World’s Largest McDonald’s, Orlando, FL
I’m completely swamped by work since we got back from our Orlando trip, and I’m getting very little accomplished, thanks to this time of year which others cheekily call summer “vacation.” However, I’m under an intense deadline to post this one, because this McDonald’s won’t be the world’s largest very much longer. Several sources have advised me that a larger McDonald’s is being built for the Olympics in London, which begins in three weeks.
So technically, we did see this one while it was the world’s largest. And to be fair, it qualifies itself as “the world’s largest entertainment McDonald’s and PlayPlace,” which I assume relates to all the arcade games and other diversions which you won’t find in many other Mickey D’s.
Two Floors of Fun
When you enter the ground floor, you might be greeted/accosted by a person selling theme park tickets from the booth set up along the side wall. There are some games on this floor, and the “jungle room.” Do you remember the borderline creepy 1980’s TV commercials featuring the moon guy named “Mac Tonight” singing to the tune of Mack the Knife? Well, he’s here with his piano, and he’s a little dusty.
“When the clock strikes half past six, babe…” Sing it with me...
The kids gravitated upstairs where most of the games are located, but not without first demanding we hand over all the quarters in our possession.
The only time in her life when The Girl was not interested in french fries.
There are over 100 arcade games, air hockey tables, a gift shop, and of course, that PlayPlace climbing adventure, which here is called the “Toddler’s Clubhouse” and the “Kid’s Clubhouse.” There’s not enough Purell in the world, sorry.
Route 66! Couldn’t resist!
Gourmet Menu
What fascinated me about this McDonald’s was the varied menu. In addition to the classic items, there’s a “Bistro Gourmet” line featuring paninis, wraps, hand-tossed pasta, gourmet breakfast items like “ham and cheese french toast,” and specialty desserts, like the “peanut butter explosion cake.”
I don’t know if these are “fast” food selections, or if you have to wait as you would in a regular restaurant. All I know is we ordered oatmeal, McBites, and a McCafé, and it took over ten minutes–and a request to see the manager–to get our food. So, fair warning…the world’s largest McDonald’s may also be the slowest.
Hey YOU! Go BIG:
World’s Largest Entertainment McDonald’s and PlayPlace
6875 Sand Lake Road, Orlando, FL
Yes, I'm aware that it’s 156 degrees out here. Smile anyway.
Ahh…the World’s Largest McDonald’s! This is sort of an odd family tradition with us. We make the drive down to Orlando from York, PA in a straight shot overnight drive: we leave at 6:00pm and get into Orlando around mid-morning. We ALWAYS make this Mickey D’s our first stop in town for a number of reasons. Mostly, the kids love it and they can blow off some steam after being strapped down in the car for 15+ hours. Second the Bistro menu is awesome. You do have to wait a few minuets extra, they give you a beeper…but never a long wait. Third, and perhaps most bizare, we use their bathrooms to freshen up after an all-night drive. Yes, my wife and I have both brushed our teeth in those bathrooms! I even think my wife has changed outfits in there too. In a few short hours, we’re usually able to check into our Disney hotel – take a real shower and then hit up the parks.
Ed, I LOVE your story! First, I admire your commitment, and bravery, to DRIVE to FL without stopping. We’ve driven, but we stopped overnight. The bathrooms were quite…interesting. The brown tiles are so 70’s that you can’t help but love them. 🙂
Well at least they provide a variety of video games to hasten the pace towards obesity. After scarfing down some McNutrition your children can remain sedentary for hours glued to the video screens. Sorry, feeling a bit curmudgeony today 🙂
I think Dante wrote about this in one of the circles of hell. After reading about this I can safely go another ten years without going into a McDonalds; i hope.
I’m pretty sure our family could easily waste away a day of our vacation here and be perfectly happy about it. Looks like a ton of fun to me, and your Purell comment made me laugh. I think I’ll have to make a stop next time I’m in town, even if it is only the world’s second largest at that point.
just in time for my trip to Orlando this coming week! Looking forward to checking it out, even without the kids 🙂
Have you been the the world’s largest Pizza Hut in Port of Spain Trinidad & Tobago yet?
Hi Sara; I didn’t know about the world’s largest Pizza Hut! That’s really all the incentive I need to go to Trinidad & Tobago.
That thing is crazy!!!! I always thought the mcdonalds in the air and space museum in DC must be the biggest- but this thing takes the cake! Awesome!
Wowww…. This McDonald’s is like a playground than a fast food restaurant 😀