The McDonalds Happy Meal has been a part of the childhood of American kids for decades. Many of us grew up as excited about our Happy Meal toy as we were about getting the prize in the cereal box. Well, since Millennials and Xers love to revisit their childhoods in every way, McDonald’s is now bringing Happy Meals specifically designed for grown-ups. However, it’s only for a limited time.
Via NPR, we’ve learned that this October, Mickey D’s is joining with streetwear brand Cactus Plant Flea Market to create adult meal boxes. And yes, they will come with a character toy. Beginning on Monday, October 3, and running through Oct. 30, McDonald’s will offer the Cactus Plant Flea Market Meal Box. Adults can get the iconic children’s meal with a grown-up twist. And, we hope, the meal comes in sizes suitable for grown-up appetites.
The box will arrive with a meal and a classic McDonaldland character. They will include Grimace, the Hamburglar, Birdie, and newcomer Cactus Buddy. We didn’t see Ronald McDonald himself listed, which seems a little odd. But it’s nice to see the fast-food giant acknowledge their original McDonaldland characters again for the first time in years. Characters like Grimace the purple blob might not mean much to younger generations. But it ingrained them in the hearts and minds of many people who grew up with them.
The Happy Meal began back nationwide back in 1979. The first McDonald’s Happy Meal was a tie-in promotion for Star Trek: The Motion Picture. This is funny in hindsight, as the first Star Trek film was the least kid-friendly in the franchise. Since then, Happy Meals have featured the likes of Disney characters, Batman characters, and others. Who knows, if this takes off, this may inspire McDonald’s to create adult Happy Meals recreating some of their iconic ones from the ’80s and ’90s? Some of us still want those Batman Returns Happy Meals they banned due to “concerned parents.” Someone get Ronald on the line.
