Disney World height requirements decide which rides your kids can ride, so it pays to know them before you plan your days. Many attractions have no minimum at all, but the big coasters and thrill rides do. The details below are general guidance, so always confirm each ride's current rules on Disney's official website or app, because they can change.
How height requirements work
Each ride with a minimum has a measuring stick near the entrance, and a Cast Member checks your child before they join the line. Kids are measured in shoes, standing naturally, and a child who falls short is pointed toward another ride. Height requirements are posted at the attraction entrance and on Disney's website and app, so you can check before you wait in line.
Common minimums to plan around
Minimums vary ride by ride, and these are the ranges families usually run into:
- No minimum: carousels, gentle dark rides, boat rides and most of the classic family attractions.
- Around 35 to 40 inches: mild coasters and a few water rides.
- Around 42 to 44 inches: faster coasters and bigger thrill rides.
- 48 inches: the most intense rides in the parks.
Some rides also have other rules, such as a rider needing to be able to sit upright or keep their arms and legs inside. Check each attraction's page before you go.
Rides for kids under 40 inches
A lot of the magic is open to every height. Our guide to the best Magic Kingdom rides for kids under 40 inches covers the favorites, and you can add a 5-year-old plan with rides and naps if your child is right on the edge.
Measure your kids before you go
Measure each child at home in the shoes they plan to wear, then compare against the minimums for the rides on your wish list. Kids can grow between planning and your trip, so measure again a week before you fly. Telling children in advance which rides they will be ready for, and which they will try next year, avoids a lot of tears at the measuring stick.
Plan for the split-family moments
If one child is too short for a ride that everyone else wants, ask about rider switch. It lets one adult ride while another waits with the child, then the adults swap without getting back in the full line. Availability and rules depend on the attraction, so ask a Cast Member at the entrance.
Make Windsor Hills your home base
Between ride days, kids burn off energy at the resort. Windsor Hills is a gated resort usually under 15 minutes from Disney property, with a heated lagoon pool, the Sir Windsor AquaVenture water park, splash areas, a clubhouse, a games room, a gym and courts. Our resort playground and splash pad guide is handy for the days when a little one misses the cut for a coaster. Homes, condos and townhouses have full kitchens and room for the whole family, and booking direct with owners keeps things simple.
Ready to plan your trip? Browse Windsor Hills rentals and find a home with room for everyone, tall and small.
