McDonald’s is one of those places that we grew up with. As children, we didn’t want to go to a fancy restaurant. We just wanted a toy in our Happy Meal, and we wanted to play in the playplace. McDonald’s was everything we could want including an ice-cream cone to finish it all off.
Some things have not changed about McDonald’s since we were children. For example, kids still love the toys in the Happy Meals, and they love playing in the playplace. Yet, there are quite a few things that have changed since the ’80s and ’90s that you may not even remember.
These pictures of McDonald’s from the ’80s and ’90s just might jog your memory. We know we’re feeling nostalgic just looking at them. Scroll down to take a trip down memory lane.
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Ronald McDonald’s Gang
It’s all about Ronald McDonald now, but back in the day, he used to have quite a few friends.
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The Playplace
Who remembers when McDonald’s playland looked like this? Memories… from r/nostalgia
The playplace used to look a lot different.
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The Floor
The floor looked exactly the same in every single McDonald’s.
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The Cookies
Do you remember these cookies and the matching cookie boxes?
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Ronald McDonald Sitting on a Bench
Ronald McDonald bench that was popular around McDonald’s establishments until sometime around the early 2000s. from r/nostalgia
There’s probably a picture of us somewhere sitting on one of these benches.
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Nostalgic Toys
Do you remember any of these retro toys?
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Styrofoam Containers
We never used to think anything about getting our food packed in styrofoam.
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The Hamburger Stools
Just looking at this picture almost transports me to sitting on one of these stools.
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McDonald’s Igloo Cooler
Did you ever see one of these coolers at a sporting event?
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Drive-Thru Menu
It’s almost hard to remember fast food menus before the digital age, but here you go.
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Twist Cones
Besides a Happy Meal, this was always my favorite part about going to McDonald’s.
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Ashtrays
These old amber glass ashtrays that everyone had (including McDonald’s!) from r/nostalgia
Remember when McDonald’s had ashtrays?
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Birthday Parties
McDonald’s Birthday Parties… Complete with ash trays on the tables for a good smoke after a Happy Meal. from r/nostalgia
Did you ever have a birthday party at McDonald’s? Yes, there were even ashtrays on the tables.
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Retro Decor
Our McDonalds hasn’t changed since I was little from r/nostalgia
It doesn’t get much more retro than this.
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Beanie Babies
Getting a beanie baby in a Happy Meal was a big deal.
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Ronald McDonald Bench in Walmart
Does anybody remember when Walmart had McDonald’s and the Ronald McDonald bench? from r/nostalgia
Our local Walmart still has a McDonald’s inside, but it doesn’t look anything like this!
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More Old-School Chairs
Those food-shaped chairs from the McDonalds kids playrooms in the mid 90s from r/nostalgia
We wish McDonald’s would bring these back.
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Fischer Price McDonald’s Toys
This play food upgraded any play kitchen.
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Transformers in Your Happy Meal
McDonald’s Happy-meal Transformers. When McDonald’s was considered a treat. Thanks Mom! from r/nostalgia
Do you remember these cute transformers that look like McDonald’s food?
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More Playground Fun
We remember playing in a playplace that looked like this. Do you?
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Tray Liners
These tray liners bring back so many memories.
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Seasonal Happy Meal Buckets
A Happy Meal wasn’t always in a box.
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Apple Pies
McDonalds fried apple pies with the bubbly, crispy outside from r/nostalgia
One of these apple pies was always an extra special treat. McDonald’s still has apple pies, but they don’t taste the same. That bubbly crust was something special.