The Ultimate Collector's Guide To The 8 Little Mermaid McDonald's Toys (2023 Live-Action Set)

The Little Mermaid McDonald's toys from the 2023 live-action movie promotion represent a significant, modern wave of Disney collectibles, capturing the attention of both long-time Happy Meal enthusiasts and new fans of the film. Released in May 2023, this set of eight unique figures served as a major tie-in with the highly anticipated Disney live-action remake, starring Halle Bailey as Ariel. This article, updated for the current date of December 13, 2025, provides the definitive guide to the complete set, detailing each collectible, its features, and its standing in the fast-food toy collector community.

The 2023 set is particularly notable because it features character designs based on the live-action cast and visual effects, offering a distinct aesthetic compared to the classic animated film's merchandise. This limited-time promotion, which ran from May 23 to June 19, 2023, quickly became a must-have for those looking to commemorate the new era of the beloved Disney Princess story, ensuring its place as a collectible for years to come.

The Complete List of 8 Little Mermaid Happy Meal Toys (2023)

The 2023 collection consists of eight individual figures, each representing a key character from the live-action film. Unlike previous sets that sometimes featured generic characters, this promotion was a comprehensive collection of the main cast, from the titular mermaid to the villainous sea witch and the loyal animal companions. Collecting all eight figures, often sold sealed in their original bags, is the primary goal for most collectors.

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• 1. Ariel (The Mermaid): The main figure, often depicted in her iconic mermaid form with a spinning or gliding action to simulate swimming through the water. This figure captures the likeness of actress Halle Bailey.
• 2. King Triton: The imposing ruler of the sea, father to Ariel, and wielder of the powerful Trident. His toy typically featured a push-action or a static, majestic pose.
• 3. Prince Eric: The human prince who captivates Ariel. This figure usually shows him in his on-land attire, often on a base or with a movement feature to simulate walking or riding.
• 4. Ursula: The formidable sea witch and primary antagonist. Her figure is a standout, featuring her distinctive tentacles and a dark, powerful design that reflects Melissa McCarthy's portrayal.
• 5. Sebastian: Ariel's loyal and worry-prone crab companion. This toy is often a "push-and-go" racer, where pushing it back causes it to launch forward.
• 6. Flounder: Ariel's best friend, the tropical fish. The toy version is typically small and designed to move or wobble, showcasing his nervous yet endearing personality.
• 7. Scuttle: The eccentric diving bird (a Northern Gannet in the live-action version) who provides Ariel with often-incorrect information about the human world. This figure is a unique collectible due to the bird's updated look.
• 8. Max (Prince Eric's Dog): The faithful canine companion, a beloved non-human character. The Max toy often features a simple action like a wagging tail or a rolling base.

The variety of characters, spanning merfolk, humans, and sea creatures, provides excellent topical authority within the *Little Mermaid* universe. The inclusion of figures like Max and Scuttle, alongside the main trio of Ariel, Eric, and Ursula, highlights the depth of the 2023 set for dedicated Disney enthusiasts.

The Live-Action Difference: Why the 2023 Set is Unique

The 2023 *The Little Mermaid* Happy Meal toys are fundamentally different from previous releases, such as the popular 1997 set, because they are based on the live-action film. This distinction is crucial for collectors and fans. The toys reflect the realistic, CGI-enhanced designs of the creatures and the specific costumes and appearances of the human cast members.

The live-action adaptation required a complete re-imagining of the characters, which is directly translated into the toy design. Ariel's figure, for example, is the first McDonald's toy to feature the likeness of Halle Bailey, an element that adds significant cultural and historical value to the collectible. The designs of Flounder and Sebastian, which were updated to look more like realistic sea creatures, also make the 2023 set a unique snapshot of the modern Disney aesthetic.

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Furthermore, the promotion itself was a major event for McDonald's, emphasizing a celebration of the film's "wavemakers" who dream beyond the surface to break barriers. This marketing angle further elevated the set beyond a simple movie tie-in, giving it a more meaningful context for those who collected it during the May 2023 release window.

Collector Value and the Resale Market for Disney Happy Meal Toys

When assessing the value of the 2023 *Little Mermaid* collectibles, several factors come into play, most notably condition and completeness. For any fast-food toy, the gold standard for collector value is a complete set of eight figures, still sealed in their original plastic packaging (known as "Mint in Bag" or MIB).

While the 2023 set is relatively new, its value is steadily increasing, particularly for the complete, unopened set. Individual figures, especially the main characters like Ariel and Ursula, are also sought after. The value of these toys is not just monetary; it's also nostalgic. Disney Happy Meal toys, in general, have a strong collector base, with older sets, such as the 1997 *Little Mermaid* collection, fetching significant prices on resale platforms like eBay.

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Topical Authority: The Little Mermaid McDonald's History

To fully appreciate the 2023 set, it's helpful to look at the history of *The Little Mermaid* at McDonald's. The 2023 release was not the first time Ariel and her friends graced the Happy Meal box. The most famous previous promotion was the 1997 set, which was a tie-in with the original animated film's re-release or video release. The 1997 set also featured eight toys, but with the classic 2D animation designs.

The 1997 toys are now considered vintage collectibles, with a complete, mint condition set commanding a higher price than the 2023 set, simply due to age and scarcity. The contrast between the 1997 animated designs and the 2023 live-action designs makes both sets valuable for different reasons: one for classic nostalgia and the other for modern representation and film history. Collectors often strive to own both sets to complete their comprehensive *Little Mermaid* fast-food toy collection.

Entities and Keywords for the Dedicated Collector

For those looking to deepen their collection or understand the market, several entities and keywords are essential. These terms help navigate the collector space and identify specific items.

• Happy Meal Collectibles: The overarching category for all McDonald's promotional toys.
• Disney Princess Merchandise: The broader context for Ariel's figures.
• Live-Action Adaptation: The specific source material for the 2023 designs.
• Halle Bailey: The actress whose likeness is featured on the Ariel toy.
• Melissa McCarthy: The actress whose likeness is featured on the Ursula toy.
• Fast Food Toy Reviews: A common search term for unboxing and evaluating the set.
• MIB (Mint in Bag): The condition sought by serious collectors.
• The Little Mermaid 1997 Set: The historical precedent for the 2023 collection.
• Trident: King Triton's iconic weapon, often a feature of his toy.
• Under-the-Sea Characters: A search term covering Flounder, Sebastian, and Scuttle.
• Toy Numbers: The specific identification codes (#1 through #8) used to track the release order.
• Vintage McDonald's Toys: The broader category for older, more valuable sets.
• Collector's Market: The term for the resale and trading community.
• Sebastian Push-and-Go: A specific feature of one of the most common toys.
• Prince Eric's Dog: An alternative name for the Max figure.
• Disney Movie Tie-In: The marketing strategy behind the promotion.

The 2023 *Little Mermaid* McDonald's toy set is more than just a collection of plastic figures; it's a piece of modern Disney history, a representation of a landmark film, and a highly desirable set for any serious collector of fast-food memorabilia. Its value lies in its completeness, condition, and its unique status as the first Happy Meal set based on the live-action world of Ariel. For those who missed the May 2023 promotion, the secondary market remains the best place to dive in and complete this enchanting collection.