Credit: DisneyAlthough the turkey is barely thawed, the holidays have arrived at the Disney Parks. But while places like Disney Springs and the Magic Kingdom are getting ready for the most wonderful time of the year, one of the most popular attractions at EPCOT was stripped of its Christmas cheer.
The Walt Disney World Resort is one of the most incredible places to spend Christmas and the other winter holidays. From the gigantic tree in the middle of the Magic Kingdom to the newly-revealed Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the house of mouse knows how to deck the halls, save for one attraction.
Disney World Guests Cancel Christmas at EPCOT
Like the other parks at Walt Disney World, EPCOT goes all out when Christmas comes to town. From the special menu items to the international holiday celebrations and storytellers at the EPCOT World Showcase, Disney’s land of innovations and exploration is one of the most popular places to spend the season.
For everything EPCOT does for the most wonderful time of the year, it’s honestly quite shocking to think that they would cut anything so massive as a ride layover, especially for something as popular as Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
Cosmic Rewind is a thrilling roller coaster ride that takes EPCOT Terrans on an adventure across the solar system to the Big Bang and back with Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and Groot. With both a massive virtual queue and a high demand for Lightning Lanes, it’s one of the most beloved rides at EPCOT.
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In 2022, the coaster got a holiday layover with hard-rock versions of classic Christmas tunes and a take on Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run” with a focus on Rocket Raccoon. As festive as this layover was, fans were not so receptive.
A recent post on r/WaltDisneyWorld brought up the subject of Cosmic Rewind’s Christmas theming returning for 2023, and longtime guests were shockingly excited about its removal.
u/ItsADeparture begins the discussion with,
“Honestly, I really hope not. That song was absolutely dreadful. Totally just made me avoid my absolute favorite ride for over a month just so I didn’t have to hear it.”
Further down in the comments, many fans echo similar statements, some stating Rocket’s song as the primary cause for its avoidance. While it’s certainly not the worst tune guests can hear at the Disney Parks, is it really worth avoiding such a great roller coaster ride for an entire month?
Other fans make the more logical suggestion of using the original Christmas song used in James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special to get riders rocking around the Christmas tree this year.
u/Spacetime_Inspector writes,
“What was especially weird about that overlay is that the GOTG Holiday Special it was nominally promoting had a great original rock song in it that I would’ve liked to have heard on the ride.”
To which u/dankeblonde replies,
“My boyfriend said the same thing!! We love that song and honestly that would’ve been so much fun to be on the ride. Shame they didn’t go that route.”
The Disney Park has reported no interest in reinstating the holiday layover, which might come as a relief to some. However, it still feels like a missed opportunity considering just how many other Disney rides get something festive added to their layouts every time Christmas rolls around. Maybe we’ll hear about Rocket’s run next year.
Were you a fan of the Guardians’ holiday overlay? Tell Inside the Magic what you think in the comments below!