How Does It Feel to Win BIG? A McDonald's Monopoly Winner Tells All

Have you ever wondered whether people really win big prizes from  McDonald's Monopoly Sweepstakes? While the odds of winning a big prize are long, people really do snap up those gigantic prizes. One of those winners shares her story with us.

When you walk into a McDonald's restaurant, you're usually hoping to leave with a Fillet of Fish or some crispy fries. But Michele B. of Beaumont, Texas received much more from McDonald's in 2008 – a game code for the Monopoly giveaway worth $100,000!

Michele agreed to an interview to share her story and tell TheBalance Everyday's readers how it feels to win such an amazing prize.

How Michele Won Her McDonald's Monopoly Prize

Q: Hello, Michele! Can you tell us a little bit about your prize: what did you win, and how did you win it? Was it in the collect-and-win game, or online, or an instant win?

Michele: I won $100,000 playing Monopoly @ McDonald's in the online pre-promotion game.

Note: The pre-promotion game started before the regular Monopoly sweepstakes, building excitement for the main giveaway.

Q: Were you actively trying to win McDonald's Monopoly Sweepstakes, or was it a coincidence that you won?

Michele: I intentionally signed up for the pre-promotion sweepstakes and hoped, like everyone who enters, that I would win. However, it was a complete shock to me that I actually did win.

How it Felt to Be a McDonald's Monopoly Winner

Q: How did you feel when you realized you won your prize? Who was the first person you told?

Michele: I mentioned to my children and to my mother that I had received a call saying I had won a prize, but I didn't know what I had won for three or four weeks. On the day I received my check, I was with my daughter and granddaughter, so they heard first.

Q: Did McDonald's do anything special to celebrate/promote the news of your win? What did it feel like to be a big winner?

Michele: McDonald's and their advertisement representatives were superb from the beginning. Everyone I've worked with has had genuine enthusiasm and the warmest kindness towards me.

They facilitated a trip for me to Chicago for a winners' photoshoot with a tour of the city while I was there. They also arranged a trip to Los Angeles for a winners' commercial with time for a little sightseeing.

Upon my initial win, things moved at a nice slow pace, allowing me time to wrap my mind around this awesome event. About 6 months after my win is when the trips began and the excitement began to build again, right up to the airing of the commercials.

Right before the commercials debuted, I started receiving calls from my local media and the representatives stepped up on my behalf to facilitate these interviews with my comfort in mind.

Through all of this, the same representative who initially called me to tell me I had won called many times to check on me and my family and we exchanged very friendly e-mails.

The experience of winning has been absolutely surreal. A dream come true for me.

Note: Wondering what to do if you win a big prize? Check out how to win a jackpot without losing your shirt.

Q: How did winning the prize affect your life? Did it allow you to do anything you wouldn't have been able to otherwise?

Michele: Winning the prize completely changed the direction of my life. I had been on a tough road as a single parent for over 6 years and I was struggling to catch up on things. The money gave me the opportunity to pay off some debt, replace my car that was literally falling apart, provide my children with some things they needed, and find that place in life where I could just take a deep breath and relax for a while.

Q: Did you enter sweepstakes regularly before you won McDonald's Monopoly game in 2008? Have you won any other big prizes? Are you entering other sweepstakes now?

Michele: I have been playing Monopoly at McDonald's for several years but I had never won anything more than small food items. I am playing again this year and have told all my family and friends to play as well. I occasionally enter other sweepstakes, now that I know real people really do win.

Q: Can you share any tips with other hopeful winners?

Michele: The only tips I can share is to be sure to read the rules and if you get that call from someone saying you won, believe!!

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?

Michele: I'd like to share a little bit. I entered the contest and when the call came in, I didn't believe it was real. When my daughter took the message and related it to me I told her "Oh great, I signed myself up for spam. Stop answering the phone." I'm so grateful she didn't listen to me.

I'm even more grateful to the representative for being persistent in those first 3 days because it was that very persistence that intrigued me enough to call her back. The rest is now history!

Read how to tell if you are a legitimate prize winner to find out how to avoid passing up a real win by mistake!

What a remarkable experience this has all been and I'm so deeply thankful for it all.

Want to find out how to save money on McDonalds Monopoly Game Pieces? Or what the rare Monopoly game pieces are? Maybe you'd like to enter some other cash sweepstakes? There are lots of chances to win right now!