I actually learned about this? They took out PlayPlaces/stopped building new McD's with them because they're real germ traps because they're so hard to clean. They implemented them to keep customers lingering longer- kid wants to play? You don't want to hear them yelling and screaming if you don't let them, and it gives Parents a few minutes where they don't have to deal with their kid themselves.

Also, the buildings are being constructed more square and bland and boring now but I can't for the life of me remember WHY.

I do know that where I live right now (Arab country) ours still have PlayPlaces buuuut.. the buildings themselves are more boring to look at.

Personally, the only good thing about that place is their ice cream, we actually have working softserve machines any McD's we go to here (they probably don't care about the cleanliness as much as other places, hence the still standing PlayPlaces 😂).