What was the name of McDonald’s fantasy world used in its character advertising?

McDonaldland was the name of McDonald’s fantasy world used in its character advertising.

McDonaldland appeared in television commercials and promotional material beginning in the early 1970s. It provided a shared setting for characters including Ronald McDonald, Mayor McCheese, the Hamburglar, Grimace, Birdie, and the Fry Kids.

The campaign turned McDonald’s branding into a recognizable story world. Restaurants, food items, and brand ideas were represented through characters and locations, giving children a reason to connect the company with an imaginative universe rather than only a meal.

McDonaldland is sometimes confused with Disney theme parks or with individual character names. It was the setting itself, while Ronald McDonald was the principal human mascot and Mayor McCheese was one of its fictional residents.