If you’ve ever found yourself standing in a winding EPCOT queue, staring at your phone, wondering whether the souvenir you’re waiting for will still be available by the time you reach the front, you’re not alone. Disney World has been grappling with that exact problem for years—especially when it comes to limited-edition items that spark instant fan frenzy. And now, heading into 2026, Disney is making a quiet but meaningful change designed to stop guests from wasting hours in line.
Mobile ordering is officially making a strong comeback, and this time, it’s not just about lunch or dinner. It’s about controlling crowds, cutting down on chaos, and yes—saving you a ridiculous amount of time if you’re trying to snag the newest Figment popcorn bucket.
Anyone who lived through the original Figment popcorn bucket madness in 2022 and 2023 knows exactly why Disney felt the need to step in. Lines stretched endlessly across EPCOT. Guests waited for hours, sometimes in the Florida heat, only to be turned away when supplies ran out. Tempers flared, Cast Members were overwhelmed, and entire sections of the park became clogged because one small souvenir turned into a full-blown event.
That kind of scene isn’t exactly the experience Disney wants guests to remember. And in 2026, Disney is clearly trying to avoid a repeat.
Why Disney Is Leaning Back Into Mobile Ordering
Mobile ordering isn’t new. Disney has been nudging guests toward their phones for years, especially at quick-service restaurants. But what’s different now is how Disney is applying that system to high-demand merchandise releases, not just food.
For 2026, Disney is using mobile ordering as a gatekeeper. Instead of forcing guests to physically line up and hope for the best, the My Disney Experience app becomes the entry point. If you want the Figment popcorn bucket, you’re not lining up at a cart anymore. You’re placing an order through the app, selecting a pickup window, and showing up when it’s your turn.
This shift isn’t just about convenience—it’s about control. Disney can regulate how many items are sold, how fast they move, and where crowds gather. Guests, in turn, don’t have to gamble half their day on a single souvenir. Disney did this in 2025, and it worked a lot better than waiting in line.
Instead of chaos and guesswork, the process becomes structured. You either get an order window—or you don’t. And that clarity alone removes a huge amount of frustration from the experience.
One little spark of inspiration… is coming to your popcorn!
The NEW Figment Artist popcorn bucket officially arrives TOMORROW, Jan 16, for the start of the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts!
He’s looking like a true masterpiece in his purple beret and… pic.twitter.com/qDqct8FE5S
— ThrillGeek (@thrillgeek) January 15, 2026
The Figment Popcorn Bucket Problem Disney Is Trying to Fix
Figment isn’t just a character. At EPCOT, Figment has become a full-on phenomenon. His popularity exploded after the first Festival of the Arts popcorn bucket debuted, and Disney has been chasing that lightning in a bottle ever since.
The problem is simple: demand wildly outpaces supply.
When Disney allows physical lines to form, those lines don’t just represent interest—they actively disrupt park flow. Walkways get blocked. Nearby attractions see ripple effects. Guests who weren’t even interested in the popcorn bucket suddenly find themselves stuck in congestion.
Mobile ordering solves most of that in one move.
Instead of hundreds of people standing in one place for hours, orders are spaced out across time slots. Guests can enjoy the rest of EPCOT while they wait. Cast Members don’t have to manage massive crowds, and Disney avoids the uncomfortable moment of telling guests that the item they’ve been waiting for all morning is gone.
From Disney’s perspective, it’s a clean solution to a recurring problem.
How Mobile Ordering Actually Saves You Hours
Let’s be honest: when a new Figment popcorn bucket drops, there are many people who plan their day around it. Some guests rope drop EPCOT not for rides, but for merchandise. Others camp out near popcorn stands hoping to get lucky.
Mobile ordering completely changes that strategy.
Instead of arriving early and physically waiting in line, guests can open the My Disney Experience app, place their order, and lock in a pickup window. That single step removes hours of uncertainty. You’re not guessing whether supplies will last. You’re not watching the line inch forward. You already know whether you’re getting one.
Those saved hours matter.
That time can now be spent riding attractions, exploring World Showcase, or enjoying Festival of the Arts food booths without constantly checking a line length or worrying you’re missing your chance.
For families, locals, or anyone visiting on a tight schedule, this change is a game-changer.
Not Everyone Loves the Change—and Disney Knows It
Of course, not all guests are thrilled.
Some visitors genuinely dislike being tied to their phones while at Disney World. Others feel that mobile-only purchasing leaves behind guests who aren’t comfortable with apps or technology. There’s also a growing sentiment among longtime fans that Disney vacations feel more “scheduled” than spontaneous.
Disney isn’t blind to that feedback.
But at the same time, the company appears willing to accept that tradeoff if it means fewer crowd issues, fewer arguments, and fewer disappointed guests who waited hours only to walk away empty-handed.
From Disney’s perspective, mobile ordering reduces stress on Cast Members, improves guest flow, and limits the kind of viral backlash that tends to follow chaotic merchandise releases.
While the Figment popcorn bucket is the immediate focus, this change signals something bigger.
Disney is clearly testing a model for how it handles high-demand items going forward. If mobile ordering continues to work—especially during festivals and busy seasons—it’s easy to imagine this approach expanding to other limited-edition souvenirs, seasonal collectibles, and special event releases.
In other words, Figment may just be the test case.
What Guests Should Do to Prepare for 2026
If you’re planning a Disney World trip in 2026 and hoping to score popular merchandise without losing half your day, preparation is more important than ever.
Make sure the My Disney Experience app is downloaded and updated before your trip. Get familiar with how mobile ordering works. Pay attention to release dates, availability windows, and ordering limits.
The days of casually stumbling into a souvenir line and hoping for the best are potentially going to fade away.
Disney’s message is clear: planning beats patience.
And while mobile ordering may not be everyone’s favorite change, for guests who want to spend more time enjoying the parks—and less time standing still—it could be one of the most practical updates Disney has made in years.
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