McDonaldland was McDonald's fictional universe featuring characters such as the Hamburglar and Grimace.
McDonaldland appeared in advertising during the early 1970s as a colorful setting populated by characters linked to McDonald's products and restaurant imagery. Its cast included Mayor McCheese, Birdie the Early Bird, Officer Big Mac, the Hamburglar, and Grimace.
The setting gave McDonald's a story world that could connect television commercials, promotional appearances, playground themes, and children's merchandise. It was distinct from Ronald McDonald, who served as the principal human-like mascot and often interacted with the characters.
The characters changed over time, and several were used less frequently or retired. That evolution sometimes causes confusion about whether McDonaldland refers to one character or the whole setting. The name properly describes the fictional world and its associated cast.