Magic Kingdom to test mobile phone charging lockers for guest use

[G00fyDad]

A lot of other Smartphones, my Motorola Razr Droid, for example, also have non-removable batteries.

I did not know that. Thanks. I suppose it is another reason to stick with Samsung. But honestly, I can't wait for this...
http://www.dcclubbing.com/style/the-future-of-cell-phones/

It is wrong. No regulations requiring standardization in the US.

Thank you for the clarification. It would be nice though.

 

[MichWolv]

its about time they have things like this, along with accessible electrical outlets.

It is indeed about time.

In the past few years, I've gotten used to looking for electrical outlets at theme parks. It really is a mixed bag. Disney parks have a few exposed outlets which I've used in restaurants (Rancho del Zocalo at Disneyland was memorable, as a CM looked at me funny while I crawled under a table to plug in) and bathrooms (hanging out in a bathroom is weird, though). Cedar Point had exposed and accessible outlets all over the place, so I was able to sit at a bench while my kids ran from kiddie ride to kiddie ride as my phone charged. Six Flags, however, did a wonderful job of making no outlet accessible anywhere. It was annoying when I needed to meet back up with my wife and younger son and realized my phone had died.

 

[MichWolv]

Thank you for the clarification. It would be nice though.

I'm of two minds. It would be helpful to me (and others) as a consumer. On the other hand, I'm not big on government regulating standards on consumer products for reasons other than safety. If everybody had to use micro-USB, we would pretty much guarantee that the next advancement beyond micro-USB would be slow in coming.

 

[sporadic]

I'm hating this reliance on smart phones for enjoying the parks. Just turn your data off and the problem disappears. You can cruise the internet and gloat about your trip on FB when you get home or to the room. I could go a full day at the parks last year with data off and still have 80% battery when we got back to the hotel.

 

[DocMcHulk]

It is wrong. No regulations requiring standardization in the US.

However, since they have to sell the same, or similar, models in Europe, its easier to make a single model rather than have a micro-usb version in Europe and a non-standard in the US. So... in a way, it is an unofficial US standard.

 

[sporadic]

I fully promote them (hear me out) because iPads have no flash whatsoever and that's my biggest pet peeve. I mean come on people do your flash photos of Pirates of the Caribbean really come out that good?

Two wrongs doesn't make a right.

 

[DocMcHulk]

I thought that cell manufacturers were already forced to adopt the MicroUSB format in the US, and that Apple got away with using their own adapter because they classify the iPhone as an "entertainment device" and not a cell phone. Is that wrong? Like I said, I heard this from a questionable source.

I thought Apple is required to provide, for free, an Micro-USB to 30-pin/Lightening adaptor.

 

[Kuzcotopia]

A metric crap ton. Hopefully you will be able to charge more than one phone of the same type in each locker. Locating them around the restaurants would be a wise choice as well. A meal would be on of the more ideal situations to ditch the phone for an hour and juice it up.

Absolutely. Have charge lockers outside every table service restaurant is the perfect place to put them, as it's the perfect time to use them.

Also, I would assume Disney will pony up the money for Magic Band conversion.

 

[Skiff]

I thought Apple is required to provide, for free, an Micro-USB to 30-pin/Lightening adaptor.

They do in Europe. In the US it's still the default Lightning connector.

 

[DocMcHulk]

They do in Europe. In the US it's still the default Lightning connector.

Yes, my fault, I meant to say they provide them for free in Europe.

 

[MichWolv]

However, since they have to sell the same, or similar, models in Europe, its easier to make a single model rather than have a micro-usb version in Europe and a non-standard in the US. So... in a way, it is an unofficial US standard.

Unofficial indeed, as Apple neither uses micro-USB in the US nor sells the lightning to micro-USB adapter in the US that it sells in Europe.

 

[MichWolv]

I'm hating this reliance on smart phones for enjoying the parks. Just turn your data off and the problem disappears. You can cruise the internet and gloat about your trip on FB when you get home or to the room. I could go a full day at the parks last year with data off and still have 80% battery when we got back to the hotel.

You have indeed found the solution. If you don't like using your phone in the parks, don't use it. Clearly, other people do like using their phone in the parks. Is it not good that Disney will now help those people?

I hate coffee, but I know many people who have a "reliance on" coffee to enjoy their morning in the parks, and I'm glad when Disney makes it easier for those people to get their coffee.

