Happy Meal Celebrates Big 30, Beanie Babies Return
McDonald’s is celebrating the 30th Birthday of the Happy Meal this summer and to do so, they’ve “re-commissioned” the most popular Happy Meal toys ever – the Ty Teenie Beanie Babies. Between now and August 13, when you purchase a happy meal, you’ll get one of the 30 different Teenie Beanie Baby toys with your Happy Meal.
These Beanie Baby toys are special because each one features its own name tag and includes a special code that unlocks a unique 30th Birthday experience on McWorld®, McDonald’s virtual world at www.happymeal.com and unlocks a fun play online experience on Beanie Babies 2.0™, Ty’s virtual world www.ty.com can join in the birthday fun by visiting www.mcdonalds.com/happymeal30th, where they will find birthday planning tools, such as printable invitations, thank you notes and customizable banners, as well as information on Happy Meal choices available on the menu. Families can also test their Happy Meal knowledge through ongoing trivia questions.
McDonald’s also joined with Sperling’s BestPlaces and conducted a survey to name the Top 10 “Happiest Cities for Families” as part of the Happy Meal 30thBirthday Celebration.
Rounding out the Top 10 “Happiest Cities for Families” in America are:
- Minneapolis, Minn.
- Atlanta, Ga.
- Virginia Beach, Va.
- Washington, DC
- Portland, Ore.
- Denver, Colo.
- Baltimore, Md.
- Seattle, Wash.
- Kansas City, Mo.
- Austin, Texas
A little Happy Meal History
Since 1979, McDonald’s Happy Meals have combined food with exciting toys and games. The very first Happy Meal included a Circus Wagon-theme. In 1984, Chicken McNuggets® were introduced to the menu and in 2003, McDonald’s re-introduced a new Chicken McNugget made with white meat. Happy Meal Choices launched in 2004, giving customers the opportunity to enjoy a variety of food choices with their Happy Meal purchase, including Apple Dippers (fresh, peeled apple slices) served with low-fat caramel dipping sauce, low-fat white and chocolate Milk Jugs, served in easy to handle containers, and no-sugar-added apple juice.
Happiest City Survey Results:
#1 – Minneapolis, Minn.
Minneapolis earned the top spot as the “Happiest City for Families” in America, scoring high in all categories of the survey criteria. Minneapolis residents participate in regular social activities including neighborhood get-togethers, meals with family, and time with friends. The city is home to many recreational resources including museums and zoos, hiking and walking trails, inland waters, golf courses and historic sites. The Minneapolis park system is known as one of the best in the United States, and also provides its residents with some of the most sports fields, tennis courts and ice rinks per capita, to keep local residents active and involved in their community throughout the year.
#2 – Atlanta, Ga.
Atlanta offers residents outstanding recreational resources, including museums, zoos, aquariums, golf courses, swimming pools, tennis courts, and nearby national forests and parks. Atlanta residents also reported one of the highest levels of charitable contributions per capita and often participated in fun activities, such as racquetball, camping and backpacking, and gardening.
#3 – Virginia Beach, Va.
Residents of Virginia Beach enjoy numerous museums, amusement parks, off-leash dog parks, ocean coastline, inland waters, and park amenities such as playgrounds, sports fields, and tennis courts. Residents enjoy social activities, such as sharing meals with family and friends, playing board games, and also regularly contribute to charitable organizations.
#4 – Washington, DC
Residents in Washington, DC report that staying active and participating in social activities is important to them, through activities such as bicycling, sporting events and meals with family and friends. Washington’s world-class museums and cultural attractions provide families with superior recreation resources. The city also has plenty of local parks, hiking and walking trails, golf courses, tennis courts and swimming pools to keep residents on-the-go.
#5 – Portland, Ore.
Portland residents place an emphasis on getting together with neighbors during BBQs and block parties, and are privy to the most off-leash dog parks per capita than any other city in the study. Portlanders can also enjoy plenty of historic sites, local parks, playgrounds and surrounding national forests.
#6 – Denver, Colo.
Denver provides families with many indoor and outdoor recreational resources, including plenty of hiking and walking trails, nearby national forests and parks, zoos and aquariums, amusement parks, playgrounds, and swimming pools. Denver residents also indicated they often attend sports events, theaters and concerts year-round.
#7 – Baltimore, Md.
Baltimore provides residents with plentiful recreational resources, including ocean coastline and inland waters, historic sites, nearby hiking and walking trails, local parks, zoos and aquariums, theaters, amusement parks and sports fields. Baltimore residents also scored high in charitable contributions, as well as regular participation in social activities, such as neighborhood get-togethers and spending time with friends and family.
#8 – Seattle, Wash.
Seattle residents participate in fun activities throughout the year, including neighborhood BBQs, block parties and sporting events. Seattle offers residents great museums, zoos and aquariums, hiking and walking trails, amusement parks, tennis courts, and has the most square miles of surrounding national forests and parks compared to all other cities in the study.
#9 – Kansas City, Mo.
Kansas City residents keep social activities at the top of their priority list by spending a lot of time with their family and friends, and attending neighborhood get-togethers. Residents also reported high charitable giving and the city’s recreation resources include many off-leash dog parks and outdoor park amenities, including playgrounds and sports fields.
#10 – Austin, Texas
Austin rounds out the Top 10 list in the “Happiest Cities for Families” survey with high scores in family-fun and social activities. Residents enjoy cooking and baking, crafts, needlework, and gardening on a regular basis. City residents also reported attending the most neighborhood BBQs and block parties of all cities considered in the survey, and Austin’s plentiful recreational resources include numerous off-leash dog parks, gardens and arboretums, playgrounds and swimming pools.
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