When my family goes on vacation we find that everyone constantly uses their smartphones to take photos, tinker around with apps, listen to music, and all sorts of other stuff (including even talking on the phone, imagine that!). And now with the Genie system at Walt Disney World and at Disneyland, we find ourselves using our smartphones even more. We use them as we navigate our day to figure out the schedule for park rides, mobile phone orders, and photo taking. There are also some cool special features on the Genie that can be accessed by guests' smartphones.
This means keeping our smartphones charged up is an absolute must when we are on vacation. Luckily, there is a great option at Walt Disney World and at Disneyland where guests can purchase portable phone chargers. Called FuelRods, there are kiosks located at the various parks, resorts, and shopping areas where you can purchase one portable charging kit for $30 plus tax for your initial setup. Also, you can purchase these FuelRods ahead of time by ordering online - I've seen them offered on Amazon and at Walmart - so definitely shop around for the best bargains.
The kiosks at Walt Disney World and at Disneyland where you purchase the kits are very user-friendly and accept all major credit cards. After plunking down your payment, what will be dispensed is a kit in a plastic tube holder that includes a fully charged portable battery, as well as some other accessories like a 6” USB to micro-USB cable (for Android devices), one Apple 30-pin to USB Cable (for iPhone and iPad generations (1-4); and one Apple lightning to USB cable (for iPhone generations 5+).
What makes the FuelRod so helpful is that you never can predict when your smart device is about to run out of battery power while you are out and about. If you run out of juice, the FuelRod comes in handy for recharging -- when the portable battery is fully charged, it can provide up to eight hours of voice time, or up to four hours of mobile table use (depending on the condition of your electronic gizmo).
If your portable phone charger needs a charge after using it (you’ll see a red LED light), all you need to do is either recharge it at your resort using a USB cable into your computer or into an AC outlet through a USB charging port. Or, and this is where I really love the FuelRod, you can swap it for a fully charged replacement at any portable phone charging kiosk. All you need to do is insert your used FuelRod and get a fresh one. I’ve not yet been charged a fee, however, I have heard that some people have been charged $3 to swap it out. Whatever the case, you can swap out your FuelRods as often as you’d like.
A word to the wise: If you have a problem at one of the kiosk machines, do not leave! There is a phone number displayed on the kiosk that gets you to customer service. Call that number and explain what is going on. Customer service will need some identification information about the kiosk you are at so that they can override the system or find a remedy for you!
FuelRod Kiosk Stations Around Walt Disney World:
Animal Kingdom: Near Island Mercantile
Epcot: Disney Traders; Gateway Gifts; International Gateway
Hollywood Studios: Celebrity 5 & 10; Rock Around the Shop; Pizza Rizzo (in Muppet Courtyard)
Magic Kingdom: Curtain Call Collectibles (Main Street, USA); Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe (Frontierland); Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe and Tomorrowland Light and Power Company (both in Tomorrowland); and Big Top Souvenirs (Story Book Circus)
Disney Springs: Welcome Center; Sundries; Marketplace Photo
ESPN Wide World of Sports: ESPN Clubhouse Shop; ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill; HP Fieldhouse
Water Parks: Typhoon Lagoon - Singapore Sal’s. Not aware of one at Blizzard Beach…
Certain on-property Disney Resorts at Walt Disney World also have kiosks, including:
All-Star Movies Resort - Movie Arcade Entrance and the Food Court;
Art of Animation - Arcade
Animal Kingdom Lodge - Lobby
Boardwalk Inn - Lobby
Contemporary - Lobby
Coronado Springs Resort - El Paso Salon and Pepper Market
Grand Floridian - Business Center
Polynesian - Gift Shop
Pop Century - Lobby
Port Orleans Riverside - Lobby
Port Orleans French Quarter - Lobby
Wilderness Lodge - Lobby (by the guest bathrooms near Whispering Canyon).
FuelRod Stations Around Disneyland:
At Disneyland Park you can find kiosks at:
Hungry Bear Restaurant
Westward Ho Trading Company
Little Green Men Store Command
Pooh Corner
Main Street Locker Rental & Storage
At the Disneyland Resorts and Downtown Disney you can find kiosks at:
Disneyland Hotel
the Salt & Straw (Downtown Disney)
Paradise Pier Hotel
At Disney California Adventure Park you can find kiosks at:
Mortimer's Market
Gone Hollywood
Bing Bong's Sweet Stuff
Ramone's House of Body Art
Good luck with keeping smartphones recharged be it using a FuelRod or some other sort of battery charger. And on a non-techie front, do consider taking a little rest to recharge your own personal energy batteries while you are on vacation. I highly recommend a little power nap now and then, because after that you can head back to the parks for more good times!
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