 

[Yellow Strap]

I am truly surprised Disney is not charging for this.

Why? Disney is always providing extra services for no additional charge at the parks.

 

[NormC]

I fully promote them (hear me out) because iPads have no flash whatsoever and that's my biggest pet peeve. I mean come on people do your flash photos of Pirates of the Caribbean really come out that good?

I hate flash photography on dark rides but I also hate seeing everyone's brightly lit screens on their smart devices being used as cameras. It is just plain inconsiderate of those around you.

 

[NormC]

They do in Europe. In the US it's still the default Lightning connector.

The Lightning connector is great. Works both ways. Micro USB is fragile and must be inserted correctly. There is a new USB connector coming which is like the Lightning that will plug in either way. Hopefully that will become standard.

 

[sporadic]

..Clearly, other people do like using their phone in the parks. Is it not good that Disney will now help those people? ..

True, just call me old fashioned I guess. Today's society is just so glued to their gadgets and oblivious to what's going on around them. It's nice to just unplug and take in the analog world. I find it amazing to walk around Disney with people just staring at their phones and tablets just waiting for the next ride to record with their iBlinder, ignoring everything around them. Go a week without a cell phone and the people watching is amazing.

To steer this somewhat back on topic and in regards to my last statement, we've had 3 phones fail due to faulty micro USB ports. It's a horrible design to be used for a charging connector which is cycled so often. My week without a cell phone last year was a result of this.

 

[Yankee Mouse]

True, just call me old fashioned I guess. Today's society is just so glued to their gadgets and oblivious to what's going on around them. It's nice to just unplug and take in the analog world. I find it amazing to walk around Disney with people just staring at their phones and tablets just waiting for the next ride to record with their iBlinder, ignoring everything around them. Go a week without a cell phone and the people watching is amazing.

To steer this somewhat back on topic and in regards to my last statement, we've had 3 phones fail due to faulty micro USB ports. It's a horrible design to be used for a charging connector which is cycled so often. My week without a cell phone last year was a result of this.

But Disney is pushing the use of phones with the MDE and the new FP+. Of course you don't need one to use the service but it sure makes keeping track of your FP times and making changes to them a lot easier, not to mention the bonus FP that they suggested they could push to your phones. It isn't just about cruising the internet and gloating on FB anymore, I think to have that kind of view of phone use in the parks is shortsighted. There are also a multitude of people who use cell phones as cameras and who depend on cell phones for staying in touch while separating from their party within the parks.

These cell phone chargers will be a necessity, and I think this is a welcome idea, although I will still probably rely on my portable charger because I don' t know how well the execution of this idea will work.

 

[slappy magoo]

I'm not going to provide a link because I don't think that would be cool. But one of Best Buy's deals for the day (today only) is a deep discount on a LifeCHARGE battery case for either an iphone or a galaxy s4. Normally 70, I think today they're 33 and free shipping. Based on the thread, I thought it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to point that out.

 

[NormC]

I was able to use the MDE and check fast passes and ADRs without charging. I charged my 5c at night in the room. My wife needed to use her Anker portable battery on her Galaxy S3 but she uses her phone constantly.

 

[sporadic]

But Disney is pushing the use of phones with the MDE and the new FP+. Of course you don't need one to use the service but it sure makes keeping track of your FP times and making changes to them a lot easier, not to mention the bonus FP that they suggested they could push to your phones. It isn't just about cruising the internet and gloating on FB anymore, I think to have that kind of view of phone use in the parks is shortsighted. There are also a multitude of people who use cell phones as cameras and who depend on cell phones for staying in touch while separating from their party within the parks.

These cell phone chargers will be a necessity, and I think this is a welcome idea, although I will still probably rely on my portable charger because I don' t know how well the execution of this idea will work.

Oh, I get what they're doing and their intents with MDE and FP+. We use ours for staying in touch as well when separated and quick snapshots (not as our primary camera though). We just disable data which is the primary battery hog. What good is my phone for an emergency call if its in a locker charging?

I'm not against lockers for charging phones, I think its a great idea. I'm just saying that if you can't spend a day at the parks without charging your phone, maybe you're doing it wrong? Then again, I work in a tech field and like to unplug during my vacations. Maybe I'm just getting burned out...