Is the 900-Calorie McDonald’s Shake Actually Worth It?
The Mt. McDonaldland Shake has been making waves since it landed on McDonald’s menus on August 12, 2025. It’s a hefty treat–nearly 900 calories for a large–that has people asking if it’s truly worth the hype.
The Appearance
The McDonaldland Shake, inspired by the volcano in Grimace’s hometown, has a blue color that stands in for lava, whereas its pink topping represents clouds floating above. The world-renowned fast food chain clearly made this in hopes of tapping into memories of Happy Meal toys and long-gone mascots.
The Taste
McDonald’s describes the flavor as vanilla soft serve with berry syrup, particularly raspberry notes leading the way. Some tasters claim they picked up hints of pomegranate, peach, and apple. The reactions have ranged from calling it candy-like and fruity to flat-out unbearable, with descriptions such as ‘Fruity Pebbles’ and ‘melted popsicle mixed with skim milk.’ The pink whipped cream, while eye-catching, doesn’t add anything other than color.
There are customers who rank it as their favorite shake yet, but most of them claim they couldn’t even finish a small one. Media outlets had equally mixed takes, with Taste of Home calling it nostalgic and fun, and the Delaware News Journal warning it was “sickeningly sweet.” Clearly, this is a flavor designed to spark debate.
The Price Tag and Collectibles
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Ordering the Mt. McDonaldland Shake on its own is possible, but it’s mainly packaged with the McDonaldland Meal. That means a Quarter Pounder or McNuggets, fries, and a collectible tin featuring characters like Hamburglar or Birdie.
Inside the tin are postcards, stickers, and an online code. The cost, however, is steep. In Seattle, the medium meal ran $16.59, while the large was $18.29. That’s a lot for fast food, even with the extras.
The Nutrition
Calories and sugar are a common topic of conversation around this shake. A large size has 900 calories, while even a small one comes with 64 grams of sugar. That’s more sugar than most people should have in an entire day, all in a single drink. For anyone watching their diet or just not into super-sweet flavors, this one might feel like more of a challenge than a treat.
So, Is It Worth It?
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The Mt. McDonaldland Shake is more of a novelty than a menu staple. Its appeal lies in the throwback characters, the outrageous colors, and the fun of trying something new. For fans of ’90s-style blue raspberry candy, it’s a hit of nostalgia. For everyone else, it might be too sweet, too pricey, and too much.
So, if you enjoy novelty and don’t mind a high-calorie dessert, it could be a fun option. If you prefer more traditional flavors or lighter choices, it may not be the right pick. Ultimately, its value comes down to personal preference.