Since TRON Lightcycle / Run has recently utilized a standby queue, in turn eliminating virtual queue access, we can’t help but wonder… will we ever see a standby line for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT?
Cosmic Rewind opened Memorial Day weekend in 2022 and has only utilized a standby line during special after-hours events. If you want to experience WDW’s latest and greatest coaster, you need to plan – and hope – to be assigned to a virtual queue boarding group at the 7AM or 1PM drop, or purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass, which is typically $17 per person.
We understand the need for virtual queuing when an attraction first opens; it eases new operations, minimizes crowding, and allows guests to spend their time (and money) elsewhere in the park versus waiting in a 3-4 hour long line. But, Cosmic Rewind has been open for over 2 years now, and it feels like there’s no end of virtual queue in sight.
In fact, Cosmic Rewind holds the record for being Walt Disney World’s longest running virtual queue at 838 days and counting.
Sure, we could see them keeping virtual queue access for peak periods, or certain hours throughout the day. Remember when Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance operated this way? There was virtual queue access during the day, then once all boarding groups were called, they opened standby access around 7 or 8PM each evening; before ultimately altogether eliminating virtual queue from their operations. In our experience at Cosmic Rewind (and hearing from other guests), they’re dispatching empty coaster trains in the later evening hours as few virtual queue redemptions are happening by that point.
Additionally, Cosmic Rewind’s neighboring Test Track is closed for extended refurbishment, further driving the need for standby access to another E-Ticket EPCOT attraction.
Overall, we think it’s overdue to remove virtual queue access from Cosmic Rewind, and Disney needs to allow guests the option to get in line for a ride if they want to wait. We pay for the park ticket to get in, let us spend our park time how we’d like.
…And that’ll be me, happily waiting out 6 back-to-back rides or however long it takes until I hear Everybody Wants to Rule the World.
The post Can Guardians Get a Standby Line Now? first appeared on The DIS.
