Universal Studios Hollywood has nine rides with a posted minimum height, plus a companion-only rule for Silly Swirly Fun Ride. The chart runs from The Secret Life of Pets at 34 inches to 48-inch gates on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Revenge of the Mummy.
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge had the highest recent average among the current height-gated rides at 56.0 minutes. Silly Swirly averaged 13.4. Height gets a child into the queue; the wait profile helps decide what comes next.
Universal Studios Hollywood height chart
Every current height rule
| Attraction | Minimum | Companion or safety note |
|---|---|---|
| The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash | 34 in. / 86 cm | Supervising companion from 34 to under 48 inches. |
| Flight of the Hippogriff | 39 in. / 99 cm | Supervising companion from 39 to under 48 inches. |
| Despicable Me Minion Mayhem | 40 in. / 102 cm | Supervising companion from 40 to under 48 inches. |
| Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge | 40 in. / 102 cm | Supervising companion from 40 to under 48 inches. |
| The Simpsons Ride | 40 in. / 102 cm | Supervising companion from 40 to under 48 inches. |
| TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D | 40 in. / 102 cm | Supervising companion from 40 to under 48 inches. |
| Jurassic World – The Ride | 42 in. / 107 cm | Supervising companion from 42 to under 48 inches. |
| Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey | 48 in. / 122 cm | 48-inch minimum. |
| Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride | 48 in. / 122 cm | 48-inch minimum. |
| Silly Swirly Fun Ride | No minimum listed | Children under 48 inches need a supervising companion. |
Universal’s official height-requirements chart is the final check for a visit. Attraction rules can change, and the posted entrance sign and team member make the boarding decision.
Companion rules, test seats, and safety
Universal defines a supervising companion as someone who is at least 14 years old and meets the other ridership requirements. A child below 48 inches can clear a ride’s posted minimum and still need that companion. The child must also be able to sit upright without assistance.
Height is only one part of the boarding decision. Universal’s rider-safety guidance points guests to test seats and warns that certain restraints may not accommodate every body shape or size, including on Flight of the Hippogriff, Forbidden Journey, Mario Kart, Revenge of the Mummy, and The Secret Life of Pets. Use a test seat before joining a long queue when fit is an open question, and ask an Attractions Attendant about any uncertainty.
Future ride note: Fast & Furious
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is scheduled for Summer 2026. The March 2026 safety guide gives a 51-inch minimum, but that rule is future guidance until the attraction opens. Confirm the final rule before planning around it.
What the recent wait patterns show
These are weighted operating standby averages from the latest 90 completed park-local dates, May 5 through August 2, 2026. Down and closed periods are not treated as zero. The numbers help sort a route after the height chart narrows the choices.
| Attraction | Minimum | 90-day average |
|---|---|---|
| Despicable Me Minion Mayhem | 40 in. | 29.1 min. |
| Flight of the Hippogriff | 39 in. | 28.1 min. |
| Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey | 48 in. | 25.2 min. |
| Jurassic World – The Ride | 42 in. | 37.0 min. |
| Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge | 40 in. | 56.0 min. |
| Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride | 48 in. | 38.0 min. |
| Silly Swirly Fun Ride | No minimum listed | 13.4 min. |
| TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D | 40 in. | 43.3 min. |
| The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash | 34 in. | 34.4 min. |
| The Simpsons Ride | 40 in. | 37.7 min. |
Mario Kart is the first queue to solve when a 40-inch rider is ready for the headline attractions. TRANSFORMERS and The Simpsons Ride sit in the middle of the current group, while Despicable Me and Flight of the Hippogriff leave more room for a mid-day switch. The 48-inch rides split: Mummy ran above Forbidden Journey in this window.
How to plan a family day by height
- Under 34 inches: Silly Swirly has no minimum listed, but children under 48 inches need a supervising companion. Keep the official chart open for other attractions without a posted minimum.
- At 34 inches: The Secret Life of Pets opens up first among the height-gated rides. Its recent average was 34.4 minutes, making it a useful anchor when the family’s first stop is not a headline coaster.
- At 39 inches: Flight of the Hippogriff joins the plan. It averaged 28.1 minutes in the window, so it can fit beside the 40-inch group without taking the whole afternoon.
- At 40 inches: Despicable Me, Mario Kart, The Simpsons Ride, and TRANSFORMERS become options. Put Mario Kart early on the list when it matters to the group, then use the lighter 40-inch queues to repair the route.
- At 42 inches: Jurassic World adds a water ride with a 37.0-minute recent average. Check the posted warnings and weather before making it the day’s fixed point.
- At 48 inches: Forbidden Journey and Revenge of the Mummy join the route without the under-48 companion requirement. The two had different queue profiles, so check the current wait rather than assuming one is always the better first move.
Measure close calls at home, then expect a second check at the park. Shoes and posture do not replace the posted requirement. Keep a nearby activity ready for the adult waiting with a non-rider, especially when the rest of the group chooses a ride with a restraint test seat.
Child Switch and queue logistics
Universal’s rides and attractions FAQ lists Child Switch for families. Ask the attraction team member where the waiting party should go before the group enters the queue. The process can vary by attraction, and a too-short child should not be taken through a queue as a way to reach the ride entrance.
For a family near a milestone, choose one lead attraction, one shorter queue, and one flexible nearby plan. That small order keeps a height check from turning into a full-day detour.
Universal Studios Hollywood height requirement questions
What is the lowest posted minimum at Universal Studios Hollywood?
The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash has the lowest posted minimum among current height-gated rides at 34 inches. Silly Swirly Fun Ride has no minimum listed, but children under 48 inches need a supervising companion.
Which rides require 40 inches?
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, The Simpsons Ride, and TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D have a 40-inch minimum.
Which rides require 48 inches?
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride have a 48-inch minimum.
Does Universal Studios Hollywood offer Child Switch?
Universal’s FAQ lists Child Switch as an option. Ask the attraction team member for the current process when a child cannot or does not want to ride.
What is the height requirement for Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift?
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is scheduled for Summer 2026. The March 2026 safety guide gives a 51-inch minimum; confirm the final rule when the attraction opens.
Sources
- Universal Studios Hollywood ride height requirements
- Universal Studios Hollywood rider safety information
- Universal Studios Hollywood guide for safety and accessibility
- Universal Studios Hollywood rides and attractions FAQ
- Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift attraction page
- CrowdLevels Universal Studios Hollywood park index and attraction daily histories for the rides in the tables.
Related CrowdLevels guides
Image credit: Universal Studios Hollywood.