Universal Orlando Height Requirements for Rides

While the vast majority of rides across the Universal Orlando theme parks are going to be accessible to most individuals, it’s important to check the height requirements before you go on your trip to make sure you don’t have any unwanted surprises! This guide will review all the rides across the Universal Orlando theme parks, whether or not they have height requirements, and what those height requirements are, so you can plan ahead and make sure you’ll be able to try your favorite rides!

Height Requirements Across Theme Parks

As long as you’re above 54” (138cm) you will be able to go on all of the theme park rides across Universal Orlando. Universal has two theme parks (Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure) and a water park (Volcano Bay).  A third major theme park, Epic Universe, is also under construction. Many rides such as roller coasters have height requirements. But don’t worry if you or one of your family members isn’t 54 inches tall. There are plenty of other rides across the parks with lower height requirements, or no height requirements at all.

Many rides have two height requirements: a smaller requirement to be allowed to board at all, and a slightly taller requirement to ride solo.

I’ve been visiting Universal for years with my kids Ava (5) and Ben (8), so I have plenty of experience dealing with height requirements. It’s pretty easy in the parks to check the rules at the start of the ride, but I always recommend checking online before you travel to avoid any disappointment in the theme park!

(I previously did a similar article on Disney World height requirements, so make sure to check that out too if you are considering a vacation there!)

Let’s start by going over the rides at Universal Studios.

Universal Studios Rides Without Height Requirements

The following rides have no height requirements at Universal Studios, meaning anyone can ride them!

Note: while there is no minimum height requirement to board these rides, children under 48” (122cm) still must ride with a supervising companion.

• Hogwarts Express – King’s Cross Station
• Kang and Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl

My personal favorite here is the Hogwarts Express. You will need a Park-to-Park pass to go on this ride, because it travels in between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. You can jump on the ride in either park, and take the express just like a Hogwarts student. The combination of CGI and storytelling makes you feel like you’re on an adventure with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

Universal Studios Rides With Height Requirements

Many of the top rides in Universal Studios Florida have a height requirement, listed below. Another point to keep an eye on is that while these rides may have a minimum requirement, sometimes a supervising companion is also required to accompany a child even several inches taller than that minimum height.

• E.T. Adventure: Minimum height requirement is 34” (87cm). Children between 34”- 48” (87cm – 122cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts: Minimum height requirement is 42” (107 cm). Children between 42” – 48” (107cm – 122cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast: No hand-held infants. Children under 48” (122cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon: Minimum height requirement is 40” (102cm). Children between 40”- 48” (102cm – 122cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• The Simpsons Ride: Minimum height requirement is 40” (102 cm). Children between 40” – 48” (102cm – 122cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D: Minimum height requirement is 40” (102cm). Children between 40” – 48” (102cm – 122cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem: Minimum height requirement is 40” (102cm). Children between 40” – 48” (102cm – 122cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• Fast & Furious – Supercharged: Minimum height requirement is 40” (102cm). Children between 40” – 48” (102cm – 122cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit: Minimum height requirement is 51” (130cm) and no taller than 79” (201 cm).
• MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack: Minimum height requirement is 42” (102cm). Children between 42” – 48” (107cm – 122cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• Revenge of the Mummy: Minimum height requirement is 48” (122cm).

Fun Fact: The Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is the only ride in Universal Orlando Resort with a maximum height limit intended for very tall adults!

Islands of Adventure Rides Without Minimum Height Requirements

The following rides have no height restrictions in Islands of Adventure, making them great places to bring smaller kids to enjoy Universal.

Note: while there is no minimum height requirement to board these rides, children under 48” (122cm) still must ride with a supervising companion.

• Hogwarts Express – Hogsmeade Station
• Storm Force Accelatron
• Caro-Seuss-El
• One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

I have the Hogwarts Express on both the Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure lists because it connects both parks and yes, it’s still my favorite here. Although, the rest of the rides are great for kids and are a good laugh!

Islands of Adventure Rides With Height Requirements

How tall do you need to be to go on the rides in Islands of Adventure? This theme park has some of the best thrill rides in the country, and many of the best rides in Islands of Adventure do have height requirements. Keep an eye on your favorite rides below to make sure you are tall enough to give them a go!

