EPCOT’s star thrill ride may be blasting off less than expected these days. According to guest reports and ongoing chatter from within the theme park community, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is currently operating at half capacity and experiencing frequent closures, leading to frustration, confusion, and long waits for guests hoping to experience Disney’s flagship roller coaster.Credit: u/ElectricalState258 via RedditWhile Disney has not made any official statements about ongoing issues with the attraction, guests visiting Walt Disney World in recent weeks are noticing a consistent pattern: only one side of the ride’s dual loading station is operational, and full ride shutdowns are becoming increasingly common throughout the day.So what exactly is going on with EPCOT’s biggest ride? Here’s everything we know so far.A Quick Refresher: What Is Cosmic Rewind?Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opened in May 2022 as EPCOT’s first roller coaster and quickly became one of the most popular attractions in Walt Disney World. Located inside the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion in World Discovery, the ride features a rotating Omnicoaster ride system that spins 360 degrees and includes Disney’s first-ever reverse launch.It’s part thrill ride, part storytelling experience, and fully immersive. Guests enter a massive show building, are recruited by the Guardians, and blast through space and time—all set to a rotating soundtrack of ‘70s and ‘80s classics. With high-energy visuals and some of the most ambitious technology Disney has ever implemented in a coaster, it’s no surprise that Cosmic Rewind has been a must-do for parkgoers since day one.But high-tech coasters also come with high maintenance needs.Reports of “Half Capacity” OperationsIn recent weeks, a growing number of guests have reported being told by Cast Members that Cosmic Rewind is running at half capacity. While Disney doesn’t officially use this term, it’s commonly used by guests to describe situations where only one of the attraction’s two loading stations is in use.Cosmic Rewind was designed with dual loading stations, which allow two sets of guests to board simultaneously—essential for keeping wait times down on high-demand days. When only one of those stations is in use, ride throughput is effectively cut in half. This results in significantly longer lines, slower Lightning Lane processing, and an overall bogged-down experience.Guests have shared experiences of getting into the Lightning Lane queue only to find that wait times are longer than expected, with some choosing to leave the line entirely once they realize the ride isn’t operating at full speed.Full Closures Becoming More CommonCredit: DisneyEven more concerning are reports of the ride completely shutting down, sometimes multiple times per day. These closures are often sudden, with guests either stuck in line or evacuated mid-experience.Some guests have reported being stuck in the pre-show area for extended periods, only to have the lights come on and the show stop unexpectedly. Others describe the queue suddenly going dark or having to be escorted through backstage areas after a technical failure.While it’s not unusual for Disney rides—especially those as complex as Cosmic Rewind—to experience temporary delays, the frequency and duration of these shutdowns appear to be increasing. For a ride of this popularity and profile, frequent downtime can be especially frustrating for guests who may have planned their day around getting a chance to ride.Technical Theories and Behind-the-Scenes TalkWithout official comment from Disney, most of what we know comes from first-hand guest accounts and anecdotal information. But there are a few educated guesses about what may be causing the problems:Loading station failure: If one of the two loading stations has mechanical issues or requires extended maintenance, the ride may continue to operate with the second station alone.Ride system glitches: The Omnicoaster system is highly advanced, and if a synchronization or programming issue arises, it may require frequent resets or shutdowns.Show building conditions: The massive show building houses screens, lights, fog effects, and timed audio. Any glitch in this large network of systems can cause a cascade of operational issues.Preventive maintenance or technical testing: It’s also possible that Disney is proactively keeping part of the attraction offline to test or monitor problem areas behind the scenes.Regardless of the root cause, guests are the ones feeling the impact.What This Means for GuestsCredit: Krysten Swensen, Inside the MagicFor those planning a visit to EPCOT, the reality is this: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind may not be running at full capacity when you arrive, and there’s a non-zero chance it could close temporarily during your window to ride.Here are some tips if you’re visiting soon:Book your Virtual Queue early: Spots disappear quickly, so grab one as soon as the window opens.Consider Lightning Lane, but manage expectations: Even if you purchase Genie+, you may face delays or longer waits than expected.Have backup plans: In case the ride goes down during your window, plan for nearby attractions like Mission: SPACE, Spaceship Earth, or The Land Pavilion.Monitor the My Disney Experience app: Real-time ride updates often appear here before being announced in the park.Ask Cast Members for updates: If you’re unsure whether the ride is fully operational, Cast Members at the entrance can often give you the most current information.The Big Picture: A Ride With Growing Pains?Cosmic Rewind is a remarkable achievement in theme park engineering. It’s fast, fun, and visually stunning. But even cutting-edge attractions sometimes need time to work through technical growing pains—and Cosmic Rewind may be entering that phase now, three years after opening.What remains to be seen is whether these recent issues are the result of short-term technical hiccups or a longer-term maintenance challenge for Disney. If the pattern of half-capacity operation and sudden closures continues into the fall and holiday season, it may start to impact guest satisfaction and the ride’s reputation.In the meantime, EPCOT guests may want to be flexible, pack their patience, and hope the Guardians keep their mission on track.The post Disney’s Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster Now Cut in Half, Capacity Compromised appeared first on Inside the Magic.