Merchandise Spotlight: Tow Mater Popcorn Bucket
When I found out I was going to Oggie Boogie Bash in Disney California Adventure, one of the first things I researched was what premium popcorn buckets they had available. The one that stole my heart was this Tow Mater Popcorn Bucket.
Some Facts About Disney Popcorn Buckets
There are two types of popcorn buckets. I categorize them into regular/simple ones and specialty/premium ones. The regular ones are typically cheaper than the specialty ones, and a bucket with a design printed on them. The specialty/ premium ones resemble a Disney character. These ones tend to come with a strap to carry.
They are available at the Disney Parks, both WDW and Disneyland along available at Disney Springs. During my Aulani trip, they only had the regular popcorn bucket with an Aulani design. The best thing about the Aulani Regular Buckets is that you can use them to help make a sand castle. On my February 2020 Disney Cruise, they had popcorn buckets for sale.
One thing that makes the popcorn buckets a great value at Walt Disney World is that with any popcorn bucket, the regular or premium ones, they come with $2.25 refills. (Based on my last trip back in May 2022.) Refills are available during the length of your stay. At the Aulani, refills were $3. (Based on my trip in June 2022.)
I was surprised and shocked to learn that Disneyland does not offer popcorn refills. That did not stop me from getting the adorable Mater popcorn bucket.
Details of the Tow Mater Popcorn Bucket
Again Disney did not miss a beat with the details of this bucket. It is one of the most detailed popcorn buckets I own, along with the Millennium Falcon Popcorn Bucket.
Like my other popcorn buckets, this is made of plastic. Unlike my other, this one has decal stickers to help bring in Mater’s characteristics. The decal stickers are used for the side detailing, along with some used for trimming, the tinted windows, and his window “eyes.”
The color is a beautiful rusty copper color. When looking closer, there are some “paint” streaks part of the plastic. It gives Mater his weather-down look.
The wheels on this bucket are functional. The towing part of the bucket is not.
My favorite detail of this bucket is Mater’s teeth. I love how they pop out and give some depth to the bucket.
One thing that surprised me about his popcorn bucket was that both the “hood” and the back of Mater lift opened. I only thought it was the back part.
Inside is where you find the strap to carry it around, which most premium buckets have. This strap matches the color of Mater and has the wording Radiator Springs and Tow Mater Towing & Salvage.
Where can you purchase this Popcorn Bucket?
Tow Mater Popcorn Bucket is exclusively available at Disney California Adventure. I purchased it from the Cozy Cone 5 at Cozy Cone Motel in the Cars area of the park.
Obviously, it came with popcorn and the coolest thing is that they had some additional flavors other than butter. A nice surprise! I went with white cheddar! At WDW and Aulani, there is only butter.
If you want the bucket but not the popcorn, I saw that you can purchase the bucket for an additional cost with a kid’s meal at Flo’s Cafe, which is also located in Disney California Adventure.
In the wise words of Mater, “I’m happier than a tornader in a trailer park,” that this popcorn bucket joined my collection of popcorn buckets.
