McDonald's, often abbreviated as Mickey D's, is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast-food restaurants. Although not owned by Disney, it has had several promotional tie-ins with Disney films and properties since 1981. The McDonald's Corporation was responsible for promoting the Pixar movies released between 1998 and 2006. This partnership began from 1987 to 1991, and then again from 1997 to 2006. However, Disney partnered with McDonald's in 1993 to promote the re-release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
In 2018, it was announced that McDonald's would promote new Disney merchandise since the early years. The partnership started in June with some of the first promotions including Incredibles 2 and Ralph Breaks the Internet.
McDonald's at Disney parks
Disneyland Resort
West Ward Ho!
It was a McDonald's food stand in Disneyland located in Frontierland from 1998 until 2008.
Harbour Galley
In 2001, the Harbour Galley, a small seafood restaurant in Critter Country which opened in 1989, converted its menu to serve McDonald's fries and drinks until 2008, when it reverted to seafood again.
Burger Invasion
It was a restaurant in Disney's California Adventure that closed in 2007.
Walt Disney World
Frontierland Fries
This was one of two McDonald's locations at the Magic Kingdom, located in Frontierland. In 2009, it was given a new name, the Golden Oak Outpost, and a new menu.
The Village Fry Shoppe
This was the second McDonald's location at the Magic Kingdom, located in Fantasyland. Whereas Frontierland Fries only served fries and soda, the Village Fry Shoppe also served hot dogs, carrot cake, Jell-O, and milk (including soy). In 2009, it was renamed The Friar's Nook and given a new menu, consisting mainly of hot dogs and macaroni and cheese.
Refreshment Port
This was the sole McDonald's location at Epcot, located at World Showcase, near the Canada Pavilion. In addition to McDonald's fries, guests could also get genuine Chicken McNuggets and McFlurry desserts with a choice of Nestlé Crunch, Nestlé Butterfinger, or Orange blended in. In addition to Coca-Cola beverage products, guests could also get Nestlé products.
Fairfax Fries
This was the sole McDonald's location at Disney's Hollywood Studios (back when it was known as Disney-MGM Studios), located in Sunset Boulevard. The place served McDonald's fries, soda, and Dasani bottled water. It became Toluca Legs Turkey Company and then, in 2016, Sunshine Day Cafe.
DinoLand U.S.A.
McDonald's sponsored the land and all of its attractions at Disney's Animal Kingdom until 2008. A food shack called Trilo-Bites (originally called Petrifries) in the same area also sold McDonald's French fries until 2008. Restaurantosaurus originally served McDonald's burgers, fries, Happy Meals, Chicken McNuggets, and hot dogs until 2008.
Walt Disney World property
There have been two McDonald's locations at Walt Disney World. One was at Downtown Disney, which opened in 1997 and closed in 2010. The second location, near the All-Star Resorts and Disney's Blizzard Beach, opened in 1998. In 2009, it received an overhaul, but is still there today.
Miscellaneous
McDonald's restaurant in Disney Village
There is a McDonald's located to the right of The Rainforest Cafe in Disney Village, in Disneyland Paris, opened in January 1999.
Gallery
Disney Parks locations
Trivia
- The 1997 The Little Mermaid toys each have a rare gold variation.
- Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 4 are the only movies in the Toy Story series to be promoted by McDonald's during their theatrical releases. The original Toy Story was promoted by Burger King, while Toy Story 3 wasn't promoted by any restaurant. However, Toy Story was promoted in Europe and Asia in 1996.
- The Cars movie toys have variations, as there are clean and dirty versions of Lightning McQueen, and purple, green, and yellow versions of Ramone.
- The Cars character Fillmore was originally going to be called "Waldmire", named after Bob Waldmire, a Route 66 resident whom the crew befriended during a road trip to do research for the film. However, Waldmire was an ethical vegetarian, and since Fillmore toys would be featured in Happy Meals at McDonald's, he did not allow his name to be used.[1]
- McDonald's is referenced in the DuckTales episode "Attack of the Fifty-Foot Webby" as McDuckles.
- The fries Dr. Tess and Anna Coleman fight over in Freaky Friday are McDonald's fries.
- The Happy Meal is referenced in the Dinosaurs episode "Into the Woods".
- In The Air Up There, when Jimmy Dolan is trying to round up cattle, which starts heading in the opposite direction from where he wants to go, he yells "No! You don't want to go there! There's a McDonald's over there!".
See also
References
