McDonald's 'Hidden' £2 Happy Meal Toy Option Confirmed By Staff
Fast food enthusiasts across the UK are discovering a little-known service that allows them to purchase Happy Meal toys separately without buying the full meal. According to online claims from staff and customers, this "secret" option typically costs around £2, though it requires customers to specifically ask at the counter.
How The 'Just Ask' Policy Works
A spokesperson for McDonald's has officially confirmed that Happy Meal toys can be purchased separately from a Happy Meal, subject to availability and any Fair Ordering Policy in place for specific themed promotions. The key instruction for customers is simple: "Please ask a crew member at the counter."
This policy was documented in the McDonald's FAQs back in March 2025, and the rules are believed to remain similar as of January 2026. However, there are important caveats that customers should be aware of:
- The service is not guaranteed at every McDonald's location
- Availability depends on individual restaurant policies
- Managers have discretion to refuse separate toy sales
- Prices may vary slightly across different regions
Staff Insights From Behind The Counter
In online forums, a McDonald's employee provided technical details about how the system works: "There are two buttons for Happy Meal toys on the till, one for adding it as part of the meal and the other for buying it as a separate option. Most people will accidentally press the one for adding it to the meal, which gives them an error, so they'll say you can't have one separately."
This insight explains why some customers might have been told the option doesn't exist, when in reality it may simply require staff to use the correct till function. The employee added that managers could override this option if they choose to restrict separate toy sales.
Current Toy Collections And Value Proposition
As of late January, UK Happy Meals feature toys from a special collaboration between Hello Kitty and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The collection includes 12 different toys showcasing Hello Kitty characters styled in signature Ninja Turtle outfits.
For collectors or parents whose children only want the toy, the £2 separate purchase option represents significant savings compared to buying a full Happy Meal, which typically costs around £3.79. This makes the "just ask" approach particularly appealing for budget-conscious customers.
Upcoming Adult Collectables And Limitations
McDonald's is preparing to launch a special Friends promotion in February, featuring mystery boxes containing one of six figurines from the iconic sitcom cast. These will be available alongside certain classic meals including Big Mac, nine Chicken McNuggets, or McPlant options.
The collection includes detailed representations of the main characters:
- Ross with his pet monkey Marcel
- Rachel serving coffee at Central Perk
- Monica in full chef mode with her new menu item
- Phoebe with her guitar
- Chandler and Joey with their iconic apartment pets
However, despite being dubbed "adult Happy Meals" online, these Friends toys are unlikely to be available for separate purchase due to expected high demand. Fans will need to purchase the specific Friends meals to obtain the collectable figurines.
The revelation of this £2 toy option highlights how McDonald's maintains certain flexible policies that aren't widely advertised, relying on customer initiative and staff discretion to implement them across their UK locations.
