Electronic device recharging stations? Any free ones?

[Easto]

My cell phone is a pig on the battery. I don't know why, but there is no way my battery will last a day at the park.

Are there places that one can charge a phone while they eat?

OR....

Am I best off purchasing one of those portable chargers? I think the one I have at home is good for 4-5 cell phone charges. May have to buy a second one so my wife and I have enough juice to make it through the day. I assume people are on their phones quite a bit trying to snag FP+, Character Locations, etc.

 

[Tink575]

I'd buy the portable charger and wouldn't count on finding someplace to charge while you eat. If your charger at home provides 4-5 cell phone charges and isn't enough, charging while eating won't be enough to keep your phones going.

 

[hiroMYhero]

*Merging to a Current Thread

 

[linzbear]

You can also buy the fuel rods for $20 instead of the $30 in the parks. They're all over at airports and outlet malls, and they're the same as in the parks (Disney upcharge). That's my plan. I know I can get a better one for cheaper on Amazon, but then I have to remember to keep it charged and remember to put it in the backpack.

 

[dreiwhit]

My wife's Galaxy S3 is a battery hog, even after we replaced the battery. For our next trip, i'm buying a portable battery charger. We can charge her phone while we walk.

OP, I would also recommend a portable charger. From what i've read, most of the charging options Disney had before have either been discontinued or are no longer active in favor of their portable charger they are selling.

 

[Dbktmc]

If you are in Epcot during Food & Wine and have a Chase Visa credit card, there is a charging station in the Chase Lounge on the 2nd floor of the American Pavilion. Phone cables are provided.

Can you tell me how to get to the upstairs Chase Lounge and what it is like inside? I never knew that this existed. Also, can I bring my entire family (DH and DS) into the lounge with me?

 

[bryanb]

Can you tell me how to get to the upstairs Chase Lounge and what it is like inside? I never knew that this existed. Also, can I bring my entire family (DH and DS) into the lounge with me?

I can only speak to last year's event. You'll need to show a Chase Visa credit card. It's nice to enjoy an air conditioned place that guests normally don't get to see. The room is decorated as you might expect the inside of the American Adventure building to look. I'm not sure what they usually do with this space, but it seems like a place that would work for small receptions, business meetings, and cast member events. There's one picture on this blog post:
http://blog.touringplans.com/2015/07/27/details-on-chase-lounge-for-epcot-food-and-wine-festival/

They allowed up to five guests per Visa card. To keep the lounge from overfilling, there is a queue at the entrance and you have to wait for people to leave before you can enter. There are a couple of Coke Freestyle machines there and small disposable cups. I had no problems filling my resort mug at the machine. There's a small bar selling beer and wine, although I didn't see any takers. Most of the people seemed to be sitting around to get away from the heat. The phone charging station was nice, although it didn't charge my phone fast enough to justify sitting around for a half hour in the lounge.

There were also representatives there from Chase. I'm not sure what their job was. But I guess if you had questions about other banking products, they could direct you to the right place (e.g., the Chase.com website).

Overall, its a nice little benefit that helps Chase to market its products. But nothing so exciting that it's a must-do when you're at the park.

 

[Dbktmc]

I can only speak to last year's event. You'll need to show a Chase Visa credit card. It's nice to enjoy an air conditioned place that guests normally don't get to see. The room is decorated as you might expect the inside of the American Adventure building to look. I'm not sure what they usually do with this space, but it seems like a place that would work for small receptions, business meetings, and cast member events. There's one picture on this blog post:
http://blog.touringplans.com/2015/07/27/details-on-chase-lounge-for-epcot-food-and-wine-festival/

They allowed up to five guests per Visa card. To keep the lounge from overfilling, there is a queue at the entrance and you have to wait for people to leave before you can enter. There are a couple of Coke Freestyle machines there and small disposable cups. I had no problems filling my resort mug at the machine. There's a small bar selling beer and wine, although I didn't see any takers. Most of the people seemed to be sitting around to get away from the heat. The phone charging station was nice, although it didn't charge my phone fast enough to justify sitting around for a half hour in the lounge.

There were also representatives there from Chase. I'm not sure what their job was. But I guess if you had questions about other banking products, they could direct you to the right place (e.g., the Chase.com website).

Overall, its a nice little benefit that helps Chase to market its products. But nothing so exciting that it's a must-do when you're at the park.

Thank you so much for this information!! We are always so tired and hot by the time we hit the American Adventure that I know this will be a must do for our family. I'm just hoping that it continues this year as well.

 

[aretha30]

We bring portable chargers and cords into the park with us. This way we can always have charged devices. You can get them cheap at Amazon or Five Below or more expensive ones at a phone store. We have cheap ones but they give us 1-2 charges and were like $10. We also take breaks each day and will recharge our phones at the room then.

 

[scrapquitler]

My cell phone is a pig on the battery. I don't know why, but there is no way my battery will last a day at the park.

