Disney has just confirmed the ways guests can experience the brand new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction, officially opening on May 27th!
The two most common ways to do most rides and shows in the parks are either via standby lines or Genie+, but understandably, Guardians won't have a standby (can you say "line to Hollywood Stuidos and back"??), and like attractions opened in recent years -- Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, Rise of the Resistance, etc -- Guardians won't be available in Genie+ for the foreseeable future.
So how do you save the galaxy?
Three ways!!
FIRST... VIRTUAL QUEUE
Beginning at 7am of your Epcot day, you can try to get into a boarding group for the ride. You do not have to be in the park to do this, but you must have admission to Epcot for that day, including an Epcot park pass reservation. You'll do this in the Disney app, and move quickly because boarding groups will go super fast.
If you did not get into a group at 7am, you can try again at 1pm. This time, you MUST be in Epcot to join the 1pm boarding group.
You may only enter the virtual queue ONCE, and please remember that just because you are in a boarding group, you are NOT GUARANTEED to experience Guardians.
HOT TIP: Set your boarding party before 7am, to save the extra few seconds it takes to click everyone's name. Also have multiple people in your party trying for it at the same time -- once you get a time, keep it -- if it's not a good time for you, you can choose to work around it or cancel, but if you cancel to try and get a better time, you may miss out entirely.
SECOND... PURCHASING LIGHTNING LANE ENTRY
With your park admission, and valid Epcot park reservation, you can purchase Lighting Lane access, again beginning at 7am the day of your Epcot visit. While costs are not available yet, expect to spend $15-20 per person for this attraction.
You must be a registered guest in a Disney resort or other select resorts to purchase the Individual Lightning Lane access for Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind at 7am; off-property guests will need to wait until they enter the park to purchase.
HOT TIP: Again, have your party already set up before you purchase, and make sure you have a valid credit card or form of payment in your app -- the time it takes to punch in all of your card info right then may cost you your access!
THIRD... EXTENDED PARK HOURS VIRTUAL QUEUE
If you are a registered guest at a Disney Deluxe Resort, Disney Deluxe Villa, or other select hotels, you'll have one more shot at the virtual queue, beginning at 6pm on select dates of extended evening hours in Epcot. And you don't even have to be in Epcot at 6pm to access this queue... but you must be staying in a deluxe resort!
Remember, virtual queue and individual Lightning Lane access (re: purchased) are only available in the My Disney Experience app. If you have trouble with the app at any time, please find the Guest Experience Team, aka the Blue Umbrella Team, which are located around the parks, and they'll be happy to assist.