At Disney’s Destination: D23 event on November 20, 2021, Disney’s Josh D’Amaro announced many additions to the Disney Parks sure to excite hardcore theme park fans. Most notably, we got some really cool details on the long-awaited second attraction for Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. At the event, we learned that the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind coaster is officially opening in summer 2022 (and now we even have an official release date). All as part of the Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary celebration.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
According to D’Amaro, the attraction is “an intergalactic chase through time and space.” Its location is in the newly renamed World Discovery neighborhood of EPCOT. They set the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind coaster to include two thrilling milestones. It’s the first reverse launch on a Disney coaster, and it will also be one of the longest fully enclosed coasters in the world. And you’ll see all your favorite characters from the films, including Rocket and Groot.
And they’ll include even one more incredible feature. Namely, Oscar nominee Glenn Close. The celebrated actress is reprising her role as Nova Prime, the Xandarian leader and commander of the Nova Corps. Fans will remember her from the first Guardians of the Galaxy. She even made a special announcement at Destination D23 to announce her return to the role. You can see her video announcement above.
Guests will enter the new Wonders of Xandar pavilion via the Galaxarium and proceed through the Xandar Gallery. There, they will learn more about the Xandarian people as well as the similarities that connect Earth and Xandar. Does her appearance answer the question “did Nova Prime survive Thanos?” The Mad Titan seemed to imply in Infinity War that Xandar went bye-bye, conveniently off-screen. But, we’d bet on Glenn Close surviving any cosmic apocalypse.
More recently, it was announced that Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will officially open on May 27.
Avengers Campus: Disneyland Paris
And the Marvel magic will continue at the Disney parks around the world. After a successful opening in Anaheim, Avengers Campus will welcome guests in summer 2022 in Disneyland Paris. This comes right on the heels of the opening of Disney’s Hotel New York: The Art of Marvel earlier this year. The French version of Avengers Campus will have exclusive rides not seen in the California location, like the Iron Man-themed re-do of the former Rockin’ Roller Coaster.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
Star Wars continues to roll out in the Disney theme parks as well. Most notably, the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel. At Destination D23, Josh D’Amaro gave attendees an example of how their new high-tech lightsabers work. And for more info on the Galactic Starcruiser, be sure to read our extensive preview of this one-of-a-kind fan destination and check out our full review of the experience.
D23 also offered a few new details about other additions coming to their parks over the course of the next few years. They previewed concept art for the Frozen-themed land coming to Hong Kong Disneyland, and the Zootopia-themed land coming to Shanghai Disneyland. Not to mention Fantasy Springs coming to Tokyo DisneySea.
There’s No word yet on the Disneyland Forward project proposed for the Anaheim resort earlier this year. But we imagine it’ll be a long time before we get any new details on that. They did announce the coming of the Magic Bands to Disneyland. Also, the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade, in time for its 50th anniversary in 2022. With the company’s 100th anniversary coming in 2023, expect even bigger announcements in the months to come.
Originally published on November 22, 2021.
