Children under 40 inches can enjoy many Disney World attractions. The key is to separate rides with no minimum height from rides with a lower height requirement, then consider what your child will actually enjoy.
Under 40 inches is not one group: a child who is 30 inches tall and a child who is 39 inches tall will have different options. Measure approximately at home and use Disney’s current attraction rules when planning.
Start with attractions marked any height
Disney’s official attraction directory lets you check individual rides and height requirements. Use that current information rather than a recycled chart that may include closed or changed attractions.
Any height does not mean every child will enjoy the experience. Darkness, loud sounds, spinning and small drops can matter more to a toddler than the height label.
Magic Kingdom ideas
I would begin with options such as “it’s a small world,” Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Peter Pan’s Flight, Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Match the final list to your child’s interests and comfort with darkness or motion.
The Barnstormer has a 35-inch minimum and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has a 38-inch minimum under Disney’s published requirements. Those are examples of why under 40 inches does not mean only any-height rides. Check each attraction’s current operation and boarding rules.
EPCOT ideas
Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, The Seas with Nemo & Friends and Living with the Land can be starting points for a shorter-child list. Frozen has drops; Remy uses screens and movement. Describe the experience before deciding it is suitable.
EPCOT can also offer aquarium time and other experiences that are not about completing a ride checklist. Leave room for those interests instead of treating every non-ride activity as filler.
Hollywood Studios ideas
Look at Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Toy Story Mania! as shared experiences, checking each child’s comfort with their effects. Shows and character experiences can round out the day.
Some additional attractions have minimum heights below 40 inches, while many headliners require more. Build your list from the current directory rather than assuming a Toy Story or Star Wars theme automatically means toddler-friendly.
Animal Kingdom ideas
Na’vi River Journey and Kilimanjaro Safaris are examples to consider alongside animal viewing and shows. A safari vehicle can be bumpy, and an indoor boat ride can be dark; the experience matters as well as the height rule.
Do not promise new attractions based on announced opening years. Check what is operating for your specific trip before choosing a park solely for a future addition.
How I would turn this into a park plan
Choose a few priorities, group nearby experiences and use shows, meals or quiet time to break up queues. Decide which adult attractions are worth using Rider Switch for, rather than spending the entire day taking turns.
Children are measured at the attraction. Do not try to change a child’s height with footwear or build the trip around a borderline measurement.
Download my free Disney Ride Guide for Young Kids, then confirm current requirements with Disney before travel. For the full family approach, read my toddler planning guide.
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