McDonald's pulls sponsorship and fries stands

[BluewaterBrad]

I never really liked them being in the parks in the first place and was happy to see them leave. I felt it really cheapened the parks and started them down the same path as Six Flags with over priced brand name Fast food that you could get anywhere and for a lot less money. I hope Disney has learned from and doesn't do the smae thing with another chain.

I feel the same way!

[jillluvsdisney]

I won't miss them. Thankfully the McDonald's by All Stars is still open though. I MUST have my iced coffee fix.

[PETE FROM NYC]

I avoid McDonalds totally.
Never cared for their food except when I was desperate and nothing else was available.
PS I have the same feelings about Burger King.
If, on a rare ocassion I want a fast food burger,I much prefer Wendy's or White Castle.
The only positive thing I can say about McD's or BK is that its a good first job for teens.

[Seasonscraps]

For some reason, I thought McDonald's pulled the fry carts out a while ago. I may have had them as a snack a couple of times - I am not really a fan of Disney's CS fries but I don't go out of my way for them. Is the McD's in DTD closing too?

I avoid McDonalds totally.
Never cared for their food except when I was desperate and nothing else was available.
PS I have the same feelings about Burger King.
If, on a rare ocassion I want a fast food burger,I much prefer Wendy's or White Castle.
The only positive thing I can say about McD's or BK is that its a good first job for teens.

I love White Castles -- one of the good things about living in queens.

[Mrs Bus Driver]

I don't go to WDW or DL for the fries

[epceddie]

I stopped eating french fries a year ago to help with my blood sugar, which has gone way down, so I can't say that I miss them. Also, I've dropped some weight and I feel a whole better.

[Live4WDW]

I have to say, I like fries. It had been awhile since a Disney visit, probably the late 80's, the penny arcade was still there. I finally got to go in 2006 and I saw the little french fry places with mcdonalds on them and I thought how pitiful it was. I could not believe they had that in Disney. I must say, I am glad they are gone. They just did not belong. I was really stunned, at how the World had changed, maybe now it is changing for the better. I would feel the same way about any other chain restaurant being allowed in the park. It turns it into something else. See ya Ronald, go play in the sand at a beach near you!

[VWL Mom]

I'm not on one 'side' or the other....but.......

......I think it's 'okay' to miss them. Perhaps some people actually like them. Who are we to wonder why people like McDonald's fries.

[prttynpnk]

I won't miss the fries, but I will miss the dino themed ads in front of Dinosaur- I thought they were cute.

[Goes4FastPass]

I think it's OK to "like" McDonald's fries. I think it's not OK for them to be important to someone.

I recently heard a co-worker of mine say, "My child knows which brand of chicken nuggets are the right brand and she won't eat any others. I only buy her the right brand because anything else would be a waste or money." This a bad parent doing a lousy job of preparing her child to be a person living on the earth.

PS: I confess I haul Diet Mountain Dew to Disney World in my checked luggage.

[MNNHFLTX]

To the OP--it's understandable that you miss the fries for nostalgic reasons. It sounds like you have some fond memories of the time spent with your mom that is associated with them.

I was not a fan of the fries (or McDonald's), but I have similar memories associated with the ice cream shop on Main Street in the MK and would be disappointed if they closed that down.

[bruin1344]

As a previous poster stated I cant get upset about McDonald pulling out. I can go almost anywhere and get McDonalds stuff.

When I go to WDW I am looking for something that I cannot get at home. My famly and I will walk right by the stands or drive by the McDonalds outside of the All Star Resorts.

Why? go for a Big Mac when you can have a real meal.

I know that sometimes a buck is a buck.

My two cents as well.

i agree

[JohnnyNovo]

Its seems most of the people that posted are adults. I tend to think McDonalds was there more for the childern. I do kind of miss them being there for my kids. For example: My daughter fell and skined her knee. The only thing that would calm her down and make her feel better was some McDonalds fries. Its comfort food to kids. While I can see that most adults would have adventurous tastes, kids like food that makes them comfortable.

[Granny Jill A]

I'm in the No, I don't Miss Them column. When I travel, I like to experience different kinds of food. I don't select something I can get on any street corner back home.

Unless I'm staying someplace where all they serve are sheep's knuckles or something weird like that.

[EPCOT84]

Bringing in franchise brands may have been an efficient business model, and as one poster said, it is comfort food for kids, but as a park experience somehow seeing the golden arches felt like an intrusion of the real world. That was a first kneejerk reaction.

However, when I think about it, Disney has had corporate sponsors in all its parks and sometimes the food is from those sponsors so there is not that much of a difference. The sodas and popcorn are from outside companies but is part of the park culture. But yes somehow seeing McD in the parks felt odd. Go figure !

[Seasonscraps]

Bringing in franchise brands may have been an efficient business model, and as one poster said, it is comfort food for kids, but as a park experience somehow seeing the golden arches felt like an intrusion of the real world. That was a first kneejerk reaction.

However, when I think about it, Disney has had corporate sponsors in all its parks and sometimes the food is from those sponsors so there is not that much of a difference. The sodas and popcorn are from outside companies but is part of the park culture. But yes somehow seeing McD in the parks felt odd. Go figure !

I was thinking the same thing about corporate sponsorship...look at Coke. I also dont see where having a McDonald's burger is any different then having a burger from one of the CS places.

[darthmacho]

In my opinion, McDonald's can keep their fries, but I hope that your little ritual with your Mom doesn't come to an end. After all, it wasn't really the fries that made those moments special, was it? Maybe you both can start a new tradition by exploring other snack options. How about a Mickey Ice Cream?

[bkfree]

When you have a child that is ASD with sensory issues, a familiar food such as MickeyD's can be a godsend when at the park. So we will miss them.
I would not be so quick to judge a parent as good or bad in regard to food. You have no idea what other underlying issues may be at work. If you have never parented a child with autism or sensory issues, then you have cannot fathom how welcome the Golden Arches can be at times.
Judge not lest ye be judged.

And I know plenty of adults that will only eat or drink certain brands and they are doing just fine living in the "real world".

[Mrs Bus Driver]

Dose any one else here miss the McDonald's fries stands in the parks.

for me it was a little thing that made the trip feel complete. especially at MGM, while my dad and siblings would go on TOT and RRC, me and my mom would walk to the fries stand and share the fries and talk and catch up.

i know Disney cant control when and if a sponsoring compony decides to remove its sponsorship but a part of me was disappointed to here that McDonald's pulled it and was further disappointed to see the fries stands turned into popcorn stands and what not when i was there last.


so any way, thats my two cents, it there my one else that felt that way or am i the only one.

I would like to make amends to the op for my first response.

I don't go to WDW or DL for the fries

After reading others posts I finally get what you are saying. It's not the fries it is the time with Mom and the fries were a symbol of that. So on that account I am sorry the fries are gone. However you do have your memories and you will make new ones.

[ajpa]

No, I'm personally not senti about McD's fries.
But if the turkey legs ever go away you will see me bawl!