4. The in-park pay charging option
The Brightbox charging stationSwipe your credit card and charge your cellphone in this cabinet. - Image © Brightbox
Let’s say that you have ignored all of the suggestions above. You have reached the park and used the MyDisneyExperience app for too long. Your smart device is now displaying the dreaded low battery message. Your options may be limited but there is still one that will work in a pinch if you are visiting Disneyland or Walt Disney World. Both parks have charging lockers available. The set-up is straightforward. A person walks up to the storage area, swipes their credit card and the case opens. Inside is a quick charger that will provide much needed juice for your phone.
There are a couple of important caveats. The charger lockers are small in size, meaning that only cellphones can be charged. Also, there is a $2 fee for usage at Disneyland. At Walt Disney World, the service is currently free. That may not last, however. Expect to pay a small charge if you plan to visit after the summer.
5. Emergency charge options
D-ZoneThe Tangled area of Magic Kingdom now includes a charging area.© insidethemagic.net
If you are stubborn on the point of paying for battery charging, there is one final option. Disney parks are starting to integrate areas they call D-Zones. These are charging areas that provide visitors with an opportunity to charge any electronic devices via the available outlets. Plus, many of them have sitting areas that allow people to catch their breath after a hectic day at the park. The most famous D-Zone at the moment resides at the Tangled rest area close to It’s a Small World.
The other somewhat unknown way to charge your device is to bring your own charger, presumably in a backpack or purse. There are a few electrical outlets interspersed throughout the parks in relatively innocuous locations. If you are unsure where to find one, ask a friendly Disney employee. Along those lines, a few restaurants also provide the opportunity to plug in your smart device. When you enter a restaurant, it never hurts to ask if charging is a possibility. I would note that there is almost always a line for such chargers but since it takes at least an hour to eat a table service meal at Disney, you should still have plenty of time to get charged up again.
Comments
Had no issues on a 10 day trip using an iPhone 5. I bought an external battery just in case and never had to use it. I also used my phone as an additional camera, uploaded and shared pics, amongst other things during the day as well.
There will be four smartphones in my party, all connected to My Disney Experience. If someone loses charge, can't one of the others take over?
ALSO another completely FREE option is going to Guest Relations at any park(at least at WDW, can't speak for DL)... You give your phone to a Cast Member, they set it to charge, and give you an "Hold Article" ticket. You just return like an hour later with your ticket, they match it to the proper phone, and voila! Most of the time you don't even need your charger, they have a charging station at the desk or in the back room! :)
ALSO another completely FREE option is going to Guest Relations at any park(at least at WDW, can't speak for DL)... You give your phone to a Cast Member, they set it to charge, and give you an "Hold Article" ticket. You just return like an hour later with your ticket, they match it to the proper phone, and voila! Most of the time you don't even need your charger, they have a charging station at the desk or in the back room! :)
There are a variety of light weight solar battery chargers that have USB and Lightning capabilities. It can charge your phone while you're sitting having a meal, or enjoying outside attractions. Mine has a clip that can be attached to my backpack on the outside, cabled to my iPhone or iPad mini on the inside. Good luck!