Complete Universal Studios Hollywood Height Requirements Guide

Planning a trip with your family to Universal Studios Hollywood? Height requirements are something that you will definitely want to familiarize yourself with, especially if you’re going to be traveling with younger kids who might not be tall enough to go on all the rides the park has to offer. Unlike Disneyland Resort, which is filled to the brim with family-friendly attractions (many of which have no minimum height restrictions at all), Universal Studios Hollywood is all about excitement.

That said, this a theme park for thrill seekers of all ages. So, while you will find attractions like immersive simulators, speedy roller coasters and a Jurassic World-inspired water ride that is bound to leave your heart pounding and your clothes soaking wet, Universal Studios Hollywood is also home to more family-friendly thrill rides that are perfect for aspiring adrenaline junkies. Needless to say, no matter who you’re going with—little children or older kids, as a family or with a group of adult friends—you’re sure to have a fantastic time at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Still, to make your visit a little less stressful and a lot more fun, we recommend that you look over all the Universal Studios height requirements before you enter the theme park to save you the time and hassle of having to find out once you get there. Set yourself up for success ahead of time by knowing which rides your kids can enjoy and which ones they might be too small for. After all, nothing can cause more chaos and potential heartbreak than a kiddo showing up ready to take on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey or Jurassic World – The Ride, only to find out that they aren’t tall enough to go on. (Trust me. It happened to me with Space Mountain at Walt Disney World when I was only five years old, and it still stings.)

That’s where this handy-dandy guide comes in. So, fasten your seatbelts and lower your lap bar as we break down everything you need to know about Universal Studios Hollywood height requirements.

You Must Be This Tall to Ride: Universal Studios Hollywood Height Requirement FAQs

Before we start tackling all those numbers, let’s first answer some commonly asked questions when it comes to height requirements at Universal Studios Hollywood.

How tall do you have to be to go on rides at Universal Studios Hollywood?

As with other theme parks, minimum height requirements for attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood run the gamut from no restrictions at all to the highest height requirement of 48 inches (122 cm). This top-end height restriction only applies to two theme park rides: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and the Revenge of the Mummy roller coaster. By contrast, the attraction with the lowest actual height requirement, at 34 inches (87 cm), is The Secret Life of Pets ride.

The majority of attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood fall somewhere in the middle, with a height restriction of 40 inches (102 cm) for five rides: Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Fast & Furious – Supercharged, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, The Simpsons Ride and TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D. In fact, an average height of 40 inches offers access to almost all the rides at Universal Studios Hollywood—13 of the park’s 16 total attractions, to be specific.

Is Universal Studios strict with height requirements?

Absolutely! Although it might feel like it sometimes, height requirements aren’t designed to put a damper on your vacation. They’re there to ensure a rider’s safety, as are other attraction ridership requirements like the ability to sit upright unsupported or to fit securely within the ride’s safety restraints. As a result, team members are very strict when assessing a child’s height. So, for their safety, resist the urge to try and find a way around Universal Studios Hollywood’s ride height requirements.

Which attractions don’t have minimum height requirements?

On the bright side, there are actually several Universal Studios Hollywood attractions without minimum height requirements. However, due to things like loud noises and mature content, parental guidance is suggested for certain rides. Others require riders to be able to sit upright independently because of sudden jarring movements. Additionally, although there isn’t technically a height requirement for some attractions, children less than 48 inches (122 cm) must be accompanied by a supervising companion 14 years of age or older. In other words, while they are able to experience the ride, they aren’t able to go on it alone.

Universal Studios Hollywood rides without a minimum height restriction include:

• DinoPlay – Supervising companion 14 years of age or older required if less than 48 inches (122 cm) tall
• DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda – Ability to sit upright independently is required
• King Kong 360 3-D – Ability to sit upright independently is required; parental guidance is suggested
• Silly Swirly Fun Ride – Supervising companion 14 years of age or older required if less than 48 inches (122 cm) tall
• Super Silly Fun Land – Adults must be accompanied by a child
• The World-Famous Studio Tour – Parental guidance is suggested

Are there any Universal Hollywood rides with maximum height restrictions?

Believe it or not, it is possible to be too tall for one attraction at Universal Hollywood, specifically Super Silly Fun Land. Themed after (and populated by) the lovable minions of Despicable Me, this whimsical water world next door to Despicable Me Minion Mayhem plays host to over 80 aquatic features, the Silly Swirly Fun Ride and a dry zone that invites kids to climb, bounce and slide around—emphasis on kids. Although grown-ups are welcome, they must have a child along with them.

Do any rides offer test seats?

Height requirements aren’t the only ride restrictions to keep in mind at Universal Studios Hollywood. Riders also need to ensure that they fit securely in an attraction’s restraint system, whether that be a seatbelt, lap bar or both. For guests with larger body types, this can be a difficult and even uncomfortable proposition (not to mention potentially embarrassing). This is especially the case for Universal Studios Hollywood guests with waistlines of 40 inches (102 cm) or larger.

