Walt Disney World to introduce new phone recharging program

[rteetz]

Fuelrod is a portable charger that can be purchased at the parks. Once it's out of battery you can exchange it for a new one. You don't have to ever return a fuelrod after purchase it's yours to keep.

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/06/break...-revolutionize-how-guests-charge-electronics/

 

[Accident]

I like that you can exchange it for a charged one.. price isn't horrible so if you happen to be in the parks and forgot yours, don't want to hang at the charging stations or didn't even own one or have a need before that's rather handy.

 

[Iowamomof4]

Interesting concept!

 

[hollypoast]

Love this!

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

If the charging cables are "Apple Certified" and not the cheap 7-Eleven knockoffs then this is a good deal. Especially considering that they can be swapped for a fresh, fully-charged one at anytime.

 

[Kiwini]

I've seen these at airports, too, so you can swap out before/after a flight as well as at the parks.

 

[rteetz]

Hearing the batteries are 6400mAh

 

[DisneyPigFan]

$30?!! You can get portable chargers like this from Amazon for like $7-$8.

Being able to just exchange a depleted one for a freshly charged one is a cool concept, but is it worth the huge up charge? I guess if you desperately need a charge it's not a horrible idea.

personally, I have a battery charging case PLUS I often carry around a small portable charging device like this if I know I'm going to be out all day and heavily using my phone (like on Disney parks days).

 

[Roxyfire]

A quick google shows you can buy one ahead of time for $20 plus $5 shipping. So I suppose you could save yourself a few dollars if you know you'd use it at WDW. But, they don't seem to have many locations right now so it may only be useful if you go quite a bit.

 

[rteetz]

$30?!! You can get portable chargers like this from Amazon for like $7-$8.

Being able to just exchange a depleted one for a freshly charged one is a cool concept, but is it worth the huge up charge? I guess if you desperately need a charge it's not a horrible idea.

personally, I have a battery charging case PLUS I often carry around a small portable charging device like this if I know I'm going to be out all day and heavily using my phone (like on Disney parks days).

$30 really isn't terrible especially with the fact you can turn in a dead one and get a fully charged one. I bought a 20,000mAh battery on Amazon for about $40 which will charge my iPhone from dead to full 6 times. These chargers Disney is selling are supposedly 6,400mAh.

 

[birostick]

i'll take a guess that they don't support Quick Charging, which upon visiting their website it doesn't seem so. Thumbs down.

 

[rteetz]

i'll take a guess that they don't support Quick Charging, which upon visiting their website it doesn't seem so. Thumbs down.

That would probably cost more.

 

[memo10]

I wonder if there's a time limit on them? It would be great as a passholder!

 

[rteetz]

I wonder if there's a time limit on them? It would be great as a passholder!

I'm guessing probably. They could do a length of stay type system or for AP holders they could do it for 6 months or something like that.

 

[Roxyfire]

I wonder if there's a time limit on them? It would be great as a passholder!

My guess based on their website is no. They say you buy it and you own it. I'm thinking this business model is similar to redbox, instead of renting the item you own it. If they fold at least you still have the charger, albeit overpriced. If you're an AP holder, have an extended stay, or live in a large city I could see it being useful if you can reliably switch it out for a fresh one. Otherwise, perhaps buy 2 portable charger blocks for the price of this one.

 

[revdisney33]

I believe they can be exchanged not only in Diseny but other places....like airports and such if I read the site correctly. Put in kiosk and a new fully charged one is dispensed. Good forever.

 

[wilkeliza]

Unfortunatly read a review and you only get about 40% of a charge. Guy who tests them said he went from 22% to 66% charged. Did say the switching of the batteries made it convenient when you have no other option but there are cheaper options you could buy that work better.

 

[warrenz1963]

Overpriced, and it doesn't even give an iPhone a full charge. The brand I own and carry was half the price and gives my phone 3 or 4 full charges before I have to recharge it.
I can see folks using this for an emergency convenience, but no way would I trade what I already use for this inferior product.

 

[zaccaglin]

This looks to be one of the smartest things through a third party I've seen in the parks yet. I'd love to see this go into play.

 

[romitaz]

It is a good concept and of course its going to cost more. Convenience always has a premium price tag. For the MANY that do not think ahead, this will be a very nice thing. Also, you can exchange at any kiosk. Not just on property. It looks like the kiosks are popping up in many more places.