The Mt. McDonaldland Shake is worth the trek

If you’re old enough (maybe like me, with a 40th birthday looming later this year), you probably remember the old McDonaldland Playland. Before the era of in-door plastic PlayPlaces with massive slides, ball pits and that ever-lingering smell of kids’ socks, there were the metal outdoor structures of the McDonaldland Playland.

Even as a kid, I had the sense that something wasn’t right. This was a relic of a nightmare from another time. Hey, kids, you wanna climb into Officer Big Mac’s gaping maw and then become increasingly panicked as you can’t figure out how to get out after you’ve picked up your Hot Wheels and Barbie Happy Meals?

The real McDonaldland, though, is a much more pure place. A place of dreams. A place of happiness. A place where Grimace can be your best friend.

This summer, McDonald’s is welcoming us back to that version of McDonaldland with the McDonaldland Meal. The meal, which comes with either a Quarter Pounder with Cheese or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, includes fries, a “first-of-its-kind collectible souvenir that’s sure to unlock core memories” and, most importantly, the Mt. McDonaldland Shake.

What is the Mt. McDonaldland Shake, you ask? Well, good question ...

Where I found it

Only McDonald’s can stamp your passport to the McDonaldland Meal.

What it cost

My combo meal cost $14.19. While that seems steep for a combo meal, you gotta price in the collectible.

My thoughts

The McDonaldland characters — Ronald McDonald, Grimace, Birdie, Hamburglar, Mayor McCheese and the Fry Friends — are front and center for this meal, appearing not just on the collectible but also on special boxes and cups for the Quarter Pounder with Cheese and Mt. McDonaldland Shake. (I assume the McNuggets got a special box too?) One of my big complaints about recent fast-food promotions is a lack of packaging that not only ties everything together but makes the purchase feel special, so all of these touches were a huge hit for me.

“Over the past few years we’ve seen how fans flock to our characters, everyone from Grimace to the Hamburglar. But many, especially the new generation, don’t know that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There’s an entire magical world of McDonaldland filled with characters, places and lore,” Jennifer “JJ” Healan, McDonald’s VP, U.S. Marketing, Brand, Content & Culture, said in a statement. “And so, for the first time in decades we are taking fans on a trip to McDonaldland with an immersive experience that taps into the past to create the future. It’s a chance for us to give fans a new, modern way to experience this magical world.”

We’re obviously going to dive into the Mt. McDonaldland Shake first, since that’s what I’d imagine Snackology readers are dying to know more about. McDonald’s isn’t a stranger to a milkshake with a pop of color, annually releasing the Shamrock Shake and also releasing the viral Grimace Shake back in 2023. This limited-edition shake is on a new level — a fluorescent blue dessert with an electric pink dollop of whipped cream on the top. (The whipped cream was in perfect form when I was served my Mt. McDonaldland Shake. Blame the ride back to my house for its deflated status in these pics.)

The Mt. McDonaldland Shake is sweet. That shouldn’t be a surprise. Its flavor is a mystery, with McDonald’s only saying that it “offers a secret concoction as enchanting as the world itself” and is “inspired by the vibrant blue ‘lava’ and pink clouds of Mt. McDonaldland.” Hmmm.

The color of the shake instantly sent my brain to “cotton candy,” but the taste leans more toward raspberry ... or maybe mixed berry?

The other highlight of the McDonaldland Meal are the “collectible tins featuring postcards, stickers and more, each inspired by the different characters.” There are six different ones that you can get with the meal. My hopes for the Grimace one were dashed, but you still get a surprising number of things in these tins.

The Quarter Pounder with Cheese and fries are your standard version of these two McDonald’s staples. I smiled when I opened my burger to see that McDonald’s had put the extra effort into making even the inside of the limited-edition box fun.

Final verdict: BUY

Snackology loves a gimmick, and the McDonaldland Meal — thanks to the Mt. McDonaldland Shake — gets my full approval. Just make sure you stay away from any playground equipment in the form of Officer Big Mac’s mouth ...

The McDonaldland Meal was provided to Snackology for this independent review.