In the realm of collectibles, few phenomena have captured the hearts of enthusiasts quite like McDonald’s Ty Teenie Beanie Babies. Since their debut in the 1990s, these pint-sized plushies have ignited a frenzy of excitement, turning fast-food visits into treasure hunts and Happy Meal toys into cherished keepsakes.
With their irresistible charm and limited availability, McDonald’s Teenie Beanie Babies have become not just toys, but cultural icons, sparking a fervor of collecting that spans generations. In this comprehensive guide, we delve deep into the colorful world of these miniature marvels, exploring their origins, evolution, and enduring appeal.
From the rarest finds to the most iconic characters, we’ll navigate the labyrinth of McDonald’s Teenie Beanie Baby lore, uncovering the stories behind each cuddly creation and tracing their journey from the golden arches to the hearts of collectors worldwide. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a curious newcomer, join us on this nostalgic adventure as we unravel the enchanting saga of McDonald’s Ty Teenie Beanie Babies.
McDonalds Wanted Ty And His Beanie Babies Badly
Ty Warner was notoriously hesitant to do partnerships with the Beanie Baby brand. McDonalds had come to Ty earlier in the 90s to try to do a deal but was turned down. Eventually, the potential to reach lower income households not typically exposed to Ty Beanie Babies sealed the deal.
Interesting note, the only other partnership Ty signed was a cancelled-before-it-aired cartoon featuring lovable Beanie Baby characters. What could have been!
Teenie Beanie Babies 1997-2000
A Teenie Beanie Baby is a small plush toy produced by the toy company Ty Inc. These miniature stuffed animals were typically given away as promotional items with McDonald’s Happy Meals during specific promotions. Each Teenie Beanie Baby is a smaller version of the regular Beanie Babies produced by Ty Inc., which were also highly popular collectible toys in the 1990s and early 2000s.
The Teenie Beanie Babies were usually released in themed sets, often coinciding with major events or holidays. They were made with the same attention to detail and quality as their larger counterparts, featuring soft plush fabric and beans or pellets inside for a cuddly feel. These toys quickly became sought-after collectibles due to their limited availability and association with the McDonald’s brand.
Teenie Beanie Babies hold nostalgic value for many individuals who grew up during the height of their popularity, and they remain sought after by collectors today.
1997: The First Year
Mega success was an understatement. I was there with my mom and dad – for many trips to get Happy Meals. The lines were unbelievable – long and raucous.
In 1997, Beanie Babies were unquestionably the most sought-after toys on the market. Given the immense popularity of Beanie Babies and McDonald’s proven ability to draw children to their restaurants with enticing toys, it was inevitable that these two phenomena would collide, especially given their shared roots in the Chicago area. Thus, in April of 1997, McDonald’s unveiled its groundbreaking concept: “Teenie Beanies,” miniature versions of Beanie Babies to be distributed with Happy Meals.
The anticipation for Teenie Beanies was palpable even before their official announcement. McDonald’s establishments nationwide were inundated with inquiries from eager customers eager to know when the coveted toys would arrive. It was clear: these would be the most coveted McDonald’s toys to date.
Packaged in square plastic bags, each adorned with Ronald McDonald holding a Happy Meal box, the Teenie Beanies quickly became the talk of the town. Inside the Happy Meal box was the name of the Teenie Beanie awaiting its new owner.
Demand for Teenie Beanies soared, surpassing all expectations. Restaurants were flooded with patrons clamoring for these tiny treasures, with most styles selling out by noon on the first day of release. Collectors went to great lengths, purchasing multiple Happy Meals just to obtain enough Teenie Beanies to meet their needs. Many resorted to reselling them on secondary markets for hefty profits.
However, this popularity came at a cost. Hundreds of Happy Meals were discarded after the toys were removed, resulting in significant food wastage. In response, McDonald’s adjusted its strategy for the following year, allowing customers to purchase Teenie Beanies separately from other menu items.
The demand remained insatiable, with supplies unable to keep pace. Many enthusiasts turned to secondary markets, where complete sets of the 1997 Teenie Beanies were fetching prices well above retail. I can remember seeing eBay listings at over $70 for the set back then.
When: April 11, 1997 to May 15,1997
Checklist:10
Requirement: Purchase of a McDonald’s Happy Meal
Names of Teenie Beanie Babies:
1. Patti
2. Pinky
3. Chops
4. Chocolate
5. Goldie
6. Speedy
7. Seamore
8. Snort
9. Quacks
10.Lizz
1998: They’re Back And McDonalds Produced A Lot More
Due to the overwhelming success of the 1997 Teenie Beanie promotion, it was only natural that it would return for another round in 1998. This time, the promotion lasted for a total of twenty-eight days, running from May 22 to June 18. Unlike the previous year, where 10 Teenie Beanies were offered, this year saw an increase to 12.
The excitement surrounding the 1998 Teenie Beanies was almost as frenzied as the previous year. Long lines persisted, and restaurants found themselves once again struggling to keep up with demand. Adding to the excitement, Happy Meal bags featured a catchy Teenie Beanie Club House Song, inviting families to join in the fun.
Advertising for the promotion was abundant, with various posters and banners displayed in McDonald’s restaurants and even in some Walmarts. These promotional materials showcased the vibrant world of Teenie Beanies, enticing customers to collect them all.
For the first time, Ty offered extra promotional items exclusively for McDonald’s employees. These included lapel pins featuring the Teenie Beanies and T-shirts. Media kits were also distributed to the press, featuring detailed information and images of each Teenie Beanie.
In Germany, a similar promotion took place in 1999, featuring the same Teenie Beanies as in the U.S. However, the names of two of the Teenies, Happy and Bongo, were changed to Percival and Mitch, adding a unique twist to the collection.
