Lil McDonald’s LA Pop-Up Experience 2025 – Review, Photo Tour & Toy Tie-In

Key Takeaways

• Location: Santa Monica Place, Los Angeles
• Dates: July 19–20, 2025
• Entry: Free, first-come, first-served
• Theme: Mini Happy Meal nostalgia meets immersive play
• Highlights: Giant Chicken McNugget ball pit, oversized fry boxes, toy-sized McDonald’s zones

A Big Dose of Nostalgia in a Tiny Package

McDonald’s brought its latest collectible campaign to life with the Lil McDonald’s Pop-Up Experience, a two-day immersive activation in Los Angeles held on July 19 and 20, 2025. Designed to celebrate the launch of the Lil McDonald’s Mini Happy Meal Toys collection, this free family-friendly event offered visitors a chance to experience a shrunken McDonald’s world full of colorful, oversized toy displays and interactive installations.

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Inside the Lil McDonald’s Experience

Held at Santa Monica Place, the pop-up transported fans into a toy-inspired McDonald’s environment. Key attractions included:

Giant Chicken McNugget Ball Pit

A standout feature where kids could jump into a playful pit filled with oversized nuggets.

Life-Size Toy Installations

From huge Happy Meal boxes to oversized McFlurry cups (a nod to the newly launched Grandma McFlurry) and vintage props, every element mirrored the new mini toy designs available in Happy Meals throughout July.

Themed Photo Zones

Every corner was designed for visuals—from giant fries to classic register setups—perfect for families, collectors, and content creators.

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Event Overview

Feature	Details
Location	Santa Monica Place, Los Angeles
Dates	July 19–20, 2025
Time	11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Admission	Free, no RSVP required
Audience	Families, collectors, McDonald’s fans

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Tied to the Toy Line Launch

This pop-up was part of McDonald’s national rollout of the Lil McDonald’s Happy Meal toy series, which launched on July 1, 2025. The collection features 21 miniature McDonald’s-themed toys, including register stations, play areas, fries, and the classic Boo Buckets.

Happy Meals also include interactive elements:

• Scannable packaging to unlock the “Drive-Thru Dash” game
• A PlayPlace finder in the McDonald’s app
• Printable placemats on HappyMeal.com

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What Visitors Are Saying

Social content and video reviews poured in over the weekend. Highlights from creators and fans include:

@duaneshootstoys The World’s Smallest Lil McDonald’s Happy Meal! @McDonald’s #lilmcdonalds #happymeal #miniature ♬ original sound – Duane Shoots Toys

“It’s like stepping into a McDonald’s toy box.”
“Perfect for kids and nostalgic parents alike.”
“The nugget ball pit was a hit—both with kids and on TikTok.”

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Final Thoughts

The Lil McDonald’s LA pop-up was a creative success that blended nostalgia, branding, and family fun. While short-lived, it effectively celebrated McDonald’s summer toy promotion and generated strong buzz both in-person and online.

Missed it? You can still collect the full Lil McDonald’s Mini Toy set by ordering Happy Meals nationwide while supplies last.