McDonald’s Brings Back McDonaldland After 20 Years
Prepare yourself for a nostalgic journey through the past. McDonald’s is bringing back its colourful, wacky fantasy lands after more than two decades, in addition to a special new meal, exciting merchandise, and plenty of nostalgia.
Starting Aug. 12, the McDonald’s burger chain will be launching the McDonaldland Meal, which comes with food, a toy, and a surprise beverage using the company’s classic characters like Grimace, Birdie, Hamburglar, and Mayor McCheese.
What does the McDonaldland meal contain?
Each McDonaldland Meal includes your choice of a Quarter Pounder with Cheese or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, fries, and the just-introduced Mt. McDonaldland Shake. The shake is marketed as a nod to McDonaldland’s volcano, with flavours derived from “blue lava” and “pink clouds.”
But the party doesn’t end there. Each meal is served in a collectible tin, complete with postcards and stickers of the popular McDonaldland characters. For long-time fans, it’s a combination of food and nostalgia in one.
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Nostalgia meets new merchandise
McDonald’s is also teaming up with clothing retailer Pacsun and travel company Away to introduce limited-run McDonaldland merchandise. Products will include sweat sets, luggage tags, and other themed accessories.
The merch drops on August 12, the same day as the meal, so fans can get their taste and McDonaldland slice on to take home.
A look back at McDonaldland
McDonaldland first appeared in 1971, created as a fantasy, funny world where Ronald McDonald and friends lived. Characters like Grimace, Birdie, Hamburglar, Mayor McCheese, and the Fry Friends added to commercials, toys, games, and even short films.
The world was finally retired in the early 2000s, but its influence on pop culture remains lasting. Fans still nostalgically look back on the colorful sets, silly adventures, and catchy songs that made McDonaldland great.
Why return it now?
It is a mission to create “an immersive experience that draws on the past to make the future,” McDonald’s USA vice president of brand, content, and culture, Jennifer “JJ” Healan, says.
In recent years, nostalgia marketing—a return to the classics—has become a significant trend. McDonald’s was a huge hit in 2023 with its Grimace Birthday Meal, which caused social media buzz and restaurant lines. Bringing back McDonaldland is likely attempting to recreate the same magic and appealing to both the older consumers familiar with the brand and new enthusiasts seeing it for the first time.
Other menu changes coming
McDonald’s has yet to conclude its plans for McDonaldland. The chain recently announced it will add new drinks to the menu this summer. From September 2, over 500 U.S. restaurants will start selling cold brews and refreshers, offering customers more drink choices than sodas and shakes.
A win for McDonaldland fans
The return of McDonaldland isn’t a marketing tactic—it’s a salute to one of McDonald’s most legendary concepts. For those who grew up with the characters, it’s a chance to look back on childhood. For newcomers, it’s a friendly hello to an imaginative, fun corner of McDonald’s heritage.
With themed food, collectible exclusives, and fresh merchandise, McDonald’s is clearly betting that it will be fans’ appetite this summer that goes beyond burgers and fries.
The McDonaldland Meal and merchandise will start selling nationwide on August 12 but likely only temporarily. If you’re hungry for a dose of nostalgia—and maybe a mystery-flavoured milkshake—you’ll want to mark your calendar.
