Have you ever noticed the little characters turning the popcorn cranks at the differently-themed popcorn carts around Disneyland? Well, they’re called “Roastie Toasties” and each popcorn cart in each land has a different one and they are so fun to find!
Disneyland’s Animated Popcorn Dolls
You know the saying “the devil is in the details?” Well, I like to think “Disney is in the details” because it’s always the tiny details around Disneyland that make it so, so magical! And tucked behind glass on every popcorn cart, these tiny figures crank the popcorn drum, dressed to match whatever land they live in: an Abominable Snowman by the Matterhorn, a Dapper Dan (barbershop quartet singer) in Town Square, a Rocketeer in Tomorrowland, or Davy Crockett in Frontierland.
Spotting them turns a favorite snack stop into a fun, little scavenger hunt!
The History of the Disneyland Popcorn Carts
The mechanical popcorn-turner figure first appeared on peanut roasting carts made by Charles Cretors in the late 19th century. In order to draw customers, Charles Cretors added a small clown or figure, called the Tosty Rosty Man, that cranked a mixer or tumbler on those early steam-powered popcorn and peanut roasters. That same basic device, with the charming little character cranker, arrived in amusement parks and fairs and eventually found a perfect home in Disneyland.
Disneyland opened in 1955 with several outdoor vending carts including Cretors popcorn carts. Over the decades, Disney stopped using outside branding and instead transitioned to its own branding and proprietary products. The Cast Members then transformed those simple clowns into individualized characters that match the park’s storytelling approach. Now, instead of one generic clown, each cart now has its own personality and costume that reflect its location and seasonal overlays. Just like the trash cans match their locations!
The Cast Member Who Sews the Costumes Today
But those itty-bitty outfits didn’t magically appear overnight! A Disneyland cast member had to make them! And a behind-the-scenes Cast Member seamstress is still responsible for sewing and repairing many of the tiny costumes that dress the Roastie-Toasties today. You can hear her story on this Disneyland Park Tik Tok.
So next time you’re walking down Main Street with a popcorn bucket in hand, be sure to look and see who’s doing the hard work of turning your snack. You might just find a tiny astronaut, a tiny undertaker, or a tiny cowboy grinning as he cranks the drum. And you’ll have a great story to snack on besides the popcorn!
Here’s a fun, easy-to-use Roastie-Toastie Scavenger Hunt Checklist you can print or save for Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. Keep in mind: costumes sometimes change for holidays or special events, which only makes the hunt better! I still haven’t seen the Rocketeer Roastie Toastie and I check every time we go!
Roastie-Toastie Scavenger Hunt Checklist
Main Street, U.S.A.
Dapper Dan
Usually dressed in old-time barbershop or early-20th-century attire, cranking away near the heart of Main Street. This one is usually in red clothes, but a blue Dapper Dan has been seen before, too!
Castle Hub
Clown
The Fantasyland popcorn cart turner still carries a clown figure as a nod to its origin! And since Disney kept all the original clown costumes, they can change the outfit out on the clowns often.
Santa
I haven’t seen Santa, but I’m of the unpopular opinion that Disneyland during the holidays is horrible and I hate going because its too crowded!
Matterhorn at the Fantasyland Border
Abominable Snowman, affectionately known as Harold
A fan favorite! White fur, blue face, red eyes, tiny yet fierce and found near the Matterhorn Bobsleds.
Fantasyland near “its a small world”
Clown
The Fantasyland popcorn cart turner still carries a clown figure as a nod to its origin!
Haunted Mansion at New Orleans Square
Spooky Undertaker
Dressed in dark, vintage funeral attire, the undertaker is a perfect match for the Haunted Mansion’s gothic, ghostly vibe!
Oogie Boogie
During the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay at the Haunted Mansion, the popcorn cart also gets a makeover and Ooogie Boogie appears as the popcorn turner.
Frontierland
Pioneer
A rustic little frontier fellow, like Davy Crockett, dressed in browns, tans, and furs is typically found cranking the popcorn in Frontierland.
Tomorrowland
The Rocketeer or Futuristic Astronaut
A jet-packed hero or space-age character, depending on the season and costume rotation.
As I mentioned, I have yet to see the Rocketeer Roastie Toastie in person.
Mickey’s Toontown
Train Conductor
Why a train conductor here? Maybe a nod to Mickey’s Runaway Train? (Although, this guy was there first …. )Or maybe he’s supposed to be in Town Square near the Disneyland train? Walt Disney was a train aficionado, so no matter where he’s located, he fits in with the theme of Disneyland.
Mickey’s Runaway Train Ride Queue
Now, it’s not a real popcorn turner, but inside the line for Mickey’s Runaway Train ride, you can see the oversized “El Capitoon” animated popcorn turner cranking the popcorn wheel.
Disney California Adventure Characters
Pixar Pier
Duke Kaboom
For a whimsical Pixar Pier-side theme, we have Duke Kaboom from Toy Story 4 turning the popcorn.
Grizzly Flats
And last, but not least is the Airplane Propeller, the only non-“living” popcorn turner, cranking the popcorn in Grizzly Flats.
Which one is your favorite?
Read More: All the Mickey-Shaped Foods at Disneyland
Read More: The Best Foods at Disneyland – a Must Eat Guide!
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Land Acknowledgement
Salty Canary wants to acknowledge that we live, operate, gather, and benefit every day on the traditional stolen lands of several Indigenous peoples and nations including the Tongva (Gabrieleno), Kizh (Gabrieleno), Chumash, Popeloutchom (Amah Mutsun), Ohlone, Awaswas, and Fernandeño Tataviam peoples who have stewarded the lands and waterways throughout their many generations in what is now the state of California. Disneyland is located in Anaheim which is located upon the lands of the Acjachemen (Juaneño) and the Tongva (Gabrieleno) local nations.
I wanted to personally acknowledge these Indigenous people and nations and both their commitment and current contributions to the land with a donation to the American Indian College Fund because acknowledgment without action does not begin to address the systemic issues facing Indigenous people. If you feel as though you benefit from the land you’re living on or traveling to and you have the means, I kindly ask that you donate to a Native-led organization such as the Native American Rights Fund or the American Indian College Fund.