Recommend Fuel Rods at Disney

[Selket]

If exchanges are still free at WDW and you go often then it could be worth it to buy them on amazon (I think they're cheaper on amazon). I've been happy with mine. It won't charge our phones to 100% though with one if your phone is almost out of power but you can swap it. I think it's only worth it if you go to Disney enough. Also my family members lose chargers so ...that may be a consideration lol.

 

[DVCjj]

It's also helpful to know where they are in the front of the park to do the same. If I've used some and I come upon a place to swap I'll swap even if it's not dead. For me it's so much easier than having to make sure my anker is charged. I go through my battery much more at Disney than other vacations so the anker is great for those if I don't have a rental car I can charge in.

I also swap out before I leave Disney to go home because with so many plane schedules being seriously altered, I like having a backup to call my family from the airport or research other flights. I also make sure I charge it up in the room at night if leaving the following a.m. (just in case my 'exchange' at the resort isn't fully charged for some reason). If in the parks, I exchange.

 

[Anna131517]

We bought two and only used one once during a 10 day trip. I guess it depends on how much you use your phone. For just dining and rides we were fine, no need to recharge. The one time I needed to use a fuel rod is because my daughter was watching videos and playing games on my phone. Also, there are fuel rod machines in WDW where you can swap out your fuel rod. No need to carry a ton.

 

[gharter]

I still carry a battery recharger for our phones. Our last 2 trips, with Genie+, I found our phones didn't not drain as fast as they did with FP+. We used the phones much more with FP+, checking for new passes, modifying, etc. Still useful to be able to charge our phone if needed, but not as critical as in the past.
For those who still use their phones a lot, probably more important.

 

[Scalemaster34]

We have one of the larger Anker product that will charge multiple devices at once... comes in handy with Cooling Fans, EarPods, MB+, or pretty much anything. And with fast charging it can top off your phone while you eat lunch. Thing is a brick and it has set off security sensors at WDW... so we pull it out with our phones. It also can be recharged in just a couple of hours.

Fuel Rods.... they are only 2600mAh, so yeah isn't going to fully charge even one phone these days. Based on reviews, it seems it's still free to swap this at Disney... but in other locations there are fees (strange how this varies). And that's if you can find another location.... if traveling you might want to map out if your local Airport has these Kiosks.

Yeah I'd look at Amazon.... and read the reviews, filter them by most recent.

 

[gharter]

I have a similar Anker product and have been really happy with it for the same reasons. It goes in my backpack, so the weight isn't an issue, but without the backpack, it would be heavy. Always take it out going through security.

 

[GrandMum]

I just received 2 fuel rods that I ordered from Amazon. There are warning labels all over the box. "Lithium ion batteries - forbidden for transport aboard passenger aircraft" I had always carried my old one, is this something new?

 

[Scalemaster34]

I just received 2 fuel rods that I ordered from Amazon. There are warning labels all over the box. "Lithium ion batteries - forbidden for transport aboard passenger aircraft" I had always carried my old one, is this something new?

From the FAA website:

Lithium Batteries in Baggage​

Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Lithium batteries, which power everyday devices, can catch fire if damaged or if battery terminals are short-circuited.
Devices containing lithium metal batteries or lithium ion batteries, including – but not limited to – smartphones, tablets, cameras and laptops, should be kept in carry-on baggage. If these devices are packed in checked baggage, they should be turned completely off, protected from accidental activation and packed so they are protected from damage.
Spare (uninstalled) lithium metal batteries and lithium ion batteries, electronic cigarettes and vaping devices are prohibited in checked baggage. They must be carried with the passenger in carry-on baggage. Smoke and fire incidents involving lithium batteries can be mitigated by the cabin crew and passengers inside the aircraft cabin.
If carry-on baggage is checked at the gate or planeside, spare lithium batteries, electronic cigarettes, and vaping devices must be removed from the baggage and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin. Even in carry-on baggage, these items should be protected from damage, accidental activation and short circuits. Battery terminals should be protected by manufacturer’s packaging or covered with tape and placed in separate bags to prevent short circuits.
Damaged, defective or recalled lithium batteries must not be carried in carry-on or checked baggage if they are likely to be a safety concern by overheating or catching on fire.
When in doubt, leave it out.
Check the FAA’s Pack Safe website for the rules on carrying these items and other dangerous goods in baggage.

Has to be in your carry-on...

 

[MinnieMSue]

I just received 2 fuel rods that I ordered from Amazon. There are warning labels all over the box. "Lithium ion batteries - forbidden for transport aboard passenger aircraft" I had always carried my old one, is this something new?

