If you’re spending a whole day in Disney World, using your phone all day long can drain your battery pretty quickly in the parks.

Cinderella Castle

Although you can bring your own portable charger from home, one of the best tools in the park is the FuelRod option for guests. The stations located all throughout the parks and resorts allow guests to purchase a portable charger and swap it out once it has been drained of power.

Previously, FuelRod would allow anybody who has purchased a charger to switch it out for free. However, last year, the company tried to instate a swapping fee for FuelRod users. After a large number of guests were upset by the change, Disney backpedaled on the decision and the fee was reversed.

FuelRod Station

However, now FuelRod has put a Founders status in place where guests who purchased a kit before October 26th, 2019 would be able to take advantage of the free swapping status. Customers who made the purchase after the date would be required to pay a $3 fee. So basically, the change of charging $3 per swap is back and (seemingly) here to stay, but they threw OG FuelRod users a bone.

During our most recent visit to Magic Kingdom, we noticed the new policy is already in place.

FuelRod

Although guests can check online ahead of time if their email is eligible for Founders status, they can also download the FuelRod app to check as well. The FuelRod app is also another option for contactless charger swapping that will allow people to receive the charger without heavily interacting with the kiosk.

FuelRod App

If guests sign up for the free app, they will also receive a $3 credit that will allow them to swap their FuelRod once for free. Guests who sign in with the same email they used previously will be recognized as a “Founders’ status” customer.

FuelRod App

After you choose whether you’d like to buy or swap the FuelRod…

FuelRod App

…you can scan the QR Code or enter the location’s ID manually to be able to receive the FuelRod from the kiosk.

FuelRod App

If you’re purchasing a portable charger for the first time, the FuelRod costs $30 for the service.

FuelRod App

When you’re swapping your FuelRod, be sure to follow the instructions on the app to place it into the machine the correct way…

FuelRod App

…before either confirming that you have a $0 or $3 swapping fee!

FuelRod App

The FuelRod will be released for guests to take before returning back to another location to swap their charger again.

FuelRod Station

Although the new modified system for FuelRod customers allows people who previously signed up for the service to take advantage of that free swapping fee, there is still a price increase for new customers.

Since the original short-lived price hike was a HOTLY debated topic amongst Disney World guests, this is at least a way for Founders to maintain their free swapping status. If you waited to get that FuelRod though, you’ll be hit with a $3 swap fee each time. While we keep exploring Disney World, we’ll keep you updated on any other new procedures we find in the parks!

These are the best ways to keep your phone battery charged!

Have you used the FuelRod service before? Let us know in the comments below!