McDonaldland is making a comeback, and it’s bringing all the nostalgia with it.
McDonald’s officially launched its new McDonaldland meal nationwide on Tuesday, Aug. 12, reviving the whimsical fantasy world that first debuted back in 1971. For a limited time, fans can get a taste of the retro magic – complete with a colorful shake, fries, and an exclusive souvenir.
In case you missed its original run, McDonaldland was the chain’s promotional wonderland where hamburgers grew in patches, apple pies sprouted on trees, and Ronald McDonald hung out with a quirky cast of friends. Now, decades later, the gang is back, and McDonald’s says it’s giving customers a chance to rediscover this epic world or experience it for the first time – all through one themed meal.
The McDonaldland meal comes in two versions: you can go classic with a Quarter Pounder with Cheese or opt for a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets. Both options come with a side of fries and the show-stopping Mt. McDonaldland shake, inspired by the “vibrant blue lava” and pink clouds of McDonaldland’s own volcano. It’s as colorful as it sounds and definitely Instagram-worthy.
Every McDonaldland meal also includes one of six exclusive collectible tins. Inside, you’ll find themed postcards, stickers, and more, each designed around a different McDonaldland character. It’s a little taste of old-school McDonald’s charm – and you never know which tin you’ll get, which makes it feel a bit like opening a Happy Meal toy as a kid.
McDonald’s is also leaning into fashion and travel merch for the launch. Through a collaboration with PacSun, fans can grab McDonaldland-inspired sweat sets and graphic tees starting Aug. 12. Then, on Aug. 18, a partnership with Away will bring out luggage tags and bag charms for those who want to bring McDonaldland on the road. Both drops are limited edition and available only while supplies last.
It’s not just nostalgic characters getting the spotlight – McDonald’s also rolled out a brand-new Happy Meal on Aug. 12 featuring Hello Kitty and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. This kids’ meal offers one of 12 unique figurines blending the TMNT crew with Hello Kitty style, plus a character card that tells their backstory and skills. The signature Happy Meal box features both the beloved cat and the heroic turtles, and it’s available in restaurants and on the McDonald’s app for a limited time.
For McDonald’s, the McDonaldland revival is more than just a nod to the past. It’s a clever mix of nostalgia marketing, Instagram-friendly menu items, and collectible merch drops – a triple hit that’s likely to draw both longtime fans and curious newcomers. Whether you’re in it for the blue-and-pink shake, the retro souvenirs, or just to relive a piece of 70s McDonald’s history, you’ll need to move fast. Like most good things in fast food, it won’t be around forever.
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