Disney World Height Requirements for Rides

Has there ever been a more disappointing feeling than waiting in line for over an hour to take a plunge into the Briar Patch on a hot, summer day only to be turned away because your child isn’t tall enough to ride? I’ve seen this situation play out far too many times at Walt Disney World, with both parents and children getting upset because they had their hearts set on riding a certain attraction.

While it can be a frustrating and disheartening experience, these height requirements are in place to keep your loved ones safe. If you’re planning a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the height requirements for all of the attractions at Disney World so you can help manage expectations.

Use Rider Switch When You Don't Meet the Height Requirement

Remember, Disney World is a theme park built on family fun so the good news is that your entire family will most likely be able to enjoy the majority of rides at the parks. If there is something your child isn’t tall enough to ride, you can always utilize the Rider Switch system, which allows you and another adult in your party to ride your favorite attractions.

When entering the queue for an attraction, ask the Cast Member if Rider Switch is available. If it is, they will issue you a Ride Switch entitlement and direct you to wait in a designated area (usually outside of the ride). When the first party has finished the ride, the second party will be able to hop on without having to wait in line. 

So now onto the rides and the Disney World Height Requirements for Rides!

Rides and Height Requirements at Magic Kingdom

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Magic Kingdom is home to the most attractions and because of it, has the most rides that are suitable for all age groups. 

Any Height Magic Kingdom Attractions

• Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid (Fantasyland)
• Haunted Mansion (Liberty Square - please note this attraction may be too scary for young children)
• Pirates of the Caribbean (Adventureland - there is a small drop early on in the ride and you may get wet)
• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel (Fantasyland)
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin (Adventureland)
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Fantasyland)
• Mad Tea Party (Fantasyland)
• Jungle Cruise (Adventureland)
• Astro Orbiter (Tomorrowland - this ride takes you high above Tomorrowland)
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (Tomorrowland)
• “it’s a small world” (Fantasyland -- the song WILL get stuck in your head, you’ve been warned)
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant (Fantasyland)
• Peter Pan’s Flight (Fantasyland)

Even though they’re not *technically* rides, the following attractions also allow for any height requirement:

• Country Bear Jamboree (Frontierland)
• Swiss Family Treehouse (Adventureland)
• Tom Sawyer Island (Frontierland)
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress (Tomorrowland)
• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room (Adventureland)
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic (Fantasyland)
• Liberty Square Riverboat - (Liberty Square)
• The Hall of Presidents (Liberty Square)
• Walt Disney World Railroad 
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover (Tomorrowland)

32” or taller:

• Tomorrowland Speedway (Tomorrowland)

35” or taller:

• The Barnstormer (Fantasyland)

 38” or taller:

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (Fantasyland)

40” or taller:

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Frontierland)
• Splash Mountain (Frontierland)

44” or taller:

• Space Mountain (Tomorrowland)

48” or taller:

• Tron Lightcycle Run (Tomorrowland)

Read more: What to do When your Kid has a Disney Meltdown

Rides and Height Requirements at Hollywood Studios

There aren’t as many rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as there are at Magic Kingdom and many of them do have taller height requirements, which is why this park has often been labeled as a “teenager’s theme park.” 

Any Height Hollywood Studio Attractions

• Toy Story Mania! (Toy Story Land)
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Hollywood Boulevard)

The following shows and experiences are also suitable for any age:

• Walt Disney Presents (Animation Courtyard)
• Muppet*Vision 3D (Grand Avenue)
• Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy (Sunset Boulevard)
• Star Wars Launch Bay (Animation Courtyard)

32” or taller:

• Alien Swirling Saucers (Toy Story Land)

38” or taller:

• Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run (Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge)
• Slinky Dog Dash (Toy Story Land)

40” or taller:

• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Sunset Boulevard)
• Star Tours - The Adventure Continues (Echo Lake)
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge)

48” or taller:

• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (Sunset Boulevard)

Read more: Disney World Rides that May be too Scary for Kids

Rides and Height Requirements at Epcot

While Epcot isn’t known for having a ton of rides, they do have a lot of family-friendly shows and attractions that are suitable for everyone in your party. Below, is a list of rides at Epcot that are suitable for any height requirement:

Any Height Epcot Attractions

• The Seas with Nemo & Friends (Future World)
• Spaceship Earth (Future World)
• Journey Into Imagination With Figment (Future World)
• Living with the Land (Future World)
• Frozen Ever After (Norway Pavilion, World Showcase)
• Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros (Mexico Pavilion, World Showcase)

The following shows and interactive experiences are also suitable for any age group:

• Awesome Planet (Future World)
• Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival (Future World)
• ImageWorks - The “What If” Labs (Future World)
• SeaBase (Future World)
• Coral Reefs (Future World)
• Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along (France Pavilion, World Showcase)
• Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience World Showcase)
• Reflections of China (China Pavilion, World Showcase)
• The American Adventure (U.S. Pavilion, World Showcase)
• Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360 (Canada Pavilion, World Showcase)

40” or taller:

• Test Track (Future World)
• Soarin’ Around the World (Future World)
• Mission: SPACE (Future World - not recommended if you or anyone in your party is claustrophobic)

42” or taller:

• Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind (Future World)

Despite not having as many rides at Magic Kingdom, the majority of the rides and experiences at Epcot are suitable for any age group. 

