For many people, going to McDonald's isn't just about cheap food. It's also about nostalgia.
If you were a kid in the 1990s and early 2000s, you probably remember collecting memorabilia like Hello Kitty keychains and tiny Shrek toys. Now, McDonald’s is trying to lure you back into its restaurants with six collector’s edition cups designed with images of the iconic items. The only problem? You’ll have to buy a Collector’s Meal to get one.
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For some, the promotion is serious business. Collectors are already buying and selling vintage McDonald's posters, keychains, action figures, glasses, trading cards and more on sites like eBay and Facebook pages dedicated to McDonald's merchandise. The promotion is also encouraging the company to produce more limited edition merchandise.
McDonald's Collector's Cup Details
“This new collectible cup celebrates some of our most unforgettable designs and global collaborations over the years, helping longtime fans relive cherished moments and new generations create their own lasting memories,” the company’s global chief marketing officer, Morgan Flatley, said in a statement.
Did you notice the “new generation” part? McDonald’s is clearly trying to capitalize on the social media frenzy that followed its recent nostalgia marketing attempt. The company claims to have been pleasantly shocked when it released the Grimes Shake (named after Ronald McDonald’s 1970s friend) a few years ago, and Gen Z responded with a horror-themed Grimes Shake trend on TikTok. Unsurprisingly, one of the collector’s edition cups features Grimes.
What are the 6 McDonald's collectible cups?
Depending on where you purchase the cup, it is made of embossed glass or Tritan plastic. The six options feature iconic promotional designs, including:
McDonald's characters
Grimace is featured prominently on this cup, and for good reason: Since he became a TikTok sensation in 2023, Grimace merchandise has skyrocketed in value.
coke
McDonald's and Coca-Cola have been working together for decades. The most recent collaboration is a parody of the heist movie starring Hamburgler. The cup features Coca-Cola's iconic polar bear.
Hello Kitty and Peanuts
McDonald's has offered Hello Kitty merchandise in its Happy Meals several times. This cup celebrates the cute kitty from Sanrio, which appeared on a keychain released in 2000. The cup design is also inspired by Snoopy from McDonald's 1980s “Camp Snoopy Collection.”
Beanie Babies
McDonald's offered Tiny Beanies (mini Beanie Babies) in Happy Meals in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Barbie and Hot Wheels
In the early 1990s, McDonald's Happy Meals came with a mini Barbie or Hot Wheels car.
Shrek, Minions, Jurassic Park
McDonald's released hugely popular Happy Meal toys featuring the “Shrek Forever After” Minions in 2010 and the “Despicable Me” Minions in 2015. In the 1990s, McDonald's released six “Jurassic Park” collectible cups, allowing customers to enjoy their meals in “dinosaur size.”
Which McDonald's orders come with a collector's cup?
The Collector's Meal price varies by location. It is available for purchase right now, all day long (in the restaurant, drive-thru, or online), but keep in mind that there are breakfast and afternoon/evening versions.
- The breakfast version is the “Sausage McMuffin and Egg Sandwich,” hash browns, and hot coffee.
- For the afternoon/dinner version, you can choose between a 10-piece Chicken McNugget Combo Set or a Big Mac Combo Set.
How long will McDonald's collectible cups be available for sale?
Don’t be surprised if you see people lining up at your local Mickey D’s to snag one of these cups. McDonald’s didn’t reveal how short this limited-time promotion will be, only that it won’t last forever. And now that you know how valuable Happy Meal memorabilia is, you might want to keep an eye out for what’s coming next!
The post Don't Miss Out on McDonald's 'New' Collectible Cups appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