Thankfully, certain rides offer a test seat near their entrance, which allows guests of size to try out the attraction’s restraint system before they enter the queue. Not only does this keep guests from waiting in line unnecessarily, but it also helps to prevent the embarrassment and disappointment of an unhappy discovery come loading time. Here’s every attraction with a test seat at Universal Studios Hollywood:

• Flight of the Hippogriff
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
• Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride
• The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash

Be aware that there are a few other rides that might also be similarly restrictive. However, these attractions do not offer a test seat at the queue entrance. They include:

• The Simpsons Ride
• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
• Jurassic World – The Ride
• TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D

What if your child isn’t tall enough, but you still want to go on?

Is your little one still too short to go on Revenge of the Mummy, Jurassic World – The Ride or even The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash? Don’t worry! There’s still a way for you to go on, even if not everyone in your group is tall enough. This vacation-saving service is known as Child Swap or Child Switch. Best of all, Child Swap is available for every attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood, and it’s completely free to use! What’s more, the program doesn’t only accommodate kids who meet the height requirement. It can even be used for taller children who might simply find an attraction too intense to experience.

So, how does it work? Child Switch allows those who are tall enough to go on a ride while the little one waits in the attraction’s Child Switch room with one or two adults. To take advantage of the program, simply tell the team member at the ride’s entrance that you would like to use Child Switch. Your entire group will then be directed to wait in line until it’s time to board. At that time, part of your party will wait in the Child Switch room or other designated area while everyone else rides. (If you’re lucky, the designated Child Switch room might even have things to keep the kiddos busy while they wait, like movies and even toys.) Once the first group finishes, the adults switch places. Just remember that, in the Child Switch room, your child(ren) must be accompanied by a supervising companion 14 years of age or older the entire time.

From Despicable Me Minion Mayhem & The Simpsons Ride to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey: Universal Studios Hollywood Ride Height Requirements by Minimum Height

Alright, with all of that out of the way, let’s get down to the details of Universal Studios Hollywood’s ride height requirements. Note that attractions are organized from the shortest height requirement (i.e., none) to the tallest height restriction of 48 inches. To make your vacation planning even easier, we’ve also included other relevant bits of information like maximum height restrictions and whether a supervising companion is required. Enjoy!

No Minimum Height Requirement (With Some Restrictions)

• DinoPlay – No minimum height restriction, but must be accompanied by a supervising companion if less than 48 inches (122 cm) in height
• DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda – No minimum height restriction, but must be capable of sitting upright without assistance
• King Kong 360 3-D – No minimum height restriction, but must be capable of sitting upright without assistance; parental discretion is recommended
• Silly Swirly Fun Ride – No minimum height restriction, but must be accompanied by a supervising companion if less than 48 inches (122 cm) in height
• Super Silly Fun Land – No minimum height restriction, but adults more than 48 inches (122 cm) in height must be accompanied by a child in the area’s dry zone
• The World-Famous Studio Tour – No minimum height restriction, but parental discretion is recommended

At Least 34 Inches (87 cm) or Taller

• The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash – Must be more than 34 inches (87 cm); must be accompanied by a supervising companion if between 34 inches and 48 inches (122 cm) in height

At Least 39 Inches (99 cm) or Taller

• Flight of the Hippogriff – Must be more than 39 inches (99 cm); must be accompanied by a supervising companion if between 36 inches (92 cm) and 48 inches (122 cm) in height

At Least 40 Inches (102 cm) or Taller

• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem – Must be more than 40 inches (102 cm); must be accompanied by a supervising companion if between 40 inches and 48 inches (122cm) in height
• Fast & Furious – Supercharged – Must be more than 40 inches (102 cm); must be accompanied by a supervising companion if between 40 inches and 48 inches (122 cm) in height
• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge – Must be more than 40 inches (102 cm); must be accompanied by a supervising companion if between 40 inches (102 cm) and 48 inches (122 cm) in height
• The Simpsons Ride – Must be more than 40 inches (102 cm); must be accompanied by a supervising companion if between 40 inches (102cm) and 48 inches (122cm) in height
• TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D – Must be more than 40 inches (102 cm); must be accompanied by a supervising companion if between 40 inches (102 cm) and 48 inches (122 cm) in height

At Least 42 Inches (107 cm) or Taller

• Jurassic World – The Ride – Must be more than 42 inches (107 cm); must be accompanied by a supervising companion if between 42 inches (107 cm) and 48 inches (122 cm) in height

At Least 48 Inches (122 cm) or Taller

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – Must be more than 48 inches (122 cm)
• Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride – Must be more than 48 inches (122 cm)

Those are all the ride height requirements for Universal Studios Hollywood. Which Universal Hollywood rides is your child excited to go on? Let us know in the comments! Then, find out how to make your family vacation easier on the wallet with our discount Universal tickets.