Credit: DisneyAnyone who’s been to a Disney park recently knows the feeling—you glance at the menu or browse through the merchandise and suddenly do a double-take. Prices that once seemed steep now feel jaw-dropping. Whether it’s tickets, snacks, or souvenirs, it sometimes feels like the cost of Disney magic keeps climbing higher and higher.
For many fans, it’s a small price for an unforgettable experience, but even the most dedicated admit that some things cross the line from expensive to downright outrageous.
Halloween Brings the Fun—and the Splurge
The Halloween season is one of the most exciting times at Disneyland and Disney World. Parks transform into festive playgrounds full of pumpkins, spooky décor, and limited-time treats. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Oogie Boogie Bash allow fans to enjoy unique shows, exclusive snacks, and collectible merchandise. It’s the kind of seasonal magic Disney does best—nostalgic, playful, and full of surprises.
But as anyone who has visited during this time knows, those seasonal goodies come with a hefty price tag. Guests pay not only for their tickets but also for the chance to grab limited-edition souvenirs. These souvenirs often sell out quickly; many fans treat them as once-a-year must-haves.
Sippers and Popcorn Buckets: The Must-Have Merch
Among the seasonal items that spark the most buzz are Disney’s collectible sippers and popcorn buckets. Over the past decade, these quirky little containers have gone from cute extras to full-on collectibles. Fans wait in long lines to snag them, trade them with others, and proudly display them at home.
Holiday-themed designs are especially popular—whether it’s a glow-in-the-dark Halloween sipper, a Christmas popcorn bucket shaped like a tree ornament, or a Valentine’s Day mug that sells out in hours. These items are fun, functional, and often designed with Disney’s signature attention to detail, which makes them irresistible to collectors.
But one particular sipper has recently grabbed headlines for all the wrong reasons, thanks to a staggering price jump outside the parks.
The Kuzco Poison Sipper
This year, the standout item comes from the Disney animated classic The Emperor’s New Groove (2000). The star of the show? The Kuzco Poison Sipper. Modeled after the infamous potion vial that sets off the movie’s plot, this sipper is a clever nod to a cult-favorite character and film.
The design is instantly recognizable. It’s a tall, purple and gold container shaped like the potion bottle Yzma tries to use to poison Kuzco—except in this case, it’s been transformed into a souvenir cup for fans to fill with their favorite fountain beverage. The sipper even comes with a matching lid and straw, giving it that over-the-top Disney flair collectors love.
At first glance, it’s just another fun collectible. But then you see the price tag—and realize things have taken a wild turn.
From Park Shelf to Price Shock
In Disneyland, the Kuzco Poison Sipper sells for $29.79 before tax. Pricey? Sure. But not unheard of for Disney seasonal merchandise, especially something this unique. Fans lined up to grab theirs, with many treating it as a one-of-a-kind souvenir to remember the season.
But outside the parks, the price has skyrocketed. The sipper has quickly become one of the hottest Disney collectibles on eBay and other resale sites. Resellers know the drill: buy the item at the park, list it online, and watch fans who couldn’t make the trip scramble to snatch one up at a marked-up rate.
One eBay store in particular has caught attention for listing the Kuzco sipper at $115. Shipping is free, but the price leap from just under $30 in the park to over $100 online is shocking. That’s nearly a fourfold increase—all for a plastic souvenir cup.
The Cost of Collecting
This isn’t the first time Disney fans have seen this happen. Popcorn buckets and sippers often make their way to resale sites within hours of release, usually at double or triple the original price. Collectors who can’t visit the parks or fear missing out are willing to pay the upcharge. That demand is what fuels the reseller market, and sellers know it.
What makes the Kuzco Poison Sipper stand out is just how extreme the price hike is. While $50 or $60 resale prices are standard for Disney collectibles, crossing the $100 mark pushes things into new territory. Fans are split—some see it as a harmless way to get their hands on a rare item, while others are frustrated that resellers snatch up limited-edition merch, leaving fewer available for guests in the parks.
A Pricey Reminder of Disney’s Seasonal Magic
Disney’s Halloween season is always about fun, nostalgia, and unique memories. From trick-or-treating in the parks to admiring spooky decorations, it’s a time of year when Disney’s creative spirit shines brightest. Limited-edition sippers and popcorn buckets are part of that magic, giving fans a tangible piece of the celebration to take home.
But that magic doesn’t come cheap. Between park admission, food, and the skyrocketing price of collectibles like the Kuzco Poison Sipper, it’s clear that Disney fun often comes with a severe price tag.
For fans lucky enough to snag the sipper in person, it’s a quirky addition to their collection and a nod to one of Disney’s funniest villains. For those stuck browsing online, though, the $115 upcharge is a sharp reminder of how expensive chasing Disney magic can be.