You may have noticed this growing trend of popcorn buckets at Disney World. They have been around for ages but lately, they are basically turning into toys filled with popcorn. I love that they are making out to be fantastic collector’s items. I have a couple of Disney popcorn buckets that made office shelf status!
The whole process is simple. You get your popcorn, get discounted refills, and have a fantastic souvenir to take home in the end. So while these Disney souvenir popcorn buckets will run you on average about $15 a pop plus popcorn you still, in the long run, may come out saving money. Popcorn buckets are always changing at Disney World and the styles vary by season.
Where to Buy Disney Popcorn Buckets
You can purchase Disney popcorn buckets at any of the locations listed above. However, if you want to simply add to your collection or buy one that was sold out on your latest Disney trip, you can easily search for them on websites like eBay and Amazon.
For example, a simple search on eBay for “Disney Popcorn Buckets” returns over 4,000 results, with many designs such as Onward, Frozen Han Solo, Cinderella’s Carriage, and Haunted Mansion being some of your available options. While these can be more costly than what you’d pay in the parks, you also have a better chance of getting popcorn buckets you normally wouldn’t be able to such as the “it’s a small world” version that was only available in Tokyo Disney.
Amazon also has some available, although the selection isn’t as huge. Many of these include off-brand Disney buckets, so this may be better suited if you wanted to own something Disney-related just to have in your possession. Popcorn buckets are not currently available on Shop Disney’s website, however, that is always subject to change.
How Much Do They Cost?
On average, Disney popcorn buckets will cost anywhere from $10 to $25 depending on the type of design.
Popcorn Bucket Pricing
Like I mentioned early we find the average price of these buckets is around $15 but can cost anywhere from $10 – $20. When you get a bucket refill it will cost you $2. This is a bargain considering the standard price for a box of popcorn now costs $5 with the recent price hikes! Popcorn buckets are refillable at a discounted price for your length of stay. No matter the park or cart you originally bought your popcorn buckets at it can be refilled at any location that sells popcorn.
If you want to be adventurous with your popcorn lookout for flavored popcorn at Epcot. Flavored popcorn refills are available for the same price as regular popcorn. In Epcot look for a cart right outside the Imagination Pavilion. This special cart offers a variety of flavored popcorn. Plus don’t forget to head to the Canada pavilion, it has Maple-flavored popcorn.
Popcorn Bucket Locations by Park
Magic Kingdom
- Main Street Popcorn Cart – Near Guest Relations
- Castle Plaza Popcorn Cart – Tomorrowland side of the hub
- Fantasyland Maurice’s Amazing Popping Machine – Right by the shop and Gaston’s Tavern
- Fantasyland Storybook Circus Popcorn Cart – At the entrance of Storybook Circus
- Liberty Square Popcorn Cart – Near Liberty Tree Tavern
- Frontierland – Beside Westward Ho Refreshments, between Pecos Bill and Pirates of the Caribbean
- Frontierland – Outside Pecos Bills Tall Tale Cafe
- Tomorrowland Popcorn Cart
- Adventureland Snack Cart– Between Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise
Epcot
- Future World West Popcorn – Across from Imagination Pavilion
- Future World East Popcorn – by Test Track
- Future World Popcorn Cart – Near pin trading station
- Canada Pavilion
- Fife and Drum Tavern – America Pavilion
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Hot and Fresh Popcorn – just before Chinese Theater
- Animation Courtyard Popcorn Cart – Right in front of Animation Courtyard Entrance
- Hub Popcorn Cart – near Hyperion Theater
- Hollywood Hills Amphitheater – aka where Fantasmic! happens!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Mahindi Snack Cart in Harambe
- Harambe Market
- Corn-Ivore – Dinoland USA
- The Feeding Ground – Discovery Island
- Thirsty River Bar and Trek Snacks Entrance to Expedition Everest
Where to Refill Popcorn Buckets at Disney World
Fortunately, there are many areas throughout the parks where you can refill your popcorn buckets. Best of all, you don’t have to return to the same location you bought your popcorn to refill it. This means that any popcorn bucket purchased at Magic Kingdom can easily be filled at Hollywood Studios and vice versa.
There are a slew of popcorn refill locations scattered around the parks. Here’s a list of all the locations broken down by park:
Magic Kingdom:
- Tomorrowland Popcorn Cart near Space Mountain
- Liberty Square Popcorn Cart near Liberty Tree Tavern
- Main Street Popcorn Cart on the left-hand side near Guest Relations
- Fantasyland Maurice’s Amazing Popping Machine
- Frontierland near Westward Ho Refreshments and right outside Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Adventureland Snack Cart near Pirates of the Caribbean
- Castle Plaza Popcorn Cart near the hub at the end of Main Street closest to the entrance of Tomorrowland
- Fantasyland Storybook Circus Popcorn
Hollywood Studios:
- Hub Popcorn Cart near the Hyperion Theater
- Hollywood Hills Amphitheater near Fantasmic!
- Hot and Fresh Popcorn stand near Starbucks
- Animation Courtyard Popcorn Cart
Epcot:
- Future World Popcorn Cart
- Canada Pavilion (we recommend the maple popcorn)
- Future World East Popcorn Cart near Test Track
- Future World West Popcorn Cart near the Imagination Pavilion
- Fife and Drum Tavern in the America Pavilion
Animal Kingdom:
- Harambe Market
- The Feeding Ground in Discovery Island
- Mahindi Snack Cart in Harambe Africa
- Corn-Ivore Popcorn Cart in Dinoland USA.
