Disney does not own McDonald’s. Although there have been promotional tie-ins between McDonald’s and Disney, the two companies are separate entities.
I remember growing up and seeing McDonald’s Happy Meal toys featuring Disney characters. It was always exciting to get a new toy based on my favorite Disney movie or TV show. These tie-ins were a marketing strategy by both McDonald’s and Disney to attract customers and promote their respective brands.
One of the earliest Disney promotions with McDonald’s was in 1981 when McDonald’s featured characters from the movie “The Fox and the Hound.” This partnership was successful, and since then, McDonald’s has collaborated with Disney on numerous promotions.
Over the years, McDonald’s has released Happy Meal toys and other merchandise featuring characters from popular Disney films such as “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Lion King,” “Toy Story,” “Finding Nemo,” and many more. These tie-ins not only generated excitement among children but also helped promote the Disney movies.
In addition to Happy Meal toys, McDonald’s has also sponsored Disney events and attractions. For example, they have been a sponsor of Disneyland and Walt Disney World, providing food and beverages for visitors. This partnership allowed McDonald’s to have a presence in the Disney parks, further promoting their brand.
It is important to note that while McDonald’s and Disney have collaborated on various promotions, they are separate companies with different ownership structures. McDonald’s is a publicly-traded company, while Disney is also publicly traded but is majority-owned by the Disney family and other shareholders.
Disney does not own McDonald’s. However, the two companies have had a longstanding partnership with promotional tie-ins and collaborations to promote their respective brands. These partnerships have often included Happy Meal toys, merchandise, and sponsorship of Disney events.