A REALLY Big Mac

There are plenty of things to do in Orlando, here is another. 

If you wonder who would want to visit the world’s largest McDonald’s, there are three answers: 1. Children who are indifferent to the food but lust after the sprawling playground. 2. Real, dedicated McDonald hamburger-lovers. 3. Anyone who wants to claim they have visited the world’s largest.

Of course, if you are among the later, the world’s largest is getting even bigger.

World’s Largest McDonalds

The McDonalds at International Drive and Sand Lake Road just off I-4 has long been known as the world’s largest. It is not within walking distance but almost within sight of Walt Disney World and other theme parks.

The almost 19,000-square-foot restaurant has welcomed millions of guests from all over the world since opening in 1976. And it was ranked #2 in Travel Channel’s Most Unique McDonald’s as “The Best McDonald’s to Play In.”

“For many years, our World’s Largest Entertainment McDonald’s has been one of the most renowned McDonald’s restaurants in the world,” said Gary Oerther, owner/operator and chairman of Oerther Foods Inc., one of Central Florida’s largest privately owned companies and the franchise owner.

This 2-story McDonalds is unique. Why? Because it has it all.

An expanded bistro gourmet menu like waffles, panini sandwiches, custom breakfasts (besides the standard menu) and a video games arcade area. Also, wi-fi free and electric outlets.

McDonald’s may not be known for its décor but this one has a large 500-gallon aquarium. Take the elevator upstairs and visitor’s find the “Kid’s Club Tree House” themed “PlayPlace.” It has brightly-colored tubes and slides. Children climb, and jump up and down in a maze of tubes and a super slide. There’s even a “Toddler Area” for smaller kids.

In addition, this Mickey D’s is complete with over 100 state-of-the-art card swipe arcade games, a prize redemption center and a singing “Mac Tonight.” Birthday parties are commonplace.

Tourism Services Included

The McDonald’s Hospitality Center offers a complete line of tourism services, including discounted attraction tickets and daily theme park information. Fifteen percent discounts are offered to AAA members.

The place is subdivided into several rooms, and at the height of lunchtime it can get crowded, noisy and fragrant with the smells of fast food and tourism.

Construction of the new restaurant will begin this summer and open in spring 2016. The new restaurant will be built next to the current location at 6875 Sand Lake Road, allowing the current restaurant to remain open during the majority of the construction.

No word yet on what the new one will look like.

A check of reviews has shown not everyone loves the one the largest. The biggest complaints are higher prices but even more common: sometime sloppy service.

But helping to overcome all that is not only the playground. But also the hours. It’s open 24 hours a day.

McDonalds

www. McDonalds.com, 6875 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando, 32810

407-351-2185 ###