For those who haven’t planned ahead Disney’s Parks offer a solution for your depleted devices.
With the advent of in-park WiFi and Disney smartphone apps like My Disney Experience that drain batteries quickly, recharging during your theme park days has become essential.
When your device is running low you can do one of the following:
- Have Planned Ahead and Brought Your Own Device Charger
- Make a Purchase From Disney’s FuelRod Stations
- Use the One Tech Charging Area in Disney’s Parks
- Stake out a section of floor near a wall plug
Update October 2021 – On our most recent trip to WDW, all FuelRod locations were inoperative due to a “Network Error or Update in progress” all afternoon! We went to all locations at Disney Springs after having tried a couple in Animal Kingdom.
So what about Disney’s FuelRod Stations?
For those who find their smart phone running low on juice in the theme parks, Disney has installed FuelRod stations at various locations in their theme parks.
For those who are not familiar, FuelRods and other charging devices are essentially a small portable battery pack, which when plugged into your phone or devise acts just like a wall plug or USB connection for charging.
The key selling point of the FuelRod brand is that after the initial purchase, you can return to any station and swap out your depleted FuelRod for a charged one free of charge.
Or you can recharge your FuelRod yourself and have it ready to use within a few hours. It will be fully charged within 6 hours.
Disney FuelRod kiosks dispense these portable charging batteries for $30.00 each, which includes:
Each FuelRod Includes:
- A ready to use FuelRod to power your devices.
- Adapters for both Android and Apple devices that are yours to keep, at no additional charge.
- The ability to be refueled (recharged) in any standard wall outlet.
- The ability to be swapped (traded) for a fully fueled unit for a small fee at any FuelRod SwapBox.
- The purchase is not a rental, the charging device will belong to guest after purchase.
The micro-USB/USB cable that comes with the FuelRod can be used to recharge it. Simply plug the smaller micro-USB tip into the FuelRod, and the larger USB tip into your computer or any USB charging port. The LED light will change from red to green when your FuelRod is fully charged.
FuelRod Station at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
FuelRod Vending Locations:
Walt Disney World
- Magic Kingdom
- Tomorrowland Light and Power Co.
- Big Top Souvenirs
- Pecos Bill’s
- Curtain Call Collectibles
- Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
- Epcot
- Disney Traders
- International Gateway
- Future World Camera Center
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Celebrity 5 & 10
- PizzeRizzo
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Island Mercantile
- Disney Springs
- Marketplace Disney PhotoPass Studio
- DisneyQuest
- Sundries
- ESPN Wide World of Sports
- ESPN Clubhouse Shop
- Sports Grill
- HP Field-House
- Most Walt Disney World Resorts
- Various Locations
See the Disney World Site for all locations
Magic Kingdom FuelRod Station at Big Top Souvenirs
Disneyland Resort
- Disneyland Park:
- Main Street Locker Rental & Storage
- Starcade (near ATM)
- “it’s a small world” Toy Shop
- Hungry Bear Restaurant(lower level)
- Disney California Adventure Park:
- Kingswell Camera
- Treasures in Paradise
- Downtown Disney District:
- ESPN Zone
- Disneyland Hotel:
- Outside Business Center (Fantasy Tower)
- Paradise Pier Hotel:
- Hotel Lobby Area
See the Disneyland site for all locations
You can purchase FuelRods ahead of time at WalMart.
Save $5 – You can buy your FuelRod ahead of time to save 5 dollars directly from fuel-rod.com, where you’ll pay $20 for the FuelRod and $5 shipping (US deliveries only).
Save $10 – You can buy your FuelRod from a dispenser just like at WDW as you pass through the Orlando International Airport, where you’ll pay $20. It’s located in Concourse A.
Orlando International Airport FuelRod Station
Planning Ahead
And now to discuss whether using the Disney Fuel Rod Stations is a good idea.
The only reason to use these FuelRod stations is if you totally forgot to plan ahead, are really in a power bind AND a time crunch. “
If you really need juice and can’t afford the time to sit around with your phone plugged in to charge at a wall socket, whether just a plug somewhere or the Magic Kingdom Charging Area, then buy one of these.
But, reports indicate that these particular battery packs have a comparatively low capacity to store power, compared to readily available alternatives on Amazon. FuelRod capacity has been tested to be 2,600 mAh.
