Universal Orlando Resort’s Height Requirements & Child Swap Program

It should come as no surprise that Universal Orlando Resort does not skimp out on the thrill rides. If you are an excitement junkie, then there is no better place to get your ‘fix’ than at UOR. But you may be surprised to know that a Universal Orlando vacation isn’t just for the older crowd. There are plenty of fun attractions and activities for the younger visitors. However, there are quite a few attractions that have mandatory height requirements. I can’t tell you how important it is to know the height requirements prior to your next trip to Universal Orlando so that it can alleviate some tantrums while in the parks.

While it may be a disappointment for the shorter kiddos, height requirements are meant to keep kids safe. I cannot tell you how pumped my oldest son, MAV, got when he found out he was *finally* tall enough to ride The Hulk and Rip Ride Rockit roller coasters.

Check out the height requirements for each of Universal Orlando Resort’s theme parks:

Universal Studios Florida

Attractions with NO Height Requirement

The following rides can be enjoyed by guests of all heights (including babies):

• Curious George Goes to Town
• Fievel’s Playland
• Hogwarts Express – King’s Cross Station (requires a park-to-park ticket)
• Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl

Attractions with Height Requirements

The following rides require a minimum height to enjoy:

• Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem – 40” (102 cm) or taller
• T. Adventure – 34” (86 cm) or taller
• Fast & Furious – Supercharged – 40” (102 cm) or taller
• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts – 42” (107 cm) or taller
• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit – 51” (130 cm) or taller
• MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack – 42” (107 cm) or taller
• Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon – 40” (102 cm) or taller
• Revenge of the Mummy – 48” (122 cm) or taller
• The Simpson’s Ride – 40” (102 cm) or taller
• Transformers: The Ride-3D – 40” (102 cm) or taller
• Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster – 36” (91 cm) or taller

Islands of Adventure

Attractions with NO Height Requirement

The following rides can be enjoyed by guests of all heights (including babies):

• Camp Jurassic
• Caro-Suess-el
• Hogwarts Express – Hogsmeade Station (requires a park-to-park ticket)
• If I Ran The Zoo
• Jurassic Park Discovery Center
• Me Ship, The Olive
• One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
• Poseidon’s Fury
• Storm Force Accelatron

Attractions with Height Requirements

The following rides require a minimum height to enjoy:

• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man – 40” (102 cm) or taller
• Cat in the Hat – 36” (91 cm) or taller
• Doctor Doom’s Fearfall – 52” (132 cm) or taller
• Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls – 44” (112 cm) or taller
• Flight of the Hippogriff – 36” (91 cm) or taller
• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure – 48” (122 cm) or taller
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – 48” (122 cm) or taller
• Jurassic Park River Adventure – 42” (107 cm) or taller
• Jurassic Park VelociCoaster – 51” (130 cm) or taller
• The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride – 36” (92 cm) or taller
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster – 54” (138 cm) or taller
• Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges – 42” (107 cm) or taller
• Pteranodon Flyers – 36” (92 cm) or taller
• Skull Island: Reign of Kong – 36” (92 cm) or taller

Volcano Bay

Attractions with Height Requirements

The following rides require a minimum height to enjoy:

• Honu of Honu ika Moana – 48” (122 cm) or taller
• Ika Moana of Honu ika Moana – 42” (107 cm) or taller
• Kala and Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides – 48” (122 cm) or taller
• Ko’okiri Body Plunge – 48” (122 cm) or taller
• Krakatau Aqua Coaster – 42” (107 cm) or taller
• Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides – 42” (107 cm) or taller
• Ohyah and Ohno Drop Slides – 48” (122 cm) or taller
• Punga Racers – 42” (107 cm) or taller
• Puka Uli Lagoon – Children under 48” (122 cm) must wear U.S. Coast Guard approved life vest
• The Reef – Children under 48” (122 cm) must wear U.S. Coast Guard approved life vest
• Taniwha Tubes – 42” (107 cm) or taller
• TeAwa The Fearless River – 42” (107 cm) or taller
• Waturi Beach – Children under 48” (122 cm) must wear U.S. Coast Guard approved life vest

The following rides have a height maximum:

• Runamukka Reef – Must be 54” (137 cm) or shorter to play
• Tot Tiki Reef – Must be 48” (122 cm) or shorter to play

What do you do if your child isn’t tall enough to ride? Do you have to miss out?

No! If someone in your group does not meet the minimum height requirements, you can still enjoy the attraction using Child Swap.

Child Swap

Child swap is an option that allows your group to easily split, where the first part of the group rides (while at least one adult waits with the child not riding) before switching to allow the second group to ride.

Most rides and attractions have a family room where one member of your party can wait with the little ones while the rest of your party rides. Once they are finished, switch places so whoever rode can stay with the kids, and the adult(s) who sat out can enjoy the attraction. If the ride does not have a designated family room (I noticed this while riding Hagrid’s) or if the family room is closed for whatever reason, a team member at the front of the line will give you a paper pass that will allow you to bypass the line using the Express Pass entrance. 

MAV LOVES Child Swap. Universal allows one person from the first group to accompany the person waiting in the second group. So while I am waiting with my toddler, my older son is living his best life on the attraction. Then he gets to immediately re-ride the attraction again. I think he will get a little sad once our toddler is tall enough to ride the rides because that will mean he won’t get back-to-back rides anymore. 

So while having height requirements can sometimes be a bummer for the younger (shorter) crowd, there is still plenty of fun that can be had. They can enjoy shows, parades, characters, as well as many play areas. Universal Orlando Resort does a fantastic job at bringing thrills and fun — making a Universal Orlando vacation fun for the entire family!

Email us at info@pineappleescapes.com and one of our talented agents can help you book the perfect vacation to Universal Orlando Resort!

Share Our Post To Social Media!

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin

Post By

Subscribe

Receive Notifications of Our Newest Posts!

Fill the form to subscribe to our mailing list!