McDonald’s is bringing back McDonaldland with a new limited-time meal and collectible keepsakes that lean hard into nostalgia. The McDonaldland Meal, which hits menus Aug. 12, includes a Quarter Pounder with cheese or a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, fries and the new Mt. McDonaldland Shake. Each meal also comes in a colorful McDonaldland box and includes a collectible tin themed to one of six classic characters.
Packaging and collectibles
The “Welcome to McDonaldland” packaging is covered in playful illustrations and even includes a McDonaldland-themed crossword puzzle. Characters featured across the campaign include Ronald McDonald, Grimace, Birdie, the Hamburglar, the Fry Friends and the returning Mayor McCheese (a character not seen in McDonald’s marketing since the 1980s). Each meal’s tin contains character-themed souvenirs — for example, the Mayor McCheese tin included a “Town Hall” postcard, a “McCheese is my mayor” sticker and a whimsical “passport” for the character listing hobbies like cello and tailoring. The tins and souvenirs are designed to evoke the joy of collecting Happy Meal toys and birthday celebrations at McDonald’s.
The Mt. McDonaldland Shake
The new shake is presented as a “secret concoction” inspired by the mythical Mt. McDonaldland’s blue lava and pink clouds. The blue shake base carries a noticeable raspberry flavor, while the pink whipped cream topping tastes like creamy vanilla.
Context and recent menu moves
This release follows other recent throwbacks from the chain; for example, Snack Wraps returned nationwide on July 10 in Spicy and Ranch varieties after being off menus since 2016. The McDonaldland campaign continues McDonald’s strategy of tapping its brand history to drive excitement and foot traffic.
Additional comments and suggestions for editors
– Angle ideas: Focus on nostalgia for parents who grew up with McDonaldland, the return of Mayor McCheese as a surprise comeback, or a family-friendly take emphasizing collectible tins for kids.
– Visuals: Use close-ups of the Mt. McDonaldland Shake (showing blue base and pink cream), the collectible tin contents, and the full McDonaldland box art. Alt text should describe characters and tin contents for accessibility.
– Social suggestions: Short video unboxings or “which character tin did you get?” reels could boost engagement. Suggested hashtags: #McDonaldland, #MtMcDonaldland, #HappyMealThrowback, #McDonaldsCollectibles.
– SEO keywords: McDonaldland Meal, Mt. McDonaldland Shake, McDonald’s collectibles, Mayor McCheese return, McDonald’s nostalgia.
– Potential follow-ups: Report on customer reactions after the Aug. 12 launch, trends in which tins become most sought-after, and whether the shake returns as a permanent menu item.
Why this matters (brief explanation)
Bringing back beloved characters and physical collectibles is a proven way to tap into nostalgia, encourage repeat visits and create shareable moments on social media. Limited-time tie-ins like this often boost traffic among families and longtime fans alike, while collectible elements can turn a simple meal into a small, memorable event.
Short summary
McDonald’s will launch the McDonaldland Meal on Aug. 12, featuring a Quarter Pounder with cheese or 10-piece McNuggets, fries, and the new Mt. McDonaldland Shake, plus a character-themed collectible tin and playful packaging celebrating classic McDonaldland characters, including the returning Mayor McCheese. The shake blends a raspberry-flavored blue base with a vanilla-tasting pink whipped cream. The campaign continues McDonald’s nostalgia-driven menu and merchandising strategy.