Our take
Most rides here are 40 inches and up, and many are 3D simulators that can be loud and dark for small kids. For a family with 7 to 14 year olds it is a great day. Diagon Alley is the reason to buy park-to-park: the Hogwarts Express to Islands of Adventure is part of the experience, not just transport.
Who it works for
Little ones
- DreamWorks Land: Trolls Trollercoaster (36 in) plus play areas for the smallest
- E.T. Adventure (34 in)
- Illumination's Villain-Con Minion Blast: no strict height limit
Big kids
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (42 in)
- MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack (42 in) and Fast & Furious (40 in)
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and The Simpsons Ride (40 in)
Teens
- Revenge of the Mummy (48 in), the best indoor coaster at Universal
- Gringotts, then the Hogwarts Express to the other park
Grandparents and a slower pace
- Diagon Alley is worth the walk even without riding anything
Height check
My shortest rider is
| Ride | Minimum | Can ride |
|---|---|---|
| E.T. Adventure | 34 in | |
| Trolls Trollercoaster | 36 in | |
| Despicable Me Minion Mayhem | 40 in | |
| Fast & Furious: Supercharged | 40 in | |
| Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon | 40 in | |
| TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D | 40 in | |
| The Simpsons Ride | 40 in | |
| Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts | 42 in | |
| MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack | 42 in | |
| Revenge of the Mummy | 48 in |
Heights are checked with shoes on. Every ride not listed has no minimum height. Riders under 48 in at Universal need a companion 14 or older.
Game plan from ChampionsGate
- Riders between the minimum and 48 inches must ride with someone 14 or older.
- Use Child Swap on almost every ride: the waiting adult rides right after without queuing again.
- Early Park Admission is for Universal hotel guests only, so off-site families should be at the gate before opening.