PHOTOS: How Big Will the Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster in Epcot Be?

This is a Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster Construction Update.  Lots of work has been done on the Guardians of the Galaxy coaster in Epcot over the last few weeks with the huge foundation being poured, and then shortly after we saw the first steel frame rising from the ground.  After a couple weeks of looking at the steel frame rising higher and higher, the question is: just exactly how big will the Guardians of the Galaxy coaster be??

The Guardians of the Galaxy coaster is going to be 12 stories tall when done and has a footprint significantly larger than that of Spaceship Earth.  Is it possible that it will end up being an even more dominant fixture on the Epcot skyline than Spaceship Earth?

Before we start, big shoutout to @Bioreconstruct as usual as he always takes such great shots of the construction projects around WDW, including aerial ones high about the construction sites.  Let’s see the latest photos for the Guardians of the Galaxy coaster!

To understand the size and scope of this project, let’s take a look at the Guardians of the Galaxy coaster construction project first from outside Epcot.  Here is a view from the Epcot parking lot:

Right now there are two cranes working there because they are currently racing to get the steel frame for the show building up, and there is A LOT of steel involved.  As you can see from the parking lot it certainly is going to be visible as just one small section have been built so far but it’s clearly seen.

What about from the Monorail?  Let’s jump on and see:

As you can see here too, passing by on the Monorail is going to give you an easy view of the building once up.

It’s even visible from the ground inside Future world in various points.  Here’s a view from the bridge leading to the Odyssey:

Another from in front of the Universe of Energy pavilion, where the Guardians of the Galaxy coaster queue will start.  No hidden show building from here:

Let’s go over to World Showcase and see.  Here is the view from the France bridge:

The steel framing may not even yet be at full height but it easily rises up over the tree line into Future World and dwarfs the Test Track building which is off to the right.

Here is a view from Morocco:

So while it seems that the Guardians coaster will be bigger than the other Future World pavilions, how does it compare with Spaceship Earth?

Again the show building for GotG is going to be 12 stories or 120ft.  Spaceship Earth is 18 stories (180 ft).  That’s two thirds the size, so pretty close.  It’s also not known if the GotG building is already at 120 ft or not.  From this angle it looks just over 1/2 the size of Spaceship Earth to this point, so it’s probably close to it’s full height, maybe it still has 10ft or so to go.  Still that’s no joke.  That’s not all though, the Guardians of the Galaxy coaster has a significantly bigger footprint that Spaceship Earth.  Look at this overhead map of Future World:

A simple comparison shows that the GotG coaster building is going to be at least twice the width of Spaceship Earth.  Imo you eye is going to be drawn to it big-time from across World Showcase lagoon.

Here’s another section of the Guardians coaster steel frame being lifted up.  This one is painted black:

It’s not known if that piece is going on top of the highest point or to another section.

Lastly here you see the back of the old universe of Energy pavilion which again will be used for the GotG pre-show area and queue.  Expect this area to be massive as it will take up the entire area that the Universe of Energy ATTRACTION took up, just with a queue for the new ride.  As you can see lots of work is being done here will all the old stuff being taken out:

I am not in the group of Disney fans that doesn’t want Guardians to come to Epcot, I am actually really excited about it.  However seeing the size and scope of the project I am a bit worried it will be come the main focus and take attention away from Spaceship Earth.  It would have been ideal for them to construct the show building lower into the ground so it doesn’t stick up so much, but because of the water table in Walt Disney World it probably wasn’t possible.  It’s also unknown what the external of the building will look like.  I hope it’s not just an ugly grey concrete structure, but if we have to stare at it, I hope it actually adds something to the Future World skyline.  We’ll have to wait and find out…

The Guardians of the Galaxy coaster has an expected opening date of 2020.  Stay tuned for more updates as they come out!

Don’t forget to check out my latest Disney World Construction Updates including:

• Epcot Hotel – Land Clearing Started
• Disney Skyliner – Construction Update May 2018
• Toy Story Land – 3 Slinky Dog Trains being tested simultaneously
• Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge – Construction update May 2018

Your Thoughts:

I want to know what you think about how high the Guardians of the Galaxy coaster will be.

• Are you worried about it dominating the view in Epcot?
• Are you happy about the attraction in general?

Let us know in the comments section below!

If you enjoyed this article, as always I appreciate it if you’d share it with others via social media.  I work hard at making this website into a useful resource for you and your family to plan your visit to the Disney Parks and I hope it can help you! Thanks 🙂

Photos: @Bioreconstruct