As they launched the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride at EPCOT in Walt Disney World Orlando, Florida this summer, Disney Imagineers shared some of the behind-the-scenes secrets of the attraction.

One of the most anticipated new rides of 2022, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ‘takes guests on an intergalactic chase through time and space with the heroes of Xandar’.

Part of the ongoing transformation of EPCOT, it is Disney’s first backwards-launched roller coaster and EPCOT’s first coaster, and was made by Vekoma.

The ride takes place in the new Wonders of Xandar pavilion, which is marked by a 51-ft tall Nova Corps Starblaster ship. It replaces the old Universe of Energy pavilion, which closed in 2017.

The adventure starts in the Galaxarium, a planetarium-style exhibition exploring the similarities and mysteries of the formation of Earth’s galaxy and Xandar. While guests queue for the ‘storycoaster’, they learn about Xandar’s culture and technologies, before Eson the Celestial arrives and tells Terrans they must help the Guardians of the Galaxy save the universe on an intergalactic chase through time and space.

Actors from the Guardians of the Galaxy movies were filmed for the attraction – Glenn Close also makes an appearance as Nova Prime Irani Rael, and Terry Crews plays a new character created for the ride.

The attraction is one of the longest fully enclosed coasters in the world, and each vehicle rotates 360 degrees to focus guests on the action, including the first reverse launch on a Disney coaster.

Released by Disney as the ride launched, a behind-the-scenes video features Disney Imagineers Alex Wright, Bette Lombardi, Kelsey Roberts, and Evan Miga sharing insights into the inspiration, storytelling and design of the new attraction, as well as what it was like to work with the Marvel actors featured.

Watch the video here