When you think about height restrictions at Walt Disney World, the question that most folks are seeking the answer involve kids and having to be 36″ or 40″ in order to ride an attraction. This is not the question that we’ll be tackling today.
I’m a tall and skinny guy, standing at 6’3″ or 6’4″ (depending on which convenience store I’m leaving). Not being super tall, it’s amazing how long this list is…but here you go! Here are some not-so-friendly attractions at WDW for the height-un-challenged amongst you…
MAGIC KINGDOM
SPACE MOUNTAIN
The attraction in Florida didn’t receive the same treatment as its counter-part in Anaheim, much to the detriment of us taller folks. In the Magic Kingdom, you have to squish yourself into the space rockets so tightly that there’s no other way to exit the ride vehicle except to crawl out on your hands and knees! It’s HILARIOUS for everyone to watch (as I’ve been told a number of times)
TOMORROWLAND SPEEDWAY
I find this attraction interesting on a number of levels, including the fact that it’s got past the wrecking ball on a number occasions and that it doesn’t really have a following of fandom that most of the other attractions in the Magic Kingdom have (like Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise and Splash Mountain).
The reason why it ends up on this list is because anyone over the height of like 5’5″ has to ride one-person per vehicle. If you’re really tall, you have to bend in such a weird position to reach the peddles that you can’t have your hands at 10 and 2 (oh, and you have to pick the gas or the break peddle, not both)!
HAUNTED MANSION
I love the Haunted Mansion! This is by far one of my favourite attractions to experience time and time again…except for one part!
As you’re stepping into the Doombuggy and the Ghost Host is about the lower the safety bar, the Cast Member walking on the moving walkway will close the door of the omnimover vehicle…and nail my knee each and every time!
Related Article – Haunted Mansion Fun Facts
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HONOURABLE MENTIONS AT THE MAGIC KINGDOM
BUZZ LIGHTYEAR’S SPACE RANGER SPIN
Another opportunity for tall people to get their knees smashed into while the ride vehicle is leaving the load area.
ASTRO ORBITER
Outside of the fact that most guests never actually get to ride Astro Orbiter due to it’s slow load times, the spaceship is similar to the Space Mountain counterpart, and really hurts to get in and out of!
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
This is a recent addition, as the pain for most folks who are tall extends from the knees to the lower back – which is the main focus of the Big Thunder experience. It hurts – no cap.
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DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST – LIVE ON STAGE
This is a stretch, as most of the attractions within Disney’s Hollywood Studios are made for all body types…but I have a suggestion for the readers of this post.
If you are lucky enough to see this incredible piece of live-entertainment, sit on the aisle. You’ll thank me later, as the seating area is so compact that you’ll have less leg room in the Theatre of the Stars than on United Airlines coach class!
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EPCOT
SEAS WITH NEMO AND FRIENDS
The number of times that I’ve been on the Seas with Nemo and Friends and have had to do an incredibly quick shuffle to make sure that I wasn’t going to get stuck in the moving door…well it would shock you! I always remember last minute that the door is going to close and let out a giant “phew” each and every time lol!
MISSION: SPACE
Imagine being blasted off to Mars in a rocket designed for someone 4-8 inches shorter and having to endure hyper-sleep in a console that only a few seconds earlier was slammed into your knee…not fun! Remember to keep your legs together when you enter the simulator, because it’ll leave a mark!
TEST TRACK
I’m a huge fan of this attraction, mostly because I would walk past it daily during my contract as a Cultural Representative in the World Showcase and got to see all the mechanics working on the vehicles.
The cars are set up to have three guests in the front and three guests in the back, so plenty of opportunities to show some love to the Single Rider line. IF you’re tall, you want to make sure that you’re not stuck in the middle of the row, as you’re just asking to spend the duration of the adventure wishing that you were testing Beverly instead;)
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Honourable Mention
Air Canada Rouge
Can we talk about how the real problem of sitting in a seat on the budget Air Canada?
I don’t think that I’ve been more uncomfortable in a seat in my life, and I’ve been in front row of Space Mountain.
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ANIMAL KINGDOM
KALI RIVER RAPIDS
I don’t like to get my shoes wet, so although Kali River Rapids has a metal bar on each of the rafts that is designed to keep your feet elevated during the adventure…it doesn’t quite work if you’re in the wrong seat on the ride. It’s still not enough of a deterrent to keep me off the attraction, but it’s something to be cognizant about when you’re choosing your seat!
Are there attractions that we missed? Is there another one that you think we should add to the list? Let us know on Social Media!