Once you purchase a souvenir popcorn bucket from one of the carts throughout the Walt Disney World Resort theme park, you can get refills at a reduced price for the length of your stay. Therefore, your popcorn bucket from your previous visit may not be re-used.

At Walt Disney World and Disneyland, the official policy is that you can only receive discounted refills on popcorn buckets purchased during your current length of stay. Technically, Disney releases "seasonal" or "event-specific" buckets that are only valid for refills during that specific window (e.g., a Halloween bucket is valid during the Halloween season). However, in practice, many guests bring back "standard" buckets from previous trips, and while individual Cast Members may occasionally allow a refill, it is not a guaranteed benefit and is officially discouraged. In 2026, many of the newest "Premium" or "Souvenir" buckets—like the ones shaped like Figment or AT-AT walkers—are highly tracked. To avoid disappointment, it is best to assume you will need to purchase a new bucket (currently around $13 to $18) to take advantage of the $2.25 refill price. If you are a frequent visitor, the "refillable bucket" is still one of the best values in the park, as it can be shared among a family and provides a low-cost snack throughout your entire vacation, provided you have the current "active" bucket for that season.