Are there places that one can charge a phone while they eat?

OR....

Am I best off purchasing one of those portable chargers? I think the one I have at home is good for 4-5 cell phone charges. May have to buy a second one so my wife and I have enough juice to make it through the day. I assume people are on their phones quite a bit trying to snag FP+, Character Locations, etc.

I would bring a portable charger. I have a couple of the lipstick style ones that are smaller and more lightweight than the brick one DH uses. I like those because they aren't so bulky to carry. I'd definitely rather use those than hope to find a plug somewhere in the park and then be stuck sitting there waiting for my phone to charge.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

I bought a re-charger for $5 at walmart last year, it is neon pink, so easy to find in my backpack, and will give my phone one good charge per use. I had fairly low expectations for the price, but it works like a charm! Now remembering to bring the CABLE to plug it in. . .that's a whole other thing.

 

[Mom2Stitch]

You can buy the fuelrod brand charger that is being exchanged in the parks for $20 from their website, saves $10. Still not as cheap as some alternatives, but can be used for exchange at WDW kiosks.

 

[jaysmom4285]

My cell phone is a pig on the battery. I don't know why, but there is no way my battery will last a day at the park.

Are there places that one can charge a phone while they eat?

OR....

Am I best off purchasing one of those portable chargers? I think the one I have at home is good for 4-5 cell phone charges. May have to buy a second one so my wife and I have enough juice to make it through the day. I assume people are on their phones quite a bit trying to snag FP+, Character Locations, etc.

In MK, upstairs in the Columbia Harbor house, there are several tables by a wall where there's an outlet. I've often charged my phone while eating there. In Sunshine Seasons at Epcot, there are a few outlets below the benches that line the back part of the seating area. In DHS, there were a couple outlets in the upstairs seating area at Pizza Planet, but it's hard to say if they'll still be there when the place reopens in its new iteration. Those are the only ones I can cite from personal experience, and there are probably outlets available in other QS places. Check around the tables or benches that are against a wall - you'll often find an outlet or two there. Portable chargers are always good to have, since there are no assurances of finding an available outlet.

 

[Keishag]

While we were eating at BOG last year we had a table next to a wall with an outlet so I was able to charge up there.

 

[Jennasis]

If you are a DVC member you can recharge for free in the new member lounge upstairs at the Imagination pavilion.

If not, you can buy the exchangeable fuelrod from the companies website for $25 (price includes shipping...a little cheaper than at Disney) and have unlimited free exchanges at the parks.

 

[Duffywannabe]

One thing to mention is what makes the battery go so quick. The MDE app is a power hog that is always refreshing and searching. Turn it off or change the setting to only refresh when open. It will save a ton on battery life bykeeping it closed most of the time.

They do sell some contraptions you wear and it charges your phone by your walking. They are all expensive and idk how well they work but might be a fun conversation starter to have.

 

[MariMama]

My cell phone is a pig on the battery. I don't know why, but there is no way my battery will last a day at the park.

Are there places that one can charge a phone while they eat?

OR....

Am I best off purchasing one of those portable chargers? I think the one I have at home is good for 4-5 cell phone charges. May have to buy a second one so my wife and I have enough juice to make it through the day. I assume people are on their phones quite a bit trying to snag FP+, Character Locations, etc.

MDE is a battery sucker. It isn't your phone.

 

[Accident]

Are there any left?
When I went last year, the stumps by Rapunzel bathrooms, many were broken or didn't work.
They took the ones out of that place by Space Mountain gift shop (that was pretty short time).
Do you know of any in the other parks?

All the free ones are still around and I didn't see any not working (but also didn't test them all). They've added some more but you'll need to check the maps for where they are as I rarely need them.

with the hotter weather there tends to be large crowds especially at the indoor with a/c ones.

 

[DaisyLou2]

Epcot:
The giant round floral display in America.
To the right of the shop and quick service in China.
The outdoor quick service in Mexico. Be careful....some kid almost stepped on my phone at this one. The other two are out of foot traffic.
It became a game for us so we would take a photo of the phone charging and what we were drinking while we waited.

 

[ilovediznee]

When I was in Epcot, I went to the American Adventure and got there prior to the show. I found a wall, plugged in my phone and just relaxed. Then in the inside area, I also found a plug while they were performing. By the time I went to the show, I had almost a full charge.

Also any hotel lobby if you are waiting for people, just check and see if you see an outlet. I was tired and we had reservations at the GF for dinner so I went early and sat on the couch. They have tables with lamps on them and the outlets are on the floor, so I found one to charge my phone.

Although this would only be a few minutes, I was getting cleaned up for dinner in one of the bathrooms and they had a wall unit right by the sink area. While I was washing my face, freshening up my make-up and hair, I charged my phone. I was there for only about 10 minutes but my phone went from 10 to 25% - just enough for temporary fix.