Ultimate Guide: Best Disney Portable Chargers

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Having a cell phone has become a necessity for any Disney vacation. The way Disney has structured their system requires you to use your phone to navigate a successful day in the parks.

As a result, your phone battery drains at a higher rate than it would during the course of a normal day. Because of this, good portable chargers for Disney are an absolute must.

This review will take a look at why you should get a charger, and then identify the best Disney portable chargers. It will also take a look at other charging options available, such as Fuel Rods and the good old fashioned idea of finding an outlet.

If you’re curious (or in a hurry)…

✅ This specific portable charger is the most popular with my readers (and me).

It’s an excellent portable charger for Disney and you’ll find the price is very affordable. As a bonus, I often see a coupon offered for it to make it even more affordable! If you see a coupon available, make sure you snap it up at a great price. Any time you see it under $20, that’s a good bargain.

Why Do I Need a Good Portable Charger for Disney?

A day spent in one of the Disney parks will absolutely suck the life out of your phone battery. I have drained my phone battery quicker at Disney World than any other place I’ve traveled. But why does this happen so much at Disney World?

My Disney Experience App

The My Disney Experience app (MDE) has its faults, but it is indispensable to making it through your day at Disney World. Throughout the course of your day in the parks, you will use MDE to keep track of your Advance Dining Reservations, perhaps place a mobile order, and check the wait times for the rides.

Previously, it was using FastPasses the ate up most of your phone battery. However, FastPasses are a thing of the past now. In its place is Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane booking.

Disney is putting more and more vacation functionality on the cell phone, and we need to have a charged battery in order to keep up.

PlayDisney App

In the past couple of years, Disney has released the PlayDisney app. It started off pretty basic, but they continue to add more and more to it, making it a fun enhancement to your day in the parks.

The app is primarily designed to provide some entertainment while waiting in line for rides such as Soarin’, Space Mountain, and more.

Entertainment options vary from trivia quizzes to games, but either way, it’s a drain on the battery of your phone. If you know you plan to use PlayDisney on top of MDE, you will definitely need a charge (or two) part way through the day.

Photos, Photos, and More Photos

If you are anything like me, or even the teeniest bit, you spend a lot of time on vacation taking pictures. Of course, the easiest way to take pictures these days is with your cell phone.

There are so many great photo opportunities throughout a Disney World vacation you might find your phone in your hands almost constantly.

So, depending on your photography habits, this could potentially be a rather large drain on your battery throughout the course of a day.

5 Best Disney Portable Chargers

The following 5 Disney power banks are great options to purchase and bring along on your Disney vacation. Trust me, they are major lifesavers.

INIU Portable Charger 10000mAh Power Bank

The INIU Portable charger is a pretty powerful charger at a very good price. It has 2 USB-C ports which allows you to charge two phones at once. This amount of power allows you to fully charge an iPhone or similar Android phone 2-3 times.

It is fairly compact overall, shorter than a typical smart phone, but a bit thicker. The price on this is considerably lower than the Anker brand equivalent.

I’ve personally used this charger at Disney and it works like a charm. I love how the paw indicator light lets you know at a glance how much charge is left in the power bank.

It now comes in multiple colors as well, and I’m seriously bummed they didn’t have that option when I ordered.

Also, the USB-C port is for both input AND output to reduce needing extra cords for some of your devices.

Anker PowerCore 5000 Portable Charger

Anker is a top brand in portable chargers with monster reviews. The Anker Powercore 5000 is also known as a “lipstick” charger due to the size and shape.

It has 1 USB port and has enough power to provide a little over 1 full charge on most phones. It has Power IQ technology to automatically provide the fastest charge possible.

I can confirm that I get maybe a charge and a half out of it when it’s fully charged. I also feel that it charges my phone up fairly quickly.

In terms of cord requirements, you need a charging cord that has a USB male plug on the one end and the USB-C type for your phone on the other end.

The USB-Micro B port on this charger is only for charging the power bank, not your phone.

The compact size makes it ideal for those who want to travel lighter through Disney.

Admittedly, this is an older model, as is evident by the cord requirement situation. However, the small size puts it on this list for people who really want to be a bit more streamlined.

Anker PowerCore 20000mAh Portable Charger

The Anker PowerCore 20000mAh charger is the best option for families that have multiple phones that need to be charged, or anyone who wants a charger that will get them through DAYS before it runs out of juice.

You can get 4-7 charges with this charger, depending on your phone type.

