Aaaah, Disney POPCORN. Is any day in a Disney park complete without this golden goodie? Sure, you can pop some up at home anytime. But there is just something about strolling down Main Street with a buttery batch of popcorn that makes it a quintessential Disney snack experience.

The thing about popcorn (obviously  ) is that you have to carry it around with you. And the Disney Parks in the U.S.A. and around the world in destinations like Tokyo Disneyland (where popcorn and popcorn buckets have a following all their own) have made an absolute artform of Disney Popcorn Buckets, transforming them from simple food vessels into highly popular collectibles! Today we’re POPPING around to various Disney destinations to bring you the BEST Disney Popcorn Buckets OF ALL TIME.

Of course, you can snag your Popcorn by the box.

Or pick up a standard Refillable Popcorn Bucket. (In Disney World, you can grab those refills at $2.25 a pop for length of stay!)

But today we’re talking about PREMIUM Popcorn Buckets in all sorts of shapes and sizes. So maybe take a moment to grab your favorite popcorn bucket, fill ‘er up, then POP back over and join us on a stroll down Disney Popcorn Bucket Lane!

Figment Popcorn Bucket

The Figment Popcorn Bucket is the stuff of LEGEND.

No one was prepared for the phenomenon of the Figment Popcorn Bucket when it made its debut at the 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Arts. We’re talking OVER SIX HOUR wait times. Buckets being sold for unreal prices on ebay. “Bad Artwork Sketch” tributes originally created in jest ultimately raising money for charity. Hidden secrets in the Bucket revealed only in the correct lighting.

This year, Figment returned to the 2023 Festival of the Arts WITHOUT the wait (thanks to use of Mobile Order via the My Disney Experience app) at his VERY OWN FOOD BOOTH:  Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey: Art, Food, and Little Sparks of Magic.

We can only hope that Figment returns again for the EPCOT Festival of the Arts next year!

(Hmmm… if the wait times were over six hours just for the Figment Bucket, what will wait times look like when Figment fans can meet him when he arrives in EPCOT later this year??)

Click HERE to read the Tale of the Figment Popcorn Bucket

R2-D2 Popcorn Bucket

But do you know who rivaled Figment for EPIC wait times? Everyone’s favorite droid! When the R2-D2 Popcorn Bucket beeped and booped his way in Tokyo Disneyland, multiple-hour wait times were likewise reported. But that’s not the only time he rolled onto the scene…

A long time ago… before Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was constructed in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney World hosted Star Wars Weekends. (Raise your hand if you remember Jedi Mickey, Leia Minnie, Darth Goofy, and Stormtrooper Donald!) And the R2-D2 Popcorn Bucket was just one of the available Star Wars souvenirs and sippers for the beloved event. (Oh, boy… thinking about all this not only makes me nostalgic for Star Wars Weekends, but also for THOSE PRICES!! R2 was a STEAL!)

Millennium Falcon Popcorn Bucket

Indeed, Star Wars Popcorn Buckets have come in many forms over the years, and it’s difficult to choose just one to spotlight. Popcorn Buckets have captured iconic characters and ships including — but not limited to — Darth Vader, Mouse Droids, Han Solo in Carbonite, and TIE Fighters. But perhaps none captured the hearts of Popcorn Bucket collectors quite so much as the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy… the Millennium Falcon Popcorn Bucket!

Not only did the Millennium Falcon make the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs… it also carries popcorn. And LIGHTS UP.

It originally debuted in Disneyland, then arrived in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And though we haven’t seen the Millennium Falcon in a while, keep your eyes peeled, because we have seen it come and go in Hollywood Studios, specifically.

P.S. I can’t mention the Han Solo in Carbonite Bucket and not show it to you, soooo….

…there you go.

Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Mickey Balloon Popcorn Buckets

A Mickey Balloon that won’t ultimately deflate or pop? It’s a dream…

And that dream has become a reality, thanks to the Mickey Balloon Popcorn Bucket!

While the Balloon Buckets have had a few iterations over the years (from Mickey Pumpkin Balloon Buckets to Steamboat Willie Balloon Buckets), a certain Mickey Balloon Bucket was released exclusively in Magic Kingdom for the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Walt Disney World (which ends on March 31, 2023).

Or perhaps I should say BUCKETS? Because this beauty came in FOUR bright and beautiful colors: the vivid blue pictured above was joined by green, pink, and sunny yellow, sending collectors to Popcorn Carts in all corners of Magic Kingdom to grab them all!

More recently, a Rainbow Mickey Balloon Bucket arrived in Magic Kingdom.

And Disneyland just debuted its own bright and shiny version for the Disney 100 Years of Wonder Anniversary celebration!

Which one is YOUR favorite?

Click HERE to see MORE Disney100 Popcorn Buckets and Sippers NOW AVAILABLE in Disneyland!

Toy Story Alien Popcorn Bucket

ooOOooOOoo!! When Toy Story Land opened in Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2018, the Alien Popcorn Bucket landed along with it!

Just prior to his arrival in Hollywood Studios, he was available as an Annual Passholder exclusive in Disneyland.

