Lightning McQueen Officially Races Into Walt Disney World Resort Months Ahead of New Frontierland Opening

Disney’s ever-growing lineup of collectible popcorn buckets is about to welcome another fan-favorite addition, and this one is sure to have Pixar fans saying “Ka-chow!”

As Disney Experiences (commonly known as Disney Parks) continues celebrating major anniversaries across its vast portfolio of beloved franchises, a brand-new Lightning McQueen popcorn bucket is preparing to speed into Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. The release coincides with the 20th anniversary of Pixar’s Cars, which first raced into theaters in 2006 and quickly became one of the studio’s most successful franchises.

The new souvenir bucket is modeled after Lightning McQueen himself, complete with detailed racing decals, illuminated headlights, and glowing eyes that bring the iconic character to life. Disney has also incorporated interactive elements into the design, making it much more than a standard popcorn container. The bucket features rolling wheels, with promotional footage showcasing the vehicle gliding across a surface before revealing the hidden popcorn compartment.

Disney Eats recently shared a closer look at the collectible on Instagram, giving fans their first detailed preview of the upcoming release. In the Reel, the camera pans across the bucket from multiple angles while demonstrating its light-up effects and rolling functionality.

Alongside the video, Disney wrote: “Kachow! Celebrate 20 years of Cars with the Lightning McQueen Bucket, racing into Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort on June 9!”

The post quickly attracted thousands of reactions from Disney Parks fans, many of whom were eager to add the item to their collections. Several commenters described the bucket as a “must-have,” while others praised Disney for including working wheels and illuminated features. Some joked that Disney had once again found a new way to empty their wallets, while many announced plans to visit the parks on launch day in hopes of securing one before supplies inevitably become limited.

The release date of June 9 is particularly significant for Cars fans, marking exactly two decades since the original film debuted in theaters. Over the years, the franchise has expanded far beyond the big screen through merchandise, attractions, hotel experiences, and dedicated themed lands, becoming one of Pixar’s most enduring properties.

The timing also comes as Disney continues investing heavily in the future of Cars within its theme parks. At Magic Kingdom Park, Disney has already confirmed plans for the upcoming Piston Peak National Park expansion, which will introduce an entirely new Cars-inspired area to Frontierland. While construction on that project remains in the early stages, merchandise releases such as the Lightning McQueen popcorn bucket demonstrate that Disney remains committed to keeping the franchise firmly in the spotlight.

With light-up effects, interactive features, and the enduring popularity of Lightning McQueen himself, the new popcorn bucket is shaping up to be one of Disney’s most sought-after collectibles of the summer. Fans hoping to add one to their collection won’t have long to wait, as the bucket officially arrives at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort on June 9. The item is limited to two per customer.

What do you think of the new Lightning McQueen popcorn bucket at the Disney parks? Let us know in the comments down below!