Plug your phone in and close the door to secure your phone.

Magic Kingdom Adds Free, Secure Cell Phone Charging Lockers

Now that everyone is using FastPass+ to make and manage their ride reservations, it seems that people are using their mobile phones more than ever at Disney World.

In a way that represents great progress. You can now make and change your attraction reservations from anywhere in the park, and you don’t have to run around to all the old FastPass machines.

However, in a way it is a bit sad too. We now seem to be staring down at our phones instead of looking around at all the great details and atmosphere that Disney has created for us.

Regardless of whether we love the technology or hate it, it seems like it is here to stay.

There is also one unavoidable consequence to all this use of our phones: we will drain the batteries on our phones even more quickly.

New Phone Charging Lockers

Disney has added new lockers that allow you to charge your cell phone in the Magic Kingdom.

There are two sets of lockers available, and both sets of lockers are located in Tomorrowland, which I think is only appropriate given the theme of Tomorrowland, although I’m not sure why Disney decided to put both locations so close to each other.

The first set of phone charging lockers are in Cosmic Ray’s restaurant, just inside the entrance from Fantasyland.  Let’s take a look:

The first set of lockers are in Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe.
The first set of lockers are in Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe.
They are closest to the entrance from Fantasyland.
They are closest to the entrance from Fantasyland.
Head toward Bay 3, then look to the wall.
Head toward Bay 3, then look to the wall.
This logo marks the spot.
This logo marks the spot.

How do the Phone-Charging-Lockers Work?

You use your credit card to secure access to a locker, but there is no charge for the service.

Two small machines contain lockers.
Two small machines contain lockers.
The first screen tells you the service is free.
The first screen tells you the service is free.

On a touch screen, you select the type of phone you are using: Andriod, iPhone, or Blackberry. Sorry if there are any Windows Phone users out there. Connect your phone to the cable inside the locker and close the door. Come back later, and a light will show you that your phone is charged.

Swipe your card, which is not charged, and select your phone type.
Swipe your card, which is not charged, and select your phone type.
A door opens for you to use.
A door opens for you to use.
Plug your phone in and close the door to secure your phone.
Plug your phone in and close the door to secure your phone.

Each locker can hold only one phone, and the lockers are not big enough for tablet devices.

Return later, swipe your card, and touch to open your locker.
Return later, swipe your card, and touch to open your locker.
The door opens - get your phone and carry on!
The door opens – get your phone and carry on!

The second set of lockers is in the Tomorrowland Light and Power Company, also informally known as the Tomorrowland arcade or the Space Mountain gift shop.

The second set of lockers are in the Tomorrowland arcade.
The second set of lockers are in the Tomorrowland arcade.
You will find the lockers in this area, not in the back where the arcade games are located.
You will find the lockers in this area, not in the back where the arcade games are located.
The phone locker it tucked away in the corner.  In this photo, the lockers are at the far left.
The phone locker it tucked away in the corner. In this photo, the lockers are at the far left.
Interestingly, on the opposite end of the hall is a table with lots of outlets.
Interestingly, on the opposite end of the hall is a table with lots of outlets.

What’s Next?

A friendly Cast Member at Cosmic Ray’s told me he talked with the two people who designed the new phone-charging locker system.  Disney is running this as a test through mid-summer.  So far, people have been a bit reluctant to use the service because it is connected to a credit card.  As mentioned above, the credit card acts as a key and you do not get charged.

The Cast Member also said that Disney would like to enhance the system to tie it to your admission ticket / MagicBand, so it will be more convenient.

In the mode of playing Imagineer for a day:  I have heard that some cars, like the Chevy Volt, can send a text message when a phone is finished charging.  Wouldn’t it be cool if Disney added a feature where the locker would send a text message to a family member’s cell phone number when the phone is finished charging?

Also, here is a tip: if you decide to use these lockers, you can put your phone on airplane mode and it will probably charge faster.

Do you like the ability to charge your phone in a locker in the Magic Kingdom?
Leave your comments below.