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?!

Yes. The birthday child got to make their burger.

Yep I did. Tour of fridge and freezer. Sure I got to make milkshake too

I went to a Wimpy party aged 2/3 and I copied what all the other bigger children were doing and bashed him with my party bag. He turned around and told me off and only me - I was upset about it for years!

Ex McDonalds party host here 🙋‍♀️ very much a thing. Though not a tour around the kitchens in the branch I worked at, could have happened st others. We had a dedicated party room that had a small soft play area, only for part use. It was in North Finchley. I loved that job, taught me how to cut a cake to get the most out of it 😂

Yes. I went to just one McDonalds party. The birthday girl got to choose one or two people to go in the tour with her. I wasn't chosen and was beside myself with suppressed rage and envy. They came back with an ice cream or a milkshake and I nearly lost my senses. I learnt a tough lesson that day about English reserve

Oh and this was in SE England

Definitely a thing.

I remember witnessing them, in the town where I lived then. but didn't go to any, as had much older children.

Yep, definitely happened OP. I remember touring the kitchen when Chicken Nuggets were just about to be launched and feeling like an insider because I had seen them getting stuff ready and the staff told us it was "top secret".

I though it was awesome at the time

@Justgivemethebrie

I LOVED those parties. Had them for both of my DC for around 4 years and a row when they were primary school age (they're in their mid 20s now.) It was cheap as chips, and it included the meal, entertainment for the kids, a 'lucky bag,' and a gift for the birthday girl/boy.

We were able to invite 15 to 20 kids and it was affordable because it was only £2.99 to £3.49 per child! And we didn't have to do ANYthing, just turn up, with one adult per 4 or 5 children...

Awww, I miss them. If they were still a thing, I would have one for my OWN birthday!

Mc Donald’s parties were always on the party bus near me, no trip around the kitchen, just a double decker bus to eat on and then Ronald came to do a few games.

I had them for my DC 4 years IN a row!!!

I had a McDonald's party in the early 90s and I got a tour of the kitchen and I got to bring a friend. I remember especially as I took my sister and my friend cried. Fun times.

Yes but mid-80s. Shut in the big fridge then a Hamburglar pen to take home.

No tour of kitchen but my mcdonald's party was in the early 2000s it was a tweenies party, I loved it😂😂

Mc Donald’s party bus!

Yes, as birthday girl i got to look around the back kitchen and everyone was nice to me

I don't remember a kitchen tour! I did once have a party at Safeway's. Very glam.

I had and went to lots of mc donalds parties, there was never a kitchen tour. Maybe it depended on location

I went to a few parties but no kitchen tours!

Had a few McDonald's party. Definitely did the tour..and party game were fun!

Pizza hut also good especially going into the giant fridge

@VikingNorthUtsire

Yes but mid-80s. Shut in the big fridge then a Hamburglar pen to take home.

Hamburglar. I remember him!

Now THAT is a blast from the past.

I still remember with a smug pride being picked by the birthday girl to have a tour of the kitchen at a McDonald’s birthday party! I peaked in 1985!

It would be 80’s for me and we never went in the kitchens.

I went to a McDonald's party. We had a separate part of the restaurant with little tables and chairs. I don't remember much else about it, I must have been somewhere around 8 years old, but it definitely happened!

I remember OP. We used to have a visit from Ronald McDonald as well.