Credit: DisneySometimes the longest line at Disney isn’t for a ride or a character, but the opportunity to splash cash on a kitschy piece of plastic. Popcorn buckets have fast become some of the most in-demand souvenirs at Disney theme parks worldwide, generating wait times of up to four hours (yes, four) with cute, collectible designs inspired by films and attractions alike.
As popcorn buckets have grown more popular, so has scalping – AKA the practice of buying up merch in bulk to later resell at a higher price on the likes of eBay. Over the past few years, we’ve seen Disney introduce purchase limits to try and combat scalpers, but it’s still a common issue at Disney parks worldwide. For proof, just see the eight-hour line that formed at Shanghai Disneyland – and the chaos that ensued as regular parkgoers battled resellers – for limited edition Duffy backpacks earlier this month.
Related: Rare Disney Items Continues to Face Price Gouging, Even From Certified Sellers
For the humble merchandise collector, however, there is some value in knowing how much your popcorn buckets are worth. Some are far more valuable than others – think rare characters or seasonal buckets – and can even generate hundreds of dollars in online auctions. Here are 10 of the most valuable that may be lurking in your collection…
Chip and Dale Spring Basket Bucket (2024)
This is a recent addition to the parks, going on sale at Disneyland Resort in February this year. The spring-inspired popcorn bucket is one of the most adorable in recent memory, featuring everyone’s favorite chipmunks in a colorful Easter Egg basket.
While it originally sold for $26.75 in Disneyland Park and California Adventure, someone recently sold theirs for $750 (!!!) on eBay. This is the extreme end of the spectrum, but several others have also been sold for around $200 each.
Poisoned Apple Cauldron Bucket (2019)
Five years ago, Walt Disney World Resort heralded the beginning of the spooky season with a light-up popcorn bucket inspired by the Evil Queen’s poisoned treat for Snow White. This cost $17 at the time (a throwback to pre-pandemic theme park prices) and was available in orange, purple, and green.
There will also be a NEW Cauldron Premium Popcorn Bucket. Starting mid-September, this light-up bucket will be available at #Disneyland and all four parks and Disney Springs at Walt #DisneyWorld Resort. #Halloween #Disney
There will also be a NEW Cauldron Premium Popcorn Bucket. Starting mid-September, this light-up bucket will be available at #Disneyland and all four parks and Disney Springs at Walt #DisneyWorld Resort. #Halloween #Disney pic.twitter.com/y81Z01ciBY
— ThrillGeek (@thrillgeek) August 9, 2018
It turns out parkgoers are just as keen on the idea five years later, as this popcorn bucket can still go for good money on eBay. The orange bucket is particularly popular, with one selling for $175 in recent months.
Shanghai Disneyland TRON Lightcycle Bucket (2016)
When Shanghai Disneyland opened in 2016, it was home to the first (and, at the time, only) TRON attraction in the world. Magic Kingdom may have opened up its own dupe since then, but one thing that hasn’t made it Stateside is the TRON Lightcycle Bucket, one of the coolest popcorn buckets to ever hit Disney property, with wheels that light up just like the movies.
My friend Drew also got the amazing TRON lightcycle popcorn bucket from Shanghai Disneyland #tron #disney
My friend Drew also got the amazing TRON lightcycle popcorn bucket from Shanghai Disneyland #tron #disney pic.twitter.com/6LVjQcc9HN
— Sasaki Time (@SasakiTime) July 19, 2016
We’re not surprised that this bucket is still pretty in demand eight years later – in fact, we’d be more surprised if it wasn’t. One lucky soul snapped up a bucket listed at $133 in January. Listings are few and far between, so if you’re in the market to buy one of these bad boys, you may be waiting a while.
Timon and Pumbaa Sipper and Popcorn Bucket (2023)
One of Disney’s most iconic duos makes for an equally iconic sipper and bucket set. First sold in 2023 to celebrate Animal Kingdom’s 25th Anniversary, the Timon sipper ($18 without soda, $19.25 with soda) and Pumbaa bucket ($22) were still available in the park as recently as a month or two ago, yet still go for an inflated price on eBay.
