If you’ve been planning the perfect trip, you may wonder if your children are the right age and height to get the most out of Walt Disney World. While the Magic Kingdom and other parks are very family friendly, there are some rides that do have minimum height restrictions to keep guests safe. To help you figure out what your child can and can not ride, I’ve made a list of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom height requirements to make planning easier and to avoid disappointment at the parks.
Magic Kingdom Height Requirements: How tall do you need to be to ride? What can you do instead if your child can’t ride?
Walt Disney World consists of four different theme parks and two water parks. The Magic Kingdom Park has the most height restrictions, but that’s only because it has the most rides. Luckily, the park offers a rider switch program for rides with height restrictions so that the adult left behind will be able to ride (along with up to two others) as soon as the first adult is done. It’s good to know which rides have minimum height requirements to avoid last-minute meltdowns and so that parents can have fun options for those left behind.
Listed before is a list of each of the Magic Kingdom lands, which attractions have minimum height requirements and what they are, great alternative activities, and family-friendly attractions for all ages. The lands are listed in clockwise order as you enter the park. And, as always, never fear, children of all ages and height can ride these family-friendly classic rides.
On Main Street U.S.A.
Height Requirements on Main Street U.S.A.
There are no minimum height requirements on Main Street U.S.A. All members of the family can ride the Walt Disney World Railroad (when running) and various forms of Main Street U.S.A. transportation. It’s important to know that strollers cannot be accommodated on the train. You’ll have to come back to your original stop to retrieve your stroller.
In Adventureland
Height Requirements in Adventureland
The good news is that everyone in the family can participate in every Adventureland activity. It’s a great place to start your visit because no one is left out because of minimum height requirements right off the bat.
Adventureland Fun for the Entire Family
Everyone in the family can visit the Swiss Family Treehouse to see how the shipwreck survivors lived (be aware that this attraction is not wheelchair accessible) or the Enchanted Tiki Room. Plus, every family member, no matter how old, can board the Jungle Cruise exploring the Amazon, the Congo, the Nile, and the Mekong. Even tiny babies can fly on the Magic Carpets of Aladdin and sail on the uncharted waters of the Pirates of the Caribbean.
In Frontierland
Height Requirements in Frontierland
In Frontierland, there are two rides with height requirements: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain. Guests who wish to ride the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster or the Splash Mountain log ride must be at least 40 inches (102 centimeters) or taller.
Alternate Activities for Little Ones
If your children are too small (or nervous) to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or Splash Mountain, consider taking them over to Tom Sawyer Island to explore. It’s usually not very busy and is a great place to cool off in the shade.
Another great place to wait with preschoolers is the small play area nestled between Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain. To find the Laughing Place Play Area, head towards the exit of the ride. This shaded play area consists of a small tree “house” and is perfect for toddlers with a low slide and windows from which to play peek-a-boo.
In addition, you can ask the members of your family who did go on the ride to text you right before they get into the Splash Mountain boats. This will allow you to watch their plunge into the Brier Patch. The entire ride takes a little less than 12 minutes; if they text you before getting on the ride, you’ll have about seven minutes to get to the bridge so that you can take photos.
Frontierland Fun for the Entire Family
If you are looking for activities in Frontierland with no minimum height requirements, consider visiting the Country Bear Jamboree or Tom Sawyer Island for some old-time fun. You can also go target shooting at the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade. However, little ones might need Mom or Dad to give them a boost up to see the targets.
In Liberty Square
Height Requirements in Liberty Square.
There are no height requirements in Liberty Square. The entire family can visit the Hall of Presidents, take a trip on the Liberty Belle Riverboat, or board a doombuggy for a tour of the Haunted Mansion.
Liberty Square Fun for the Entire Family
If you are looking for activities in Frontierland with no minimum height requirements, consider visiting the Country Bear Jamboree or Tom Sawyer Island for some old-time fun. You can also go target shooting at the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade. However, little ones might need Mom or Dad to give them a boost up to see the targets.
In Fantasyland
Height Requirements in Fantasyland
In Fantasyland, there are two rides with minimum height requirements. For the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coasters, guests must be at least 38 inches tall (97 centimeters). Comparatively, The Barnstormer, located in the Storybook Circus area next to the train station, only has a minimum height requirement of 35 inches (89 centimeters) and is perfect for a child’s first introduction to roller coasters.
Alternate Activities for Little Ones
If your children are too small to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or The Barnstormer, there are several great alternate activities in the area. Check the wait times on the My Disney Experience App and see how much time you need to fill. There’s so much to do in Fantasyland, including several rides that little ones love to experience over and over.
One of my favorite activities on hot days is to let the little ones play at the Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station. Located in middle of Storybook Circus, this circus train has a few tricks up its sleeve. Be aware that your children will get wet. I suggest bringing a change of clothing, including shoes, if your child will be playing in the water.
Another great alternate is Dumbo’s Circus Tent. This multi-story play area was designed for children who were waiting in line to ride on the Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride. The best part–this play area is air-conditioned. Be aware that if it’s busy, you’ll be given a pager so you’ll know when it’s your turn to ride Dumbo. You can always have the cast members add more time to the pager or even completely skip the ride.
Fantasyland Fun for the Entire Family
Fantasyland is the epicenter of family-friendly rides and attractions. The entire family can visit Prince Charming’s Regal Carrousel, Mickey’s Philharmagic, Peter Pan’s Flight, “it’s a small world,” Enchanted Tales with Belle, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, the Mad Tea Party, Under the Sea–Journey of the Little Mermaid, and Dumbo the Flying Elephant. With so many familiar characters and fun things to do, it can be difficult to get your child to leave this area.
In Tomorrowland
Minimum Height Requirements in Tomorrowland
There are two attractions with minimum height requirements in Tomorrowland: Tomorrowland Speedway and Space Mountain. Space Mountain has one of the higher minimum height requirements in all of the Magic Kingdom–guests must be at least 44 inches (113 centimeters) tall to ride. Tomorrowland Speedway is a little more complicated. Drivers must be at least 54 inches tall (137 centimeters) to drive their own gas-powered vehicle. However, guests who are between 32 inches tall (81 centimeters) and 54 inches tall can also drive if they are accompanied by someone who is over 54 inches tall.
Alternate Activities for Little Ones
There aren’t any play areas close by unless you are willing to travel back to Fantasyland. However, a ride on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority can be a good alternative especially if it’s naptime for your infant or toddler. The Carousel of Progress is also cool and dark–little ones should easily fall asleep inside.
Tomorrowland Fun for the Entire Family
Guest of all ages and heights can enjoy these attractions together: Astro Orbiter, TomorrowlandTransit Authority, Carousel of Progress, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, and Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor.
Final Thoughts About Magic Kingdom Height Requirements
The Magic Kingdom minimum height requirements are there for the safety of your children. Please don’t try to cheat the system by using heel lifts or platform shoes. The cast members are doing their best to keep your little one safe.
Be aware that a child may be allowed to pass a measurement outside the ride, but be turned away once inside. And, keep in mind that our bodies shrink by as much as 1/2 an inch each day as the discs between the bones of our spine compress. To avoid this, try making those must-do rides the first stops of the morning.
Most of all, have fun on your Walt Disney World vacation! As you can see, there’s so much to do for every member of the family, regardless of age.
Be sure to check out this post on how to get the perfect Magic Kingdom ride photos!
I was just looking for something like this! Thank you – I’m so glad I found it!
This is such an important factor for parents to consider. Nobody wants their child to be crying and disappointed at the happiest place on earth!
Oh the days where my girls would where high ponytails to be taller.
This is REALLY helpful for families that are looking at planning their vacation time. There is nothing worse than have a child get all hyped up about riding a specific ride only to get there and find out that they aren’t allowed. Instead, you can help adjust their expectations and set their sights on rides that they will be able to enjoy!
Some great info there for anyone planning to visit with children. It is similar in Europapark, where I used to always go with my dad. Luckily, I wasn’t a short kid!
This is a goldmine of information! Because height restrictions can seriously ruin a visit, especially if a little one is set on a certain ride and can’t go just due to size. I am short, so I actually wondered if there would be any restrictions for me when I started reading this.
Good to know for family trips there!
It’s very important to know height requirements. My cousin had his first time totally spoiled because couple of sm too short to ride. we didn’t check prior and the half of the day was spoiled
Disney’s Magic Kingdom has a lot of exciting rides and kids definitely love this place. Thank you for sharing the height requirements. This would be really helpful to all parents!
The more requirements, the better. I never would go there… LOL
It’s been forever that I haven’t visited a theme park. Need to get grandkids to do so, I guess….
Disney is great for all ages. We love going with the grandkids, but we also enjoy going without them, as well.
I was always thinking about this for my nephew. We want to take him but he is only 3 years only. This Magic Kingdom height requirements saved out butts.
These are some great tips to consider. height requirements is really important things we need to talk when go to the trip. and that looks like a fun place for kids.
Great post. I thought about an interview Chris Hemsworth had about how him and his daughter beat a high requirement on one ride. Its a funny story.
Thanks for this list!
This is such a convenient list. There has been plenty of times my stepdaughter couldn’t ride certain rides because of the height. We spent more time walking around than actually riding anything.
I love reading your blog posts, the information is so detailed and is sure to help lots of people have a great trip to Disney!! I’ll definitely make sure to recommend your guides to my friends going there.
Oh how I miss visiting the Magic Kingdom!! Can’t wait to bring my kid there once he is old enough!
I really appreciate this post. So many times as parents we can go to a park not realizing that our kids do not meet the height, weight or age requirement for a ride and that leads to a disappointment. So i like this detailed and well written post with all the pictures Jerry Godinho
hi
such a helpful post , indeed i am amazed with the detailing that has gone in drafting this particular article.
That’s a helpful blog post, thanks for the details! It’s so important for safety & to plan your visit.
Thanks for this height requirements guide. It’s helps with planning when you know which rides your kids will be able to go on.
So many great planning tips! I can imagine with little ones who grow so fast that height rules are very important!
Great post with lot of information. Thank you for sharing
Oh this is a great post.. perfect for planning our Disney trip. Thank you so much 🤗
This post is extremely helpful. I always look for this kind of information prior to our trips. This saves me a whole lot of time. Thanks for this post!
Thank for you this information. Although my kids are no longer small, this is beneficial to parents of younger kids. We had a great time when we visited last in December 2019!
I’m so excited when we go to my daughter will be tall enough for a lot more rides than I initially thought 🙂
This is a good post. I have taken children to Tivoli in Copenhagen, Denmark and I am surprised at the height restrictions on some rides which look tamer than their height requirements suggest. Knowing which rides suit which heights would have saved a few tears.
The place of wonders and not only for children. I don’t have any but I don’t miss when I can go there!
This seems to minor yet so important information to have before you visit Magic kingdom. I remember one of my friend facing problem and ended up with a bad day just as she wasn’t aware of height restriction at Disney Park. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Saved this for my future plans.
great tips, I know a lot of people probably forget about height requirements when planning their trip