McDonaldland was the name McDonald's gave its restaurant characters and fantasy setting in children's advertising.
The concept created a shared fictional world for characters including Ronald McDonald, Grimace, the Hamburglar, Mayor McCheese, and Birdie. Instead of advertising only individual menu items, McDonald's could use the setting to build recurring stories and recognizable personalities.
McDonaldland became especially prominent in television commercials and promotional campaigns aimed at children. The characters often appeared in colorful environments designed to make the restaurant brand feel playful and imaginative.
McDonaldland is sometimes used as if it were the name of a menu or a physical theme park. It was primarily an advertising setting and character universe associated with McDonald's branding.