Though Disney World is intended to be enjoyed by the whole family, some attractions have height minimums to keep kids safe.
Here’s an overview of the attractions with Disney World height requirements plus some tips on how taller people in your group can still enjoy the attractions even if you have too-short-to-ride members in your party.
Let’s dive in…
Are Disney World height requirements enforced?
In short (so to speak), yes. Cast Members will measure guests who appear to be close to the requirement for that attraction and will not allow kids who fall under that height to board. This is for safety reasons.
Children will be measured at every single ride where they appear to be close to the height requirement.
No hand stamps or wristbands are given after being measured to allow entry on every ride.
They’ll be measured every time.
The measurement is done with shoes on, unless high heel shoes are being worn in which case, Cast Members may ask that shoes be removed.
Adults and older kids can still ride
If you do have somebody in your group who doesn’t meet the Disney World height requirements, you can still ride using the Rider Switch (also sometimes called Child Swap) pass.
This special pass allows your group to easily split into 2 where the first part of the group rides (while at least 1 adult waits with the too-small-to-ride child).
When the first group gets done, the pass allows them to swap and let the other part of the group ride via the FastPass line (which will significantly cut down on the wait). UPDATE: Even though FastPass+ is currently not available, the FastPass+ entrances are still being used for Rider Swap and for guests utilizing the Disability Access Service and there are Cast Members posted there to assist you.
Rider Switch allows an adult to always be waiting with the child as the other part of the group rides.
Check out info on how Rider Switch works, including tips on making sure the waiting child is being kept busy while everybody else rides.
Just how thrilling are they?
If you’re just looking at pictures it may be hard to tell just how intense some attractions really are.
After all, looks can be deceiving.
If you’re debating giving an attraction with a height requirement a try we recommend you read our overview on the thrill rides of Walt Disney World as well as checking out ride videos on YouTube.
So which attractions have height requirements at Disney World?
Check out this list of Disney World height requirements so you can plan ahead.
Magic Kingdom
Not counting character meets and a couple minor attractions, Magic Kingdom clocks in with about 33 attractions (the most of any park).
Out of all of those attractions, only 6 rides have height requirements:
- Barnstormer (35″)
- Big Thunder (40″)
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (38″)
- Space Mountain (44″)
- Splash Mountain (40″)
- Tomorrowland Speedway (32″ minimum to ride, 54″ minimum to drive)
Another ride, TRON Lightcycle Power Run, is currently under construction and will also have a height requirement. This is attraction is tentatively scheduled to open in 2021.
Check out our Guide to Magic Kingdom Attractions for more information.
Epcot
Epcot has about 16 attractions, with just 3 of those having height requirements:
- Mission: SPACE (orange, more intense side) (44″)
- Mission: SPACE (green, less intense side) (40″)
- Soarin’ (40″)
- Test Track (40″)
Epcot is in the middle of some major refurbishments and updates, including the addition of new rides and attractions.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is under construction and was originally scheduled to open in the France pavilion sometime in 2020, although we expect to see this opening pushed back. This new attraction will not have any height requirements.
Another major attraction, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, is also coming to Epcot. The estimated completion date for this new coaster is sometime in 2021 and it is expected to have a height requirement.
Check out our Guide to Epcot Attractions for more information on all the attractions you can find here.
Hollywood Studios
Compared to the other parks which have a much smaller percentage of attractions with height requirements, outside of the shows like Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, and the Frozen Sing Along, only 3 of the main attractions here (Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Muppet*Vision 3D, and Toy Story Mania!) do not have any height requirements:
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (48″)
- Star Tours (40″)
- Tower of Terror (40″)
- Slinky Dog Dash (38″)
- Alien Swirling Saucers (32″)
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (40″)
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (38″)
Check out our Guide to Hollywood Studios Attractions for more information on all the attractions you can find here.
Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom has lots of animal exhibits to see, paths to explore, shows to experience, and attractions to ride.
Out of all there is to see and do here, only 4 of the rides have height requirements:
- DINOSAUR (40″)
- Expedition Everest (44″) – though this is one of the lower Disney World height requirements for a big coaster, many kids who meet this requirement will be scared to ride so be sure to assess their scare tolerance as well
- Kali River Rapids (38″)
- Avatar Flight of Passage (44″)
Check out our Guide to Animal Kingdom Attractions for more information on all the attractions you can find here.
