcot probably can’t compete with these annual shows but I doubt it would be hard to regain some sponsorship if they reoriented Innoventions as a “new and upcoming tech” exhibit. It would be simultaneously edu- and advert- tainment, attractive to sponsors and right in line with Epcot’s theme.
And they’ve got the perfect IP for the thematic overlay: Big Hero 6, the plot of which revolved entirely around innovative tech and had its key early scene set in just such a tech expo.
It beats me why they’re messing around with Guardians to revamp Epcot when they’ve this obviously better thematic choice available.
Very thought provoking, Tom. But I have to take the contrarian view and look at GOTG addition as step in the New World Order of Epcot. These changes will refresh an aging infrastructure. For too long Epcot as fallen back on its namesake. Every time attendance was falling, a new attraction was installed (Test Track, Soaring, Mission: Space) to bring the attendance back to an upward swing. If companies continue to stay on the “original” course an mission, Sears would still be selling mobile homes and opium through mail-order only. WDC is a media giant, not just a theme park management company. Installing IP’s into Epcot (maybe change the name to IPcot?) that would fit the environment even if this changes the original theming. Park goers want to be immersed in the “magic” and no longer want to see how the magic was created (see changes to Uni and HS). Bringing characters to the World Showcase, with the very long lines created, should have been the first clue to these changes, as this is considered a huge success for senior leadership. Arguably this does fit each country/area thematically.