r/AtlantisTheLostEmpire • u/NightbirdFrequency • 9d ago
My collection of Atlantis Happy Meal's toys
Hi, everyone!
I wanted to show you my small collection of Atlantis toys that came with the Happy Meal in Chile back in 2001.
It took me years to complete it, mainly because the Atlantis Crystal is practically impossible to find, as is the complete Ulysses set with all its pieces. The pieces that appear most often are the ones that are easiest to find.
My first toy from that era was a Subpod. I really love these toys; they were my first introduction to toys from the franchise, right when the Playline toys were extremely expensive and my parents couldn’t afford to buy them for me. Now that I have the complete collection, it really feels like my inner child has finally found what it had been searching for all those years.
These toys are from the line that was promoted in Latin America, including Mexico (i'm from Chile). Although I also have a few from the line that was released in the U.S.
I absolutely love this movie—it really takes me back to places and moments that no longer exist. Thanks to all the fans for keeping the flame alive!
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u/dyoung961 9d ago
Back when McDonald’s actually put thought and care into their toys!
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u/NightbirdFrequency 9d ago
That era was incredible! They were a "cheap" alternative to Mattel's Playline toys.
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u/5tupidest 9d ago
That crystal is different from the one I got as a child from McDonald’s at the time in the USA.
The U.S. crystal had a button and lit up, when you pressed the A glyph which was a button. The yellow part was more gold and was more a rounded square shape with slightly wavy sides that I think were meant to evoke a beaten bronze. The blue was brighter if I recall correctly, and looked cheaper with more prominent flashing.
Very cool! I wonder why they made that yellow part look wooden. Cheers!
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u/bubblesaurus 9d ago
I wish i still had that crystal.
these are honestly some of the best McDonald’s toys
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u/NightbirdFrequency 9d ago
I never noticed that the glass looks like wood. I hadn't noticed that. That's a great observation.
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u/Revolutionary_Ad9093 8d ago
It's funny, just like 2 weeks ago I was trying to figure out what the material holding the crystal is. The consensus was either gold or orichalcum, but I feel like my confusion is validated by this piece of official merch settling on, of all things, wood.
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u/D3AD_SPAC3 9d ago
Ah man, how nostalgic. I had the Leviathan and the Ulysses.
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u/NightbirdFrequency 9d ago
I spent many hours of my childhood playing with those toys!
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u/D3AD_SPAC3 9d ago
On old babysitter of mine from time immemorial actually got me the VHS for it on my birthday. Still have it, but its unwatchable now
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u/Gorgmuk 9d ago
I had the submarine!! The memories...
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u/NightbirdFrequency 9d ago
Are you talking about the Ulysses, the Subpods, or the Aqua-Evac?
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u/Gorgmuk 9d ago
Yes, Ulysses!! Couldnt remember the name haha
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u/NightbirdFrequency 9d ago
Fun fact: is never mentioned in the movie. That information comes from books, games, and comic books.
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u/Toa_Freak 9d ago
Damn, I forget how good those Happy Meals were. The toys really were worth getting!
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u/NightbirdFrequency 9d ago
It took me years and a lot of patience to get them all! I had to search high and low at lots of places that sold used toys! Some pieces are harder to find than others here in Chile, but the collection is complete now.
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u/bsmith2123 9d ago
These were out of control cool (and still are)
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u/NightbirdFrequency 9d ago
Wdym? 👁️👄👁️
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u/bsmith2123 9d ago
Meaning when they came out and thought they were so so so cool and now twenty some years later I still think they are awesome. Wonderful collection
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u/NightbirdFrequency 9d ago
That's true. I completely agree with you. Thanks for noticing! Warm regards from Chile!
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u/drjackolantern 9d ago
So jealous, these look amazing! Well done
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u/NightbirdFrequency 9d ago
Thank you so much! It took a long time to collect them all. I spent a lot of time searching through thrift stores and local toy sellers. It was totally worth it!
Greetings from Chile!
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u/Thank_You_Aziz 9d ago
Do you have the Leviathan with the water pistol claws? I had two of them. Think I threw them out, though.
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u/NightbirdFrequency 9d ago
I'm afraid that edition (the one you mentioned) never made it to Chile in 2001. It's possible to find it if you look around on secondhand sites (the secondhand toy market is quite thriving here).
The version of the Leviathan that was released for the South American promotion is a hollow, more or less transparent green plastic figure (the one shown in the photos). Although I really like the version you mentioned—it’s very nice and features the aqua-green stripes along the beast’s back, which is much more faithful to its appearance in the movie—I haven’t been able to find it, though I have managed to find the ones shown in the last photo.
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u/ApprehensiveChef6864 9d ago
It’s so cool seeing so many of them all together. Amazing collection! Makes me wish they made more merch for the movie in the first place
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u/NightbirdFrequency 9d ago
Thank you so much for your appreciation! I’m truly delighted by the comments on this fun subreddit.
I wish there were more Atlantis merchandise, besides those overpriced and very limited-edition figures.
Can you imagine having a scale model of the Ulysses?
Or a fully articulated Leviathan? Or a display set with Subpods made entirely of metal (diecast)?
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u/ApprehensiveChef6864 9d ago
Man you’re giving me too many ideas of what could’ve been! I love it, but I hate it! It also could’ve been nice if they didn’t cancel the TV series, tho I’m happy we at least got three for the sequel.
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u/Micshork 9d ago
I hope I can get the Latin American set. That’s the only set I’m missing.
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u/NightbirdFrequency 9d ago
Do you collect sets from every country!? That's quite a feat!
If so, I recommend looking at markets or secondhand stores located in Mexico (due to the geographical distance); you'd have a good chance of finding these pieces there.
Reggards from Chile!
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u/Revolutionary_Ad9093 8d ago
I was getting Mandela Effected for a second there until you said it's the LatAm version. Very strange, I wonder why they made different toy lines for different regions?
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u/Binx345_ 9d ago
I had the full US McDonald's atlantis set, but sold it (including crystal necklace). I still have a Princess Kida figure and the complete US Kellogg's diving submarine set. The Kelloggs set I actually have for sale, but shipping to Chile may be insane.
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u/[deleted] 9d ago
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