Picture Credits: Krista. Collage created with PhotoGrid iPhone app.

Visiting Disneyland is a dream come true for many people. Seeing the theme park that Walt Disney created, enjoying the entertainment, riding the attractions, and tasting delicious Disney treats are all part of the magic. Many of the attractions are available for guests of all ages. However, some of the rides (a.k.a. attractions) at both Disneyland (DL) and Disney California Adventure (DCA) have minimum height requirements. When children visit the Disneyland Resort, it is often a big deal when they are tall enough to ride these rides.

Like many parts of childhood and growing up, there are “firsts” that happen only once. With the prevalence of cameras in cell phones today, it has never been easier to capture these moments. Ride Height Milestones is an example of these firsts that are great to capture on a trip to Disneyland or any other theme park with minimum height requirements on certain rides.

So, how will you know if your child is tall enough for these attractions? The Disneyland Resort (DLR) provides several places to find out this information before you go and while you are there. The official Disneyland website states height information on the “Attractions” tab under the topic “Things to Do”, the park maps have the minimum heights mentioned next to any ride that has a restriction, and there are height checking signs/poles around the two theme parks in front of any ride with a minimum height requirement.

Examples of Height Requirement Signs/Posts at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Picture Credits: Krista. Collage created with PhotoGrid iPhone app.

One idea I like to do when I go to Disneyland or Disney California Adventure with children who are now tall enough is to take a photo of them next to the height checking sign before they go on the ride. This “before” photo often includes a big smile and sometimes a thumbs up. I also make sure to capture a photo of the ride’s sign so in my camera roll I will remember later which height sign was for which ride. If possible, take some pictures during the ride and then take a photo after the ride. Sometimes this “after” photo shows an even bigger grin ear-to-ear, and sometimes this after photo shows that the child didn’t like the ride. Therefore, when you can get it, the after photo is an important one to memorialize.

This tip of how to capture these ride height milestones memories is not only for Disney theme parks. Above all, this idea will work for any theme park that has minimum height requirements. Like I mentioned before, these “firsts” only happen once. The first time a child is tall enough to ride these attractions is like a modern rite of passage. Whether it’s Autopia (32”), Big Thunder Mountain (40”), Indiana Jones (46”), or one of the other “E Ticket” rides – being tall enough is a big deal.

A few years ago, the Disneyland Resort sold a growth chart-style poster that showed the ride height requirements. If you bought one at the World of Disney gift shop (it was about $2.00), your child could anticipate if he or she was tall enough before a future trip. Some of the rides mentioned on the chart have changed names or changed its minimum height requirement. Consequently, some of the rides aren’t at DCA anymore. This keepsake DLR height chart was great. I wish the Disneyland Resort would make them again. If you are feeling creative, you could make your own height chart with pictures (or simply the names) of the rides for your growing Mousketeer.

Below is a current list of the minimum height requirements for the Disneyland Resort (as of May 25, 2015).

Chart Compiled by Krista, May 25, 2015. Information from www.Disneyland.disney.go.com and official DL and DCA park maps.

Chart Compiled by Krista, May 25, 2015. Information from www.Disneyland.disney.go.com and official DL and DCA park maps.

“Judge me by my size, do you?” – Yoda, Empire Strikes Back (Episode V)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”