<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (August 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (August 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> McDonaldland was a fantasy world used in the marketing for McDonald's restaurants . McDonaldland was inhabited by Ronald McDonald and other characters . In addition to being used in advertising, the characters were used as the basis for equipment in the "playplaces" attached to some McDonald's . McDonaldland and the supporting characters were dropped from McDonald's marketing in 2003, but Ronald McDonald is still seen in commercials and in Happy Meal toys . </P> <P> McDonaldland was created by Needham, Harper & Steers in 1970--1971 at the request of McDonald's for its restaurants . The early commercials were built on an upbeat, bubble - gum style tune, and featured a narrator; many had plots that involved various villains trying to steal a corresponding food item, foiled by Ronald . </P>

Why did they get rid of the mcdonald's characters