The Grinch Meal Vs. The Happy Meal: 5 Things You MUST Know About McDonald's USA Holiday 2025 Promotion

The question has been swirling around social media and fast-food forums for weeks: Is the iconic Grinch Happy Meal with the adorable Max the Dog plush toy finally available in the United States? As of today, December 15, 2025, the answer for U.S. customers is a bit complicated, but the holiday cheer—or mischief, in this case—is definitely on the menu. McDonald's USA has indeed launched a massive Dr. Seuss's The Grinch collaboration, but it’s the adult-focused "Grinch Meal" and a totally different set of collectible toys that are stealing the spotlight this holiday season.

The confusion stems from the fact that while other countries, like Canada and the UK, received a dedicated Grinch Happy Meal featuring exclusive plush toys, the U.S. market rolled out a different strategy. Instead of a new Happy Meal, the focus is on a limited-time, Grinch-themed adult meal and one of the most polarizing new menu items in recent memory: the Dill Pickle McShaker Fries. Here is everything you need to know about the current McDonald's holiday promotion and why you won't find a Grinch plush in your Happy Meal box.

The Grinch Meal USA: What It Is and What It Isn't

The biggest misconception this December 2025 is the difference between "The Grinch Meal" and a "Grinch Happy Meal." This distinction is essential for any fan hoping to grab a seasonal collectible.

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1. The Grinch Happy Meal (The International Star)

If you've seen social media posts featuring cute, collectible Grinch and Max plush toys, you're likely looking at the promotion from a different country. In places like Australia, Canada, and the UK, McDonald's offered a dedicated Grinch Happy Meal with 12 different collectible toys, including plush versions of the Grinch, his loyal dog Max, and other Whoville-themed items. This promotion was a massive success, leading U.S. fans to believe it would be a simultaneous global release.

2. The Grinch Meal (The USA Reality)

For the U.S. market, McDonald's decided to focus on a limited-time, adult-style meal deal called "The Grinch Meal." This promotion, which launched in November 2025, is a bundle featuring classic McDonald's favorites with a mischievous twist.

The Grinch Meal includes:

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• Your choice of a Big Mac or a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets.
• A medium fountain drink.
• The infamous Dill Pickle McShaker Fries.

This meal is a promotional tie-in to the Dr. Seuss holiday classic, but notably, it does not include a Grinch-themed toy or collectible merchandise within the meal itself. Any merchandise (like the highly sought-after mystery socks) was a separate, limited-time offering, not part of the standard meal purchase.

The Dill Pickle McShaker Fries: A Taste of "Grinch Salt"

The undeniable centerpiece of the U.S. Grinch promotion is the Dill Pickle McShaker Fries. This seasonal menu item has generated significant buzz, curiosity, and controversy among fast-food enthusiasts.

The concept is simple: you receive a standard order of McDonald's world-famous fries, a paper bag, and a separate packet of green-hued seasoning, often dubbed "Grinch Salt." The customer is then instructed to pour the seasoning into the bag with the fries and shake vigorously to coat them. This interactive element adds a fun, festive layer to the experience.

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However, reviews of the flavor have been widely mixed:

• The Flavor Profile: Many reviews suggest the seasoning is more salty and savory than intensely "dilly" or "pickle-y." Some describe it as having a strong MSG-like savoriness with only a hint of the expected sour pickle flavor.
• The Color: Despite being a Grinch-themed item, the seasoning's green color is often described as subtle or not vibrant enough to truly capture the Grinch's iconic hue.
• The Verdict: While it’s a unique and limited-time offering that taps into the seasonal trend of novelty fast-food items, it has not been universally embraced by pickle fanatics. It is a must-try for anyone curious about McDonald's experimental side, but it’s not a guaranteed hit for everyone.

The Actual McDonald's USA Happy Meal for December 2025

If the Grinch isn't in the Happy Meal box, who is? The current U.S. Happy Meal for December 2025 is a massive celebration that has captured the attention of collectors and Disney fans alike: the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration Happy Meal.

This promotion is running concurrently with The Grinch Meal and is the official toy offering for children (and collectors) this holiday season. The scale of this collaboration is enormous, featuring an unprecedented number of unique toys.

A Collector's Dream: 70 Disney Toys

To celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Disneyland, McDonald's released 70 different collectible toys. This is one of the largest Happy Meal collections ever offered. The toys are distributed in blind boxes, adding a mystery element to the chase.

Key entities and characters included in the 70-toy set:

• Classic Icons: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy.
• Modern Favorites: Characters from Pixar films like Toy Story, Up, and Inside Out (e.g., Sadness, Crush).
• Disney Princesses: Beloved characters such as Anna, Elsa, Ariel, Tiana, and Aurora.
• Star Wars & Marvel: Characters like Ahsoka, Black Panther, Black Widow, and Groot.

The sheer volume of this collection means that while the Grinch is causing chaos on the adult menu, the Happy Meal is a nostalgic trip through seven decades of Disney magic. This massive offering of collectible toys is the primary reason the Grinch plush was likely reserved for other markets, as the U.S. had a different, equally large holiday promotion already planned for the kids' menu.

3. How to Get the Grinch Experience in the USA

For those determined to get a piece of the Grinch action, here is how you can maximize your experience in the U.S. and overseas:

In the USA (December 2025):

Focus on ordering "The Grinch Meal." This is the only way to experience the Dill Pickle McShaker Fries and participate in the seasonal excitement. If you are a collector, you should be concentrating on the Disneyland 70th Anniversary Happy Meal to complete that massive set of 70 unique toys. Look for secondary market sellers or trading groups if you absolutely must have the international Grinch or Max plush toys.

In Canada/UK/Australia:

The dedicated Grinch Happy Meal with the plush toys was the main event. While the promotion may be ending or over in those regions, the toys are widely available on resale sites. This is the only way to officially obtain the Grinch and Max plush toys that caused all the buzz.

The 2025 holiday season at McDonald's USA is defined by two major, ambitious promotions running side-by-side: a polarizing new flavor experience with the Grinch and a historic toy collection with Disney. Whether you are craving the savory, tangy flavor of Grinch Salt or hunting for the rare Disney 70th Anniversary collectibles, McDonald's has ensured that this year’s seasonal menu is anything but ordinary.