At the beginning of October, McDonald’s released their new Cactus Plant Flea Market Box, also known as the “adult happy meal.” This new menu item includes either a Big Mac Burger or a 10 piece chicken nugget, as well a medium fry and drink. However, since it is considered a happy meal, it also includes one of four figurines based off of the Cactus Plant Flea Market streetwear brand: Grimace, Hamburglar, Birdie or Cactus Plant’s “Cactus Buddy”.
The original happy meal is considered to be a “kid’s meal” due to its smaller portion sizes. This new adult happy meal is essentially the same thing as the original version but with larger portion sizes. Happy meals technically do not have an age limit, but the adult version was made so that adults and teenagers could still enjoy the fun of happy meals, but have a more satisfying portion of food. Adding toys to the meal makes it a more nostalgic experience, and brings many back to their childhood.
“The adult happy meal definitely reminded me a lot of the happy meals I got as a kid,” junior Brynn Glauser said. “It was very nostalgic and definitely brought me back to my childhood.”
Although the adult happy meal is extremely similar to the original kid’s version, the cost is significantly different. An original kid’s chicken nugget happy meal currently costs $5.39, whereas the adult chicken nugget happy meal costs $11.29, this is a $5.90 difference which can add up in the long run. To get a 10 piece chicken nugget meal from McDonald’s without the toy costs $8.39, a meal with the exact same portions costs $2.90 more just for the toy and happy meal label.
According to a poll taken on the Sequoit Media instagram, only 21% of respondents have tried the adult happy meal and 79% have not. Even the slight price difference has turned customers away from purchasing the meal.
“I don’t really think I would get the adult happy meal again just because it’s a lot more expensive than an actual happy meal and you can get a kid’s happy meal even though it’s for less portions,” Glauser said.
While the additional price for adding the toy can be problematic for some customers, some find that trying to collect all of the toys can be a fun experience.
“I would get the adult happy meal again so I could try to get a new toy,” junior Ryan Swanson said.
Overall, McDonald’s new limited edition adult happy meal has been a hit or miss. Customers either really enjoy it and find it to be a fun experience, or think the price is too much for the worth of the happy meal.
