Inspired by Type1Kirk: McDonald's; Pre-Happy Meal

[HardyGirl]

Who amongst us old timers remembers McDonald's before the dreaded Happy Meals? When McDonald's was about burgers, fries, shakes and Cokes, and of course , McDonald Land? When the premiums were stuff about McDonald's, not the latest movie or cartoon tie-in? For those of you who do remember, what was your favorite premium? I loved the glasses and that Hamburglar doll. I remember I wanted coloring calendars, but they went fast. It wasn't uncommon for the local McD's to be out or stock. I never got one then, but I do have one now, complete w/ those coupons at the bottom of each page.

Which premiums do you remember?

[UnderdogDJLSW]

I have somewhere a poster from the early 70's of all of the characters in McDonald Land. If I get a chance this weekend, I'll find it and take a pic. I used to have that up on my wall as a kid.

[Mikey]

I still remember after seeing Star Wars on opening day with my buddy and his mom, she treated us to McDonalds afterwards.
I got a Big Mac and it seemed so big

Premiums, I really don't remember (besides seeing TV commercials for them)
When I went to Mc, it was all about the food

[Werewolf]

I loved McDonalds Back in 70s when you could actually eat fast food without getting sick.

When I was little going out was a big deal. Like something you got as special treat like on Birthdays and special occasions. I loved the little McDonaldland cookies shaped like Ronald and Grimace. Do they even make those anymore?

I haven't eaten at one since probably the early 90s. Food didn't taste like it used to and I got really sick from it.

But I still have fond memories of the way McDonalds used to be and I still like the McDonaldland characters. You know, you don't even see commercials with Ronald anymore. It kinda sucks.

[toys2cool]

McDonalds is still pretty darn good to me

[theantiquetiger]

I miss the cookies in the box. Now (if you can find them) they come in cellophane package with three cookies that taste like crap.

I just wish they had the Playlands like they do now, they look like a blast. The one near my house has the playland all indoors. I take my daughters there some afternoons for sundays and playing in the set.

[Werewolf]

I remember I always got a cheeseburger, small fries, Coke and little box of McDonaldland cookies. The cookies tasted like animal crackers but had the McDonaldland charcters. The box had the McDonalds "M" as the handle and the box had great artwork of Ronald and the gang on it.

I remember getting a plastic Ronald McDonald hand puppet as one the toys. Good times.

[rche]

Odd that you would mention Happy Meals and t1kirks mention of STTMP.

One of the first boxed Happy Meals I remember getting was a tie in for that first Trek movie. I don't recall if there was a toy or anything, but I kept the box in my pile of ephemera for many many years. It may still be in storage somewhere alongside a large pile of comics we used to get in 3for1 packs when we went on roadtrips. I kept my Star Wars cardbacks in the same pile and they smelled like french fries.

I also used to have a few of the plastic bag handpuppets. Grimace and Ronald, I think. Maybe a Hamburgler as well.

I think the sign outside of our local used to keep up with the 'over 35 million served' kind of thing and the number would change periodically. Now I just think they say ' You have all been served!'

rche

edit: I just looked this up and Star Trek the Motion Picture was indeed the first movie tie in for a Happy Meal, tho not the first HM itself. The HM debuted in 79 and cost one dollar.

[starsky]

i miss those posters they had of their characters.

[Bionic Joe]

I rember when they were good back in the early 70s around 72/73 when they gave away the freebie glasses make out of real glass not plastic , i also rember the freebie dinner plates and the posters

[Hector]

McDonalds is still pretty darn good to me

I had a two regular cheeseburger meal today at Mickey Dees.

[jwyblejr]

I never ate in McDonald's all that much in the 70s. Maybe once in awhile on vacation. We ate at pizza joints mostly.

[huedell]

I may be a non-fastfood eating guy nowadays----

but...

RONALD, GRIMACE, HAMBURGLAR, CAPT. CROOK, BIG MAC, MAYOR MCCHEESE
and PROFESSOR will ALWAYS be seven of the greatest things pop culture
has had to offer me in my brief life.

***raises milkshake***

Cheers!

(I'm still looking for that hot apple pie tree)

[JPkempo]

The burger must be a fontain of youth look what it did fot this guy.

[Marvelmania]

The only premium I remember are the plastic bag hand puppets. McDonalds was more of a treat than anything. I always wanted a Big Mac but could only eat about half of it. Back then it came with a paper ring around it and it seemed huge.