FuelRod kiosks could be discovered at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, airports, and different areas. The service provides reusable, moveable charging to gas or cost your telephone on the go, after which swap for a recent battery. On this FuelRod evaluation, we’ll cowl whether or not the “limitless” service is definitely worth the cash and energy. (Up to date July 28, 2024.)
Whereas the headline is fairly blunt, there’s extra nuance to the query of whether or not you should purchase a FuelRod whereas visiting Walt Disney World or Disneyland. As such, we’ll tackle their value v. comfort, and weigh the professionals and cons. Be aware that this FuelRoad evaluation is totally our subjective evaluation of how FuelRods work (or don’t) for us. You could disagree totally, discovering a variety of worth in FuelRods–and that’s high quality.
For individuals who are unfamiliar with the idea, FuelRods are moveable chargers that may be bought in Walt Disney World parks and used to (partially) recharge your iPhone or different system on the go. You’ll be able to then swap for a brand new battery pack at FuelRod kiosks when you’ve exhausted one. In a nutshell, our view is that FuelRods are fairly nice…for individuals who have by no means heard of the web..
The overall idea of those moveable chargers is nice for Walt Disney World. Utilizing simply the My Disney Expertise app alone is a giant drain that individuals underestimate as is shopping sensible Disney blogs to determine the place it’s best to eat. Suffice to say, it’s straightforward on your battery to die early within the day. Rechargeable battery packs have existed for a while (so to that finish FuelRod is hardly revolutionary), and are one of many really useful staples on our What to Pack for Disney Listing.
The ‘twist’ with FuelRods is that once you’re accomplished utilizing them, you possibly can commerce out your depleted FuelRod for a fully-charged one on the many kiosks all through Walt Disney World and Disneyland. The attraction is thus the ‘limitless’ cost the FuelRods supply by advantage of swapping them out. When put that method, it’s straightforward to see the attraction of FuelRods.
July 28, 2024 Replace: FuelRod kiosks have been up to date throughout Walt Disney World, Disneyland, airports, conference facilities, and in every single place else. With this, the worth of FuelRods at Disney Parks areas have additionally elevated–the price of a single FuelRod is up from $30 to $38, two rods are actually $76, and three rods are $114 (you are able to do the maths for your self, however there aren’t any bulk buy reductions–and weren’t earlier than, both).
The good information is that FuelRods are solely $35 for a 2-pack on Amazon. You learn that accurately. Two for lower than the worth of 1 at Walt Disney World, which is about par for the course with Disney vs. actual world pricing of normal merchandise.
Though within the case of FuelRods, the gadgets are usually dearer at non-Disney areas like airports or conference facilities. (Final I checked, the airport value of a FuelRod on the airport was $40 and the swap was $3.) They’re simply less expensive on Amazon than wherever else, so in case you do choose to purchase FuelRods…get them there!
With the upper costs comes improved efficiency. Listed here are the highlights of the brand new FuelRods:
- Extra Energy: The NEW FuelRod boasts an elevated capability of three,200 mAh (over 23% extra energy than the unique FuelRod), offering longer-lasting energy to maintain your gadgets charged all through the day.
- Extra Management: With USB-C compatibility, the NEW FuelRod provides versatile charging choices for a variety of contemporary gadgets. It additionally encompasses a energy button and 4 LED battery mild indicators, giving customers better management over their charging expertise.
- Identical Swap: Sustaining the simplicity and comfort that FuelRod is understood for, the swap course of stays easy. Simply go to any FuelRod kiosk, insert your outdated FuelRod, and obtain a completely charged new one immediately.
As earlier than, swapping stays free at Walt Disney World and Disneyland for now. There was a category motion lawsuit a number of years again that resulted in FuelRod giving “Founder’s Standing” to anybody who purchased their gadgets earlier than late 2019. For some time, this was verified at kiosks at Disney areas, which then supplied free swapping.
The verification not happens for no matter purpose, which means swaps are free for everybody. Since I don’t know the why of this, I’m weary that it might change at any time–and that might make the usefulness and comfort of FuelRods a lot worse.
Right here’s how the improve course of works in accordance with FuelRod:
- Go to Any FuelRod Kiosk Nationwide: Find a FuelRod kiosk at most main airports, theme parks, conference facilities, and different high-traffic areas. All FuelRod areas are being upgraded to help the brand new program by a phased rollout. Relaxation assured; we’re working as shortly as potential to have all kiosks up to date.
- Choose “Swap” Button: On the kiosk display, select the “swap” choice.
- Insert Your Unique FuelRod: Place your unique FuelRod into the kiosk. (Be aware: You’ll have to re-insert your unique rod to proceed the improve course of.) Please comply with the on-screen directions for extra particulars.
- Obtain the NEW FuelRod Package: For the price of a standard swap, you’ll obtain the NEW FuelRod Package, which incorporates the upgraded absolutely charged USB-C FuelRod together with new cables and adapters.
We’ve got to present props to FuelRod right here for making this replace, as gradual charging and low capability have been two of our largest complaints in regards to the gadgets. As greatest we will inform, the system had by no means been up to date previous to this, and moveable batteries have come a good distance within the final decade. FuelRod remains to be nicely behind the competitors, however nonetheless–credit score the place credit score is due, and good to see the replace made. In a pinch, this needs to be a greater choice than its predecessor.
