We are halfway to the holidays, and Disney has released a ton of great information about the exciting things that will happen at the Parks this November and December. We know that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be coming back to Walt Disney World Resort, and Disneyland Resort will bring back its “Believe…In Holiday Magic” fireworks, as well as the holiday World of Color show. It was also announced that Disneyland Paris and Shanghai Disney will have hard-ticketed Christmas events.
One of the holiday announcements made by Disney was surprising to a lot of people. Disney revealed that certain rides would receive holiday overlays — which is common at Disneyland Resort — and one of those rides would be Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Cosmic Rewind opened this past Memorial Day weekend, and it is the first roller coaster to open at EPCOT. The ride is also the first Disney roller coaster to feature a reverse launch.
The decision to change up Cosmic Rewind surprised and confused many Guests. Disney World does not typically change its rides, giving every Guest that visits a Disney Park the chance to experience the ride the way it was designed. The DBC Pod commented on Twitter that they were not thrilled to learn that the first chance they would have to experience the ride would not be in its original form.
hmmm, my first chance to ride this will be our December trip – while I am glad they are leveraging the ability to change up the music, sort of want the original music for my first time. Do you know if it will only be holiday music or will they mix it in with regular?
hmmm, my first chance to ride this will be our December trip – while I am glad they are leveraging the ability to change up the music, sort of want the original music for my first time. Do you know if it will only be holiday music or will they mix it in with regular?
— TheDBCPod (@TheDBCPod) June 23, 2022
James The Fan Boy also shared many people’s sentiments — the ride just opened this year, and Disney should give people at least a year before they change it.
Why the need during opening year?
Why the need during opening year?
— James The Fan Boy (@GelatoniWorld) June 23, 2022
Many speculated that Disney decided to give the ride an overlay because Marvel is going to release a Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special this year. Changing Cosmic Rewind to a holiday would line up with the holiday special being released. It should be noted that Disney has not confirmed that that is why they decide to make the rare move of doing a ride overlay at Walt Disney World.
Not everyone was disappointed to hear about the ride overlay, however. Some Guests wish that Disney World would follow in Disneyland’s footsteps and change more rides for holidays. Disneyland changes both the Haunted Mansion and “it’s a small world” for the holiday season, and Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT becomes Monsters After Dark at Halloween.
Abby (@distradgirl) was one of those people who want to visit EPCOT during that time to specifically ride with the new theme.
Looks like I need to make another trip to Disney world this Christmas. I am supposed to fly out to go check out apartments so…I think I’m gonna have to stop by. Lol.
Looks like I need to make another trip to Disney world this Christmas. I am supposed to fly out to go check out apartments so…I think I’m gonna have to stop by. Lol.
— Abby (@distradgirl) June 23, 2022
Right now, we don’t know when this holiday overlay will begin. Disney has also not released a song list that will be used when the change is made. Disney Dining will keep readers updated as we learn more.