McDonald's Debuted a Nostalgic Meal with New Collector's Items Fans Can't Stop Talking About

Published on August 12, 2025

Whether or not you experienced McDonald’s during the '70s, it's nostalgic to think about the time when a Big Mac only set you back 50 cents. Now, you have the chance to try a meal that transports you to the early days of the fast food giant—and while the prices have certainly jumped, the menu items are as classic as they come.

You may be asking: McDonald’s has lore? That’s right—beyond Ronald McDonald and hamburgers—the chain has a long, fantastical backstory that runs quite deep. Enter: McDonaldland.

Welcome to McDonaldland

McDonald’s once employed a wide range of characters for many of its marketing campaigns. From classics like Grimace and the Hamburgler to lesser-known figures like Mayor McCheese and Officer Big Mac, they all existed in a fantasy world known as McDonaldland. With trees that grew apple pies and a volcano that erupted with McFlurries, it's been home to these characters since 1971.

Unless you were around for that era, you probably haven’t heard much about McDonaldland—but that’s about to change. On August 12, McDonald’s debuted a menu that's meant to draw younger audiences into its magical world: The new adult McDonaldland Meal is complete with collectibles of the most beloved McDonald’s characters.

What's in the McDonaldland Meal?

The new McDonaldland Meal includes either a Quarter Pounder with Cheese or 10-Piece McNuggets, paired with fries and the limited-edition Mt. McDonaldland Shake. Each comes with one of six collectible McDonaldland tins with a different character on it. You'll also find related stickers, postcards, and a matching character passport inside—adorable.

The Mt. McDonaldland Shake is the only new food item: It’s whimsical, berry-flavored (some fans say it tastes like blue raspberry), and has a Dairy Whipped Topping made from real cream, which reportedly tastes like cotton candy. The shake itself is a bright blue color, while the whipped topping is fluffy and pink. You can order it separately from the McDonaldland Meal, if you’re so inclined.

So far, reviews have been mixed: Many commented it was too sweet for their tastes, while one McDonald’s employee on Reddit said some customers who tried it didn’t bother finishing it. If you love sweet shakes (and blue raspberry), however, it's worth a taste—especially if you're into the nostalgia of the character tins.

"While the meal feels a little lackluster, these I can get down with," says TikTok creator @snachwithzach in a video that's gotten nearly 18,000 likes. "In 50 years I can see these being super collectable."