Oak Brook, Illinois � February 4, 2004 � Six fun-filled characters from the cast of Disney's The Lion King 1 � are roaring, laughing and singing their way into the newest McDonald's® Happy Meals. Making their Happy Meal® debut Friday, February 6, 2004, at participating restaurants, this noisy cast of characters will bring hours of playtime fun to kids and collectors of all ages.

Coinciding with the February 10th release of this special edition Disney The Lion King 1 � DVD and video, the Happy Meal characters led by the hilarious duo Timon and Pumbaa keep fingers tapping and laughs roaring. Featuring interactive technology, each toy opens its mouth, jaws or snout when tapped to playback a signature phrase or sound from these popular characters. From Timon singing "Hakuna Matata" to Simba's "cub-roarrrrrr", these finger puppets keep little fingers tapping and imaginations soaring. The six Happy Meal toys include: Simba, Rafiki, Timon, Pumbaa, Mufasa and Ed. (Scroll down to read more about the toys.)

"McDonald's is thrilled to bring the adventures, look and sound of Disney's highly anticipated The Lion King 1 � to our younger guests," said Kathy Pyle, director kids and family marketing. "We are excited to provide our young guests with their favorite characters and hours of playtime adventures through our Happy Meal toys."

The McDonald's The Lion King 1 � Happy Meal will run from February 6, 2004 � March 4, 2004 at participating McDonald's restaurants nationwide, while supplies last.

The Happy Meal event will be supported by national television developed by Leo Burnett Co. and Hispanic television advertising by dRM DDB.

McDonald's is the leading global foodservice retailer with more than 29,000 restaurants serving nearly 46 million people in 119 countries each day. Approximately 80 percent of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent, local businessmen and women.

Fact Sheet

The newest McDonald's® Happy Meal®, beginning Friday, February 6, 2004 through March 4, 2004 at participating restaurants, will feature six different interactive toys from the newly released Disney DVD adventure The Lion King 1 �. Featuring interactive technology, each toy opens its mouth, jaws or snout when tapped to playback a signature phrase or sound from the character it resembles. From Timon singing "Hakuna Matata" to Simba's "cub-roarrrrrr", these finger puppets keep little fingers tapping and imaginations soaring.

McDonald's Happy Meal includes:

Simba � The young lion cub finger-puppet roars when tapped.

Rafiki � The crazy baboon finger-tapper laughs when tapped.

Timon � The meekrat finger-tapper sings the ever-catchy "Hakuna Matata" phrase when tapped

Pumbaa � The lovable warthog finger-tapper "urps" when tapped.

Mufasa � The gallant lion king finger-tapper unleashes a roar when tapped.

Ed � The hyena finger-tapper delivers a hysterical laughing sound when tapped.

� 2004 McDonald's Corporation