American Girl Comes to McDonald's
What does it take to get you to try a restaurant you've never tried before? A great review? A coupon? A come-on? And what will it take for you to go back? With so many great restaurants, coffee shops and bakeries in Seattle, my family rarely visits fast-food chains.
But there I was, yesterday, in the McDonald's drive-thru, ordering a Happy Meal. Not for the Chicken McNuggets, mind you, though it was lunchtime. The real reason we were in line was for the American Girl toy.
I succumbed to American Girl mania late in my daughter's childhood. It wasn't until she was eight that I ever considered actually buying an American Girl doll, though her friends already had one or two.
But I promised my daughter we could go the American Girl Store when we were in New York City, and once we did, I was hooked. How could I resist exquisite dolls in fabulous costumes surrounded by period furniture? There was Felicity wearing her gold-trimmed riding habit. And there was Kit sitting in perfect replicas of French button chairs.
Now that American Girl had come to McDonald's, (the promotion began mid-August), we had to check it out. The promo toy, American Girl booklets, each tied with a bow, are everything you might expect from American Girl -- absolutely charming. Each boasts a short story, paper dolls, stickers and activities. Julie's booklet included a DIY cootie-catcher, a maze and trivia questions. We're talking lots of low-tech fun, which delighted both my daughter and me.
I'm still not a fan of McNuggets. But you may see me in line at the McDonald's nearest you. There are eight different American Girl books and I, er we, intend to get them all.
--Tracy Schneider




S. Jones on August 28, 2009 at 03:24 PM
This promo got us hooked too. My daughter went the other week with a friend and brought her little American Girl booklet home. I was so impressed with the quality of the give-away and my girls loved them so much we went back last Sunday - not for the food, (well a few fries were eaten) but for american girl.
dvd-rw on September 19, 2009 at 05:59 AM
Firsty! My brother got a happy meal the other day and I saw that on the box. I’m super excited to see what they are. I hope they’re mini dolls and pets or little story books. I told my aunt bout this and shes like they’re giving away the dolls with happy meals!?! I was like do you really think so?
CABAL RMT on February 11, 2011 at 11:23 PM
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