After 20 years of silence, the fast-food franchise McDonald’s has brought back to life the magical world of McDonaldland. Do you remember that fantastic world? Both for those who already know it and for new generations, McDonald’s has made the decision to put Roland McDonald and other characters like Grimace or the Fry Friends back on their signs. Starting August 12, the new McDonald’s Meal inspired by McDonaldland will be available in the chain’s establishments.
You can choose between a quarter pounder cheeseburger or 10 pieces of chicken McNuggets, accompanied by fries and the star gift, a collectible metal box. This new campaign offers a journey through McDonaldland, making 5 stops that correspond to 5 collectibles that revive the history for new consumers and for those who are still embraced by the nostalgia of the 70s.
MDonaldland
Twenty years ago, the world-renowned fast food franchise, McDonald’s, launched one of the best advertising campaigns of all time. It was about McDonaldland, a very fantasy land used in advertising, movies, and even video games, with the aim of promoting its products and entertaining children. Ronald McDonald and many other characters like Grimace, Birdie the Early Bird, Hamburglar, Mayor McCheese, and the Fry Kids starred in adventures in a magical world, in places like Filet-O-Fish Lake, Hamburger Garden, or Sundae Volcano. In 2003, McDonald’s stopped using McDonaldland in its advertisements, although every now and then it would bring back some of its characters and Ronald McDonald.
The magic world is back
More than two decades later, McDonald’s has decided to reclaim this magical world and its characters in a campaign that aims to attract both those who grew up with them and new, younger consumers. According to Jennifer ‘JJ’ Healan, Vice President of McDonald’s U.S. Marketing, Brand, Content & Culture, ‘But many, especially the new generations, do not know that this is just the tip of the iceberg.
There is an entire magical world called McDonaldland, full of characters, places, and stories.’ She added, “For the first time in decades, we will take fans back to McDonaldland with an immersive experience that leverages the past to create the future. It’s an opportunity to offer them a new and modern way to experience this magical world”.
Four stops on the trip to McDonaldland
Starting from August 12, 2025, the new special McDonaldland menu was available at McDonald’s establishments. It includes a choice of a meal with a quarter-pound cheeseburger or 10 pieces of chicken McNuggets, accompanied by fries and a customized collectible metal box. Do you feel like traveling to McDonaldland? Then you will have to make 4 mandatory stops to get to know its history well:
- 1st stop: Refreshment in Mt. McDonaldland. In this stop, you will learn that the lava from the volcano and the clouds of Mt. McDonaldland are quite peculiar. Blue lava and pink clouds! You will be able to enjoy a milkshake inspired by it, so you can feel first-hand what that volcano was like.
- 2nd stop: Souvenir shop and meet the inhabitants. The new McDonald’s Meal comes with a collectible metal box, each inspired by the characters from the fantastic world. Inside you will find postcards, stickers, and more surprises. Collect them all and don’t miss any trips!
- 3rd stop: Learn its history. In advertising, games, and even movies, children and adults who enjoyed McDonald’s in 1971 got to know all the characters in an Apple Pie and Hamburger Patches forest, presented by the burger giant. Now, more than 20 years later, both those children who are now adults, as well as the children and young people of today, will be able to learn about the origin of McDonaldland and enjoy its adventures
- 4th stop: Experience McDonaldland. Starting August 18, 2025, numerous products inspired by McDonaldland will be available for purchase at all franchise fast-food locations. Until supplies last, items such as sports sets, graphic t-shirts, luggage tags, and gift charms will be available!
Do you know which McDonald’s product has returned after 13 years?