Measuring Up: Height Restrictions at Walt Disney World

Planning a Walt Disney World vacation is an exciting endeavor, filled with dreams of thrilling rides and enchanting experiences. But for families with little ones, or even those prone to motion sickness, understanding height restrictions and ride advisories is key to a smooth and magical trip.

While many Disney attractions are designed for all ages and heights, some of the more exhilarating adventures do have minimum height requirements for safety.

View the official height requirements for all attractions on the Walt Disney World website

Here's a breakdown by park of attractions with height restrictions, along with descriptions and important cautions to help you plan your family's perfect Disney day.

Magic Kingdom Park

The quintessential Disney experience, Magic Kingdom offers a balance of classic attractions and thrilling adventures.

• The Barnstormer – 35"

  A fun, junior roller coaster where you "fly" with Goofy. It's a great first coaster experience for younger kids. Cautions: This is a mild coaster, but still has some small dips and turns. Good for easing into thrill rides.

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – 40"

  A runaway mine train roller coaster with twists, turns, and drops through a haunted desert landscape. Cautions: This is a relatively fast outdoor roller coaster with quick turns and drops. May be too intense for very young or sensitive children.

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – 38"

  A family-friendly coaster that swings and sways through the diamond mine. Cautions: This coaster has gentle drops and turns. It's a smooth ride but still offers some excitement.

• Space Mountain – 44"

  An indoor, high-speed roller coaster through outer space in near darkness. Cautions: This is a dark, fast-paced roller coaster with sudden drops and sharp turns. Riders must be able to transfer from a wheelchair/ECV.

• Tiana's Bayou Adventure – 40"

  A log flume ride with drops and a splashdown, based on "The Princess and the Frog." Cautions: Expect a significant drop and getting wet! Those sensitive to drops or getting splashed should be aware.

• Tomorrowland Speedway – 32" to ride; 54" to drive alone

  Guests drive their own gas-powered cars on a track. Cautions: While the ride is slow, younger drivers may need assistance steering. Children between 32" and 54" must be accompanied by someone 54" or taller.

• TRON Lightcycle / Run – 48"

  A high-speed, indoor roller coaster where guests ride in a unique "Lightcycle" position. Cautions: This is a very fast and intense roller coaster with an unconventional riding position. Riders may experience strong forces and should be in good health.

Mapping Your Magic: Read the Magic Kingdom park overview

Epcot

Epcot combines cultural exploration with futuristic thrills. While many attractions are suitable for all, its more high-tech rides do have height requirements.

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – 42"

  An indoor, omnicoaster that rotates 360 degrees while launching guests into an intergalactic chase. Cautions: This is a highly thrilling roller coaster with launches, spins, and sudden movements in the dark. It may cause motion sickness or be too intense for those sensitive to dark, fast rides.

• Mission: SPACE – 40" Green Team; 44" Orange Team

  A simulated space mission to Mars or orbiting Earth. Cautions: Green Team: Less intense, with a tamer G-force experience. Orange Team: Very intense, simulating G-forces and may cause motion sickness, claustrophobia, or discomfort for those with heart, back, or neck problems. Expectant mothers should not ride.

• Soarin' Around the World – 40"

  A hang-gliding simulation over iconic global landmarks. Cautions: While not a thrill ride, it involves being lifted high into the air and can be disorienting for those prone to motion sickness or with a fear of heights.

• Test Track – 40"

  Design your own virtual car and then take it for a high-speed test drive. Cautions: This ride includes sharp turns and a high-speed outdoor section (up to 65 mph). It's generally well-received but is a thrill ride.

Mapping Your Magic: Read the EPCOT park overview

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios is known for its immersive and thrilling experiences, often catering to those seeking bigger thrills. As such, it has a higher concentration of attractions with height requirements.

• Alien Swirling Saucers – 32"

  A spinning, whip-around ride in Toy Story Land. Cautions: This ride involves moderate spinning and sudden direction changes. Can cause mild motion sickness for some.

• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – 38"

  A highly interactive flight simulator where guests pilot the Millennium Falcon. Cautions: While not a roller coaster, this is a motion simulator with sudden movements, drops, and twists. Can be disorienting for some.

• Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith – 48"

  An indoor, high-speed launch roller coaster with inversions in the dark. Cautions: This is a very intense roller coaster with a fast launch (0-57 mph in 2.8 seconds), three inversions (two roll-overs, one corkscrew), and sharp turns in the dark. Not for those with heart, back, or neck problems, or motion sickness. Expectant mothers should not ride.

• Slinky Dog Dash – 38"

  A family-friendly outdoor roller coaster with two launches and playful turns. Cautions: This is a mild but exciting roller coaster with smooth launches and gentle drops. A good step up from The Barnstormer.

• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue – 40"

  A 3D motion simulator space journey with various destinations and characters. Cautions: This is a motion simulator with sudden dips, turns, and bumps. Can cause motion sickness in sensitive individuals.

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – 40"

  An incredibly immersive, multi-faceted attraction with drops, sudden movements, and dark environments. Cautions: This attraction features several intense moments, including a simulated drop, sudden stops, and dark, immersive environments that might be frightening for younger children.

• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – 40"

  A thrilling drop tower ride that simulates a haunted elevator. Cautions: This ride involves multiple, unpredictable drops from various heights. Not for those with a fear of heights, enclosed spaces, or drops. Can be very intense and frightening.

Mapping Your Magic: Read the Hollywood Studios park overview

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom combines stunning natural environments with thrilling expeditions.

• Avatar Flight of Passage – 44"

  A 3D flight simulator where guests "fly" on the back of a Banshee. Cautions: This is a highly immersive and intense flight simulator. Riders are positioned in a "motorcycle-like" seat and experience strong forces and simulated drops. Can cause motion sickness or claustrophobia.

• DINOSAUR – 40"

  A dark ride through a prehistoric world, encountering various dinosaurs. Cautions: This is a very bumpy and jerky ride with loud noises, sudden stops, and large, sometimes frightening, dinosaur animatronics in the dark. It can be intense for younger children.

• Expedition Everest – 44"

  A high-speed roller coaster through the Himalayas, featuring a backward section and a large drop. Cautions: This is an intense outdoor roller coaster with a significant drop, high speeds, and a section that travels backward in the dark. Not for those with heart, back, or neck problems, or motion sickness.

• Kali River Rapids – 38"

  A white-water raft adventure that takes you through turbulent rapids. Cautions: You will get wet, possibly soaked! The ride can be quite turbulent with drops and splashes. Protect electronics and prepare for a drenching.

Mapping Your Magic: Read the Animal Kingdom park overview

Important Reminders for Your Trip:

• Measure Before You Go: A quick measurement at home can save a lot of heartache in the parks.

• Check Disney's Official Website: Height requirements can occasionally be updated, so always check the official Walt Disney World website or My Disney Experience app for the most current information.

• Utilize Rider Switch: If one member of your party doesn't meet the height requirement, ask a Cast Member about Rider Switch. It's a fantastic program that allows adults to take turns riding without having to wait in line twice.

• Consider the Child's Tolerance: Beyond height, consider your child's tolerance. Some rides, even without a height restriction (like Haunted Mansion), might be too frightening or overwhelming. Read up on ride descriptions and watch videos if you're unsure.

• Trust the Cast Members: Disney Cast Members are trained to ensure safety. If they say your child doesn't meet the height, it's for their protection.

By being prepared and understanding these guidelines, you can ensure your Walt Disney World vacation is filled with joy, laughter, and magical memories for everyone in your family!