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?!

Definitely, yes. The birthday girl/boy got to choose a friend to go with them and it was a much-coveted position!

Yes I remember these! Our McDonald's had a soft play too

McDonalds had soft play. I don't think I ever saw restaurant that had it. Though I didn't go to McDonald's till I was 7 and never went to a party.

Should have been McDonald's had soft play??

@Toddlerteaplease

Should have been McDonald's had soft play??

I don't remember the soft play, but they may have had it. It's been over 20 years for me/my DC, so my memory of it is a bit squiffy!

We never had this, but I hated McDonald's parties so often got picked up early. I was not a fun kid 😂

No it wasn't a thing i remember. I went tfo macdonalds party in the mid 90's and we sat downstairs in a party room (I'm sure there was black and white floor?) We coloured in and ate & drank macdonalds food.

The only thing that I remember from McDonald’s parties is the bright orange orange squash, rammed with E numbers and it was the only time I was allowed such a thing. I swear it would glow in the dark.

@ethelredonagoodday having had a Wimpy party where Mr Wimpy was able to attend, I can confirm the only thing he brought to the party was sweaty gloves and a slightly sinister vibe.

Ah I went to loads of these parties when I was a kid but not once do I remember going into the kitchens! Sounds fascinating.

Yes!!! I never got a kitchen tour but the epic play areas with the ball pits and slides were so much fun!!

Yes I vividly remember the kitchen tour. And my DF forgetting to collect me so I had to go to the birthday girls house. Mortifying.

Yep I went on the kitchen tour and they shut us inside the big fridge for a laugh. Only for about 5 secs but they would probably get sued for that these days... ahh happy memories! 😂

Also seem to remember the birthday cake was awesome

No tour of the kitchen. A section of McDs was roped off. The cake was a thing of beauty.

I remembered worrying that the hideous Ronald McDonald would appear or that burglar (?) that used to be on their artwork.

I went to one but we didn't get a tour of the kitchen there was a soft play area upstairs and we all got a happy meal.

You always got one of these:

Yes definitely happened. They took you in small groups if I remember rightly. I loved it. Remember how cold it was! And the cold cardboardy smell.

I also LOVED their ice cream birthday cakes. They were lush! Do this they still do them?

Oh actually this wouldn't have been in the 90s. I'm a bit older so this would have been very late 70s/early 80s. When I was in primary school.

Never did a kitchen tour but there was a train in our local one where all the lucky kids went. First time I sat there during a birthday party in the mid 80’s I felt like I had gone to Disneyland.

On one of my birthdays maybe my 5th or 6th we had a kitchen tour and I had a mini bus (family owned) take me and all my friends there. Amazing times 🙈

No but there was a ball pond

Yes I remember these in the 90s. Loved a McDonald's party.
My best friend had a party there circa 1993 and for weeks she told me that she would choose me to do the kitchen tour with her.
Imagine my shock when she chose her cousin. Took me awhile to get over the disappointment.
I don't think I ever did the kitchen tour but remember the birthday child and their friend getting a milkshake during the kitchen tour.
Loved McDonald's parties!