Viral Collectible Set Return Triggers Internet Boycott of McDonald’s

eBay pirates are likely rejoicing as one of last year’s most viral collectible items has returned.

McDonald’s frequently partners with Disney for their Happy Meal toy collections, which often prove highly successful and prompt many adults to hunt for specific toys to complete their sets.

Some of these collections can even be found on eBay at significantly higher prices than their original value at McDonald’s. For instance, one notable collection that had Disney Parks enthusiasts lining up at drive-throughs nationwide was the Disney World attractions set.

This collection featured pieces of a train representing iconic Disney World attractions, with each piece showcasing a different Disney character enjoying the ride!

The Disney collections have always proven to be very popular, with the completed series selling for hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars, but there are other collections that buyers clamor for as well.

Recently, McDonald’s introduced a Collector’s Meal featuring six collectible cups, and these plastic drinkware items are now being resold at staggering prices.

The cups showcase a variety of nostalgic characters, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Beanie Babies, Coca-Cola, Hello Kitty, Peanuts, and a mix of Shrek, Jurassic Park, and Minions. Launched on August 13, each meal came with one of the six collectible cups. However, these items are now fetching high prices, with some reaching into the thousands of dollars.

When customers receive the cups with their meals, they are wrapped in blue plastic to conceal the theme. Some eBay sellers are listing the cups still wrapped to keep the exact contents a mystery.

In a notable instance, one seller has a single sealed collector’s cup listed for $42,069. Other sets include ten sealed cups for $250, four for $240, twenty for $200, and six for $200.

Most cups, however, are selling for around $100. Single-sealed cups are priced at $1,300, $500, and $150, with specific designs like Coca-Cola-themed cups at $300 and Hello Kitty & Snoopy cups at $250. Prices for individual cups like Grimace at $75 and Hello Kitty & Peanuts at $62 are also listed. A Shrek, Jurassic Park & Minions cup recently sold for $11.

The Collector’s Meal includes one cup and offers a choice between a Sausage McMuffin with Egg, Hash Browns, and Hot Coffee during breakfast hours, or a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets or Big Mac with fries and a soft drink for the rest of the day.

Knowing how popular collectibles are at McDonald’s, it is not shocking that they are bringing back their viral “Boo Baskets”.

Snackolator shared the news on Instagram, stating”

“Oh yes – Boo Buckets are coming back to McDonald’s and with a whole new look from the last few years!

A quick disclaimer that these buckets were posted by McDonald’s in another country so we might get different designs in the US… I’ll update once I know for sure on that!

These always come out around two weeks before Halloween so expect them around October 14th or a few days later.

Personally I like the monster designs of the buckets even though it doesn’t hit the nostalgia notes as much. The handle is also cute with the Golden Arches.

What do you think of the new McDonald’s Boo Buckets? Are you collecting all four?”

 

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A post shared by Snackolator (@snackolator)

Boo Baskets quickly became the hottest spooky collectible of the year last year, so it is not shocking to hear they are returning with a twist.

Last year, the four designs included Monster (green), Skeleton (orange), Mummy (white), and Vampire (purple), which was launching for the first time since the original purple Boo Bucket. This year, we have a variety of monsters.

For nearly four decades, McDonald’s has been delighting children (and adults) with its iconic Boo Buckets. Originally featuring three orange designs, the Boo Buckets have expanded over the years to include characters like McWitch and many more.

According to the comments on the post above, it seems that this collection has a much smaller appeal towards buyers, as many commented that they did not like the designs, and want the nostalgia to return. Nearly every comment is very negative, warning McDonald’s that they have just upset their core audience quite a bit.

Snackolator also shared the new buckets on TikTok

@snackolator Are you going to try collecting all four Boo Buckets this year from McDonald’s? I’ll update once I know for sure if these are the designs coming to the US and the official launch date! #mcdonalds #fastfood #fastfoodlife #happymeal #boobuckets #halloween #halloween2024 #macdonalds #kidstoys #halloweenishere ♬ original sound – snackolator

Yet again, fans are less than thrilled. One reply said, “@McDonald’s, we want real lids and the ones we remember as kids,” yet again hinting at the lack of nostalgia being a major downfall for the company. It seems that fans want to see McDonald’s return to its roots with the original Boo Bucket design, which also included a lid.

We do not yet know an official launch date, but it is likely they will debut in mid-October, as they did last year.

What do you think of McDonald’s new Boo Baskets?