The History of Disney Park Exclusive Funko Pops – And What’s Next?
The History of Disney Park Exclusive Funko Pops – And What’s Next?
For longtime Funko collectors, Disney Park exclusives hold a special place in our collections and memories. These releases weren’t just about getting a rare Pop—they were about the experience, the community, and the excitement of the exclusive.
It all started in 2016 with what is now one of the most legendary Disney Park Funko drops: The Haunted Mansion set featuring the three Hitchhiking Ghosts and the Hatbox Ghost. One of the ghosts was even released with an error, making it even more sought-after. Later that year, at San Diego Comic-Con, Funko took things up a notch by releasing a glittered version of the Hitchhiking Ghosts and a glow-in-the-dark Hatbox Ghost. These Pops quickly became grail-status collectibles, cementing their place in Funko history.
That same year, Disney released the Indiana Jones Funko Pop as a Disneyland exclusive. Collectors from all over camped overnight in the Downtown Disney parking lot, bonding over their shared passion for Funko and Disney. It wasn’t just about getting the Pop—it was about the experience. Later that summer, a limited-edition, numbered Indiana Jones Pop was released, making it one of the most coveted Disney exclusives ever.
In 2017, Disneyland continued the trend with the exclusive Yeti from the famous Matterhorn ride. Once again, collectors lined up and camped overnight, making memories while waiting for their chance to grab this unique release. But as the excitement continued, not every exclusive saw the same level of hype. The Collector from Guardians of the Galaxy didn’t quite resonate with fans, and for a moment, it seemed like the buzz around Disney Park Funko exclusives had cooled.
Then, in 2018, Funko reignited the excitement with the diamond edition Yeti, which became a hit among collectors. Along with the NYCC flocked Yeti exclusive. Later that year, the Haunted Mansion Ezra in his Doom Buggy was introduced, bringing another fan-favorite moment to the parks.
After a few others came out like Jolly Roger and the Jolly Roger that glows in the dark. Bringing more Funko Collectors together. Later they also came out with Redd from the Pirate Ride, and two galaxy's edge, Funko's, which were TJ Rex and Hondo Onaka.
In 2019, Disney released the glow-in-the-dark Madame Leota Funko Pop for The Haunted Mansion’s 50th anniversary. Initially, it was only available to attendees of the celebration event, but the next day, it became available to the public at Disneyland and Downtown Disney. This made it a highly desirable piece, both for those who had attended and those who missed out.
By 2020 and 2021, Disney Park exclusives shifted slightly. Instead of classic attraction-based characters, they released Spider-Man and Iron Man as exclusives at Disney California Adventure. These were incredibly hard to obtain since they were only sold inside the park, requiring a ticket for purchase. With a limited run and no restocks, these Pops remain highly valuable on the secondary market today.
What’s Next for Disney Park Exclusives?
Looking back, it’s clear that the best Disney Park Funko exclusives were the ones that felt truly special—whether through unique designs, glow-in-the-dark or glitter effects, or limited numbers. But more than that, the magic came from the experience. Camping out, meeting fellow collectors, and sharing the excitement of the hunt made these releases unforgettable.
So, the big question is: when will Disney do another drop so exciting that people will want to camp out again?
In today’s collector market, exclusivity matters more than ever.