Our airport actually sells them (cheaper than Disney) and they are fine if I’m your carryon

 

[GrandMum]

Appreciate all the responses. I had never gotten a box with warnings all over it and was concerned. I remember back when there was a Samsung phone that was not allowed on flights and my purse was pulled out for TSA to examine my phone. I had ordered my fuel rods from Amazon and it was 2 for $30 something.

 

[Scalemaster34]

I can see them one day putting a limit on the size of these devices.... as they keep getting bigger and bigger.

But it's one reason most devices don't come with a full charge on them, as they often are sent in cargo plans that have limits on how much charge these can have. Reduces the risk of explosion.

 

[CalOilerGurl]

I was considering buying one as I understood that you could swap them out for free in the parks - is this not the case anymore?

 

[tguz]

IMO, it is better to buy a portable charger and take it. You can easily get one cheaper and with a lot more charging power than a fuel rod. We charged it overnight and it was ready to go each morning.

 

[Lewisc]

I can see them one day putting a limit on the size of these devices.... as they keep getting bigger and bigger.

.

There is a limit to the size of batteries you're allowed to bring on a plane, none are allowed in checked luggage.


https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/more_info/?hazmat=7

20,000 milliamp batteries are OK. Use the formula to check larger batteries

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I have my own power bank, it will last a few days. the biggest issue with those is that you have to remember to charge them overnight. The only advantage to the purchased fuel rods is that you can trade them for a charged one. to me that doesn't sound more convenient, but it does to some

Just don't put them in checked luggage. There is a slight fire risk, and they don't want anything catching fire in the cargo hold where it's unmonitored.

 

[Mle8308]

I was considering buying one as I understood that you could swap them out for free in the parks - is this not the case anymore?

You can at Disney. Locations outside of Disney there is a charge. I only use mine at Disney, so it's not a big deal. They have added a lot of locations to swap, nearly all the resorts (if not all) have them and there are multiple locations in the parks. You can find them on their app you download. You can definitely buy more powerful chargers, but I like to keep my bag as light as possible when I am at Disney so the ability to easily swap them out is why I use one there. There are so many devices to charge now, I like not having to worry about the Fuel Rod.

 

[Scalemaster34]

I was considering buying one as I understood that you could swap them out for free in the parks - is this not the case anymore?

The way things are now.... yes.

Technically only those that bought them when free swaps were part of the "promise" of the service, are actually eligible for the "founders" status. If you buy one now, you won't fall under this status and standard swaps generally are priced between $1 - $3 on their site... so it's hard to say what the future holds. But currently (today) WDW everyone can swap for free... next month or next year who knows?

But I do wonder about the business model here.... I know you can buy a 2600mAh power bank for $5 - $10 dollars so they are making a big profit on the individual units at $30 (at Disney) in the Kiosk (cheaper on Amazon and some other Kiosk it's about $20). But that really rather small compared to today's devices - have to remember you lose 20% - 30% in the recharge process. Have to consider those Kiosk are expensive to manufacture and operate, never mind renting space and power consumption. I'm sure Disney has something worked out with the company initially as it built up their business. I'm sure Disney misses having all those film kiosks (where they didn't give away film or batteries), and wanted these to be the new profit generator (why they charge more at WDW for the purchase of the FuelRods?). But that was likly very short term for a few years.

But in general smartphone market has changed a lot since these guys came up with this idea in 2014... few phones lasted all day back then in normal situation. Today phones last longer and the small power bank like these are pretty cheap and common. Most stores sell them in the checkout line. And I think most people at this point already have these for travel. So the need for these power dispensers or recharging service.... isn't what it once was. I know in 2018/2019 they were doing very well as a company... but COVID and overall market changes have had a big impact on the company. Even their own reports of growth to new locations on their website have pretty much stopped..... think last was 2019 (have been newer repost in 2021).

I'm not sure investing in this service would be any wiser than investing it their stock... if they were to go public. If you want small light weight power bank, buy one for $5 - $10, or better buy a larger one for $20 that will last all week or might charger all types of devices.

 

[Scalemaster34]

On a side note.... I got a Anker 622 5000mAh MagSafe compatible charger for my iPhone... these charge wirelessly and clamp on (and they are really strong magnets). It's on sale for about $49 on Amazon today, I got mine on Prime Day and it was a little cheaper. So it is a more expensive Power Bank option. But no cables, so no worry about putting strain on you Lighting Connector while doing rides or walking around the park. And it's still small enough to slip my phone in my pocket. And I can plug it into a USB-C cable and charge it and my phone at the same time. Will also charge other wireless devices like EarPods or other phones.

But the not fumbling with cables is what I really like while on the go.

That said... be aware that wireless charging impacts how much charge you can get as you loses some "energy" to the wireless aspects. Always a trade-off.

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