As all the time, we nonetheless advocate buying one of many Anker gadgets on our checklist of the Greatest Backup Batteries for Disney. There’s a variety of fast and high-capacity moveable chargers on that checklist, most of that are sooner and cheaper than FuelRods. After all, that doesn’t do you a lot good in case you’ve already arrived at Walt Disney World or Disneyland and are discovering that you just want extra juice–however for these planning forward, seek the advice of that checklist as an alternative.
For what it’s price, you most likely will want a transportable charger within the parks. The brand new Lightning Lane Multi-Move at Walt Disney World and Disneyland simply launched and these up to date line-skipping techniques are (nonetheless) severe battery drains.
Whereas it’s theoretically potential to go a complete day utilizing Lightning Lanes with out recharging, it’s very troublesome–particularly because you’ll want a powerful “refresh sport” if you wish to rating good subsequent choices. Many friends shall be unprepared for this, and discover themselves needing a spare battery throughout their days within the park.
On prime of that, there are particular options, just like the itinerary builder and PhotoPass AR lenses, that actually kill a telephone’s battery. Simply ~half-hour of taking part in round with the augmented actuality filters took my battery down considerably. Plus, you’ll actually need to use different app options like Cellular Order and Stroll-Up Waitlist, which may prevent a ton of time.
The apps are virtually important to doing Walt Disney World or Disneyland at this level. They aren’t technically required, however they’re massively handy. Simply one thing to bear in mind in case you don’t have a backup battery packed!
For a lot of friends, the argument in favor of the FuelRod is similar because the Disney Eating Plan: comfort. Nonetheless, just like the argument in favor of the Disney Eating Plan, I’d counter that it’s the phantasm of comfort, reasonably than precise comfort. And, just like the Eating Plan, you’re paying additional for that phantasm.
The issues with FuelRods are two-fold. First, the worth may be very excessive for a battery pack of this capability and high quality. Second, the aforementioned capability is poor by trendy battery pack requirements. (Though this has improved within the final couple of years, it’s nonetheless nowhere what you’d get from one thing from Amazon for beneath $40. Neither is the charging as quick.)
Let’s speak a bit extra about FuelRod’s capability relative to its opponents. Up till the 2024 replace, FuelRod didn’t point out its cost capability. (Which alone ought to set off crimson flags.) It will possibly cost a present iPhone about midway with its 3,000 mAh capability.
Once more, the options on our checklist of the Greatest Backup Batteries for Disney supply bigger capability, decrease value, and sooner charging than FuelRod. A few of these chargers is not going to solely get you thru a complete day within the parks–they’ll cost your complete household’s gadgets for the day. The closest equal to the FuelRod is the Anker Nano Transportable Charger (right here’s the USB-C model that was simply launched). By trendy battery pack requirements, FuelRod is antiquated.
To be truthful to FuelRod, the case may very well be made that there’s a sure comfort in by no means having to cost a battery pack–simply with the ability to swap out the present pack advert infinitum. Or that it may be a lifesaver in case you overlook your charger, cables, and so forth. True, it does supply attraction in each eventualities. There’s completely no arguing about FuelRod being helpful in case you’ve forgotten your charger/cables.
Nonetheless, the case for basic comfort in on a regular basis eventualities is more durable to make. Once I get again to the lodge on the finish of a protracted day, I hate having to plug every part in earlier than preparing for mattress. The factor is, I’ve to try this regardless with my digital camera, telephone, and so forth. Plugging in a single further merchandise is (actually) a <30 second dedication that hardly poses an insurmountable impediment between me and a superb night time’s sleep.
Furthermore, this argument is barely even believable in a world the place FuelRod kiosks are ubiquitous. Such a world doesn’t exist, nor will it ever exist. FuelRod’s enterprise mannequin depends upon spontaneous purchases from customers who both don’t do the analysis or don’t have a viable different. Outdoors of airports, theme parks, and comparable ‘vacuums’, they are going to lose to opponents. (For a similar purpose that nobody of their proper thoughts would pay $14 for a cheeseburger at Cosmic Ray’s if it have been situated of their hometown.)
In case you’re primarily involved about utilizing FuelRods on the airport, Walt Disney World, or Disneyland–that’s nice. FuelRod most likely has you lined. For Disney regulars or Annual Passholders, there’s worth in FuelRod. Once more, we’re not saying it is a completely ineffective service or product.
Finally, the one folks for whom I can see FuelRod holding attraction as soon as they get previous the preliminary thought of comfort is those that have by no means heard of rechargeable batteries earlier than stumbling upon the FuelRod kiosk whereas within the parks. Sure, these folks do exist. We see numerous friends sitting in corners charging their telephones in random shops throughout the course of their holidays.
For these folks (or individuals who merely overlook to pack their moveable chargers), the FuelRod presents a superb spontaneous buy, as the price (in time) of sitting in a random nook on a regular basis throughout an expensive Walt Disney World trip far outweighs even the $30 value of a FuelRod. Nonetheless, in case you’re studying this FuelRod evaluation upfront of a visit to the park and have the chance to order the next capability battery pack from Amazon, that’s your higher choice.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study resorts on our Walt Disney World Motels Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a singular have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the perfect place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every part you might want to know!
Your Ideas
What do you consider FuelRods? Excited in regards to the 2024 improve that provides larger capability gadgets and sooner charging? Will you proceed to make use of FuelRods at Walt Disney World or Disneyland? Do you agree or disagree with our FuelRod evaluation? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