@magicmomentshoppers New Timon Sipper and Pumba Popcorn Bucket! Magic Moment Shoppers, Disney Personal Shoppers local to the Orlando area. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to find out how we can help bring your favorite Disney merchandise home to you. #disneypersonalshopper #disneypersonalshoppers #disneyshopper #personalshopper #wdwpersonalshopper #disneyparkspersonalshopper #waltdisneyworldpersonalshopper #disneymerch #disneymerchandise #disneymerchalert #disneyshopping #disneyfinds #waltdisneyworldresort #disneyworld #waltdisneyworld #disneyparks #disneyparksmerch #disneypopcornbucket #lionking #timonandpumba
Anyone lucky enough to have the set can get as much as $94.99 for the pair. If you’re on the buying side of this relationship, there’s no shortage of sets being listed on a weekly basis, so you have room to haggle.
Figment Popcorn Bucket (2022)
Oh, Figment. Once a cult favorite for a small demographic of diehard Disney fans, the purple dragon went mainstream when his popcorn bucket launched – complete with multi-colored popcorn – and generated four-hour-long lines around EPCOT in 2022. The story even made national headlines, kickstarting a whole new era for popcorn bucket culture.
Related: Disney Places Same Restrictions On New Collectibles Despite Figment Popcorn Bucket Disaster
Disney World brought Figment back for round two in 2023 and got a headstart on long lines by introducing a virtual queue. He’s still popular a year later, with Figment buckets going at a rapid rate on eBay – sometimes for as high as $99.
Zero Nightmare Before Christmas Popcorn Bucket (2023)
Last year marked 30 years of The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), which obviously meant the time was ripe for a new film-inspired popcorn bucket. Disneyland Resort welcomed the Zero bucket just in time for Halloween, charging $29.50 for the lil plastic ghost puppy – which lights up by the way.
Less than a year later, the same item goes for more than three times that amount. Brand-new Zero buckets sell for $104.95 a pop – and that’s months before Halloween hits.
Santa Mater Christmas Popcorn Bucket (2023)
Last year’s festive popcorn bucket was a (literal) banger. Disneyland Resort guests could purchase Mater in his Santa best over the holiday season, with the popcorn bucket costing just $27.79 when you bought it in the park.
@pincessshannon I looove Tow Mater 🥹 I was gonna diy my og Tow Mater popcorn bucket into a Christmas / holiday one, so this is even better ! 🥰 #disneylandchristmas #disneycars #towmater #disneypopcornbucket
Today, obviously, it’s a different story. Christmas popcorn buckets tend to change every year, so the exclusivity has driven prices up to as much as $90 per bucket. Expect that price to soar again once people get into the festive spirit for 2024.
Tokyo Disneyland Tangled Lantern Popcorn Bucket (2021)
It’s a universally acknowledged truth that Tokyo Disney Resort sells the best popcorn buckets. Between Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, there’s no shortage of creative, quality designs to purchase across the parks – if you’re willing to cross continents to make the purchase, of course.
THE TANGLED LANTERN TOKYO DISNEY POPCORN BUCKET IS THE COOLEST POPCORN BUCKET I HAVE EVER SEEN 🌟🌟
THE TANGLED LANTERN TOKYO DISNEY POPCORN BUCKET IS THE COOLEST POPCORN BUCKET I HAVE EVER SEEN 🌟🌟 pic.twitter.com/U21PpLi0Jk
— ☆オードリーAudrey☆ (@aitaikimochi) October 2, 2019
Considering the fact that they’re A) better than most popcorn buckets in the US and B) so limited in availability beyond Japan, the resort’s buckets typically cost a small fortune on eBay. The most expensive right now is this Tangled lantern bucket from 2021, sold for $94.99 (complete with its own mini Pascal and lights).
Mickey Mouse Toy Soldier Christmas Popcorn Bucket (2023)
One of the most iconic hallmarks of a Disney Christmas is the Toy Soldiers marching down Main Street, U.S.A. Last year, parkgoers had the option to take their own miniature soldier home (except stuffed with popcorn and in the shape of Mickey Mouse, which we’d argue is far superior).
If you want to grab it for yourself now, it won’t come cheap. This popcorn bucket sells for roughly $100 – and, like other festive buckets, probably even more come the holidays.
Haunted Mansion 50th Anniversary Hitchhiking Ghosts Bucket Set (2019)
The rule of three is very much true of these buckets. Launched to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Resort in 2019, it groups together all three of the Hitchhiking Ghosts (Professor Phileas Plump, Ezra Bean, and Good Ol’ Gus) to not only store your popcorn, a donut, and drink in the coolest way possible but also light up and sing. Truly iconic.
Haunted Mansion has an avid fanbase, so it should come as no surprise that people are willing to pay a lot for this set. The standard going price is $100, although we’ve also spotted some listed for as much as $170.
What’s your favorite Disney popcorn bucket? Let us know in the comments!