Overall, the 1998 Teenie Beanie promotion continued the tradition of excitement and collectibility, captivating customers young and old with its colorful characters and limited availability.
When: May 22, 1998 to June 18, 1998
Checklist:12
Requirement: Purchase of a McDonald’s Happy Meal or other food item
Names of Teenie Beanie Babies:
1. Doby
2. Bongo
3. Twigs
4. Inch
5. Pinchers
6. Happy
7. Mel
8. Scoop
9. Bones
10. Zip
11. Waddle
12. Peanut
1999: Year 3 Is Much Slower
Continuing the trend, Teenie Beanies made their return to McDonald’s for the third consecutive year. However, this time around, it was a calmer affair, offering true Ty collectors a chance to acquire their beloved beanies with ease. The frenzy that surrounded Beanie Babies in 1999 was notably subdued compared to the previous year, with almost all of this year’s Teenies readily available. Some speculated that the selection of beanies chosen for the promotion might have played a role, as they were perceived as less cute than previous choices.
In 1999, McDonald’s also introduced more than one promotion simultaneously. The first set of Teenie Beanies, available from May 21 to June 3, followed the traditional format of being offered in bags with Happy Meals, featuring a lineup of 12 beanies. Later, on June 3, Ty and McDonald’s unveiled the “International Bears Collection,” which would be available until June 17.
Unlike the bagged Teenie Beanies, the “International Bears Collection” was presented in small boxes backed with cardboard, each priced at $2.49US or $2.99CAN with the purchase of any regularly priced menu item. Customers were typically limited to purchasing 5-10 of these bears per visit, depending on the McDonald’s location.
Various promotional items accompanied the “International Bears Collection,” including paper placemats highlighting each bear and information on the charitable cause they supported: the Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities. Pins, T-shirts, baseball caps, and polo shirts were also offered to McDonald’s employees, with the pins being distributed on June 3. Germany also joined in, distributing lapel pins to employees.
Additionally, Ty created a special Teenie named Glory the Bear exclusively for crew members. This bear featured a unique design, with its hang tag opening up like a traditional Beanie Baby, revealing a heartfelt poem thanking employees for their dedication and hard work during the Teenie Beanie Babies promotion.
Overall, the 1999 McDonald’s Teenie Beanie promotion offered collectors a diverse array of beanies to add to their collections, while also supporting a charitable cause and recognizing the efforts of McDonald’s employees.
When: May 21, 1999 to June 17, 1999
Checklists: 17
Requirement Purchase of a McDonald’s Happy Meal or other food item
Names of Teenie Beanie Babies:
1.Freckles
2.Antsy
3.Smoochy
4.Spunky
5.Rocket
6.Iggy
7.Strut
8.Nuts
9.Claude
10.Stretchy
11.Nook
12.Chip
International Bears:
13.Britannia
14.Erin
15.Glory
16.Maple
Crew Bear:
17.Glory
2000: The End Of An Era
Despite Beanie Babies not dominating the year’s trends, Ty and McDonald’s collaborated to release the most extensive selection of Teenies to date in 2000. The excitement began with the distribution of 18 Happy Meal bagged Beanies on June 13, 2000, followed by additional special Teenie releases throughout the year, totaling 34 in all.
The 18 Happy Meal Beanies were categorized into four groups: “Pet Pals,” “At the Zoo,” “Garden Bunch,” and “Under the Sea.” Notably, Lips the fish and Slither the snake, the first two Teenies released, contained game pieces inside their bags, offering customers a chance to win a $25,000 scholarship.
On June 29, 2000, two more Happy Meal Teenies were released under the “Top Secret” category, coinciding with the launch of their full-sized counterparts.
Another notable release was the “Teenie Superstars” line, which debuted on June 13, 2000. This set featured 10 Teenies divided into four groups: “Dinosaur Trio,” “International Bears,” “Legends,” and “The End Bear.” Each Teenie was priced at $2.49 in the US and $2.99 in Canada.
In addition to the Superstars series, a one-day-only promotion called McHappy Day took place on June 13, 2000. A special Millennium Teenie Beanie was given away with food purchases, with proceeds benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
From October 25 to November 9, 2000, McDonald’s introduced “The USA Trio” Teenie Beanie promotion, coinciding with the elections. This series included Libearty the Bear, Lefty the democratic donkey, and Righty the republican elephant, each distributed exclusively in the USA.
Throughout the promotions, Ty provided various promotional items, including pins for employees. Notably, Lucky the Ladybug and Lips the fish were featured on special crew pins, commemorating the Teenie Beanie Babies of 2000.
Overall, 2000 marked a significant year for Teenie Beanie enthusiasts, with a diverse array of releases and promotions capturing the imagination of collectors and customers alike.
When: Throughout the Year
Checklist: 32
Requirement: Purchase of a McDonald’s Happy Meal or other food item
Names of Teenie Beanie Babies:
Bagged Beanies 1 – 18:
Pet Pals:
- Lips
- Slither
- Flip
- Dotty
Garden Bunch:
- Lucky
- Bumble
- Spinner
- Flitter
At the Zoo:
- Tusk
- Blizz
- Spike
- Schweetheart
Under the Sea:
- Neon
- Coral
- Sting
- Goochy
Top Secret:
- Springy
- Bushy
Super Stars:
Dinosaur Trio:
- Rex
- Bronty
- Steg
International Bears:
- Osito
- Germania
- Spangle
Legends:
- Royal Blue Peanut
- Chilly
- Humphrey
The End Bear:
- The End Bear
USA Trio:
- Libearty
- Righty
- Lefty
McHappy Day:
- Millennium
2004: And Beyond
2000 marked the end of Teenie Beanie Babies as we knew and loved them. They were released a few more times for anniversary type events, but never replicated the widestream success of the 97-00 period.
