In Disney World (and at home, probably), your phone is basically your lifeblood. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to go to Disney World without a smartphone! Your phone wears many hats during your vacation; it’s your camera, credit card, park ticket, room key, menu, planner, MagicBand, oh, and you can, you know, make calls with it too. Clearly, that’s a lot to ask from just one device, especially in the Florida heat!
So, what happens when your phone decides to quit? What’s the plan when your plans are trapped in a dead phone? Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Let’s talk about what to do when your phone dies in Disney World.
Technology is constantly changing in Disney World, and so are our smartphones! The good news is that even though we rely on our phone pretty often in the parks, most newer phones have a pretty strong battery life. The bad news is that even with a fully charged phone, your battery will likely be drained by the evening.
Your phone is hard at work checking the wait times, snapping family photos, and exploring Galaxy’s Edge in Disney World, so it’s a good idea to prepare for the worst and anticipate a dead battery by the end of the day. Here are a few things you can do when your phone dies in Disney World.
1. Head to a charging station
Did you know that Disney World has several little places around the parks where you can charge your phone?
For example, way back in Storybook Circus, there’s a large tent area with plenty of seating and outlets. Keep in mind that you will need to bring your own charging cord and plug; Disney does not provide phone chargers. Either way, it’s nice to escape the crowds for a bit and hang out in the shade while your phone charges back up!
We have a handy list of places you can visit to charge your phone right here!
2. Grab a portable charger
If you don’t have the time to sit around and wait for your phone to come back to life, pack a portable charger in your park bag! A good option is the Anker PowerCore 10000 on Amazon for $25.
This bad boy is tried and tested, and it works like a charm every time! You even use it multiple times without having to charge it back up, which comes in handy on a long Disney World vacation. But for those of you who forgot to bring a portable charger from home, you can purchase a FuelRod in the parks!
Truthfully, FuelRods have a complicated past. When they were first introduced to the parks, guests could purchase a FuelRod for $30, use it, then return to a FuelRod station and exchange it for another fully charged portable charger.
Then, the policy was changed, and guests had to pay $3 every time they wanted to swap their FuelRod. The decision caused a bit of backlash. Since then, the policy was reverted to the original premise, so after you purchase your FuelRod for $30, you have unlimited free swaps.
No matter what kind of portable charger you decide to use, make sure you take it with you everywhere you go! Sometimes, that low battery warning can sneak up on you when you least expect it, so make sure you’re prepared. And, this might sound redundant, but bring a cable to charge your portable charger, too. We know, that’s a lot of charging, but it’s a necessary evil!
Click here to buy the Anker PowerCore 10000 on Amazon
3. Eat!
Whether you’re using a portable charger or looking for a charging outlet, you’re going to need to give your phone some time to do its thing and charge back up. That means no photoshoots, no weather radar scans, and no phone calls. Instead, find somewhere to sit down and eat. Just like your poor, tired phone, you probably need to recharge, too!
Especially after a busy morning or a late night, it’s nice to get off your feet and have a little snack. By the time you’re finished eating, both you and your phone will feel much better!
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4. Give it a rest
This advice is pretty similar to our last tip, but if you’re not in the mood to eat, let your phone charge while you enjoy an extended show or attraction! That way, you won’t have to worry about fiddling with Genie+ or checking the wait times after every short little ride.
Stop by the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Festival of the Lion King, or Mickey’s PhilharMagic for a little entertainment; when the show’s over, your phone will have a bit more life! For a full list of shows and experiences, pick up a times guide and a park map (that’s right, we’re going old-school; you don’t need your phone to check the showtimes!).
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5. Put your phone on Low Power Mode
Of course, this advice only works if your phone has at least 1% battery life, but as long as it powers on, we recommend putting your phone on low power mode to preserve the charge.
On an iPhone, you can do this by going to Settings>Battery>then toggle Low Power Mode ON. On an Android device, go to Settings>Battery>then tap Battery Saver. This way, your phone will automatically reduce its normal functions to extend your charge.
6. Bring backups
In the event of a total emergency, when charging your phone in the parks is totally out of the question, you’ve got some options! You can still use a good old-fashioned MagicBand or physical Disney park ticket card to scan into the parks and enter your hotel room.
Guests staying at a Disney hotel can also charge purchases to their room by linking their credit card to their MagicBand. (Keep in mind that you’ll need a Cast Member to help set up a PIN first) As long as you have a physical copy of your park tickets or a MagicBand, you’ll still be able to visit the parks without your phone!
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There you have it! See, there’s no need to cry or freak out when your phone dies in Disney World — you’ve got plenty of options! In the meantime, stay tuned for all the latest Disney news and theme park tips.
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Has your phone ever died in Disney World? Let us know in the comments!
GL Josh says
I view my phone as losing power from the moment I leave the hotel room (or car). I packed 2 “lipstick” chargers for most day trips are two power cords (I have had a cord fail on me before). If I am taking a longer trip or need to power multiple devices, I will include a larger power bank. Yes on some trips I have brought along 3 different power banks, 2 power cords, and a quick charge AC to USB plug.
Randi Briggs says
Two is one, and one is none! Sage advice…