It’s a rite of passage.
You book a trip to Universal Studios Florida or Disney World or some other destination of magic and wonder and the kids start talking about minimum height requirements.
For my son John Paul, the focus was on Universal’s Islands of Adventure thrill rides. Would he be tall enough for the Incredible Hulk coaster or the Jurassic World Velocicoaster? Would he be able to ride the Forbidden Journey and the rest of the rides in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter?
For Ainsley, we took out the tape measure and sized her up for the Simpson Ride, Flight of the Hippogriff and One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.
My oldest Sofia, who cleared her last height restrictions plateau years ago, didn’t have to measure but she wanted to anyway.
As we planned our trip to the Universal Orlando Resort – the kids’ first visit – we spent a lot of extra time reading the fine print, in part because of my size.
For example, would I fit on the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man or the Jurassic Park River Adventure? Yes and no, if you’re scoring at home.
But also, the kids wanted to make sure which rides they could ride, which rides they could ride on their own and which rides might they have to skip.
Read Also: Is Universal Studios fat friendly? A helpful guide for plus-size guests
Get Universal Orlando Resort deals and discounts delivered straight to your inbox from HeyOrlando.com
How strict is Universal Studios on height?
In my experience, pretty strict and rightfully so.
Early this year, there was a tragic incident at another Orlando attraction caused by ride workers allowing someone to ride who didn’t fit the specs. Universal Studios height requirements are a binary status. You are either tall enough or you are not. There’s not a lot of wiggle room.
And there are layers of protection. On Flight of the Hippogriff, Ainsley was tall enough by a couple of inches when they checked at the entrance.
But the first two times we rode, team members made her get back out of the car to be tested again. I didn’t mind at all. I’d much rather them be safe.
How tall do you have to be in Universal?
There’s no set height or weight restriction to enter the Universal Studios parks, of course. Height requirements for rides are dependent on the combination of the ride vehicle and the type of ride.
Universal does warn – for almost every ride – that guests with a waist of 40 inches or larger might not be able to ride. However, in my experience, someone with a 40-inch waist should be able to ride just about everything. I am noting the rides I was able to go on below.
If you have a waist smaller than about 50 inches, you should be fine on these rides, at least in my experience.
Below, you’ll find a list of height requirements for rides at both Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme parks.
Height requirements for rides at Universal Studios
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™: Must be at least 42” tall. Children between 42”-48” must be accompanied by an adult. There is a test ride vehicle to check.
Revenge of the Mummy: Must be at least 48”. This ride is not currently in operation, at the time of this writing.
Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon: Must be at least 40” tall. Children between 40”-48” must be accompanied by a supervising companion. There is a test vehicle. For larger people, I was able to ride this but it was close. Certainly, ask for a belt extender.
Men in Black Alien Attack: Must be at least 42” tall. Children between 42”-48” must be accompanied by an adult. I was able to ride, mostly comfortably.
Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster: Must be at least 36” tall. Children between 36”-48” must be accompanied by an adult.
The Simpsons Ride: Must be at least 40” tall. Children between 40”-48” must be accompanied by an adult. I was able to ride comfortably.
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit: Must be at least 51” and no more than 79” tall. There is a test vehicle.
E.T. Adventure: Must be at least 34” tall. Children between 34”-48” must be accompanied by an adult. I was able to ride comfortably.
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem: Must be at least 40”. Children between 40”-48” must be accompanied by an adult. Persons under 40” must experience this attraction from an adjacent stationary seat. It is also advisable for people of a certain size to experience the attraction from the stationary bench as well.
Transformers: The Ride 3D: Must be at least 40” tall. Children between 40”-48” must be accompanied by an adult. John Paul was uneasy about the ride because of the pre-ride warning about drops. However, a cast member heard our discussion and assured him it was a tracked ride and he’d be fine. He was right. It was a good call. I was able to ride comfortably and aid Optimus Prime in his quest to save humanity.
Fast & Furious Supercharged: Must be at least 40”. Children between 40”-48” must be accompanied by an adult. I was able to ride comfortably.
Height requirements for Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Skull Island: Reign of Kong: Must be at least 36” tall. Children between 36”-48” must be accompanied by an adult.
Jurassic Park River Adventure: Must be at least 42” tall. Children between 42”-48” must be accompanied by an adult. I had to get off this ride.
Pteranodon Flyers: Pteranodon Flyers is designed for children 36”-56” tall. A child meeting this requirement must accompany guests over 56” tall. Children between 36”-56” must be accompanied by an adult.
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls: Must be at least 44” tall. Children between 44”-48” must be accompanied by an adult.
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges: Must be at least 42” tall. Children between 42”-48” must be accompanied by a supervising companion.
The Incredible Hulk Coaster: Must be at least 54” tall. A test vehicle is available.
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man: Must be at least 40” tall. Children between 40”-48” must be accompanied by an adult. I was able to ride.
Doctor Doom’s Fearfall: Must be at least 36” tall. Test vehicle available.
Cat in the Hat: Must be at least 36” tall. Children between 36”-48” must be accompanied by an adult. I was able to ride.
The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride: Must be at least 36” tall. Children between 36”-48” must be accompanied by an adult. I was able to ride.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™: Must be 48” tall. A test vehicle is available.
Flight of the Hippogriff: Must be at least 36” tall. Children between 36”-48” must be accompanied by an adult. I was able to ride.
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure: Must be at least 48” tall. I didn’t get to ride despite being able to fit pretty well on the test vehicle. It was really close.
Are there rides at Universal without height restrictions?
The Hogwarts Express, which connects King’s Cross Station outside Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade, does not have a height requirement.
Nor does the Caro-Seuss-El for young children in Seuss Landing.
Read Also: Is Me Ship, the Olive a ride at Universal? A look at what’s inside
What is your experience with Universal’s rides? Let us know in the comments!