Check out these alternatives on Amazon or search for your own:
RETMSR Portable Charger – $37 |
Ayeway Battery Pack USB C Portable Charger – $53 |
Anker Portable Charger, 313 Power Bank – $23 |
Miady Dual USB Portable Charger- $20 |
30000 mAh Battery Pack with 22.5 W Fast Charging, 4 Outputs External Charger PD 20W USB C
One of The Smallest and Lightest 20000mAh Power BanksAvailable on Amazon |
10000mAh Battery Pack with PowerIQ Charging Technology and USB-C
20W Portable Charger with Dual inputs and 5 outputs |
25800mAh – Over 10 times the capacity of the FuelRod.
One of the slimmest and lightest 10,000mAh portable chargers on the market.
|
10000 mAh – Over 3 times the capacity, charges 3 devices at once
2 Pack for $20. |
On top of that Amazon Prime members get free shipping! Be sure to do an Amazon Prime Try Before You Buy trial!
How About You?
Do you find you need extra power while in the parks?
What do you use to recharge?
Are you pro FuelRod or pro purchasing your own ahead?
Let us know in the comments below!
Note: this post contains Amazon affiliate links, purchase will yield a small referral to MDT at no extra cost to you.
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Disney FuelRod Stations are Available at Disney Parks for Recharging Your Devices
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If you buy one at the airport to save 10$ compared to the price at DW, can those ones be swapped for new ones at the DW parks?
Yes you sure can Joshua. Once you buy one, it can be exchanged at any FuelRod kiosk.
Do you know where the FuelRod Station is located within the Orlando International Airport? Is it by a certain gate or on a certain level? Thanks!
Hi Theresa,
I just tried their location finder on their site and it didn’t seen to work. I’ve queried the company directly.
Well FuelRod replied to me and apparently the reports of dispensers in the airport were not correct. They say they hope to have locations there in the future.
Sorry for the incorrect info, I’ll update the post.
Here’s my opinion. They might be low powered but the option to just exchange them is invaluable. You could just exchange all day and never take your phone off the charger. I for one think it’s a great idea. Probably going to grab 2 for me and my mom
That’s a very good point, you start fresh with a full charge after the exchange. No waiting to recharge.
Hi Steve.
We stayed at SOG a few years ago, and I’m wondering if they still offer the complimentary shower gel and shampoo?
Also, is Amazon the best place to buy the initial Fuel Rods battery re-charger?
Thank you for all your help!
P.S. How much of a tip do you recommend daily for housekeeping at SOG?
The industry standard is a dollar per night per person. Of course adjust for above or below standard service. I usually will tip more the morning I leave as it is a bigger job to reset a room than tidy it.
Hi Jennifer,
They moved away from the in shower pump dispensers but do still offer complementary toiletries.
You can buy many different kinds of cheap battery backups on Amazon, but if you specifically want a FuelRod brand you’ll need to buy the first one from them.
Thank you!
There is a fuel cell stand at the Orlando airport, in concourse A. 20 dollars
Thanks Adam,
Concourse A, I’ll add that to the line that says there is one in the airport. I just didn’t know where.
When u come up the escalators it is to the left, I forgot to grab what gate it was by
I’ll look for it next time through, thanks!
Oakland Airport still has them. I can think of at least 4 kiosks there. My wife and I have one between the two of us, and we’ve never had a low battery in Disneyland because of it. It’s nice to only have to lug around one small battery and not have to worry about finding another plug in our hotel room at night to charge it. I’m very glad WDW also has swap stations! Thanks for sharing!!
My pleasure Bethany. Good to know about the Oakland Airport ones!
Thanks so much Steve for telling us about the FuelRods!
I had just bought a new phone and it has an amazing battery, so I really didn’t think I needed one, but purchased one before we left for WDW. So glad I did! I used it daily, and sometimes a couple times a day!
YOu bet Jennifer. They really come in handy! Great for on the plane too…
I had to buy one when I was at Disneyland as my phone’s battery rapidly depleted trying to use the app. The FuelRod cost me $30 and fully charged my phone from dead to 100% in very little time (sorry I don’t remember the exact time but less than an hour I believe).
Before leaving the park I swapped for a new rod and have been using it at home. I was very impressed with how long it keeps a charge and the speed in which it charges my phone.
Thanks for the report Shari!