McDonald’s released their limited-time Mt. McDonaldland meal, an imaginative and nostalgic throwback inspired by the McDonaldland universe. Mt. McDonaldland, a fictional volcano from the McDonaldland fantasy, originally appeared in McDonald’s commercials throughout the 1970s-80s. With this latest and newest meal, McDonald’s is bringing back the retro vibes, creating a fun and nostalgic experience that both longtime fans and first timers can enjoy. The revival isn’t just for the kids, but to bring back the nostalgia for the millennial and Gen Z generations. In fact, McDonald’s has been leaning heavily into nostalgia-based marketing these past few years.

The Mt. McDonaldland is packed with surprises. The highlight is definitely the blue lava shake, a berry flavored vanilla milkshake with vibrant blue coloring, intended to be the “blue lava,” and topped with a fluffy swirl of pink whipped cream, representing the volcanic “clouds” of the Mt. McDonaldland. The shake is served in a limited-edition cup at some locations decorated with McDonaldland characters. Even the cup itself feels like a collectors item, showcasing the characters of the fantasy world. Some cups even feature QR codes that lead to digital McDonaldland content, like short animated clips and retro-style filters, adding a little twist.

Taste-wise, the shake is very sweet. It had a strong cotton candy flavor with hints of berry, which reminds me of the flavor of Fruity Pebbles cereal, or the bubblegum-flavored 90s candies. The flavor may not appeal to everyone, especially if you aren’t into the sweet, artificial flavors, but will be liked by those who enjoy the nostalgic taste. The whipped cream on top adds an extra surgery layer, though some might find it a bit much, however, perfect for a sugar addict.

Along with your shake, you can have your choice of 10 piece Chicken McNuggets or Quarter Pounder with cheese, along with a side of fries. I went with the 10 piece McNuggets, which were crispy and flavorful. The nuggets, fries and shake created the perfect contrast. This meal is priced a bit higher, likely due to the collectible toy and packaging, but the added value adds a whole lot to the meal.

One of the biggest draws to the Mt. McDonaldland meal is the collectible toy that comes with it. The possible characters you might receive include Ronald McDonald, Grimace, Hamburglar, Birdie, Fry Friends and Mayor McCheese. My meal came with Hamburglar, and I was surprised by the attention to detail. The tin was covered in McDonaldland graphics and contained a fun mix of stickers and postcards. Collectors have already started trading and listing these tins online, some reselling at double their value, especially Mayor McCheese and Fry Friends versions.

Inside, I found a “McDonald Passport” sticker, a sheet of hamburgers and one that read “Keep up! Hamburglar and I are mid-heist,” and two more Hamburglar stickers. The two postcards with vibrant illustrations of McDonaldland, one of the “Hamburger Patch” full of hamburgers, and the other of every character in McDonaldland. Each tin, for each character, contains a different set of collectibles and postcards.

Adding to this launch, McDonald’s partnered with Pacsun to create a limited-edition line of McDonaldland-themed merchandise. The collaboration features sweat sets, graphic tees, luggage tags, and bag charms- many of which include Grimace, Hamburglar and the rest of the gang. Some locations even offered these items at checkout with purchase. The designs capture the retro look of McDonaldland while keeping up with today’s fashion trends. The Pacsun collab has been a hit so far, with many items selling out shortly after launch. All in all, Mt. McDonaldland Meal is a celebration of McDonald’s heritage. It’s not just about the food, but the nostalgic experience. From vibrant colors to the strong throwback flavors and collectible toys, McDonald’s clearly wanted to offer more than just a meal. Whether you were around for the original McDonaldland ads or are discovering it for the first time, there’s a charm that makes this limited-time offer worth trying. Just be sure to grab it before it disappears back into the volcano, because like all good things from McDonaldland, it won’t last forever.

4/5 Stars