HAPPY MEAL TOYS
Introduced in 1979, the Happy Meal has brought joy to children all over the world. The Happy Meal itself is tailored especially for children and, depending upon what culture you are from, differs slightly. In the United States the Happy meal includes a side order consisting of small order of fries or pre-cut apples, a child size soft drink, milk, chocolate milk or apple juice and a hamburger, cheeseburger, or four-piece order of Chicken McNuggets. In some locations such as in Australia, the choices have been expanded to include items such as a grilled cheese sandwich or more "healthy" options such as apple slices, salads or pasta, as one or more of the options. In the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other countries, McDonald's has recently introduced a "healthy option" to the Happy Meal. Children can now choose to have milk or a fruit juice drink instead of a soft drink, and bags of dried fruit (or a whole piece of fruit such as an apple, or carrot sticks) in place of fries. The smiles on the faces of kids, however, are not just the result of the tasty food that they love or even the colorfully decorated box. Many times, the children beam because of the Happy Meal toys that are found within!
Happy Meal toys have been a part of the package since almost the very inception of the menu item. The very first Happy Meal in 1979 in Kansas City was the Circus Wagon Happy Meal and McDonaldland Fun-To-Go in St. Louis. It cost one dollar and contained one of the following: McDoodler stencil, a puzzle book, a McWrist wallet, an ID bracelet or McDonaldland character erasers. Happy Meal toys have become increasingly elaborate in recent years. While initially they were little more than a cheap plastic trinket such as a frisbee or ball, they have gradually been replaced with increasingly sophisticated toys, many of which are a tie-in to some existing toy line or contemporary motion picture. Past examples of recent Happy Meal toys have included Ty Beanie Babies, rescue pets, Neopets toys and a trading card, Sonic the Hedgehog electronic mini games, Nicktoons like Rocko's Modern Life, anime like Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokemon and also digimon and such like trading cards, Mattel brands Barbie and Hot Wheels, Hello Kitty, Hummers, and toys based on many Disney movies like Pirates of the Caribbean and cartoons or shows such as Power Rangers and movies such as Surf's Up. Kids usually look forward to the Happy Meal toys when there is a major product tie-in and often plead with their parents to grab something to eat at McDonald's immediately after they discover the existence of the toy!
- Happy Meal toys
CHICKEN MCNUGGETS
Imagine the delicious taste of crispy, battered, deep fried chicken McNuggets slathered in honey mustard, barbecue sauce or sweet and sour sauce. How many could you enjoy? Four? Ten? Can you make it to 50? Whatever your appetite, McDonald's Chicken McNuggets can satisfy your intense hunger!
Introduced in 1980, Chicken McNuggets soared in popularity almost immediately thanks to its crispy outside and tender, juicy white meat inside. Chicken McNuggets are small, minced white pieces of chicken, wrapped in some chicken skin, lightly battered and deep fried, individually quick frozen, packaged, and sent to stores where they are deep friend and served once again for the public. Accompanying the Chicken McNuggets are an array of choices for dipping sauces to enhance the flavor. The United States market offers Barbecue sauce, sweet n sour, honey, and Hot Mustard specifically for the Chicken McNuggets. Spicy Buffalo Sauce, Creamy Ranch, Tangy Honey Mustard and Southwestern Chipotle barbecue sauce are offered for the Chicken Selects but available upon request. As McDonald's does with some of their menu items, they offer different choices in other countries depending upon the tastes of the culture. Chicken McNuggets remain a popular item for kids of all ages almost three decades after their introduction on a global scale!
- Chicken McNuggets
