Hi Natalie,
Welcome to planDisney, and thanks for popping by with your question!
Popcorn buckets and Disney Resort Refillable Mugs are a must-have for my family on every visit to the
Walt Disney World Resort. To answer your question, the refillable popcorn buckets sold at Walt Disney World are only valid for refills during the length of your stay, meaning they can't be refilled on future trips. However, they make a perfect keepsake to bring some Disney magic to your movie nights at home, which I assume you have enjoyed for the last few years!
Another reason to leave your old popcorn bucket at home for this trip is all of the amazing specialty/souvenir buckets available at the parks. On my most recent visit, I saw an Alien Pizza Planet Truck popcorn bucket at
Disney’s Hollywood Studios and a Pumbaa popcorn bucket at
Disney’s Animal Kingdom that I would have purchased had I not grabbed the first bucket I saw when walking into
Magic Kingdom Park!
Pro tip: Bring a carabiner or two to attach your bucket(s) to a backpack or stroller, freeing up your hands for treats like a DOLE Whip or two!
Natalie, as a popcorn aficionado, I recommend two stops you should make for an extra special popcorn experience. In Magic Kingdom Park, be sure to stop by the
Main Street Confectionery. In the back corner is the Kernel Kitchen, which lets you customize your popcorn with different flavors, chocolate drizzle, and a mix of candies, the perfect blend of salty and sweet. Located in the Canadian Pavilion at EPCOT is a
Popcorn cart that serves Maple Popcorn that is out of this... world showcase!
I hope this helps, and I wish you a magical trip filled with delicious popcorn and unforgettable memories!
Cheers,
Brent