When your child is teetering on just being tall enough to ride the popular roller coasters, you need to do everything you can to ensure your child has a safe and fun experience. Here are mistakes not to make with your child’s height at Walt Disney World:
1. Padding their shoes – You might be tempted to pad your child’s shoes or have them wear shoes with a slight heel to make them tall enough….don’t do it. The height requirements are there for a reason. I do recommend you keep your child in the same shoes for height based attractions. Don’t alternate between things like Crocs and Flip Flops. Soles do matter they just shouldn’t take precedent over your child’s safety. Pick a good pair of shoes and stick with them.
2. Assuming your child will be tall enough every time – Unfortunately Disney’s practice can be a little infuriating. They can be measured TWICE at every single attraction. First at the entrance and again just before they board. They could be deemed all enough at the first stop and not tall enough at the second. Make sure you prepare your child for the possibility of not riding. It can be extremely disappointing.
3. Assuming every attraction will be the same – If your child is just on the cusp of being tall enough, you might run into situations where they are tall enough for one attraction and not the other (even though both have the same height requirement). Prepare yourself and your child for this situation. I saw it happen at Soarin’ and unfortunately the mother decided to throw a total fit and allow it to frustrate her too much. Don’t let it ruin your fun! Just be prepared.
4. Not riding in the morning – Children are naturally taller in the morning hours. If you are worried about height, plan those rides for first thing in the day.
5. Not practicing standing straight and still – Teach your children ahead of time how to put their feet together and stand proud and tall. Good posture could make a big difference in getting on the ride or not!
6. Not knowing the height requirements – Familiarize yourself with all the attractions that have height requirements before your trip:
Magic Kingdom
Astro Orbiter -Any height
The Barnstormer – Minimum height 35″
Big Thunder Mountain – Minimum height 40″
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin – Any height
Dumbo the Flying Elephant – Any height
The Hall of Presidents – Any height
Haunted Mansion – Any height
its a small world – Any height
Jungle Cruise – Any height
Liberty Square Riverboat – Any height
Mad Tea Party – Any height
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin – Any height
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – Any height
Peter Pan’s Flight – Any height
Pirates of the Caribbean – Any height
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel – Any height
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – Minimum height 38″
Space Mountain – Minimum height 44″
Splash Mountain – Minimum height 40″
Stitch’s Great Escape – Minimum height 40″
Swiss Family Treehouse – Any height
Tomorrowland Speedway – Minimum height 32″
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover – Any height
Under The Sea – Journey with the Little Mermaid – Any height
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress – Any height
Walt Disney World Railroad – Any height
Epcot
Frozen Ever After – Any height
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros – Any height
Journey Into Imagination With Figment – Any height
Living with the Land – Any height
Mission: SPACE – Minimum height 44″
The Sea with Nemo & Friends – Any height
Soarin’ – Minimum height 40″
Spaceship Earth – Any height
Test Track – Minimum height 40″
Animal Kingdom
Avatar – Flight of Passage – Minimum height 44″
The Boneyard – Any height
Dinosaur – Minimum height 40″
Expedition Everest – Minimum height 44″
It’s Tough to be a Bug – Any height
Kali River Rapids – Minimum height 38″
Kilimanjaro Safaris – Any height
Na’vi River Journey – Any height
Primeval Whirl – Minimum height 48″
TriceraTop Spin – Any height
Hollywood Studios
Alien Swirling Saucers – Minimum height 32″
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – Minimum height 38″
Rise of the Resistance – Minimum height 40″
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith – Minimum height 48″
Slinky Dog Dash – Minimum height 38″
Star Wars – The Adventure Continues – Minimum height 40″
Toy Story Mania! – Any height
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – Minimum height 40″
Typhoon Lagoon
Bay Slides – Minimum height 60″
Castaway Creek – Any height
Crush & Gusher – Minimum height 48″
Gangplank Falls – Any height
Humunga Kowabunga – Minimum height 48″
Keelhaul Falls – Any height
Ketchakiddee Creek – Minimum height 48″
Mayday Falls – Any height
Miss Adventure Falls – Any height
Storm Slides – Any height
Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool – Any height
Blizzard Beach
Chair Lift – Minimum height 35″
Cross Country Creek – Any height
Downhill Double Dipper – Minimum height 48″
Meltaway Bay – any height
Runoff Rapids – Any height
Ski Patrol Training Camp – Any height
Slush Gusher – Minimum height 48″
Snow Stormers – Any height
Summit Plummet – Minimum height 48″
Teamboat Springs – Any height
Tike’s Peak – Maximum height 40″
Toboggan Races – Any height
Learn more about the Walt Disney World Parks including attractions, secrets, tips and more. Plus my friends at Destinations in Florida can help you plan your perfect Walt Disney World vacation.
Jane says
Ketchakiddee Creek is 48″ or smaller – Maximum height