Despite this power, this portable charger is still relatively compact, making it easy to stick in a purse or backpack on a Disney park day. It is going to be heavier than the first 2 on this list, but that’s the compromise you make to have the extra charging capacity.

Once upon a time the only USB-C port was for input, but now it can double as an output as well.

INIU Mini 20,000mAh Portable Charger

You’re really going to start picking up on a theme here with all my recommendations: I keep coming back to INIU and Anker. You just can’t beat the reviews and performance!

Next up we have the INIU Mini 20000mAh charger. As you can see from the picture below, this thing packs in all the power in a tiny little portable charger.

I have the standard size version of this that I got a couple of years ago. As you can see if you toggle back and forth, the price is the same at this time. Given that fact, I would 100% go for the Mini size for the sheer convenience.

The larger size is on the bulky side, not tremendously so, I still fit it in my back pocket with no problem, but I’d prefer the smaller size if the price is the same.

Whether you go with the larger or mini version, both of them have an indicator that lets you know exactly how much charge remains on the unit. No second guessing.

Anker Nano 5000mAh Power Bank

What if you don’t want to deal with carrying around extra wires and cables? I present to you the Anker Nano 5000mAh charger!

Here’s another option that gives you a more compact and streamlined charging experience. This plugs directly into a USB-C outlet and just hangs out there. No need to worry about whether or not your remembered the right charging cable.

The trade off, like the lipstick charger listed above, is the low power capacity. This is only 5000mAh so you won’t be able to get quite as many charges out of the unit before it dies.

Anker says this has fast charging ability, but just know that it simply can’t charge as quickly as the larger capacity units due to its smaller size.

Personally, I think this is a great option for the kids’ phones if they need a charge partway through the day. Jut pop it directly into the phone and don’t worry about it. When they aren’t using the power bank it takes up hardly any space in the bag.

Tip: The Anker chargers frequently go on sale on Amazon, especially during Prime Day and the holidays. Keep an eye on prices and you can score a great deal.

Fuel Rods at Disney

As a way to help people keep their phones charged and ready during an entire day in the parks, Disney provides access to Fuel Rods at select locations throughout the parks and Disney Springs.

There is an initial payout when it comes to Fuel Rods (think $30+) to get your initial kit. After that you can either recharge it yourself, or swap it out for a new, fully charged, Fuel Rod from a special kiosk. Fuel Rod swaps on Disney World property are free.

This all sounds great, and truly might be the right fit for a lot of people, but not everyone. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of Fuel Rods

Pros and Cons of Fuel Rods at Disney

Really, this comes down to personal preference. Personally, I prefer having my own charger that I can use outside of Disney as well. My Disney portable charger is also much more powerful, providing me with a full charge, even if I continue to use it while it’s charging.

However, if you find yourself at Disney World without a portable charger, or if yours stops working, the Fuel Rods are a viable option to get you through the day.

There was a big bruhaha a couple years back when Fuel Rod suddenly added a charge to swap out your used Fuel Rod for a new one. Fuel Rod backed down and it’s now free at Disney properties again.

If you are someone who wants the ultimate convenience of never worrying about recharging your power bank and just swapping for a new one, then Fuel Rods make a lot of sense.

Hot Tip: If you want to go the Fuel Rod route, buy them ahead of time through Amazon, not at Disney World. The current cost at Disney is $38 for a single Fuel Rod kit. It’s definitely more economical to buy Fuel Rods on Amazon, especially if you want to buy 2 or 3 packs.

If you really want a savings hack, buy the old model Fuel Rod on Amazon. When you swap it out you’ll receive a new model Fuel Rod!

Disney Fuel Rod Locations

So where in Disney World are you able to find Fuel Rods? There are kiosks located throughout Disney property. If you don’t have one already, Disney will charge you $38 for the initial Fuel Rod. After that all swaps are free.

Magic Kingdom

• Tomorrowland Light and Power Company
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
• Big Top Souvenirs
• Curtain Call Collectibles
• Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe

Epcot

• Disney Traders
• International Gateway
• Camera Center

Hollywood Studios

• Celebrity 5 & 10
• Rock Around the Shop

Animal Kingdom

• Island Mercantile

Typhoon Lagoon

• Singapore Sal’s

Blizzard Beach

• Beach Haus

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

• ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill
• HP Fieldhouse
• ESPN Clubhouse Shop

Disney Springs

• Disney Springs Welcome Center
• Sundries
• Disney PhotoPass Studios

Resorts

• There are locations at most of the resorts, but not all of them

How to Charge Your Phone for Free at Disney World

There are a few places within the Disney parks where you can plug in to charge your phone. Again, this comes down to a personal preference issue. If you don’t want to deal with swapping out Fuel Rods or purchasing your own portable charger for Disney, then it is possible to find outlets within the parks.

