FuelRod swap fee canceled for now at Disney World
Days after signs started showing up around Disney World informing guests of a new $3 swap fee for the FuelRod portable chargers, Disney has apparently decided to hold off on implementing the charge.
The kiosks throughout the resort stated that as of Nov. 1, 2019, there would be a $3 charge to swap charges. There was no fee previously. But after a public backlash, including a class-action lawsuit filed in California, because the kiosk stated “free unlimited swaps,” Disney has backed down from the increase.
FuelRod told The Disney Food Blog that the decision to add the fee was Disney Parks and Disney has decided to suspend the increase due to negative guest reaction.
Disney has not made any announcement. At noon, the Disney World website still reflected the price increase, but by 2 p.m., the site eliminated the additional charge.
The kiosks were introduced at Disney World in 2016, allowing guests to recharge their Apple and Android devices. The one-time $30 charge provides a portable charger and charging cable.
As the battery runs out, all a person had to do was go to a kiosk and swap out the portable charger. At Disney World, the selling point was that the swap was free and there were unlimited swaps.
As Disney is having guests rely on their portable devices more with the use of My Disney Experience app and the Play Disney Parks app, keeping devices charged is even more important.
