Disney is releasing a Cars 20th Anniversary Lightning McQueen popcorn bucket at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort starting June 9, 2026, and this one doesn’t just sit there looking pretty.
The announcement came from Disney Eats, confirming the bucket arrives at both coasts next Monday. The design is a detailed Lightning McQueen sculpt number 95, Rust-eze livery, signature grin, and it features built-in lights and a pull-back-and-go function that lets the bucket actually roll forward. Check out all our Disney popcorn buckets here.
The timing ties directly into the Cars franchise’s 20th anniversary. Pixar’s original 2006 film turns 20 this year, and Disney has been marking the milestone with merchandise across shopDisney, the parks, and licensing partnerships throughout 2026. A popcorn bucket that functions as a light-up toy racer is a fitting centerpiece for that celebration.
Pricing has not been officially confirmed ahead of the June 9 release date. Based on comparable interactive and light-up novelty buckets at Disney parks — including the Disneyland 70th Mickey bucket at $50.99 — guests should expect this one to land in a similar premium tier. Refill pricing typically applies at standard popcorn cart rates after purchase.
Specific locations at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort have not been announced yet. Disney parks novelty items of this profile typically turn up at high-traffic popcorn stands and quick-service locations across multiple parks, so availability should be relatively broad when it launches.
For a full breakdown of every Disney popcorn bucket currently available at both resorts, including prices and locations, visit our Disney Popcorn Buckets hub at Fantasy Land News.
Our Take: This is the bucket of the summer for Cars fans, and honestly, for anyone who appreciates a novelty that actually does something. The pull-back motor turns a $50 souvenir into something a kid (or a collector) will actually play with. If Disney prices it at the Disneyland Mickey tier, some guests will hesitate — but the light-up plus roll combo is genuinely hard to say no to when you’re standing in front of it. Ka-Chow, indeed.
We’ll update this article with confirmed pricing and exact locations as soon as they’re available
