Theme Park Scope

Let me set the scene. It’s early in the morning, I’m standing in a line, and I’m holding a drink I did not need.

Why? Because there was a cup next to the register and it had Jack Skellington’s world on it, and I have exactly zero self-control when it comes to a seasonal tumbler. (If this sounds familiar, hello, my fellow cup goblin.)

Well, here’s good news and dangerous news. The Nightmare Before Christmas Starbucks tumbler is now available online, and it’s also around at multiple locations throughout Walt Disney World. This one has been spotted at Walt Disney World and Disneyland before, so some of you may have already seen it in the wild. But now there’s an easier way to get your hands on it.

This is a 24 oz. Starbucks tumbler with a straw, and the color story is a very on-brand green. The cup itself is translucent green, the lid is a transparent dark green, and the straw is an opaque green. It’s moody and kind of gorgeous, honestly.

The design shows the residents of Halloween Town in the middle of “Making Christmas.” If you know the movie, you’ll recognize a slew of characters, including the Mayor, Lock, Shock, and Barrel, the Vampire Teddy, and Jack’s lesser-talked-about form, the Pumpkin King Scarecrow.

Stars, bats, and strings of holiday lights fill in the background, which is the whole vibe of the film in one cup. On one side, you’ll find the Nightmare Before Christmas logo against a spiral background, which is a nice touch.

And then there’s the straw topper. It’s a silicone Monster Wreath, and it’s baring its fangs. That detail is my favorite part, because it takes a cup that’s already fun and makes it a little bit unhinged (in the best way).

One more thing, and it’s a real selling point. The cup works for both Halloween AND Christmas. That’s the very point of the movie, isn’t it? It never knew which holiday it belonged to, and this tumbler doesn’t have to choose either.

Here’s where I want to be extra clear, because there are two price points floating around. Online at the Disney Store website, the tumbler is listed at $39.99. Around Walt Disney World, it’s available at multiple locations for $49.99.

So that’s a $10 difference between ordering online and picking one up in the parks. Whether you want to pay for the convenience of grabbing it on the spot or you’d rather order from home is totally up to you. I’d also double-check the price on the Disney Store site before you buy, since prices and availability can change.

I’m going to say something that might get me in trouble with my wallet. I think this is one of the better Starbucks designs Disney has done in a while. The color choice makes it stand out from the usual pastel and pink lineup, and it has a real personality.

Do I think it’s worth $49.99 in the parks? Hmm. That’s where my brain starts doing math. If you love the movie and you know you’ll use it every day, it’s a “yes.” If you’re casually curious, I’d lean toward the online price, because ten dollars can buy a lot of snacks. (Specifically, a pretzel and a drink. Don’t ask how I know.)

And look, the bigger question is how much you actually plan to use it. A tumbler that lives on your shelf is a decoration. A tumbler you take to the office every day is a lifestyle. I’m in the second camp. My cabinet is a Starbucks graveyard, and I regret nothing.

If you’re on the fence, my honest advice is to decide if it’s something you’d be sad to miss. If the answer is yes, then it’s worth grabbing it sooner rather than later. If the answer is “meh,” then you can probably let it go.

So tell me, are you Team Halloween or Team Christmas when it comes to Jack’s world? And have you already picked up this tumbler? I’d love to hear where you found it! And keep checking back with Theme Park Scope, because I’ll keep sharing the merch worth knowing about, and the ones worth skipping too.