Keeping Your Phone Alive
- Adam Millett
- Aug 1
- 4 min read
This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I still personally use these products.
Let's be real. This isn't the Disneyland of your childhood. Gone are the days of running up to the Fast Pass kiosk to grab a return time. Nowadays, you'd better be prepared to spend any time not on an attraction or instagramming your sweet treat on your phone, booking your next Lightning Lane or dining reservation. For better or worse, expect your phone to die before you've even made it to your second churro of the day.
Fear not! We've got you covered when it comes to extra juice in the parks!
PRICE: $39.00
PROS:
No cables to keep track of
Moderate power capacity
CONS:
iPhone Specific
Tricky with phone cases
I mean, we've all seen hundreds of influencers selling them on the TikTok shop. Usually, I disregard anything that the masses are trying to sell me. However, this one actually is worth the buy.
More than once, I have plugged in my phone to find the cheap cable I have been using has developed a short in it. Now, I'm walking around the parks trying to hold the cable at just the right angle to keep it charging. So, just get rid of the cable! No cables means no tangles. I really appreciate keeping everything compact.
Lastly, I would make sure to aim for a battery pack that has 10,000 mAh or more like this pack from UGREEN. With 10,000 mAh, you should be able to charge your phone twice during your park day...just the right amount!
Get your MagSafe Power Bank here: https://amzn.to/44VcW1Y
PRICE: $59.99
PROS:
SOLAR!!
Great capacity
Wireless Charging
Built-in cables
CONS:
Bulky
Expensive
This is one power bank that everyone should honestly keep at home. While it's dang useful in the parks, you're going to be glad you have it the next time your Texas hometown has a snowstorm. When I'm not at the parks, this is the battery I have with me.
The Solar Charge Power Bank is the Swiss Army Knife of power banks, with all the random knick-knacks you wouldn't have thought you needed. This is the power bank I take with me every time I go camping. And I'm 100% honest in saying I just use this as my flashlight. But of course, the absolute best part, I NEVER CHARGE IT. I love being able to pull this out of my backpack, lie in my hammock with this on my chest, and let it charge while it charges my phone. It's great for taking into the parks as well! While a bit bulkier and not as pocket-friendly, let it sit in the stroller and charge in the hot California sun.
It also has a fantastic capacity! At 42,800 mAh of power, you can keep your phone charged all week long. I love the fact that I can charge my phone wirelessly or use the built-in cables. And, not to be outdone, it also have an additional USB-C and USB-A port, allowing you to charge up to six devices at once! You won't regret getting this power bank.
Get the Solar Charge Power Bank here: https://amzn.to/40NPHo6
The Fuel Rod (My All-time Favorite)
PRICE: $34.99
PROS:
All the adapters
Universal charging for all devices
NEVER WORRY ABOUT CHARGING IT!
CONS:
Lower capacity
Hands down, the Fuel Rod is the way to go in the parks. And for one simple reason--swapability!
As an ADHD millennial, the last thing I'm thinking about is digging my battery pack out of my suitcase the night before my park day to charge it. And there is nothing worse than getting to the parks only to realize that your pack is dead and you won't be able to get the 23 videos of the fireworks you planned on sending to your parents. That's the beauty of the infamous FUEL ROD.
Throughout Disneyland and Disneyworld, you will find Fuel Rod swap kiosks tucked away in the corners of shops and eateries. You can walk up to any kiosk, hit the swap button, drop your spent rod in the tray, and out pops a fully charged battery pack. FOR FREE!
Just open the Disneyland or the Disneyworld My Disney Experience app, head over to the map, select Guest Services from the option at the top, and search for the little battery icon.
Alternatively, after selecting Guest Services from the menu, you can select the Show List button at the bottom. Scroll through the list to find Portable Phone Charging and voial! You can access a map showing all Fuel Rod kiosks in the park.
You can also purchase a battery in the parks at the same kiosk. I may or may not have three Fuel Rods now because of that aforementioned ADHD. I still don't regret it, though! When you purchase a Fuel Rod, it comes with a wide range of cables and adapters to keep any device alive.
Venturing out of the parks a little--you will also find Fuel Rod kiosks at places like Universal Studios, SeaWorld, so many airports, college campuses, and more. You can download the Fuel Rod app or head to the Fuel Rod Kiosk Locator to find all kiosk locations.
Now, the only drawback. It doesn't have the greatest capacity. With a moderate 3200 mAh of juice, you're not going to be the next greatest Disney livestreamer all night long. But who needs a giant battery pack when you can swap for free?
Get your Fuel Rod here: https://amzn.to/4ohBAl6