Guide to FuelRods in Walt Disney World
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Booking Lightning Lanes, Mobile Order, checking wait times, and of course taking photos and video. In 2024, going to Disney World requires some phone usage and that means your battery is going to drain FAST. Luckily I have a handy way to keep your phone charged WITHOUT the task of having to remember to charge one more thing each night.
What are FuelRods?
FuelRods are portable charging devices to help you charge your phone, camera, or any other electronics you may have while on the go. What makes these unique from other portable chargers is that you can ‘swap’ your used FuelRod for a freshly charged one at any of the swap station kiosks all around the parks and resorts.
This is my favorite feature as I am the WORST at remembering to charge my chargers, especially on vacation!
How Does it Work?
All around the Parks and Resorts, you will find the swap station kiosks. You have the option to buy or swap. Clicking ‘buy’ will walk you through the steps to purchase a starter kit. Included in your starter kit is your FuelRod (of course), a few cords for different phone types, instructions, and a plastic case to keep it all in.
These starter kits are $38 when you purchase at the kiosks. BUT I do have a great way to save you some money! They sell these kits on Amazon 2 for almost the price of one. They often run sales and promos where you can get them even cheaper!
Once you’ve purchased your first kit, you can get FREE unlimited swaps at any of the swap station kiosks located at the parks or resorts. To make a swap, simply select the ‘swap’ button on the screen, pop in your used FuelRod (just the FuelRod, you keep the case and cords) matching the barcode to the picture on the machine, and then it’ll pop out a freshly charged one.
It’s seriously as simple as that! And you can do this as often as you need to. I have an Iphone 15 Pro Max and can usually get about half a charge out of one FuelRod. I know that doesn’t sound like alot, but I usually don’t need more than that at a time, but even if I do, I just swap again for another one.
The NEW FuelRod
As of July 2024, FuelRod has a HUGE update! This includes USB-C charging ports to replace the original USB, this means not only faster charging, but up to 23% more charge. They have also added an indicator light with an on/off button to let you know how much charge you have left in your FuelRod. These operate exactly the same way as the original FuelRod and can be swapped at any of the Disney FuelRod swap stations for free!
What do you do with your old FuelRods? Don’t worry! There is a solution for that! When you go to swap, you’ll insert your old FuelRod, just like you would before. It will reject it and prompt you to upgrade. When you select the upgrade button, you’ll reinsert your FuelRod and out will pop a brand new kit including new cables and adapters!
You do not have to pay anything extra as this will cost the same as a normal swap! (aka it’s FREE at Disney locations)
Again, if you don’t yet have FuelRods of your own, I HIGHLY recommend purchasing them ahead of time online as they are MUCH cheaper than purchasing in the parks.
Finding FuelRod Stations
Disney has made this super easy to do too! When you open up your My Disney Experience App, you are going to head to the map and filter by “Guest Services”. Once that is done, you’ll look for the little battery symbol on the map. When you click on the icon, it should say ‘Portable Phone Charging Systems Kiosk’ (that’s a FuelRod Station).
You also have the option to download the FuelRod App and find stations that way. Why does FuelRod have an app? Because FuelRod isn’t just at Disney!
Use FuelRod everywhere!
Yes! FuelRod is nationwide! You can usually find FuelRods at most airports and theme parks like Universal and SeaWorld, but they are adding more and more locations all the time.
I do have to give a heads up that swaps are generally NOT free at non-disney locations, but typically a swap is about $3-$5 or you can join FuelRod’s membership option for additional pricing options.
If you are someone who travels frequently, this can be a great investment for those times when you are on the go! And don’t worry, you can still charge these on your own just like you would any portable charger.
Even if you are just planning on doing a Disney Trip, this is a fantastic option to help keep you charged. I know for me it’s a purchase I am SO happy I made and it is 100% the number one thing I ALWAYS make sure to have in my theme park bag!
