We’re poppin’ in with a couple of updates for you regarding the Refillable Popcorn Bucket program in Disney World!
In case you missed the original buzz, Refillable Popcorn Buckets hit the scene in late June. Guests could purchase a souvenir Popcorn Bucket at select Popcorn Carts around Disney World for $10.00 and have it refilled at any Popcorn Cart on property (no matter where the original Bucket was purchased) for $1.50 for the remainder of the day. [Editor’s Update: Please note, the refill price increased to $1.75 in March 2018.]
The program was originally scheduled to run through September 1st. However, September 1st has come and gone… and the Refillable Popcorn Buckets are still up for grabs! At Magic Kingdom, they’ve even received a spooky little makeover in honor of the arrival of Halloween.
(Yep, I know we’re not even halfway done with September, but Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is already in full swing at Magic Kingdom on select evenings through October 31st!)
But wait… there’s more!! As stated earlier, on previous menus the Refillable Popcorn Buckets were noted as being “Valid for day of purchase,” as on the sign you see below.
However, one of our DFB Team Member’s JUST found THIS sign at Mahindi, the Popcorn Stand in Animal Kingdom’s Africa:
See the difference? It now reads “Valid for Length of Stay.” (!!!)
Though we don’t know the new anticipated end date for the program, according to orlandoparksnews.com it has been extended through October 31st… at this point. Remember, though, this is Disney. They can change their mind whenever they want ;), so we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Buckets available for longer. Here’s hoping!
Did you grab a Refillable Popcorn Bucket this summer? Please let us know with a comment!
Keri says
We visited for Labor Day weekend and purchased the refillable popcorn bucket. Such a great deal, popcorn is a must have Disney snack. I wondered how the program worked and found out the stand has a book with pictures of the buckets that are in circulation.
Mike V says
Not to brag about breaking rules, I guess I just “popped” them….
But during our trip at end of July into August we had to issues filling the same bucket over muliple days.
So maybe that happened because the plan was to then allow it…..
Becky @ Disney in your Day says
If it’s for length of stay I would definitely go for that! The one day thing wasn’t great for me because as much as I love popcorn, there’s only so much I can eat in a day. And my husband isn’t a big popcorn person so while he might have a little, it’s mostly up to me 😉
Catherine says
Will this extend to the Disneyland parks? We normally go to the World, but this year we are going to the first. I love the popcorn!!
Caryn says
We went in July and used the buckets multiple times. We were never required to show proof of purchase from that day and even got a refill first thing in the morning in Magic Kingdom with a bucket from Epcot.
Jennifer says
I hope they keep this around for awhile (our next trip is a good bit away). We’re big popcorn fans but that means we actually don’t like (to pay for) popcorn that’s been sitting in a cart for ????? We’d go for a refillable bucket we can use for the whole length of our stay, though.
Stacey says
I was there for 15 days in August and popcorn is probably our favorite snack at Disney but at $4 a scoop it was never enough for me and my 2 kids. My sister in law who came down with us bought the bucket and was told by the cast member that even though it says for just the day, that we could use it the whole trip as they have no way of tracking it (meaning no chip in it). My kids were over the moon. What a huge savings. We used it every day and my kids used their spending money to each buy a refill every day. Never bothered with the buckets before as I’m all set with another bucket at home, but this I would buy every year as it was such a saver for us and let me and my kids have an inexpensive snack everyday.
melanie says
We will be going to Disney in 3 weeks for our sons 1st time! he’s 12, however he has celiac and LOVES popcorn. Is the popcorn gluten free??
Gigi says
It’s like Christmas in September!!!! We are heading down to WDW next week and I was hoping the refillable popcorn buckets would still be around. DH and I can eat a LOT of popcorn, so fair warning to anyone else who might want popcorn while we’re there 😉 Does anyone have access to the bucket designs in each park? We usually go to Epcot as soon as we arrive, but might change it if there is cuter bucket somewhere else.
Essie says
Yes, I too, would like to see all four designs!
Cathy says
I am not suggesting breaking the rules but if they don’t check for proof of purchase what would stop a family who was finishing their vacation from giving another family their bucket?
Lori says
Melanie, according to Disney’s dietary restrictions list, the freshly popped popcorn served hot at kiosks around Disney World is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.
For popcorn sold pre-packaged at grab-n-goes or the flavored popcorn sold at Epcot, you’ll have to read the individual labels.
Becky M says
We just inquired about the “Length of Stay” and were told by several CM’s that the bucket is refillable until the design changes!
Chuck says
I was just at Epcot yesterday, and I bought a Christmas themed one, so it seems it’s staying around through the holidays at least.
Janice loves disney says
We got them at the mickeys not so scary party at the end of october and the staff refilled them for a 1.50 the next day we went to the park. So I was hoping they would continue this. If not 10 is a lot for popcorn. Just ate some popcorn tonight out of it. Love the souvenir bucket.
vicky says
We purchased a bucket during a Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party and used it for the full stay. This was in December!
Catherine says
My family will be at the parks the first week of January for Marathon weekend. Any word on if this will still be available?
Kristina says
Any word on what the current designs look like? We have a refillable bucket we bought this past summer and didn’t know if it might still be passable on an upcoming trip in January. For that matter, anyone have any word on whether or not these will continue to be offered through Jan 2017?
Carrie says
I just got one from Magic Kingdom yesterday and it’s goofy and the gang riding Barnstormer. I’m hoping it’s refillable for me tomorrow. I didn’t read the small print on the sign.
Shannon says
Carrie – Can you confirm if the bucket was refillable the next day(s)?
Debbie says
We are going to be in Disney World next week. I to was just wondering if they are still offering the refillable popcorn bucket and also what the design is. Thanks!!
Kristina says
We’re here now, refilling our bucket each day with no problems. So far the designs we’ve seen are barn stormer from MK & mission space from Epcot.
Jennifer says
I was in the Magic Kingdom in December and the refillable souvenir buckets were refillable for $1.50. Cast member tells me that the refillable buckets are for now on and to bring it ever time we go
Catherine says
We purchased a refillable popcorn bucket on the Disney Fantasy last week. We were told by numerous crew members that the buckets were good both on the ships and on land. They said they had filled many buckets that people had brought on board from the parks and that we were welcome to purchase refills of our buckets at the parks.
We’re going back in September and going to take our bucket and see if they will refill it. The designs on the ships are the same ones that are currently in the parks.
Deric Duncan says
This is a huge part of visiting the Japanese Disney parks we have several buckets from there and no matter the age they fill them for the same price. I thought about bringing my Duffy one next time I visit Disney World.
Terry Spann says
We have several of the popcorn buckets and we just got the cauldron ones this past weekend! We Love Them!
every time we come to Disney World we bring one. Please don’t discontinue this program.