Universal Orlando Resort is a toadally top destination for thrill-seekers in Orlando. But with great thrill comes great responsibility. When it comes to the wide selection of big, bad coasters at Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure and waterslides at Universal's Volcano Bay, height plays a more critical role than at other neighboring theme parks. For some of you, it may play a part in deciding when to visit. After all, an inch or two over a couple of months could open up a whole new set of ride possibilities. (Take it from this momma frog, those tadpoles sometimes grow like weeds!)
Complete Guide to Height Requirements at Universal Orlando Resort
Whether you’re thinking further out about the best ages for your kids to visit, or just reviewing rides a few days ahead of your trip, it will be so hopful to know BEFORE you arrive. (We learned that the hard way with Lily on Despicable Me Minion Mayhem. There were soooooo many tears when she found out she wouldn't be riding with big brother, Tad.) With so many rides of varying height requirements at Universal Orlando Resort, it's critical to prep your frog squad so there are no disappointments. And thanks to child swap, there is no reason for frog parents to miss out, either (more on that below)!
In this guide, you’ll find a list of the rides with height requirements at Universal Orlando. Keep in mind that just because your little ones are tall enough to ride doesn't mean they're ready to ride! Even though she was tall enough, we could not get Lily to even consider Skull Island: Reign of Kong. But no matter their height, even your tiny tadpoles can still have a blast at Universal Orlando. We've also made hopful infographics, which you can even download and save for use in the park!
Universal Orlando Height Requirements: 34 Inches or Taller
- E.T. Adventure - Universal Studios Florida
Must be at least 34 inches (87 cm) tall. Children between 34 inches and 48 inches (86 cm-122 cm) tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion.
Universal Orlando Height Requirements: 36 Inches or Taller
- Skull Island: Reign of Kong - Universal's Islands of Adventure
Must be at least 36 inches (91 cm) tall. Children between 36 inches and 48 inches (92 cm-122 cm) tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion. - Pteranodon Flyers - Universal's Islands of Adventure
Designed for children 36 inches to 56 inches (92 cm-142 cm) tall. A child who meets this requirement must accompany guests over 56 inches (142 cm) tall. Children between 36 inches and 48 inches tall (92 cm-122 cm) must be accompanied by a supervising companion. - Flight of the Hippogriff - Universal's Islands of Adventure
Must be at least 36 inches (92 cm) tall. Children between 36 inches and 48 inches (92 cm-122 cm) tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion. - The Cat in the Hat - Universal's Islands of Adventure
Must be at least 36 inches (92 cm) tall. Children between 36 inches and 48 inches (92 cm-122 cm) tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion. - The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride! - Universal's Islands of Adventure
Must be at least 36 inches (92 cm) tall. Children between 36 inches and 48 inches (92 cm-122 cm) tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion.
Universal Orlando Height Requirements: 40 Inches or Taller
- Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon - Universal Studios Florida
Must be at least 40 inches (102 cm) tall. Children between 40 inches and 48 inches (102 cm-122 cm) tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion. - The Simpsons Ride - Universal Studios Florida
Must be at least 40 inches (102 cm) tall. Children between 40 inches and 48 inches (102 cm-122 cm) tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion. - Despicable Me Minion Mayhem - Universal Studios Florida
Must be at least 40 inches (102 cm) tall. Children between 40 inches and 48 inches (102 cm-122 cm) tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion. Persons under 40 inches (102 cm) tall must experience this attraction from an adjacent stationary seat. - TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D - Universal Studios Florida
Must be at least 40 inches (102 cm) tall. Children between 40 inches and 48 inches (102 cm-122 cm) tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion. - Fast & Furious - Supercharged - Universal Studios Florida
Must be at least 40 inches (102 cm) tall. Children between 40 inches and 48 inches (102 cm-122 cm) tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion. - The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man - Universal's Islands of Adventure
Must be at least 40 inches (102 cm) tall. Children between 40 inches and 48 inches (102 cm-122 cm) tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion.
