2
Credit: DisneyDisney has always had a knack for refreshing its parks in ways that surprise and delight guests. From ride refurbishments to seasonal overlays, the company knows that even minor tweaks can sometimes create the biggest buzz.
Just recently, one particular change at EPCOT turned into a massive crowd-pleaser—so much so that fans are already asking Disney to make it permanent. The coaster in question? Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. And thanks to a single update, this attraction became the hottest ticket in town.
A Look at Disney’s Cosmic Rewind
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opened in 2022 and quickly became one of Disney World’s crown jewels. The attraction stands out for its innovation in EPCOT’s World Discovery area. It’s not your typical coaster—it rotates, tells a story, and is powered by music like the films.
Guests strap in for a journey through the galaxy alongside Star-Lord, Gamora, Rocket, Groot, and Drax, all while classic hits from the ’70s and ’80s drive the action. But the real thrill came just days ago.
The Bold Update
On September 21, Disney World made a move that seemed small on the surface but turned out to be a game-changer. To celebrate the date, Disney used the iconic Earth, Wind & Fire hit “September,” and Cosmic Rewind blasted the iconic tune on repeat all day. That meant every single ride cycle featured the same infectious chorus asking, “Do you remember the 21st night of September?”
Fans certainly remembered. From the moment EPCOT opened, guests flocked to Cosmic Rewind, eager to experience the exceptional soundtrack choice. What could have felt like a gimmick ended up becoming a full-fledged event. The wait time for the coaster soared to a jaw-dropping 175 minutes, proving just how powerful one song could be in drawing crowds.
Why Fans Want It to Stay
The excitement was more than just nostalgia. Guests loved how perfectly “September” synced with the ride’s motion and story beats, turning the exhilarating coaster into a joyful dance party through the galaxy. People were willing to stand in line for nearly three hours to hear that song while flying through space.
That kind of reaction is something Disney can’t ignore. Fans immediately began voicing their hope that the “September” takeover would happen again—not just for a single day. Imagine if Disney made it a recurring seasonal tradition, letting the song play throughout September.
Not only would it give more guests a chance to enjoy the iconic track, but it would also spread crowds more evenly across the month. This seems like an easy win for a company that thrives on repeat visits.
Expanding the Concept
Even more exciting is how this idea could grow beyond a single song. If Cosmic Rewind could feature special tracks on certain days—or even throughout specific seasons—it would keep the ride fresh and give fans another reason to return. After all, music is at the heart of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, and adding variety could only make the experience more special.
Imagine riding Cosmic Rewind during the holidays and hearing rock-and-roll Christmas classics like “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses or “Run Rudolph Run” by Chuck Berry.
Or picture summer weekends where 70s and 80s anthems like “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen, “Take On Me” by A-ha, or “Holding Out for a Hero” by Bonnie Tyler take center stage. Disney could even tie in songs directly from the Guardians movie soundtracks to create limited-time “soundtrack seasons.”
Each of these additions would transform Cosmic Rewind into something even more dynamic, giving guests a reason to keep coming back to see what’s playing next. It would also spark the kind of word-of-mouth excitement that Disney thrives on—everyone would want to ride during “special song days.”
A Natural Fit for EPCOT
EPCOT has always been about celebrating culture, technology, and innovation, and music is part of that. Cosmic Rewind’s rotating playlist was designed to give guests a slightly different ride experience every time.
Placing memorable songs or seasonal tracks would take that concept to the next level. Just as the park hosts annual festivals celebrating food, wine, and the arts, why not let music play an even bigger role in making Cosmic Rewind a cultural touchstone?
The “September” takeover proved that even one day of music can generate buzz, pack lines, and bring fans together. Turning that one-off success into a tradition or expanding it into a series of special musical overlays would perfectly align with EPCOT’s evolving identity.
Why Disney Should Listen
At the end of the day, fans are telling Disney exactly what they want. The massive lines, the social media posts, and the excitement on September 21 showed how powerful a single song could be—making the “September” tradition an annual or even month-long feature would create memories for guests while boosting attendance during an already popular time of year.
Disney doesn’t need to overhaul the ride or reinvent the wheel—it just needs to lean into what fans are already asking for. With a relatively simple tweak to the soundtrack schedule, Disney could give Cosmic Rewind the kind of repeatability that makes people plan trips around the experience.
A Tradition Worth Keeping
Disney has always been a master of updates, tweaks, and special overlays that keep the parks exciting. With Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, they struck gold by letting one of the most beloved songs of the ’70s take over the soundtrack for a single day. Fans responded in droves, lining up for nearly three hours and calling for the experience to last longer.
Whether it’s turning “September” into a full-month tradition or introducing other fan-favorite tracks into seasonal overlays, the message from guests is clear: this is the kind of change they want Disney World to keep forever. Giving Cosmic Rewind its own musical calendar feels like the perfect next step for a park built on innovation and imagination.