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Disney Is Giving Away Free Merchandise, Here’s How To Get Yours

Jess Colopy August 25, 2024

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Walt Disney World Merchandise — Credit: Inside the Magic

Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort are giving away free FuelRod upgrades to any guest who owns an old model of the portable electronic charger. Keep reading to find out how to claim yours.

A FuelRod is a portable electronic charger that guests can purchase at kiosks throughout Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kindom Theme Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs, Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and Downtown Disney District. The batteries cost $38 and come with charging cables compatible with iPhones and Androids.

Aerial view of World Celebration construction at EPCOT. — Credit: @bioreconstruct via X (formerly Twitter)

What makes a FuelRod different than packing your own portable charging device? Guests with dead FuelRods can either recharge them at an outlet or exchange them at another kiosk throughout the Disney parks–for free!

Disney parks are some of the last locations to offer free FuelRod exchanges. Other theme park chains, like Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and Six Flags, host the kiosks but charge guests to swap their dead FuelRods for charged replacements.

A large sign with colorful flags and bold white text reading "Six Flags World Headquarters" stands amid manicured landscaping with red flowers and green bushes, signifying the new policies on guest access. A building and a parked vehicle are visible in the background. — Credit: Six Flags

Now, Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort guests are offering FuelRod owners an additional freebie: an upgrade to a newer battery model with extra cables. Redditor u/Tricky-Possession-69 noticed the change in Central Florida:

“Pleasantly surprised today when I exchanged a Fuel Rod at World Traveler in Epcot. Expected the usual rod for rod swap, but instead the machine said my two were too old and rejected them. But then the screen said that I could upgrade. (There’s a small button at the bottom to get to the upgrade screen.) I expected a cost, but it was free and here’s the surprise: turns out, the upgrade issued an entirely new pack with the fuel rod, cords, container etc. Not sure of all the machines are doing this now but it was unexpected.

So I got two brand new rods with all the accoutrement with each for a total of $0.”

A FuelRod edited in front of Cinderella Castle. — Credit: Inside the Magic

“Like a month ago FuelRod discontinued the original FuelRods and released a new version,” u/Travis cat explained. “Maybe 3 weeks ago the locations at Disney World got the new versions and will do a free swap if you have a version 1 to a version 2. The new one is like 20% higher capacity, charges via usb-c (instead of usb-a), and has a button on the front to tell you how much charge you have left (4 lights).”

An Inside the Magic team member confirmed guests can also update their FuelRods for free at the Southern California Disney parks.

Check out the new FuelRod in this video from The Mangerino Adventures on YouTube: