Every time I walk by the castle (or just about any attraction) on our Walt Disney World vacation I stop for photos. My phone battery is always running low. Between photos, videos, Genie+, Park Maps, and Mobile Order, we are constantly using our devices on a Disney vacation.
Enter Fuel Rod. FuelRod is a small portable charger that can be used with a variety of cables to charge most Apple iOS and Android Devices.
Tricopian Inc, DBA FuelRod
My FuelRod is one of the first and most important things I pack for our Disney World vacations to make sure my phone is charged throughout the long days at the theme parks.
The biggest benefit of a FuelRod is the convenient swapping system at Walt Disney World. The FuelRod itself is just under 4 inches long and easily fits in your pocket. You use it to charge your phone or other device and when the Fuel Rod runs out of battery, simply swap the Fuel Rod out for free at one of the many kiosk locations throughout the theme parks and resorts for a new, fully charged Fuel Rod!
Understanding Fuel Rods
Fuel Rods are sold in kiosks throughout Walt Disney World and can also be purchased online. When you purchase a Fuel Rod kit, you receive a portable charger and a cable to charge your phone. The charger has the power to charge most phones once. In my experience while charging and constantly using the phone at the theme parks, it charges my iPhone 15 Pro about 40% before it needs to be swapped.
Swapping is easy. You simply locate a kiosk (there are a ton at Walt Disney World), put the FuelRod (not the cable!) in the kiosk and tap swap! The kiosk will then dispense a new fully charged FuelRod!
One of the biggest advantages of Fuel Rods is their portability. They’re small enough to fit in your pocket or purse (under 4 inches), so you can take them with you wherever you go. They’re also lightweight (only 3.88 ounces), so they won’t weigh you down while you’re walking around the parks.
Cost and Purchase of Fuel Rods
Another advantage of Fuel Rods is their affordability. A Fuel Rod kit costs $22.99 if you buy it before your trip, which includes the portable charger and a cable to charge your phone. After that, you can swap your Fuel Rod for a fully charged one at any Walt Disney World kiosk for FREE. Yes, FREE!
If you purchase the FuelRod at a Walt Disney World kiosk, it’s $30.
When you purchase a Fuel Rod, you receive a fully charged Fuel Rod, one 3.5″ USB to micro-USB cable (for most Androids), one USB C adapter, and one 3.5″ Apple Lightning to USB cable.
You can also purchase a Fuel Rod on Amazon, but it may be more expensive than purchasing directly from Fuel Rod or at a Walt Disney World location.
Previously, there was a $3 fee per swap. Swaps are now free at Walt Disney World. They remain $3 at Universal Studios Orlando.
How to Find FuelRod Locations at Walt Disney World
Thankfully, the My Disney Experience app makes it easy to find Fuel Rod locations throughout the parks and resorts (and it will give you directions!). Here’s how I do it:
- Open the My Disney Experience app on your phone and tap the search magnifying glass at the bottom.
- Search “Portable Phone Charing”
- Click “Find on Map”
- A map will appear with all of the Fuel Rod locations marked with a lightning bolt icon. You can zoom in and out of the map to find the location closest to you.
- If you need walking directions from your current location, click back (top left) and select “Get Directions”
- A list of all locations will appear for you to select and get directions
- Once you’ve found a Fuel Rod location, simply follow the signs or directions to the station and swap out your depleted Fuel Rod for a fully charged one.
It’s important to note that Fuel Rod stations are located throughout the parks and resorts, so you should never be too far from one. And with the My Disney Experience app, finding a Fuel Rod location has never been easier.
Every FuelRod Location at Walt Disney World Theme Parks
Magic Kingdom
There are 7 FuelRod locations at Magic Kingdom, including:
- Curtain Call Collectibles (Town Square Theater) on Main Street
- Tomorrowland Launch Depot.
