Universal Orlando Height Requirement Calculator

Many rides at Universal Orlando Resort have restrictions based on the height of the rider. We’ve previously published a list of height requirements, but it can be overwhelming to check the rule for each ride. That’s why we made our Universal Orlando Height Requirement Calculator, which you’ll find below.

This simple tool lets you enter your child’s height and instantly get a list of rides they’re tall enough for at Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe, and Volcano Bay. We’ll also show you a list of attractions they’re not yet able to ride, and explain why.

How to measure your child’s height for Universal rides

In the parks, heights are measured using permanently-mounted posts which look similar to the uppercase Greek letter Gamma (  Γ  ) or an upside-down “L”. Here’s an example on the right-hand side of this photo:

You might notice in the photo above that there are two height indicators—a lower one and a higher one. Many Universal rides actually have two height requirements: a shorter requirement to be allowed to board at all, and a taller requirement to ride alone.

To be eligible to ride, your child must be tall enough for their head to touch the bottom of the cross-bar. There is practically no leeway, because height requirements are based on the ride’s safety restraints.

If your child’s height isn’t tall enough to ride solo—but still meets the lower requirement—they’ll need to ride with a supervising companion. That’s someone else in your party who is at least 14 years old and meets the ride requirements.

To get an accurate measurement at home:

1. Have your child wear the same shoes they’ll wear inside the park. Shoes should be “reasonable”—not overly chunky platform shoes.
2. Tell them to stand as straight as possible (but not on their tip toes) against an open door jamb.
3. Hold a yardstick or framing square horizontally against the top of their head (no sneaky hair tricks such as tall buns). Then lightly mark their height in pencil on the door jamb.
4. Measure the distance from the mark to the floor, then round down to the nearest whole inch. (A 39.8″ child won’t be allowed on a 40″ ride.)
5. Enter this number into our calculator below to see which attractions your child is tall enough to ride.

What if my child isn’t tall enough to ride?

There’s really no way around height requirements—it’s simply not safe for them to ride if they aren’t tall enough. But Universal may give your child a certificate to allow them to skip the line on a future trip, once they’re tall enough.

The rest of the family doesn’t have to miss the ride or wait longer just because one guest is not tall enough.

• Many rides offer a free Child Swap service—this includes a dedicated family room or other waiting area where part of the group can stay with the child while everyone else rides. Then, once the rest of the group returns, they watch the child while the others ride (without having to wait in the standby line again).
• Universal’s Express Pass service may also help you divide into two groups to ride with minimal wait. Note that there are no discounts or refunds on the service for kids who aren’t tall enough to ride something, so factor in your child’s height when determining if it’s worth buying.

Final Thoughts

Height requirements may cause a few disappointments if you’re visiting Universal with kids. But they’re in place for a good reason—safety. As much as we want our kids to experience everything Universal has to offer, we want them to be safe more than anything else.

Using our calculator before you get to Universal Orlando will let you know ahead of time which rides won’t work out. You can prepare your child in advance and hopefully avoid any meltdowns at a ride entrance.

Enjoy your trip!