If you’ve spent any time at Walt Disney World Resort during the holidays, you know how wild the hunt for exclusive merchandise can get. Limited-edition sippers and popcorn buckets tend to disappear faster than you can say “Mickey.” For years, fans have shown up at rope drop or waited in long lines just to secure that perfect holiday collectible. But that entire experience may be changing in a big way.
Disney has officially taken a bold new step to reshape how guests can get their hands on these high-demand items. And for many fans, this could be the most welcome change in years.
A New Way to Shop
For the first time, Disney has made some of its most sought-after holiday merchandise available online rather than restricting it to in-park sales. This year’s lineup includes a festive Sulley Santa popcorn bucket and a Donald Duck holiday tree light-up sipper.
In the past, these kinds of items created long lines in the parks and often sold out before lunchtime. Guests would line up at popcorn stands and quick-service windows the moment the park opened, hoping to grab one before resellers scooped them up.
This time, fans can simply order these items from home. The Sulley bucket is priced at $32.99, and the Donald sipper at $24.99, both with the kind of festive details and collectability that have made holiday merch drops such a frenzy.
Targeting the Real Problem
The reseller market has been a headache for Disney and fans alike. Every big drop brings waves of people loading up carts with as many items as the rules allow, only for those same items to pop up online hours later with huge markups. It’s frustrating for families, collectors, and even the Cast Members who have to manage the crowds.
Making these items available online helps level the playing field. It gives more fans a fair chance to actually get what they want without being caught in the reseller rush. It also allows Disney to better control distribution and manage inventory more strategically.
What This Means for the Parks
This change doesn’t mean that exclusive merchandise in the parks is going away. But it does mean the pressure around holiday releases may ease up a little. Long lines that stretch across walkways, early morning scrambles, and disappointed guests may become less common.
It could also make park days a bit more relaxed. Instead of spending the first hour of the day standing in a popcorn bucket line, guests can focus on rides, shows, and seasonal experiences.
A Win for Fans
Disney has been listening to guest feedback about long lines, limited availability, and resale markups for years. Moving some items online isn’t just a clever strategy—it’s a win for fans who want a fair shot at their favorite collectibles.
If this trial run goes well, this could become the new normal for future holiday and seasonal drops. And that might just make the next big merch craze a little less chaotic.
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