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relpmeraggy t1_irhfyd9 wrote

McDonald’s bday parties were epic, I do remember that much.

17

TylerBaraby t1_irhhzto wrote

Replying to hlda_g (#56,275)

That doesn't justify a full ashtray sitting right next to the birthday cake surrounded by children (or adults, for that matter).

Also, I'm pretty sure most places had phased that out by '95, especially at kids' birthday parties.

Edit: Keep embarassing yourselves - my block list is hungry.

−70

graye33 t1_irhj4z0 wrote

I had a birthday at McDonald’s for my 4th bday in 97. Still have the plastic plates. I’ll never forget it because I stepped on a bee that stung me right where my big toe and foot meet.

9

IamMagicarpe t1_irhjexb wrote

Man.. today’s kids will never know of 90s McDonald’s.

66

rodentfacedisorder t1_irhk9xo wrote

When did kids stop having their birthdays in McDonald's?

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stefanica t1_irhm94h wrote

Grandma has strong genes. Look at the right side of the photo. :)

1

andejm93 t1_irhp6xr wrote

I just got a hella strong memory of that cake flavor from when I was stupid young. Damn.

2

carbonshaman t1_irhscfh wrote

I lived next to a McDonald's when I was a kid and my parents only ever took me there for my birthday parties. They had an actual birthday train-caboose out back and the same cake pictured here.

1

MrmeowmeowKittens t1_irhw5am wrote

Make America Great Again, bring back McDonalds birthday cakes!

10

RonStopable08 t1_irhyqe4 wrote

Replying to rodentfacedisorder (#56,355)

Basically in the late 90’s mcdonalds dropped the clown and his crew in a big way. Most restaurants had the clown on a bench and posters and it was everywhere.

It was kinda the thing for fun places to do, like chuckee cheeses and a few others.

They rebranded to become more profitable, so they got rid of play pens and things like that, and started being open 24/7.

Last thing you want is drunk people vomiting in the ball pit at 2am.

Or drunk ass teens hanging out at the top making out.

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RonStopable08 t1_irhyrim wrote

I wish i could remember how the cake tasted. I know I’ve had one, but dam i was little

2

MRHBK t1_irhzyij wrote

Or Grimmace drugged you with his special purple drink

1

rodentfacedisorder t1_iri09b1 wrote

Replying to RonStopable08 (#56,810)

That makes sense. But all the McDonald's around where I used to live, 4 years ago, still had the play areas. No ball pits though. However I don't think the ones around where I currently live have any of that.

5

eve_naive t1_iri23mg wrote

Who puts a cake on a tray and places it diagonally on the corner of a table like that? That’s a recipe for desaster.

1

CunnyMaggots t1_iri2wep wrote

Replying to TylerBaraby (#56,283)

In 1996, there were still smoking sections in restaurants in Los Angeles County. Nobody cared about anyone's lungs at that point, and it was a couple years later before they outlawed smoking in cars with minors in them. And even as late as 2004, a lot of dicey places still allowed smoking indoors until the authorities showed up, in which case they would hide the ashtrays and open the doors as though no one would know... lol.

6

bandson88 t1_iri7998 wrote

Replying to relpmeraggy (#56,209)

Same. In the UK the biggest flex of the party was the birthday person and a friend got to tour the kitchen I wonder if that was done in the states? I remember on my 4th birthday my mum made me pick my sister to do the tour with and I was fuming. I wonder how they ever thought children near the deep fat fryer was a good idea

5

EmilyKills t1_iriaomj wrote

This didn't happen to be in Pennsylvania by any chance, did it?

1

60minutesmoreorless t1_irigub0 wrote

Does anyone remember the organized birthday party contests of who could make the tallest tower out of the styrofoam containers the burgers used to come in? I’m thinking 80’s or very early 90’s

1

Barfignugen t1_irih412 wrote

The carousel in the background with the weird burger fish 🥰

3

mompacheco t1_iril9gu wrote

As a high schooler working at McDonald's in the late 80s, I served many of those parties in the boat that was the centerpiece of the restaurant.

2

AegMacro t1_irilng2 wrote

Replying to EeerrEeer (#56,559)

It’s no ones fault but McDonalds. They had money and brand recognition, they could have continously improved but they chose to water down their services and establishments. Back then Mcdonalds was an experience and felt premium. Doesn’t feel that way anymore, certainly not in the U.S.

14

Itisd t1_iriluxz wrote

The pack of Canadian cigarettes and dirty ashtray next to a children's birthday cake would almost be considered criminal today... Ahh the good old days... Lol.

For what it's worth, I seem to remember McDonald's banning smoking inside in Canada around 1990, So I would suspect this picture is older than 1995.

1

thebipeds t1_irindfg wrote

My grandmother threw a fit when they took out the ashtrays. I have a clear memory of being thrown out with her screaming at them, “damn commies!”

1

54-2-10 t1_irj16mz wrote

Looks like you were a ladies man

1

z3r0n3gr0 t1_irjc5y8 wrote

I remember they use to have a playground with that compost wood chips every kids came out all dirty to their parents cars.

1

TSMbody t1_irjrblp wrote

Didn’t know you were friends with Hermione Granger!

1

kalleas t1_irjsfzs wrote

that's some white trash shit

−2

Techutante t1_irjv0sf wrote

They used to have party packs. You could call ahead of time and reserve a spot for a birthday party. Pay a small fee, they would provide the hats and birthday napkins and some toys. We had boomerangs and minifigs at some parties I had in the 90s. It was all trash plastic, but we loved it at that age.

2

-_Duke_-_- t1_irjxim5 wrote

Kid in the back looks straight out of The Shining.

1

cowboydownyonder t1_irjy3n2 wrote

pretty much every mcdonald’s (at least in michigan) has changed the whole look of their restaurants. going from colorful and child friendly to gray neutral and dull. i imagine it was some sort of campaign against childhood obesity. not sure if it was mcdonald’s move or someone else. either way life is exceptional boring now

3

logica_torcido t1_irjzkfj wrote

That cake looks like a cardboard box. Was it good?

1

Wilmore99 t1_irk0rx2 wrote

I remember going to a McDonald’s bday party and getting bit on the forehead by some psycho kid at the party. Don’t want to say his name, but he lives in Florida now (if he’s alive and/or not incarcerated). So I guess it evened out.

2

Patzercake t1_irk18cx wrote

Replying to IamMagicarpe (#56,334)

Real talk, my mom use to take me and my siblings to a McDonald's that was about 40 minutes away. It was special though because it was a retro style McDonald's with a life sized statue of superman bursting through the wall and a giant play area off to the side. I wouldn't want to go back as an adult as I don't think it would live up to my memory but in my head it was a magical place.

7

riefpirate t1_irka03e wrote

Does McDonald's still do birthdays ?

1

gil_beard t1_irkp48p wrote

I can't even imagine having a bday party at a McDonald's today but back in the 90s it was the place to do it at.

3

LoverboyQQ t1_irnhr0p wrote

Dang y’all had a merry go round in a Mickey D’s

1