McDonald's birthday parties in the 90s.

[Justgivemethebrie]

Help settle a disagreement (lighthearted one!) with my mum.
We were discussing birthday parties of old and I said how fun the parties at McDonald's were as you got a tour around the kitchen and in the big fridge.
She was convinced this wasn't a thing but my memory is saying otherwise.
So Mumsnet, does anyone remember McDonald's birthday parties of yore? Was there indeed a visit to see the fryers and fridge?!

Yep, we got to pick one friend for a tour of the kitchen and we got to make icecreams

Yes to parties, no to kitchens and it was extra special if it was a McDonalds with a soft play!

I wish they still did parties.

I remember macdonalds parties in the 80s. (They were basically the only "outside the house" parties anyone had)
We definitely went in the kitchen and the freezer. Someone dressed up as Ronald macdinald and you got shit cake.

I remember going to a Wimpy party in the 80s. We had been promised a tour of the kitchens but they ran out of time. I was very disappointed.

I went to a few in the 80s and they let you pour a milkshake and serve a customer.
I loved a McDonald's party, they were the best ones. Basically you coloured in a hat, were given a balloon and allowed to pour a milkshake. What more could you ask for?!

McDonalds parties in the 80s were the best, I never had one and was so envious of the kids that did.

We got the McDonald's paper hats, someone dressed up as Ronald. We went in the freezer and the door handle on the inside was glow in the dark so they could see it, I remember being so impressed at that!

Loved those parties but didn’t get a tour! Jusst McDonald’s food and balloons (which was totally good enough!)

No to kitchen tours late 80s /early 90s. I remember Ronald Mcdonald visiting. I also remember the room upstairs with a really scratchy carpet and you were always boiling hot by the end of the party.

Yes these were a thing - I only went to one, which my friend's brother had been allowed to bring two friends to as well. They were each allowed two friends to go on the tour - my friend had invited three girls and I was left out for the tour. Must be 30 years ago now but I still remember the rejection and being on my own in the party area and I wonder why on earth the mother let that happen!

I used to be a party leader at mcdonalds. Yes, we used to do kitchen tours. As we couldn't leave the kids unattended and thats where the party ice cream cake was! I also wore a purple tshirt..other wore yellow for birdie, black for hamburgler or red for Ronald (all had pictures.of the characters on them) the best time was sending them out from the party room to the playground so.we could clean up and get ready for the next one. In its hey day we had up to six parties a day.

Oh yes! At my party I got to serve a customer on the till, standing on a stool, including dishing up the fries! I told my daughter all about it recently as she's the same age, she was so confused that this was considered such a treat...

I used to run McDonald's birthday parties in the 90's. I did 100s, definitely no kitchen tour. Party games and dancing in the party room, happy meals and ice cream cake and free play time in the jungle gym outside.

Purple was for grimace I meant to add.

Yes! We had a kitchen tour too and made a milkshake.

Yes to parties but sadly, no kitchen tour for me.

We did have a big yellow boat table that we sat 'in' though - surprised noone else has mentioned that, was that not common either?

We definitely got a kitchen tour! 80s though, late 80s.

The party area was seats (and tables) in the shape of a train at our local one.

Pizza Hut was better, you got to make your own pizzas.

Definitely a thing! I can't remember a kitchen tour but I remember about 10 of us being shut in the fridge. It was great!

Yup. But it was only the birthday boy/girl and they got to pick one friend to go have a kitchen tour. I never got picked. not even at my own cousins party 😂😂😂

Yes, I remember getting locked in the fridge too.

I worked in McDonald's 97-99. We had regular parties but no tours. I got drafted in once to do a party at the last minute with no training because the girl that usually did them was off sick. It was awful. I was 17/18 with no experience of young children and no idea how to entertain them. I really hope the parents complained and got a refund!

The one I attended as a kid did not (kind of sad party, none of the child's friends turned up and her Mom asked people in the restaurant would their kids go, me included). If I remember rightly the Mom had her own cake so that might be why. Still feel sorry for that girl. She was so delighted when we joined her.

My older children were born in the late 90’s. We had several birthday parties for them at McDonalds. The one near us had a huge indoor playground. We never got a tour of the kitchen but one memorable time my son was allowed to go behind the till and ring in order for a coke!

I don't remember kitchen tours but as I was only ever a guest maybe I just never got picked to go! Our McDonald's had a big boat as the party area.
On the rare occasion we went to McDonald's we would always beg to be allowed to sit upstairs and then hope and pray there wasn't a party on so we could sit there.

I agree with @Aroundtheworld Pizza Hut was the best. I remember making our own pizzas.

Yes! Definitely happened. Was a very big part of the party, I remember I could only choose one person to come with me and I chose my brother as we’d pre arranged it 😂. We also both got to make our own drinks at the drinks machine.