• Cat in the Hat: Minimum height requirement is 36” (92cm). Children between 36” – 48” must ride with a supervising companion.
• Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls: Minimum height requirement is 44” (112cm). Children between 44” – 48” (112cm – 122cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• Flight of the Hippogriff: Minimum height requirement is 36” (92cm). Children between 36” – 48” (92cm – 122cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey: Minimum height requirement is 48” (122cm).
• Jurassic World VelociCoaster: Minimum height requirement is 51” (130cm).
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster: Minimum height requirement is 54” (138cm).
• Pteranodon Flyers: This ride is designed for kids between 36” – 56” (92cm – 143cm). Guests over 56” must be accompanied by a child that fits in the height requirement. Children between 36” – 48” (92cm – 122cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man: Minimum height requirement is 40” (102cm). Children between 40” – 48” (102cm – 122cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• Doctor Doom’s Fearfall: Minimum height requirement is 52” (133cm).
• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure: Minimum height requirement is 48” (122cm).
• Jurassic Park River Adventure: Minimum height requirement is 42” (107cm). Children between 42” – 48” (107cm – 122cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!: Minimum height requirement is 36” (92cm). Children between 36” – 48” (92cm – 122cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rate Barges: Minimum height requirement is 42” (107cm). Children between 42” – 48” (107cm – 122cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• Skull Island: Reign of Kong: Must be at least 36” (92cm). Children between 36” – 48” (92cm – 122cm) must ride with a supervising companion.

Epic Universe Height Requirements

Stardust Racers (Concept Art) | Image © Universal

We don’t yet have complete information about all of the rides which will be located in Universal’s Epic Universe theme park when it opens in 2025. But here are the height requirements officially confirmed so far:

• Constellation Carousel: No hand-held infants. Children under 48″ (122 cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• Curse of the Werewolf: Minimum height requirement is 40″ (102 cm). Children between 40″ – 48″ (102 cm – 122 cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• Dragon Racer’s Rally: Minimum height requirement is 48″ (122 cm).
• Fyre Drill: No hand-held infants. Children under 48″ (122 cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry: Minimum height requirement is 40″ (102 cm). Children between 40″ – 48″ (102 cm – 122 cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• Hiccup’s Wing Gliders: Minimum height requirement is 40″ (102 cm). Children between 40″ – 48″ (102 cm – 122 cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• Mario Kart Bowser’s Challenge: Minimum height requirement is 42″ (107 cm). Children between 42″ – 48″ ( 107 cm – 122 cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• Mine Cart Madness: Minimum height requirement is 36″ (92 cm). Children between 36″ – 48″ (92 cm – 122 cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• Monsters Unchained – The Frankenstein Experiment: Minimum height requirement is 48″ (122 cm).
• Stardust Racers: Minimum height requirement is 48″ (122 cm).
• Yoshi’s Adventure: Minimum height requirement is 36″ (92 cm). Children between 36″ – 48″ (92 cm – 122 cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• More to come!

Volcano Bay Rides Without Height Requirements

Volcano Bay is pretty accessible in terms of height restrictions. There are plenty of places to have fun throughout the water park even if you are below 48” (122cm). Here are the features in the water park that have no minimum height requirements.

• Waturi Beach: Children under 48” (122cm) must wear a life vest.
• The Reef: Children under 48” (122cm) must wear a life vest.
• Runamukka Reef: Maximum height is 54” (138cm)
• Tot Tiki Reef: Maximum height is 48” (92cm)
• Kopiko Wai Winding River
• Puka Uli Lagoon: Children under 48” must wear a life vest.

Volcano Bay Rides With Height Requirements

Generally, as long as you or your family member is above 48” you won’t have any issues getting on any of the best rides in the water park. Except of course for the slides in the Tot Tiki Reef and Runamukka Reef which are designed for small kids. Here are the height requirements for Volcano Bay:

• Honu of Honu Ika Moana: Minimum height requirement is 48” (122cm).
• Kala and Tia Nui Serpentine Body Slides: Minimum height requirement is 48” (122cm).
• Ohyah and Ohno Drop Slides: Minimum height requirement is 48” (122cm).
• Punga Racers: Minimum height requirement is 42” (107cm).
• Taniwha Tubes: Minimum height requirement is 42” (107cm). Children between 42” – 48”(107cm – 122cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• TeAwa The Fearless River: Minimum height requirement is 42” (107cm). Children between 42” – 48”(107cm – 122cm) must wear a life vest and ride with a supervising companion.
• Ika Moana of Honu ika Moana: Minimum height requirement is 42” (107cm). Children between 42” – 48”(107cm – 122cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• Ko’okiri Body Plunge: Minimum height requirement is 48” (122cm).
• Krakatau Aqua Coaster: Minimum height requirement is 42” (107cm). Children between 42” – 48”(107cm – 122cm) must ride with a supervising companion.
• Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides: Minimum height requirement is 42” (107cm). Children between 42” – 48”(107cm – 122cm) must ride with a supervising companion.

Conclusion

If you or a family member is below 54” tall then it’s important to do your research about height restrictions ahead of vacation. When you’re in the parks, there will be plenty of signs or staff around to inform you of the height requirements, and there are sometimes even test chairs for you to try and make sure you feel comfortable in the ride’s seat. I hope you are looking forward to your Universal Vacation!