Tokyo Disneyland Rides by Height

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Helen Foster is a Sydney-based author, journalist and content creator. She has traveled to Japan six times and is planning trip seven. Her articles on Japan have appeared in publications including Reader's Digest (Asia Pacific), RAC Horizons, Jetstar Magazine, the Japan National Tourism Organisation website and more. She is a digital publisher member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers.

No Height Restriction (Anyone Can Ride)

This is a big list, as, probably not surprisingly, most of Disneyland Park is open to everyone. Most of the rides here are pretty gentle, but they can sometimes throw in the odd surprise, which I’ll mention below.

In addition to the rides, there are character meet-and-greets, parades, shows, and attractions like the Tiki Room with Stitch that are open to all heights and ages.

If you’re traveling with babies or smaller children who might want to sit on your lap, even these rides might have a few rules, so check out the box below to find out more.

Alice’s Tea Party

A classic spinning teacup ride presided over by the doormouse. Let Disney pick the pace or spin faster by turning the wheel in the middle!

Beaver Brothers Explorer Canoes

Not getting enough exercise walking around the park? Paddle your own canoe through the Rivers of America. Although there’s no official height restriction, the rules say anyone whose feet don’t touch the bottom of the canoe when seated on the seat can’t ride.

Castle Carrousel

A beautiful, Disney-themed merry-go-round with intricately decorated horses.

Children must sit on the horse, rather than be carried, but you can ride behind smaller children who might not want to ride alone.

Exterior of the Carousel at Tokyo Disneyland lit up at night

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

A gentle, up-and-down aerial carousel ride where you ride in your own flying elephant. You can control how high your Dumbo flies with a joystick inside.

Haunted Mansion

A spooky yet family-friendly ghost tour inside a haunted house featuring Disney’s famous “hitchhiking ghosts.” The ride is dark, and a few things do jump out at you, and there are ghosts and skeletons, but it’s not super scary. It moves very slowly.

It’s a Small World

A slow-moving boat ride through sets of cute dolls (and some of your favourite characters) in scenes representing cultures worldwide.

Parents are more likely to end up traumatised after this ride than children – that song is either VERY catchy or something likely to turn you homicidal!

I used to have it as my ringtone when you could make your own ones on Nokia, so you can guess which camp I fall into.

Interior of it's a Small World in Tokyo Disneyland showing dolls in national costume but also dolls of Elsa, Anna and Olaf

Jungle Cruise: Wildlife Expeditions

A guided boat tour through the jungle with animatronic animals and humorous commentary from the skipper. The commentary is in Japanese, so you probably won’t understand a word of what’s happening unless you’ve been on one of the US versions of the ride – but it’s still fun.

Because it is very similar to the US rides, this one of the things it’s okay to skip in the Disney parks if you’re running out of time. Find the others here.

Mark Twain Riverboat

A relaxing cruise on a large, old-fashioned paddle steamer through the Rivers of America. It’s a nice way to take a break in the middle of the day.

The Mark Twain white paddlesteamer with a red paddle at the back crossing the lake at Tokyo Disneyland

Omnibus

A two-story vintage-style bus that offers a slow sightseeing tour of World Bazaar and Cinderella Castle.

Peter Pan’s Flight

A suspended dark ride that “flies” over Neverland, recreating scenes from Peter Pan. The setting is a bit dark, but it’s not scary – and, while you are flying over Neverland, you’re not high in the air.

Pinocchio’s Daring Journey

This dark ride follows the story of Pinocchio and features scenes with Monstro the whale and Pleasure Island. Disney describes some of the characters as ‘scary.’

Interior painting at the entrance to the Pinocchio ride at Tokyo Disneyland showing Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket

Pooh’s Hunny Hunt

A unique, trackless dark ride where guests board a hunny pot and journey through Winnie the Pooh’s world ona very blustery day!

This ride moves smoothly, but, it does swirl. There is some darkness, but it’s not a dark ride.

Snow White’s Adventures

A classic Disney dark ride retelling Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, with a few spooky moments. The witch does appear if your children are scared of her.

The Enchanted Tale of Beauty and The Beast

Join Beast and Belle inside Beast’s castle. This is the most popular ride in the park and should not be missed.

The ride swirls rather than spins – I think it feels like the cups are dancing along with Belle and Beast.

