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
The Magic Kingdom has a number of experiences that are great for tall folks, as boats and shows are optimal for leg room. But when you look at the attractions that make you sit in a vehicle, it’s really difficult to make something that’s good for all body types.
Tron Lightcycle
There have been a number of complaints from folks that the way that you have to fit yourself onto the Lightcycle can be uncomfortable on two main parts of your body – the back and the calf muscles.
I can definitely see this, as getting in and out is challenging. When there are multiple steps to get situated in a ride vehicle, the opportunity to have something go wrong can make for an uncomfortable couple minutes.
Space Mountain
I was looking for an example that everyone can experience the pain that most tall folks deal with, and so here’s Space Mountain.
Getting into the spaceship isn’t the most difficult, if you’re in the back.
It’s getting out that really makes things painful. I literally have to CRAWL out of the rocket at the exit because there’s no other way for tall folks to bend and stand up at the same time. It’s funny for everyone to watch, and yes…there are videos that will never see the light of day.
TOMORROWLAND SPEEDWAY
How is the Speedway still a thing? Let’s not even go down the route of sustainability and being good for the environment, but these gas-guzzlers are incredibly painful to use.
Why?
Has 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, the Ghost Host is in charge of lowering the safety bar and he’s not the best of judging the speed of that bar…and it always nails my knee each and every time!
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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! The funny part about this is that you spend most of the ride making sure that you’re not going to fall out and second guessing everything that you’ve read about the safety features from the decades past of when the Astro Orbiter was conceived.
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DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
Alien Swirling Saucers
Any ride that has a single seatbelt for the entire vehicle has the potential of being difficult for tall folks to ride. We’re just made differently and with Alien Swirling Saucers, it’s a rough ride.
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!
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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!