“What is my kid tall enough to ride at Universal Studios?” is one of the most common questions that we get asked. Knowing the Universal Studios Orlando height requirements before your trip will save you from headaches and frustration and, hopefully, from some tears if your little one isn’t quite tall enough to do everything.
USO RIDES WITH NO HEIGHT REQUIREMENT
Hogwarts™ Express: Departing from Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross Station, this train ride is a favorite in our house, but you can only board if you have a park-to-park ticket as it goes back and forth between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. The journey is different in each direction so make sure to ride both ways. Express Pass is available.
Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl: This is a basic spin-in-a-circle ride (like Dumbo or Aladdin’s Magic Carpets at Magic Kingdom) and fine for the whole family. Express Pass is available.
Shrek 4-D: Join your favorite characters from the Shrek movie franchise on a quest to save Princess Fiona in this 4D show. There’s no height requirement for this one, but small children may be scared of the 3D effects. Express Pass is available.
MUST BE AT LEAST 34 INCHES
E.T. Adventure™: This one is a fan favorite with adults and kids alike! Channel your inner Eliott and hop on a flying bicycle to help E.T. save his home planet. Express Pass is available.
MUST BE AT LEAST 36 INCHES
Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster™: This kiddie coaster travels through Woody’s nut factory and reminds me of Barnstormer at Magic Kingdom. Express Pass is available.
MUST BE AT LEAST 40 INCHES FOR THESE RIDES AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS ORLANDO
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem™: Join your favorite Despicable Me characters on this 4D motion simulator ride through Gru’s house and laboratory. Express Pass is available. Virtual Line is available based on crowds.
Fast & Furious – Supercharged™: Continuing with the motion simulator trend, join the crew from Fast & Furious and help Dom save the day. This one has loud music, loud (unexpected) noises, and LOTS of action. Express Pass is available. Virtual Line is available based on crowds.
Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon™: As you race Jimmy Fallon, this 3D motion simulator takes you through the streets of New York, underwater, and to the moon. Express Pass is available. Virtual Line is available based on crowds.
The Simpsons Ride™: Join the Simpsons as they visit Krustyland, Krusty the Clown’s theme park. This roller coaster simulator is shown on an 80-foot diameter domed surface and is fun for the whole family. Express Pass is available.
TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D: Another 3D/4D simulator; this one turns you into a N*E*S*T* recruit to help Optimus Prime and Bumblebee save the planet from Megatron and the Decepticons. Express Pass is available.
MUST BE AT LEAST 42 INCHES
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™: One of our absolute favorite rides in the park, this 4D roller coaster/dark ride hybrid packs plenty of thrills. While it can be intimidating for some youngsters to get in line beneath the fire-breathing dragon, this really is a ride for the whole family. Yes, it’s thrilling, and there are some frightening scenes, but those just add to the fun factor. Express Pass is available. Virtual Line is available based on crowds.
MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack™: Wrapping up the motion simulators at Universal Studios, as Agent Trainee, you’ll zip through New York and take a shot at all the aliens you can find. This one is similar to Astro Blasters at Magic Kingdom, but these aliens fight back! Express Pass is available.
MUST BE AT LEAST 48 INCHES TO RIDE AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO
Revenge of the Mummy™: This coaster is one of the scariest rides in the park, and young children that are just barely tall enough to ride (especially those that are tall for their age) are likely to be frightened – or terrified to the point of tears like my niece. As you’re trying to get away from the evil Mummy Imhotep, you end up in darkness, surrounded by insects, chased by warrior mummies, and underneath fire so hot you can feel it. Express Pass is available. Virtual Line is available based on crowds.
MUST BE AT LEAST 51 INCHES
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit™: Choose your own music, go 17 stories up vertically at a 90º angle, and then drop at 65 miles per hour as you enjoy this coaster. This thrilling ride features the world’s first non-inverting loop and is packed full of fun. Express Pass is available.
TIPS FOR DEALING WITH UNIVERSAL STUDIOS ORLANDO HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS
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- Unlike Disney Parks, most rides in Universal Studios Orlando have a height requirement to ensure guest safety.
- If your little one is close to a cut-off (34, 36, 40, 42, 48, 51 inches), practice how to stand up straight before your trip. They have to actually bump their head on the measuring guide or obviously be taller than it, but we’ve seen many kids duck to fit under the guide and end up looking shorter than they actually are- and then they miss out on the ride.
- Child Swap is an option at every ride with a height restriction so make sure to utilize it if you have little ones. Every ride has a room where one member of your party can wait with the little ones while the rest of the group rides. Then, switch places, and the adult that waited with the kids can have a chance to ride without waiting in line again. This allows both adults to enjoy the attraction, and the big kids may even get the chance to ride twice!
- While we love going to Disney with kids of all ages, Universal is really best once kids are at least 40-42 inches tall. If it’s going to be more of a once-in-a-lifetime trip, I would lean towards waiting until your youngest is at least 48″ since that will allow them to ride almost everything in the parks.
- If your kids aren’t quite tall enough to ride everything on this visit, it means it’s time to start planning the next trip for when they’re a bit taller.
- I’ve spent many park days hanging out with Ellie (who is only 46″) while the big kids ride everything in the park. We usually get a special snack to share and wander through the shops – that way, she doesn’t feel like she’s missing out on as much since she’s too short to ride the biggest rides.