Universal Orlando Height Requirements: 42 Inches or Taller
- Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges - Universal's Islands of Adventure
Must be at least 42 inches (107 cm) tall. Children between 42 inches and 48 inches (107 cm-122 cm) tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion. - Jurassic Park River Adventure - Universal's Islands of Adventure
Must be at least 42 inches (107 cm) tall. Children between 42 inches and 48 inches (107 cm-122 cm) tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion. - Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts - Universal Studios Florida
Must be at least 42 inches (107 cm) tall. Children between 42 inches and 48 inches (107 cm-122 cm) tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion. - MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack - Universal Studios Florida
Must be at least 42 inches (107 cm) tall. Children between 42 inches and 48 inches (107 cm-122 cm) tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion. - ika Moana of Honu ika Moana - Universal's Volcano Bay
Must be at least 42 inches (107 cm) tall. Children between 42 inches and 48 inches (107 cm-122 cm) tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion. - Krakatau Aqua Coaster - Universal's Volcano Bay
Must be at least 42 inches (107 cm) tall. Children between 42 inches and 48 inches (107 cm-122 cm) tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion. - Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides - Universal's Volcano Bay
Must be at least 42 inches (107 cm) tall. Children between 42 inches and 48 inches (107 cm-122 cm) tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion. - Punga Racers - Universal's Volcano Bay
Must be at least 42 inches (107 cm) tall. - Taniwha Tubes - Universal's Volcano Bay
Must be at least 42 inches (107 cm) tall. Children between 42 inches and 48 inches (107 cm-122 cm) tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion. - TeAwa The Fearless River - Universal's Volcano Bay
Must be at least 42 inches (107 cm) tall. Children between 42 inches and 48 inches (107 cm-122 cm) tall must enter the river with a supervising companion. All guests must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vest.
Universal Orlando Height Requirements: 44 Inches or Taller
- Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls - Universal's Islands of Adventure
Must be at least 44 inches (112 cm) tall. Children between 44 inches and 48 inches (112 cm-122 cm) tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion.
Universal Orlando Height Requirements: 48 Inches or Taller
- Revenge of the Mummy - Universal Studios Florida
Must be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall. - Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey - Universal's Islands of Adventure
Must be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall. - Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure - Universal's Islands of Adventure
Must be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall. - Honu of Honu ika Moana - Universal's Volcano Bay
Must be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall. - Kala and Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides - Universal's Volcano Bay
Must be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall. - Ko’okiri Body Plunge - Universal's Volcano Bay
Must be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall. - Ohyah and Ohno Drop Slides - Universal's Volcano Bay
Must be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall. - The Reef - Universal's Volcano Bay
Children under 48 inches (122 cm) tall must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vest. - Waturi Beach - Universal's Volcano Bay
Children under 48 inches (122 cm) tall must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vest.
Universal Orlando Height Requirements: Under 48 Inches
- Tot Tiki Reef - Universal's Volcano Bay
Designed for children under 48 inches (122 cm) tall.
Universal Orlando Height Requirements: 51 Inches or Taller
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit - Universal Studios Florida
Must be at least 51 inches (130 cm) and no more than 79 inches (201 cm) tall. - Jurassic World VelociCoaster- Universal's Islands of Adventure
Must be at least 51 inches (130 cm) tall.
Universal Orlando Height Requirements: 52 Inches or Taller
- Doctor Doom's Fearfall - Universal's Islands of Adventure
Must be at least 52 inches (133 cm) tall.
Universal Orlando Height Requirements: 54 Inches or Taller
- The Incredible Hulk Coaster - Universal's Islands of Adventure
Must be at least 54 inches (138 cm) tall.
Universal Orlando Height Requirements: Under 54 Inches
- Runamukka Reef - Universal's Volcano Bay
Designed for children under 54 inches (137 cm) tall.
Got all that down? Start stretching out those frog legs! Despite meeting height requirements, you may have some fear about your level of comfort in the ride. Have no fear! Many of Universal Orlando’s most exciting rides have test seats available so that guests can determine comfort and fit for themselves before riding.
You can find test seats outside of the entrances of Doctor Doom's Fearfall, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Revenge of the Mummy, Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and Jurassic World VelociCoaster. We really recommend testing out the seat if you’re nervous about feeling too claustrophobic on a ride — no need for an unpleasant ride experience ruining your day!
Universal Orlando Rider Switch (Child Swap)
If any of your tadpoles are too tiny for a fun coaster the rest of the gang wants to try, there’s still hope. Universal Orlando offers child swap, a lifesaver for those parents who still want to ride even if their little tadpole doesn't measure up to the height requirements. Child swap is available on all Universal Orlando attractions. All you have to do is let the team member at the entrance know that you wish to use the child switch service. Everyone in your party will go through the line. Then, while the first party rides, up to two adults can wait with the child in the child switch area. When the others are back, the remaining adults can ride the attraction without having to get back in line.
There’s still plenty of fun to be had for tadpoles who aren’t quite leapin’ enough to meet all of the height requirements at Universal Orlando. Enjoy shows, characters and more across both Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure.
Planning a trip to the Orlando parks? Check out our Universal Orlando Resort park plans. We've also got great discounts on your Orlando hotel and theme park tickets!
Related: The Best Theme Parks in Orlando for Every Age Group
Hoppy planning!

Comments