As an avid road tripper and Halloween enthusiast with over 7 years of experience traveling the highways and bi-ways of America, I make it a point to schedule at least one spooky sojourn every October. There’s nothing quite like crisscrossing the country with jack-o’-lanterns glowing along twisty byroads and main streets bedecked with spiderwebs. Read below about “McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets- The Spooky Road Trip Stop You Need to Make”.
Of course, no All Hallow’s Eve road trip is complete without a stop at McDonald’s to pick up their iconic Halloween Boo Buckets. These themed buckets have become a sweet Halloween tradition ever since their debut in 1986. As both a long-time McDonald’s fan and lover of all things scary and cute, I simply can’t resist grabbing a few pails of candy on my yearly Halloween adventures.
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What Are McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets?
For the uninitiated, Boo Buckets are plastic trick-or-treat pails that McDonald’s sells every Halloween season. These buckets are shaped like jack-o’-lanterns and ghosts and have two handles for easy carrying. McDonald’s fills each bucket with their popular candy, like M&M’s and Milky Way bars.
The Boo Buckets originally launched in the late 1980s and have amassed a cult following in the decades since. Every year collectors anxiously await to see that year’s bucket designs and candy selections. Some even buy the buckets to display as decor year-round!
Over my years of criss-crossing the country in search of spooky fun, I’ve amassed quite the collection of pails myself. I can’t resist grabbing a few each year to commemorate my trips. The buckets make excellent souvenirs and I love seeing them lined up together, recalling all my creepy adventures.
Why McDonald’s Boo Buckets Are a Must-Stop for Road Trippers
As a seasoned road tripper, I’ve learned that fun stops along the way make all the difference on long hauls. McDonald’s seasonal Boo Buckets add a dose of Halloween spirit to any drive. Here’s why they make for such an ideal road trip pitstop:
They’re Readily Accessible for Drivers
With over 13,000 locations across the U.S., McDonald’s restaurants are conveniently located along most highways and interstates. You’re bound to pass one at some point during your trip, making it easy to pull off and grab a festive snack.
I like stopping mid-way through long drives to stretch my legs and reenergize. Popping into a McDonald’s always hits the spot with its clean bathrooms, reliable WiFi, and now Halloween-themed treats. The stores stay open late too, so you can pick up a candy pail no matter the hour during spooky season.
The Buckets Hold Lots of Candy
Road-tripping works up quite an appetite, especially when you’re hopping between Halloween haunts all October long like I do. McDonald’s Boo Buckets carry several full-size candy bars so they make an ideal snack for hungry travelers.
I like to grab a bucket early on in my trip to fuel up for the long nights ahead. With chocolate, chewy caramel, and candy shells in the mix, the buckets offer a nice variety to satisfy any sweet tooth. I can munch as I drive then save some for later when midnight munchies hit at my campsite or motel.
They Come in Collectible Designs
As a collector myself, I love adding to my stash of Boo Buckets each year. The designs differ annually so it’s fun to see what playful new look McDonald’s will introduce. Recently they’ve featured glowing ghosts, wicked witch hats, silly spiders, and more atop the signature pumpkin pails.
The buckets double as festive décor during my trip – I hang them from my rearview mirror, prop them on the dash, or line them up at my campsite. Then at home, they display perfectly on a shelf with the rest of my Halloween memorabilia collections.
Where to Get This Year’s McDonald’s Halloween Pails
If you’re looking to grab one of this year’s McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets for yourself, here are some tips for securing yours:
Check Local Availability
Supplies of the collectible buckets are limited. McDonald’s only carries them for a few weeks in October leading up to Halloween. So to avoid disappointment, I suggest calling your local restaurants ahead of time to ask if they have any in stock.
Most locations display signage or update their drive-thru menus indicating bucket availability. If your nearest McDonald’s is sold out, consider checking others along your route. Stock seems to vary from store to store.
Buy Early in the Season
Your best bet for snagging this season’s bucket is to shop early. The unique designs drive high demand from collectors and candy lovers alike. I’ve found the buckets tend to sell out completely in some areas by mid-October.
So when you set out on your Halloween road adventure, make stopping at McDonald’s an early priority. I like to grab mine within the first few days of hitting the road to ensure they still have some. Waiting too long often means missing out!
Be Prepared to Pay a Bit More
Part of the appeal for collectors is that the Boo Buckets cost a little more than a typical McDonald’s dessert. This year’s pails ring up around $10-12 depending on location. For 2022, the buckets contain about 10 full-size candy bars so it’s still a decent value in my opinion.
I don’t mind paying extra because the reusable containers make great keepsakes. And I get plenty of snacks to fuel my trip too. Just account for the upcharge in your road trip budget if the buckets are a must-buy for you.
Check Resale Sites If You Missed Out
Once the buckets sell out at restaurants, you may still be able to track some down online via resale sites. I’ve occasionally had luck finding previous years’ designs on eBay and Mercari when I missed out the first time around.
Just prepare to pay more, likely $20 or upwards. While pricier, nabbing an out-of-stock bucket still makes for an affordable and memorable Halloween souvenir in my book.
Boo Bucket Alternatives (If You Really Can’t Find Them)
Occasionally demand has far outpaced supply and I struck out finding Boo Buckets everywhere. When that happens, I’ve found a couple alternative ideas to still get my Halloween McDonald’s fix:
- Ask for candy in a regular paper McDonald’s bag – Not as cute but still tasty for snacking in the car
- Make your own DIY Halloween McD’s container – Decorate an empty cup or fry box with some spooky stickers and fill it with candy
- Order a McBoo Halloween Happy Meal – Comes in a themed box with a toy inside – the next best seasonal thing!
Conclusion
However you choose to enjoy McDonald’s Halloween offerings, a stop at the iconic chain never disappoints. The festive Boo Buckets have become a road trip tradition of mine and hopefully will be for your travels too. Just be sure to grab yours early so you don’t miss out on these popular collectibles. I hope you like reading “McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets- The Spooky Road Trip Stop You Need to Make”.
Sophie Turner is the adventure travel writer behind AdventureTravelFam.com. With over 10 years of experience in travel writing and a Master’s degree in Tourism Management, Sophie shares her expertise in exploring unique destinations and providing family-friendly travel tips. Follow her adventures on Instagram @adventure_travelfamily.
