You’ve seen the hype. Maybe you even saw that one TikTok of a guy buying fifty Happy Meals in a single run. Honestly, it’s a bit much, but that’s the reality of the Umbreon McDonald's promo 2025 craze. If you grew up collecting these, you know the drill: the smell of fries, the crinkle of the plastic pack, and that brief moment of hope before you realize you pulled another duplicate.
This year is different.
The "Dragon Discovery" set officially hit the Golden Arches on January 21, 2025. While the set is technically themed around Dragon-types like Dragonite and Rayquaza, it's the Moonlight Pokémon that everyone is actually chasing.
The Umbreon McDonald's Promo 2025 Hunt
People are basically losing their minds over card #009/015. It's a Stage 1 Darkness-type card with 110 HP, featuring artwork by Souichirou Gunjima. The card isn't just a reprint with a fancy stamp; it’s a specific "M24EN" promo that feels remarkably high-quality for something that comes with a side of nuggets.
The card itself has two main attacks:
- Blindside: Deals 60 damage to one of your opponent's Pokémon that already has damage counters.
- Moon Mirage: Hits for 80 and leaves the opponent Confused.
Is it meta-breaking? Not really. Most competitive players won't be swapping their Charizard ex decks for this. But for collectors? It’s a crown jewel. The Umbreon McDonald's promo 2025 represents the first time in years that an "Eeveelution" has been the primary chase card in a fast-food collaboration.
Why This Card Is Driving Prices Up
Scalpers. Sorry, but we have to talk about them. Within 48 hours of the promotion launching, listings for the Umbreon card were already hitting eBay for $15 to $20. For a card you can technically get for the price of a $5 meal, that’s a massive markup.
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Some people are even finding "error" versions where the holo foil bleed covers the entire card. If you find one of those, don't trade it for a Big Mac. It's worth way more.
I’ve talked to a few local shop owners who say the demand for this specific promo is higher than the 25th-anniversary Pikachu from a few years back. It’s wild. Umbreon has this weird, cult-like following in the Pokémon community. It’s cool, it’s edgy, and in this specific 2025 set, it’s surprisingly hard to pull.
Digital Rewards and the TCG Pocket Connection
McDonald's finally got smart with technology this time. If you use the McDonald's app to buy your meal, you get a digital code for Pokémon TCG Pocket.
Basically, you get 24 pack hourglasses and 12 wonder hourglasses. This allows you to skip the wait times in the app and open more digital packs immediately. It’s a clever way to bridge the gap between the physical cardboard and the digital game everyone is playing on their phones now.
How to Actually Get One Without Overpaying
Don't go to eBay yet. Seriously.
The promotion usually runs through late February. Most McDonald's locations will let you buy the toy (which includes the card pack) separately for a couple of dollars. You don't actually have to eat ten Happy Meals in one sitting.
Check the box. This year, the boxes come in four designs: Charizard, Rayquaza, Roaring Moon, and a Pikachu/Dragonite combo. While the box doesn't guarantee which card is inside the pack, collectors are already trying to find patterns. (Spoiler: It’s random. Don't believe the "box mapping" rumors you see on Reddit.)
What to Look For
- Centering: McDonald's cards are notorious for being cut poorly. If yours is perfectly centered, keep it in a sleeve.
- Holo Pattern: The 2025 "Confetti" holo is subtler than previous years.
- Condition: These cards are tossed into boxes with hot food. Check for "nicks" on the edges caused by the packaging process.
The Future of the Dragon Discovery Set
By March, the hype will die down, and prices will likely stabilize. We’ve seen this before. However, the Umbreon McDonald's promo 2025 is likely to hold more value than the Drampa or the Goomy cards in the same set. It's just the "Umbreon Tax"—people love this Pokémon.
If you’re a parent trying to get one for a kid, just ask the cashier if they have any "Pack 9" or the specific Umbreon sticker sheet. Sometimes they’ll help you out if they aren't too busy with the lunch rush.
Next Steps for Collectors
Check your local McDonald's app for "Happy Meal" availability before driving out. If you pull the Umbreon, put it in a penny sleeve and a top loader immediately. The card stock used for these promos is thinner than regular set cards, meaning they warp (or "Pringle") very easily if left in a humid room or a hot car. Hold onto your digital codes too; those hourglasses are the fastest way to build a competitive deck in TCG Pocket without spending real money.