- Thirsty River Bar and Trek Snacks near Expedition Everest
While you can purchase and refill your popcorn buckets at Disney Springs, the locations themselves change, however, the carts that usually sell ice cream and other traditional Disney snacks also sell the popcorn buckets.
Popcorn Bucket Designs
While there are a variety of popcorn buckets around the parks, you should be strategic when it comes time to find them. It’s unlikely that you’ll find a Star Wars-themed one in Magic Kingdom, so if you’re on the hunt for something Star Wars-related, your best bet is to visit Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios.
This strategy really only applies to themed popcorn buckets. Basic designs such as seasonal ones will usually be found at all the parks, however, they may be more concentrated in one area over the other.
The popcorn buckets at Disney change routinely based on the season. So, you’ll find Halloween and Christmas-themed buckets. You also may be able to find popcorn buckets themed to the parks themselves, as well as popular Disney films or events. We’ve recently seen the following at the parks:
- Mickey Mouse and Minnie Minnie in their iridescent 50th Anniversary celebration outfits
- Mickey Christmas Tree
- Yellow/Pink/Green/Blue Mickey Mouse balloon
- Steamboat Willie Mickey and Minnie
- Millennium Falcon
- Mickey and Friends
- Stitch
- Simba
- Alien dressed in holiday attire
- Disney Skyliner
The premium buckets, which are usually themed to certain characters and events like mentioned above, tend to sell out fast. While they do re-stock at the parks, it’s best not to leave it up to chance. If you really want that Mickey balloon popcorn bucket, don’t wait to buy it because it could be sold out when you go back.
Halloween Popcorn Buckets
This Mickey Pumpkin bucket debuted for the first Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in 2018! Of course, we had to snag one right up! It was $18 and qualifies for the $2 refill program!
Disney World Christmas Popcorn Buckets
Santa Pluto Popcorn Bucket
Check out Pluto’s adorable Christmas sweater!! He is just too perfect to say no to! You can access the popcorn from the back of Pluto.
Santa Alien Popcorn Bucket
Of course, we have to show off the brand new to 2018 holiday season, Santa Alien popcorn bucket. Thankfully these cuties have stayed in stock longer than their regular attire counterparts. The regular alien popcorn bucket that debuted with the opening of Toy Story Land sold out in hours and hasn’t been seen back since. His mouth pops open to reveal the popcorn packing inside!
Other Disney World Popcorn Buckets
AT-AT Popcorn Bucket
Star Wars fans will probably want the AT-AT bucket. We so far have only spotted this guy at Hollywood Studios, fitting as this will be the new home to Star Wars Land coming in 2019.
Mickey Balloon Popcorn Bucket
Are They Worth It?
In my opinion, popcorn buckets are a great investment for the duration of your Walt Disney World vacation, especially since you’re only paying $2 per refill. Usually, a bag of popcorn at Disney costs $5.25, so the money you’re saving per refill could easily cover the cost of bottled water throughout your trip. Furthermore, it’s a snack that makes you really feel like you’re getting your money’s worth since it can’t be eaten in a few small bites like an ice cream bar.
Disney popcorn buckets are kind of like the refillable mugs you can purchase at the Disney resorts. As long as you’re going to get your money’s worth, it’s a great investment.
They’re also great from a Disney collection standpoint. A lot of Disney fans display their popcorn bucket collection throughout the house, most notably in the kitchen or a Disney-themed office or workspace.
Can You Bring Old Popcorn Buckets Into the Disney Parks?
While you can bring older popcorn buckets in the park, you won’t be able to use them to get discounted refills during your trip. Unfortunately, older popcorn buckets will not be eligible for refills at any point during your stay, however, they do make an excellent photo op so if you want to bring them, just know they’ll be an accessory and nothing more.
What’s in Disney Popcorn?
The popcorn sold at Walt Disney World is actually something you can buy at your local grocery store: Pop Secret. Since 2015, Pop Secret has been the official popcorn of Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
However, Disney adds an additional ingredient to the Pop Secret popcorn called Flavacol, which is a brand of popcorn seasoning. This seasoning essentially just takes like a combination of butter and salt, but it sticks to each popcorn kernel better, giving each bite a lot of additional flavors. Best of all, if you want to pop your own Disney popcorn at home, you can buy Flavacol on Amazon. Click here to check it out.
On top of this, you can purchase a few different flavors of popcorn around the parks. For example, you can purchase maple-flavored popcorn in the Canada Pavilion in Epcot, as well as sour cream and chive, cheddar cheese, and buffalo bleu cheese in Future World near Journey Into Imagination with Figment. Guests can also purchase caramel popcorn at Karamell-Kuche in the Germany Pavilion. While this isn’t a refillable popcorn location, it’s worth mentioning.
Do you collect Disney popcorn buckets? Which Disney popcorn bucket is your favorite? Let us know in the comment section below : )
I have been visiting the parks annually since my parents first brought me at just a year old. Recently I was able to fulfill my life long dream of being a Florida local and moved from the wintery Northeast to the sunshine and fun of central Florida. Now I am hoping to share my Disney knowledge with you so you can have the best vacation possible!
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