Typhoon Lagoon
Typhoon is one of 2 water parks at Walt Disney World. It has a few big slides that have height requirements, however there is lots to see and do here (including a large area for kids):
- Bay Slides (60″)
- Crush ‘n’ Gusher (48″)
- Humunga Kowabunga (48″)
Check out our Complete Guide to Typhoon Lagoon for more info.
Blizzard Beach
Blizzard Beach is the other water park and much like Typhoon Lagoon, it also has a few slides that have height requirements:
- Chair Lift (32″)
- Downhill Double Dipper (48″)
- Slush Gusher (48″)
- Summit Plummet (48″)
Check out our Complete Guide to Blizzard Beach for more info.
Disney Springs
- Marketplace Carousel (42″)
- Marketplace Train Express (48″)
- Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire by ILMxLAB and The VOID (48″)
Here’s a handy chart of Disney World height requirements as a reference:
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Any other thoughts or questions about Disney World height requirements? Feel free to leave those in the comments.
17 Comments
I’m traveling alone with a seven year old and a 14 month old. Will I be able to take them both on rides, on my own, that need adult accompaniment?
What about someone who is incredibly tall? Would someone who is 6 ft 9 be able to ride the different rides or is there a height maximum as well?
Unfortunately cast members are still applying this inconsistently. Some say you cannot only FP for group 1. Some say it’s ok. The official Disney Web Site doesn’t say you can’t. And as you say, it doesn’t make sense to FP everyone otherwise rider swap is useless. I used to FP group 1 and put the baby and group 2 on a ride that’s fun for baby. But now I’m afraid to plan that way. The cast member who said we need to FP everyone was nice enough to let us go, but explained he is trained and the Disney site rules are not how they are trained. It would be nice for Disney to address this.
We are going to WDW in November (13th-18th) and our son will be just under 3 years old (DOB: 12/01/15). He’s tall for his age and is already 38″. I’m thinking he will be at least 40″ tall by the time we go. So my question is this, do you feel that those rides he will be tall enough for (i.e. 7 Dwarfs and Slinky Dog Dash) might still be too much for him?
My 3 year old is also very tall for her age (she was 40″ when we went to Disney a few weeks ago) and she went on the barnstormer, mine train, kali river rapids, splash mountain, and soarin and loved them all. My 5 year old (who is 44″) skipped the barnstormer and splash mountain and probably would have skipped the mine train too if we let her 😉 Our 6 year old’s favorite ride was Space Mountain and I know adults that won’t do that ride.
It all depends on the kid, but if he is tall enough and loves rides he should be fine (especially assuming a parent will be on each ride with him). Have fun!!
It definitely depends on the child my youngest daughter loved seven dwarves mine train when she was 3.5 years and barely 38 inches my 23 year old daughter still won’t try any coasters. So if they are the kind of kid that loves adventure and climbing and heights and jumping off of everything he might be ok. We definitely started simple with our toddler and let her ride a simple log jammer ride at idlewild (a semi local amusement park) that had a 36 inch height requirement. We rode barnstormer first before sdmt and she was good. She did not want to ride anything multiple times she just wanted to expierence once then on to the next adventure.
How tall do you have to be to ride all roller coasters?
Great post! I had my two little girls with me on the Frozen ride. One (very tall) four year old and one fourteen month old. We stood in that long line, and finally got to go on the ride… I didn’t know there was a drop in it. That was totally my mistake! lol
Are the height restrictions still effective if they are with an adult
Definitely. It’s a safety thing. Have to be a certain height to safely ride the ride.
Thank you
Just wanted to add a note about Tomorrowland Speedway – you can drive at 32″ if you’re with someone over 54″.
“Additionally, Guests who are at least 32 inches (81 cm) tall are also invited to drive as long as they are accompanied by someone who is at least 54 inches (137 cm) tall.”
Do they allow rider switch at special events like the Halloween party?
Will May have any fireworks at Hollywood Studios at night?
Does anyone know if child meets height requirements but is under age 3?
Age doesn’t matter. If they meet the height requirement, they can ride.
Thank you!