The beloved bucket tribute to the Little Green Men met with such success that a special version showed up for the Holiday Season, complete with a Santa Hat! (Fun fact: the Santa Alien Bucket was previously available in Tokyo Disneyland well before his arrival in Hollywood Studios.)

He arrived again the following year in Buffalo Plaid Christmas jammies!

No matter the outfit, we’re happy whenever the Little Green Alien Popcorn Bucket lands here on earth again!

Cinderella Carriage Popcorn Bucket

The Popcorn Buckets we’ve discussed so far have many things in common: they’re fun, whimsical, and wonderfully detailed. But it’s rare that we’ve used the word “lovely” to describe a Disney Popcorn Bucket… until the Cinderella Carriage Popcorn Bucket made it’s arrival.

Originally released in Disney World in tandem with the live-action Cinderella film in 2015, the former-pumpkin-turned-grand-coach-turned-popcorn-bucket arrived in Disneyland in 2021.

It’s a Popcorn Bucket fit for a Princess, indeed!

Stitch Popcorn Bucket

Do you love Stitch? Then odds are good you’ll ADORE the Stitch Popcorn Bucket that was available Tokyo Disneyland! Here, you see him “munching” on some Scrump Dumplings instead of popcorn.

And if you would love to learn more about what our lovely friend Heather (@diningindisney on Instagram) shares about what she calls the “micro-culture” of popcorn in Tokyo Disneyland, you can click here!

Oogie Boogie Popcorn Bucket

“Well, well, well… what have we here?” Why, it’s the Oogie Boogie Popcorn Bucket!

This Oogie Boogie Bucket has a secret… he GLOWS in the DARK!

He originally took Disneyland at Halloween Time by storm before making appearances at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party in Disney World. A newer Bucket featuring this baddie — complete with with glowing eyes — arrived in Magic Kingdom in 2019.

And let’s face it…

… it’s a lot easier to love Oogie Boogie when he’s filled with POPCORN instead of… you know, BUGS. 

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Popcorn Bucket

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opened in Magic Kingdom in May 2014. (Oh, my goodness! This “new” ride is now almost 10 years old… times flies when you’re having fun in Magic Kingdom, doesn’t it?).

The following year, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Popcorn Bucket hit the scene.

Like some of the other buckets you’ve already seen here, this one was complete with a special effect, too. Just like the cars on the Magic Kingdom coaster…

… it swings! And, if you had more than one Bucket, the cars could attach to form a Popcorn Bucket train!

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride Popcorn Bucket

While the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Popcorn Bucket came out in tribute to a then-new attraction, a Popcorn Bucket that arrived much more recently pays tribute to a true classic: Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. 

Though guests can still take a wild ride in Disneyland park, the attraction shut down in Disney World and was transformed into what is now The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

And it seems that fact has only increased Mr. Toad’s popularity, as he has been given tributes in everything from the Mr. Toad Popcorn Bucket (which has still been spotted in Magic Kingdom as recently as February 2023)

…to Dome Cakes and Brat Burgers!

Take a wild ride with the Mr. Toad Popcorn Bucket HERE!

“it’s a small world” Popcorn Bucket

The Happiest Cruise That Ever Sailed is another attraction that has reached its own Popcorn Bucket status. And, oh, what we would give for the “it’s a small world” Popcorn Bucket from Tokyo Disneyland to set sail to Disneyland Resort and Disney World, too! Just look at this beautiful bucket…

With many thanks to our friend @tokyodisneylorien on Instagram, we can at least enjoy the photo for now! (We told you Tokyo Disneyland was good at this!!)

See The Happiest-Ever Popcorn Bucket HERE!

Main Street Electrical Parade Elliot Dragon Popcorn Bucket

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Disneyland proudly presents” the Elliot Dragon Popcorn Bucket!

Elliot made his way to Disneyland when the Main Street Electrical Parade made a limited-time return to Disneyland park, celebrating 50 YEARS of the beloved nighttime parade.

But wait… THERE’S MORE! Just like he does in the Main Street Electrical Parade…

… Elliot LIGHTS UP!!! Truly a picture perfect souvenir!

Honorable Mentions for Holiday Popcorn Buckets

Before we go, let’s give a nod to a few more of those once-a-year Popcorn Buckets that make the Holiday Season in Disney World and Disneyland just a little sweeter, starting with 2022’s sensational, spinning, MUSICAL Tin Popcorn Bucket!

Click this link to see — and HEAR — the Musical Popcorn Bucket in action!

The Light-Up Christmas Tree in green, white, and gold has been a holiday hit for a few years now.

Anyone remember Pluto in his Ugly Christmas Sweater??

Aaah… the MEMORIES!

We hope you’ve enjoyed this Popcorn Bucket Photo Tour. And now, we would love to hear from you! Are YOU a Disney Popcorn Bucket collector, and if so, what is the prized favorite of your collection? Or is there a certain Popcorn Bucket grail you still seek?

Until then, as our pal Mickey says…

… SEE YOU REAL SOON!

Click HERE to See Every SinglePopcorn BucketYou Can Get in Disney World Right Now!

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The post Best Disney Popcorn Buckets OF ALL TIME first appeared on the disney food blog.