Inisde the Beauty and the Beast ride at Tokyo Disneyland showing Beast and Belle dancing.

Pirates of the Caribbean

A boat ride through detailed pirate scenes with animatronics, featuring Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean.

The ride is dark, there are some load bangs from some cannons and some small drops.

Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin

Jump in the cab to help Roger Rabbit escape the weasels. It does spin and swing and there is some darkness.

Yelow taxi cab cabs with smiling faces wait for guests at Roger Rabbit's Toontown Spin Tokyo Disneyland

Monster Inc Ride & Go Seek

Ride your tram and use the torch to find the monsters hiding around Monstropolis.

I cannot for the life of me remember much about this ride – although I’ve been on it. I know it’s cute, but I can’t remember how it moves – my feeling, therefore, is that it’s fairly gentle, although I think it swings so you can point your torch toward the monsters.

Western River Railroad

A scenic train ride through Adventureland, Westernland, and Critter Country, featuring animatronic animals and dinosaurs.

It’s a nice rest if small legs are getting tired – but note, it brings you back to where you started. It’s not an easy way to get across the park.

Rides That Are Okay For Babies

At first, you might think that any ride with no height restriction would also be suitable for babies, but it’s not quite the case. Disney also divide rides into rides you can carry children or use a stroller, or rides where your child needs to, technically, be able to sit up in the seat on their own – although you can still sit them on your lap in these. If you’re unsure, ask the attendant at the ride entry.

Okay to Carry: Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Alice’s Tea Party, It’s a Small World, Omnibus, Western River Railroad, Mark Twain Riverboat (also stroller friendly)

Children Must Be Able To Sit Unaided: Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Snow White’s Adventures, Peter Pan’s Flight, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, Roger Rabbit’s Toontown Spin, The Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, Monster’s Inc Ride & Go Seek, Pirates of the Caribbean, Castle Carrousel.

Rides For Those Over 81cm (2 ft 7)

Okay, from here rides go a bit faster…

The Happy Ride with Baymax

A waltzer-like spinning ride where Baymax pulls your cart around in unpredictable, fun movements. The songs are very catchy – and watch out for people doing the dance routines in the queue. It’s adorable.

Rides For Those Over 90 cm (2ft 11)

These ones are faster and the drops are a bit higher…

Gadget’s Go Coaster

A junior roller coaster in Toontown. It does go a bit fast, but it’s a good starter rollercoaster.

Splash Mountain

A log flume ride featuring Br’er Rabbit’s story, ending in a thrilling 16-meter (52 ft) drop into the water. The drop is quite high and fast – you might get wet!

Don’t Forget to Buy Your Disney Tickets

If you’re within two months of your trip, why not order them now so it’s done? Unlike the Disney site, Klook takes all foreign credit cards. Plus, if you’re buying other tours or tickets, add the code JAPLANEASEKLOOK at checkout and you could save up to 10 per cent.

T&Cs apply; Tokyo Disney tickets and USJ tickets are not available for discounts.

Rides for Those 102 cm (3ft 4) or Taller

Faster still, these are currently the most ‘thrilling’ rides at Disneyland until Space Mountain is redeveloped.

Big Thunder Mountain

A fast and bumpy mine train roller coaster that rushes through an abandoned gold mine in the Wild West.

Star Tours: The Adventures Continue

Enter your Starspeeder 300 for a simple journey into space – well, until the droids push the wrong button! This 3D ride is fun, but a bit jolty – it can also set off motion sickness if you’re prone. Closing your eyes can help.

Using Rider Switch

If you are travelling with smaller children, you don’t have to miss out on rides they are too small for. Rider Switch lets one person join the queue to ride the ride while the other can go and do things with anyone too small to ride. The second adult will get a time to return to the Rider Switch area, you can then swap childcare, and the other adult can ride without queueing again.

Any ride with a height restriction at Disneyland is available for Rider Switch.

Tell the cast member at the ride entrance that you want to use Rider Switch and they’ll give you your return time.

As you can see, all the rides at Disneyland are inclusive for most children aged 4/5 and most of them can be used much younger. DisneySea skews a little bit older/taller – see our guide to the rides by height at DisneySea here.

We also have a height guide for Universal Studios Japan which also skews a little older/taller as most of the rides are a little faster.