McDonaldland was the fictional advertising world created for characters such as Ronald McDonald and the Hamburglar.
McDonald's used the setting in television commercials, print advertising, packaging, and promotional materials beginning in the 1970s. It gave the brand a consistent fantasy landscape where food products were represented through recurring locations, characters, and stories.
The world included characters such as Mayor McCheese, Grimace, Birdie, and the Fry Kids. Some characters were linked to particular menu items or restaurant features, while others mainly served as comic companions for Ronald.
McDonaldland is sometimes confused with the name of an individual character or with the restaurant chain itself. It refers specifically to the fictional setting. McDonald's later reduced its use of the full character universe, although several characters continued appearing in advertising and promotional material.