Video of “disturbing” McDonald's Play area becomes viral

A video of a McDonald's Play area, which is described as “disturbing” and “heartbreaking” by social media users, has become viral and has discussions about the state of family-friendly rooms of the fast food giant.

The film material, which was originally published by journalist Nancy French on X, formerly Twitter, shows an almost empty play area – a strong contrast to the colorful, busy playgrounds that many combine with McDonald's restaurants.

“This is so heartbreaking,” wrote French in a number of articles. “I am at a new McDonalds in Franklin, TN, and look at their playground for children. Two screens/two chairs.”

Her thread quickly achieved traction, triggered nostalgia and worried among the spectators. An X user commented: “Troubling !! No real game or contact with other children !!”

The feeling was repeated by many who saw the video, with a commentator said: “Nothing says fun in childhood, as if you were staring at a screen in a slightly different place than at home.” Another viewer replied: “I want the back of the 80s.”

A strong contrast to the past

The video shows a play area that is almost empty, apart from two chairs. Each chair stands in front of a screen, and in the middle of the room there is a large pillar in which the caption is called, “it could be to bring children to sport.”

No children will play in the video, and the room does not appear to be occupied except for French. The area in the film material also lacks bright colors, in contrast to the elaborate multi -stage play structures and ball pits that were once staple foods of a McDonald's Playplace.

McDonald's Playplaces was first introduced in the 1970s as a way to make the fast food chain more attractive for families. At their climax, these playgrounds were alive and often contained numerous interactive elements that children could entertain. Over the years, however, many locations have removed or reduced their play areas.

In response to the video, some social media users mourned for the decline of Playplaces and similar areas of play.

“So many joys that our children will never experience,” wrote an X user. “I am grateful that he grew up with Toys R us, pizza hat dining rooms and real playgrounds at McDonalds.”

McDonald's answer

According to the representatives of McDonald's, while Playplaces have been changed or removed in certain locations, family -friendly rooms remain priority for the company. In response to concerns about the play area shown in the viral video, the company told the media offers: “While this restaurant has some interactive functions for younger guests, it does not represent the full game design and the full gaming experience.”

While some locations continue to have extensive playgrounds, other experiences such as digital order and AI-driven passages have been redesigned instead of maintaining large play areas.

Are Playplaces a thing of the past?

Some social media users have speculated that cleanliness and liability problems and an increase in screen time for younger children are probably reasons for reduced play areas, others believe that McDonald's could bring the magic of playgrounds back with minimal exertion.

An X user posted a picture of past play areas under the caption: “For those who were too young to know it looked like it in the 80s and 90s. It was so much fun as a child. The McDonalds near me had an indoor playground with a huge ball pit!”