Hey Thrill Seekers,
As always we’re getting right to the heart of the zeitgeist. Popcorn buckets!!! Why are they so popular and which ones should you buy! You’re welcome…
Seriously though, how did they become so popular?
2022 had a lot to answer for, not only did Argentina win the World Cup but Popcorn Buckets became a viral craze, the phenomenon is mostly put down to Disney’s limited-edition Figment-shaped bucket at Epcot’s Festival of the Arts. Although Popcorn Buckets had been a thing as early on as 1990 the fever really took control when Figment entered the fray, his Popcorn Bucket became so popular that people were purchasing them on resale sites for way over the retail price. Some Disney visitors queued for over 6 hours to get their hands on one! We now tend to see a new Figment bucket yearly.
Why are they so popular?
Well this is harder to pinpoint. Some state it’s a mixture of psychological, cultural, and practical reasons citing reasons such as;
- They’re a practical souvenir, you can use them in the parks and at home
- Branded with characters that we feel an emotional connection too
Others state that the theme parks have created a kind of frequency illusion where we believe that Popcorn Buckets are more popular than they actually are and therefore creates a demand for them. No parks release individual souvenir sales so it’s hard to quantify however the buzz is definitely real. There is a strong collection and perceived resell value for this items which is reminiscent of comic books.
Social media has definitely been a catalyst for their appeal, the buckets are often described as cute. Their vibrant colours add to the aesthetic appeal and the over the top feel, makes them perfect for online reactions. Instagram currently has over 100k posts about theme park Popcorn Buckets and although TikTok doesn’t display the amount who have tagged Popcorn Buckets a quick search shows accounts with millions and million of views.
Which ones should I collect?
At Disney World, buckets are often tied to special events like EPCOT festivals:
Epcot – Figment Popcorn Bucket (EPCOT Festival of the Arts) – a high-demand seasonal favourite, available via mobile order only during the festival (16 Jan – 23 Feb 2026). Figment buckets historically draw very long lines and sell out quickly because fans see them as more collectible than regular buckets. Check out the Figment bucket coming this month along with other cool options that have been available at EPCOT
Animal Kingdom Themed Popcorn Buckets (e.g., Simba/Pumbaa) — were available as park-wide items and may still be circulating. Check out these that have been available at Animal Kingdom Recently!
Magic Kingdom – the carousel one is one of my favourite buckets and what you can’t see from the image is… it spins and plays a dream is a wish your heart makes! What more could you need in a popcorn bucket hey?!
Seasonal events also bring new popcorn buckets ‘cos why not? check out some of the ones recently offered for Halloween below!
Hollywood Studios – It’s gotta be Star Wars related right? Check out the clone trooper – a hit with all Star Wars fans!
Universal Orlando
Epic Universe – Light-Up Popcorn Bucket; comes with built-in lights (blue/green/red glow), themed around the new park’s logo, and sometimes includes the first popcorn fill free. This is one of the newer Universal buckets from the park’s merchandise line and was popular with fans attending Epic Universe previews.
Another favorite of mine is the Toothless popcorn bucket, which I saw everywhere during my visit to Epic last year! Here are some of the popcorn buckets you can find at Epic Universe.
There are so many to choose from at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios too. You’ll be sure to find your favourite character to stuff with popcorn. Some are even available to buy online!
SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa have also had their share of popcorn bucket offerings with a few Sesame Street styles available over the last few years. We’re yet to see if there are any new offerings for this year though!
Are you an avid popcorn bucket collector or are you happy to munch on the deliciousness of american popcorn from a booooring cardboard box?
If you were in charge, what characters would you base your popcorn buckets on?
Smiles Included,
Jamie