Frankly, I don’t want to waste my precious time sitting around waiting for my phone to charge. The whole point of your Disney vacation is to enjoy yourself and make memories with your family. Having your own portable charger can help keep you moving through your day at Disney.

Guest Relations

Disney World guests can drop off their phones at any Guest Relations location and Cast Members will happily charge it for you. In order to do this, you need to also provide the plug that comes with your phone.

The bonus to this option is you do not have to sit around and wait for it to finish charging. You simply leave the phone with them and return a little while later to pick it up. If you have a newer phone with a rapid charge system you won’t even have to wait that long.

The downside to this plan is you are without easy access to your My Disney Experience app, and therefore your ability to use Disney Genie. If you plan to use Guest Relations to charge your phone, I highly recommend another adult in your group have MDE on their phone for you to use in the interim.

Outlet Locations at Disney Parks

This information relies solely on anecdotal reports of people who have found outlets throughout the parks. Perhaps the most talked about outlets are the ones hidden in fake tree stumps near the Tangled bathrooms in Magic Kingdom.

Again, the major downside to this strategy is you are tethered to a specific location for an extended period of time. If this is timed with a stroller nap and a rest, this isn’t so bad. But if your kids are impatient to continue with their Disney experience, this might not be a palatable option. Not to mention you have to remember to bring your charger with you.

Of note, first aid and baby care centers in all parks are noted to contain outlets.

Magic Kingdom

• Tree stumps near the Tangled bathrooms (has benches and tables to sit at for this very reason) – these take regular plugs and USB
• Columbia Harbor House, near many tables – this one is ideal for being able to charge while you eat, allowing you to multitask
• Tomorrowland Terrace
• Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe – the hallway leading to the bathrooms has wall outlets
• The exit to Space Mountain
• Outside the Tomorrowland bathrooms – there are outlets near a low wall to sit at while you wait
• Dumbo/Barnstormer tent, near Pete’s Silly Sideshow (there are benches to sit at) – includes regular plugs and USB

Epcot

• Norway and Morocco reported have outlets
• The Land, outside the Electric Umbrella
• The Living Seas – wall outlets near Women’s restrooms
• Innoventions
• Between Fountain View and Character Spot there is an area with tables and outlets
• Electric Umbrella

Hollywood Studios

• Star Wars Launch Bay
• PizzeRizzo
• ABC Commisary

Animal Kingdom

• Pizzafari
• Shops on Discover Island
• Finding Nemo Theater – outlets can be found hidden in the plants near the benches outside the theater

Tips to Keep Your Phone Charged Longer at Disney World

With or without a Disney portable charger, you want to try to keep your battery from draining unnecessarily. Trust me, you will be using it enough, you don’t need anything else contributing to the battery drain. Here are some tips to help slow the battery drain.

• Turn off any unnecessary apps and stop the ones you don’t need from running in the background
  • Alternately, you can delete any apps you know you won’t need and simply reinstall them after the trip
• If you don’t need to use it, turn off your Bluetooth
• Focus more on pictures instead of videos – those videos require more battery usage than a still photograph
• Put the My Disney Experience app on more than one phone in your party – this allows you to split the usage between phones, slowing the battery drain for each one
• When in situations you are asked to turn off your phone, choose to switch it to airplane mode instead – turning your phone off and on uses up more battery

The Last Thing You Need to Know about Disney Portable Chargers

It really does come down to personal preference exactly how you tackle the problem of a dying phone at the parks, but the bottom line is you must have some sort of plan.

Your cell phone is your ticket to a more productive and efficient day in the parks. Sure, you can absolutely have a wonderful time in the parks without your phone, and if it does die, it’s not the end of the world. But if you can prevent that situation, you are better off.

I think it’s pretty clear that my personal preference is to be in ultimate control of my phone battery destiny. I don’t go to Disney without bringing my portable charger. It’s seriously such a game changer.

Your Thoughts on the Best Disney Portable Chargers

What is your preferred portable charger? Did you find it on my list? I would love to get other opinions on the best Disney portable chargers. Also, have you found any other outlets for charging that can be added to the list? Please leave a comment below so I can add your outlet locations to the list.

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