- Casey’s Corner
- Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café
- Storybook Circus- Big Top Souvenirs
- Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café
- Adventureland Bathroom Breezeway
Epcot
There are 8 FuelRod locations at Epcot, including:
- Gateway Gifts (under Spaceship Earth) at International Gateway entrance
- Test Track
- Mission Space
- Seas with Nemo and Friends
- The Land
- Disney Traders
- ImageWorks
- World Traveler
Animal Kingdom
There are 5 FuelRod locations at Animal Kingdom, including:
- Island Mercantile in Discovery Island
- Rafiki’s Planet Watch
- The Dino Institute
- Discovery Trading Co
- Serka Zong Bazaar (exit to Expedition Everest)
Hollywood Studios
There are 6 FuelRod locations at Hollywood Studios, including:
- Pixar Plaza Restrooms
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster gift shop
- Tower of Terror gift shop
- PizzeRizzo
- Vacation Fun
- Celebrity 5 and 10 (pink building on Hollywood Blvd)
Disney Springs
There are 3 FuelRod locations at Disney Springs, including:
- Marketplace Co-Op
- Sundries
- Welcome Center
Fuel Rods at Water Parks
Both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon have a FuelRod kiosk located near the entrance.
Fuel Rods in Disney Resorts
Another great benefit is there are kiosks at the resorts, so you can grab a fresh swap for free before you head to the parks after breakfast!
Here is a breakdown of where you can find Fuel Rod kiosks at Disney resorts:
Contemporary Resort
- 4th Floor near arcade
Grand Floridian Resort
- Business Center
Riviera Resort
- Near the lobby entrance
Polynesian Village Resort
- Boutiki
Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Near the telephone room
Wilderness Lodge
- Near the lobby entrance
Boardwalk Inn
- Near the lobby entrance
Coronado Springs Resort
- Near the lobby entrance
- Near the Panchito’s Gifts and Sundries
Caribbean Beach Resort
- Near the lobby entrance
Old Key West Resort
- Near the lobby entrance (Hospitality House)
Port Orleans Riverside Resort
- Near the lobby entrance
Port Orleans French Quarter Resort
- Near the lobby entrance
Saratoga Springs Resort
- Near the lobby entrance
All-Star Sports Resort
- Near the Game Point Arcade
All-Star Music Resort
- Near the Intermission Food Court
All-Star Movies Resort
- Near the World Premiere Food Court
Overall, Fuel Rods are a convenient and easy way to keep your phone charged while enjoying all the magic that Disney World has to offer. With Fuel Rod kiosks located throughout the parks and resorts, it’s easy to swap out your drained Fuel Rod for a fully charged one. So, don’t forget to pack your Fuel Rod on your next Disney vacation!
Fuel Rod Locations at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
I recently explored the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for a runDisney race and discovered several Fuel Rod locations there as well.
The Fuel Rod vending machines can be found at:
- ESPN Clubhouse Shop
- Sports Grill
- HP Field-House.
Tips and Tricks for Using Fuel Rods at Disney
As someone who has used FuelRods at Disney World on every trip, I’ve learned a few tips and tricks that can make your experience with them even better. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Bring your own charging cables. While Fuel Rods do come with cables, they may not be long enough or the right type for your specific device. I recommend bringing your own cables just in case. I often bring a large cable and keep the FuelRod in my backpack and phone in my pocket.
- Check the brightness on your phone. One of the easiest ways to save battery life is to lower the brightness on your phone (particularly iPhones). Adjust the brightness quickly by swiping down from the top right corner of your iPhone.
- Swap every time you see a kiosk, even if you don’t need it. Swaps are free. Take advantage. If you swap each time you walk by a kiosk, you won’t get stuck in a pinch searching for one.
- Use FuelRods while eating. When you sit down to grab a meal take advantage of the downtime and charge your phone.
- Consider getting a Photopass. Photopass photographers are located throughout all of the parks and, unless you’re a pro, they are likely going to take better family photos than you will. If you purchase Photopass, take advantage and save the battery life on your phone.