Read more: Where to Find Anna and Elsa at Walt Disney World

Rides and Height Requirements at Animal Kingdom

Last but not least (for the four main theme parks, at least) is Animal Kingdom. Let’s explore these options, shall we? 

Any Height Animal Kingdom Rides

• Kilimanjaro Safaris (Africa)
• Triceratop Spin (DinoLand U.S.A.)
• Na'vi River Journey (Pandora - The World of Avatar)

Unfortunately, there’s not a ton of rides that are suitable for any age here at Animal Kingdom, BUT there are a ton of shows and interactive experiences your kids will (probably) love:

• It’s Tough to be a Bug! (Discovery Island - this is a very loud, very dark and very scary show that I personally don’t believe is suitable for any age group. I’m an adult and it scares me!)
• Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail (Africa)
• The Oasis Exhibits (Oasis)
• Discoveryland Island Trails (Discovery Island)
• Affection Section (Rafiki’s Planet Watch)
• The Animation Experience at Conservation Station (Rafiki’s Planet Watch)
• The Maharajah Jungle Trek (Asia)
• Wilderness Explorers (Multiple locations across Animal Kingdom)
• The Wildlife Express Train (Africa)
• Fossil Fun Games (DinoLand U.S.A)
• Tree of Life (Discovery Island)
• Disney animal experiences (African birds, elephants, hogs, lions, butterflies, flamingos, giraffes, invertebrates, tigers, zebras, etc; multiple locations across Animal Kingdom)

38” or taller:

• Kali River Rapids (Asia)

40” or taller:

• DINOSAUR (DinoLand U.S.A -- this is a very loud, dark, and scary ride that may not be suitable for all ages)

44” or taller:

• Avatar Flight of Passage (Pandora - the World of Avatar)
• Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain (Asia)

Read more: The Best Rides at Animal Kingdom

Rides and Height Requirements at Typhoon Lagoon

While Typhoon Lagoon remains closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, all of us here at WDW Vacation Tips are hopeful it will be returning soon since its counterpart Blizzard Beach has reopened without incident. The good news is that when this water park does finally reopen, the rides here are usually suitable for most age groups. 

Any Height

• Keelhaul Falls
• Gangplank Falls
• Storm Slides
• Miss Adventure Falls
• Mayday Falls
• Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool
• Castaway Creek

48” or taller:

• Crush ‘n’ Gusher
• Humunga Kowabunga

60” or taller:

• Bay Slides 

Read more: Tips for Spending the Day at a Disney Water Park

Rides and Height Requirements at Blizzard Beach

Like Typhoon Lagoon, the majority of experiences at Blizzard Beach are suitable for every age group. 

Any Height:

• Ski Patrol Training Camp
• Runoff Rapids
• Melt-Away Bay
• Cross Country Creek
• Toboggan Racers
• Teamboat Springs
• Snow Stormers

32” or taller:

• Chairlift

48” or taller:

• Tike’s Peak

Read more: Team Blizzard Beach

Honorable Mention: Aerophile at Disney Springs

If you’ve ever visited Disney Springs, you’re familiar with Aerophile - the giant blue balloon that looms over the West Side of the shopping area. If you’re not, you’re in for a treat. This hand-painted helium balloon ascends 400 feet into the air and gives you a gorgeous view of Walt Disney World (and actual Florida) that you won’t find anywhere else.

Guests who are 12 years and older are allowed to ride by themselves, however, anyone under that age will need to be accompanied by a guest 18 years or older. This 8-minute balloon ride does not have a height requirement. A ticket costs $20 for ages 10 and older and $15 for guests between the ages of 3-9. Availability is provided on a first-come, first serve basis and the balloon will not fly in adverse weather conditions. 

Read more: Weird Disney World Activities You Had No Idea About

Final Thoughts

Unlike other theme parks that cater to older age groups, Walt Disney World has done a good job of creating rides that are (usually) fit for the entire family. While it may be disappointing that your little one isn’t tall enough to ride Splash Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain (yet), they eventually will be, which gives you another reason to book a trip in year or two when they can experience everything without any sort of restriction.

As we mentioned earlier, these height requirements are designed to keep EVERY member of your party safe. Even if a ride isn’t available to them this time, trust us when we say that there’s enough at every park to make everyone in your party happy.

Let us know what ride on this list is your favorite in the comments below. We want to hear from you!