# Why did all the McDonaldland characters disappear **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 4, 2021, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369 "2021-05-04T13:08:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369/83 "2022-07-01T22:44:29Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > > [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > > > It could sell side-by-side with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Mountain Dew. > > > > [https://www.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/news/flamin-hot-cheeto-mountain-dew](https://www.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/news/flamin-hot-cheeto-mountain-dew) > > The End Times have come. The Dew must not have been very popular. My local food surplus store is now selling them for $6.00 for a 24 bottle flat. (I bought a flat—I had tried one bottle once and it was barely different from a normal drink, only a trace of heat.) ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369/84 "2022-07-02T00:13:30Z")
Times got tough, they moved on, and formed a [Black Sabbath cover band](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1wkfJY3AZM). ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369/85 "2022-07-02T01:29:00Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > It was definitely a weird choice to watch [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY6insZjCfU) and then say “Hey, we should use that to sell sandwiches”. I lurve the spongmonkeys! It made me want to eat Quizno’s. (Unfortunately, something else didn’t.) ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369/86 "2022-07-02T06:39:52Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > I suspect something similar has happened, especially, to icons like the animated characters who sold breakfast cereal - Snap, Crackle, Pop, Honey Bear and Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs, Frankenberry, and all their ilk, probably faded away (except for occasional nostalgia re-runs) when commercials aimed at children were prohibited. Mister Clean still pops up from time to time, Looking (as the NYTimes describes him) like a character from Christopher Street. Where’d the breakfast cereal mascots go? War overtook their homeland. Obligatory link to a description of _Breakfast of the Gods_ by Brendan Douglas Jones: > **[Breakfast of the Gods (Webcomic) - TV Tropes](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Webcomic/BreakfastOfTheGods)** > > Breakfast of the Gods is a completed Webcomic by Brendan Douglas Jones in three volumes, best described as Watchmen played out by breakfast cereal mascots. The comic disappeared from the internet without warning some time in mid-late 2013, … ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369/87 "2022-07-02T12:21:07Z")
He was wiped out ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369/88 "2022-07-02T12:35:05Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > There’s also an incentive within the company to move on to a new advertising campaign. Corporate executives don’t want to give the impression that they’re just riding along; they want to make it look like they’re actively making decisions and moving the company forward. I agree with this. It’s why companies without strong leadership can lose direction and switch focus from what made them successful in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2022, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369/89 "2022-07-03T03:46:00Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > in Dubai And in Abu Dhabi Mall and a roadside service complex on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi (the same sort of thing as the “ONroute” complexes you see along the 401). ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2022, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369/90 "2022-07-05T13:06:08Z")
Easily the coolest thing I’ve seen all week. ---
**Author:** ![Retzbu\_Tox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/retzbu_tox/32/11829_2.png) [@Retzbu\_Tox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Retzbu_Tox)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2024, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369/91 "2024-02-20T00:49:22Z")
I was surprised just now by a new McDonald’s commercial featuring the Hamburglar! (The youthful smiling one, not my preferred villainous adult one.) Resurrecting the thread in honor of a resurrected character! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2024, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369/92 "2024-02-20T00:51:06Z")
I haven’t seen the commercial, but there’s been a billboard up for months around here in Chicago, just off the Stevenson (a section of I-55 in the Chicago area) that features the Hamburglar. It occurred to me when I first saw it that I hadn’t seen the McDonaldland characters in quite awhile. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2024, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369/93 "2024-02-20T08:02:44Z")
Not only is he back but he has a kickass sports car to help him flee the Burger Cops, the Burgercuda. No I did not make that up. **[Hamburglar Hits the Road for America’s Most Wanted Burgers](https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/our-stories/article/hamburglar-hits-the-road-for-americas-most-wanted-burgers.html)** [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gAPz97ukoUE/sddefault.jpg) ](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gAPz97ukoUE/sddefault.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2024, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369/94 "2024-02-20T09:41:50Z")
> [@Limmin](#): > > the kids work on their parents. Kids love McDonalds Pester Power? ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2024, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369/95 "2024-02-20T14:50:31Z")
> [@Retzbu\_Tox](#): > > I was surprised just now by a new McDonald’s commercial featuring the Hamburglar! I’ve seen the commercial dozens of times and cannot figure out what word he is saying. Anyone know? ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2024, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369/96 "2024-02-20T14:51:47Z")
I haven’t seen it, but as a kid he always said something like “robble robble robble” ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2024, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369/97 "2024-02-20T15:01:55Z")
> [@Cardigan](#): > > but as a kid he always said something like “robble robble robble” I’ve only heard a radio commercial that reintroduces the character. Which consists of that with a host “translating”. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2024, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369/98 "2024-02-20T15:17:57Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > the Burgercuda. Now I want a burger warmer in my car! [![](https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/content/dam/sites/corp/nfl/newsroom/HamburglarInterior%202336x1040.jpg) ](https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/content/dam/sites/corp/nfl/newsroom/HamburglarInterior%202336x1040.jpg) Speaking of mascot cars, we spotted the Wienermobile in Phoenix last week, at a Safeway. What joy! ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2024, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369/99 "2024-02-20T16:18:15Z")
There’s a perpetual Craigslist ad for someone in my neighborhood selling a big Ronald. But not like it’s shown in the picture. $3000. Trade for guns. > **[Ronald McDonald Life size Statue - collectibles - by owner - sale - craigslist](https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/clt/d/ronald-mcdonald-life-size-statue/7712605926.html)** > > I have 1 Life size Ronald McDonald Fiberglass Statue in Great Condition. The Statue is over 6 feet tall & Solid / Heavy build (not Flimsy or Hollow). There are No Cracks or damage to the... ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2024, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369/100 "2024-02-21T14:48:57Z")
That’s what it sounds like! I thought maybe it was an actual word. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369/101 "2024-02-23T02:47:35Z")
> [@yarblek](#): > > …the most important target demographic for McDonald’s is not young children anymore. Not so, according to folks In The Know on social media. It’s still a key demographic but for darker reasons. The idea that McD’s is serving meat [made from kidnapped children](https://www.reddit.com/r/insanepeoplefacebook/comments/18ge4f0/whats_with_the_red_shoes/) remains popular among QAnon-sympathetic loons, and that ties in to the disappearance of McDonald’s characters like Ronald, whose red shoes made it all too obvious what he was up to. 😵‍💫 😱 ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369/102 "2024-02-29T08:31:46Z")
Yeah, but when did you last see him in a commercial? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-all-the-mcdonaldland-characters-disappear/941369.md?page=6)