Epcot Center’s first roller coaster will be ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’-themed
Disney fans yearning for more thrills are likely celebrating the announcement of a brand new roller coaster coming to Walt Disney World’s Epcot theme park. Officials confirmed that the coaster is indeed in the works during Disney’s D23 Expo in Japan earlier this week, and they said it would be “Gaurdians of the Galaxy”-themed.
Epcot fans have speculated for months about what the new “Guardians” attraction might be. You may remember when Disney announced last summer that the Marvel ride would take the place of the closing “Ellen’s Energy Adventure” in the park’s Future World area. However, officials provided few details about the new attraction—until now.
Here’s a sneak peek at the what the coaster will look like:
Thomas Smith of Disney Parks Blog said the new “Guardians” coaster will be “big.”
“This one-of-a-kind family attraction will be one of the world’s longest enclosed roller coasters when it’s added to Future World at Epcot,” he wrote. “It’ll feature a unique story currently being created by Walt Disney Imagineering and include a new innovative ride system that’s guaranteed to ‘wow’ guests.”
Traditionally, Epcot has not been a theme park known for its rides. When Epcot opened in October 1982, the park focused on education, innovation and entertainment. However, top Disney officials are looking for ways to make the park more appealing for fans of all ages.
“As we build upon its core mission of optimism and hope to inspire the world, the real will become fantastic and the fantastic will become real—in whole new ways at Epcot,” said Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts.
The confirmation this week means Epcot will get its first roller coaster, making it certain to be a major draw for thrill-seeking Disney fans. Currently, Epcot has three thrill-type rides in the park:
- Test Track: Guests experience what it’s like test new car designs when it comes to speed, efficiency and handling. Riders speed up to 55 mph on the test track.
- Soarin’: A flight simulator experience that takes guests on a virtual trip around the world
- Mission Space: Guests can choose between two out-of-this-world journeys. An orbital trip around the Earth or a launch into space on a mission to Mars.
The new “Guardians of the Galaxy” coaster is scheduled to open sometime in 2021, just in time for Walt Disney’s World’s 50th anniversary.
Are you looking forward to riding the new roller coaster?