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Disney Tests Rules to Stop Line‑Jumping at EPCOT’s Cosmic Rewind

The ad‑hoc controls limit who may enter the queue and use staged lane releases plus a removed preshow pause to curb surging and pushing.

Overview

  • Cast members have begun enforcing a trial rule that prevents guests from entering the Cosmic Rewind queue partway through to rejoin their party, and some visitors say they were turned away unless returning from the restroom.
  • Disney added stanchions outside the final preshow doors and is releasing guests in designated lanes to stop the post‑preshow rush that allowed people to sprint ahead and jostle others.
  • Imagineering quietly removed a brief pause in the preshow dialogue that had given guests an opening to shout responses, shortening the line’s interactive moment to limit disruption.
  • The changes are being run as separate, on‑the‑ground experiments rather than a published policy, and park staff have not issued a public explanation for the tests.
  • The measures raise clear access and fairness questions because they could make it harder for visitors who cannot wait in a standard queue but do not qualify for formal accommodations, and the trial could be expanded if Disney finds it eases crowding.