The World’s Largest McDonald’s, Orlando, Florida
Okay yes, I went to McDonald’s, so shoot me. No, seriously — someone please shoot me. I think there’s a gun shop around the corner. I mean, this is America.
I had heard that the World’s Largest McDonald’s restaurant was in Orlando, and since my hotel (the lovely Westin Imagine Orlando) was just down the road, I popped by to get my grease on. Plus they had pizza.
Even though the bulk of McDonald’s restaurants on the planet stopped serving McPizza back in the mid-90s, this location on Sand Lake Road in Orlando has a Gourmet Menu with all sorts of delights you won’t find at a lesser McDonald’s.
Eggs Benedict Panini anyone?
Did you notice the Cup of Dirt under the For Kids Only section? Damn kids get all the good stuff.
The World’s Largest Entertainment McDonald’s & PlayPlace
This location also bills itself as The World’s Largest Entertainment & PlayPlace McDonald’s which, for the purposes of anyone who’s thinking of having kids, is the ideal place to drop by to see what you’re getting yourself into.
Here’s a test for you — what do you notice about the photo below?
If you said “the cute little girl playing Deal or No Deal,” then congratulations are in order — it’s time to ditch the birth control. I wish you only the best with your TV/video game-addicted spawn.
If like me you said, “The Exit” then let’s head out that door arm-in-arm! Hopefully it leads to a vasectomy/tube-tying facility. I think I may even have a coupon.
Okay maybe it’s not that bad. It’s a little dated, a little crowded (with both people and junk), and there’s just not a lot to do for a big galoot like me. Other than scarf down my meal and wish I was somewhere else. Like Legoland. Or the Holy Land. Or some far off distant McDonald’s-free land.
The entire second floor is devoted to games for kids – over 100 midway-type arcade games in all. But even with all those flashing lights, it’s creepily dark up there. I’m not saying that there are carnies hiding in the shadows (although that is a distinct possibility) but I certainly hope there are flashlights in those Happy Meals.
The place could certainly use a bit of a refresh. It looks like most of the games have seen better days. Much like this helmeted Ronald McDonald with a missing hand.
Which led me to think what poor Ronnie had done to deserve such punishment.
“As to the thief, male or female, cut off his or her hands: a punishment by way of example, from Allah, for their crime…” – Quran 5:38
And what’s this? The Statue of Liberty swathed in an American flag, a half-lit marquee, AND a Christmas light-lined cage filled with stuffed animals? Ba da ba ba bah – I’m Lovin’ It!
Yes, those are hands coming out of the wall. I guess that does make it unique.
I thought that these might be American President bobbleheads hovering over the stairs, but after seeing number 2 (who looks nothing like Obama), I was puzzled.
So I asked around on Facebook. Best answer goes to Coastal Confessions Travel Blog who responded with Sam Kinison, Bill Cosby, Ron White, Steve Jobs, and Dave Grohl. Although I think number 4 could be David Letterman. And number 5 could be a tribute to the Amish as a whole.
And this must be the section where they dole out the punishment.
And what aging McDonald’s would be complete without a bowlegged Mac Tonight?
And a cross-legged Ronald.
I had thought about coming back and spray-painting the word “Flee” in place of the word “See”, but since they’re open 24 hours, I thought the odds of getting busted were pretty high.
Plus if I had to suffer through it, so should others. I’m a big fan of bearing witness.
So I know what you’re thinking – what about the “For Now” bit in the title of this post? Well it seems this McDonald’s will only be able to hold onto the reign for another few months. According to the UK’s Daily Mail, A massive 1500-seat McDonald’s is set to open in London near the site of the London 2012 Olympics, making it the World’s Biggest McDonald’s by a pretty large margin.
I wonder if they’ll serve edible medals?
My trip to Orlando was provided by Aeroplan as part of the Aeroplan Welcome Aboard Event. In addition to hotels (like the Westin Imagine Orlando) and car rentals, Aeroplan has more than 60+ gift cards available to its members. For example, 13,500 Aeroplan miles will get you a $250 AMEX gift card to spend on anything – just please don’t spend it all at McDonald’s.
America 
Canada 
Oman 
Well, I’m glad that you went there, so that I never have to. Love your idea about having people thinking about having kids go there.
It should be a requirement! Planned Parenthood should do field trips.
Haha!
Is this for real?? Cup of dirt? I have never even heard of a McPizza. Where have I been?
McPizza was HUGE in Canada back in the day.
I would probably go too just to check it out but it kinda makes me sad…
It made me sad that I didn’t win anything. Unless you count indigestion?
Madre mia! And there’s one coming to London, you say?!
Oh yes indeed! But the one in London looks a lot ritzier than this midway castoff.
Reading this and looking at the photos gave me a headache and indigestion so you’ve portrayed McDonalds perfectly…;)
Mission accompli!
No! No! No! Not sure which part of this post is most horrifying – probably the bit about the London Maccas. Reading this post I nearly lost the will to live.
Keep a stiff upper lip Natasha. Burger King is set to expand as well so there’s still a reason to live. :0
Oh, who doesn’t crave some chicken nuggets every now and then – admit it! My 6-year old grandson would love that place. I think that’s who McDonald’s markets to the most anyway.
I do crave their french fries. I think they put MSG in ‘em. Or maybe it’s roofies.
WOW! I stayed at Westgate resorts and passed this McDonald’s everyday! Yes, it looked cool, but I had NO idea that it was so great on the inside!
Now I feel bad that we didn’t go. I was with 2 kids that begged to go each time they saw it. I’m on a guilt trip right now!
Well I think the kids would definitely have had fun.
So what did you order? Mango smoothie?
You should (not) try CiCi’s Pizza. The cheapest meal you will ever eat, especially with the coupon! All you can eat. Oh…
…and it has a cheesy arcade.
I had a Big Mac attack. With a side of heartburn.
Well done! Ahhh, tourist America – we do it well. An oasis of garbage games and food and our kids love it! They drool over it! Strange indeed.
I won’t bother saying i won’t go back. That would be a lie! Crappy amusements and garbage food sadly get us every time!
I get sucked in by amusements as well.
If you get a moment, take a boo at the video on McDonald’s website — my fave bits are the girl running to the prize redemption centre with a fistful of tickets, and the kids at the private party “having fun” by passing a ball around. Good times!
http://www.mcfun.com/restaurants/view/7
This place is sooo weird and creepy. But seriously, a 1500-seat McDonalds? That’s 1500 seats too many.
I wonder which Olympic athletes will be its biggest customers? The Americans maybe?
Holy crap. Something like this seriously exists? Of course it’s in America!!
Sadly, it does indeed.
I surprised myself with how unappealing I found this McDo.
It reminds me of an English seaside town from a few decades ago (maybe they imported the games and the decor from England).
I wonder how popular this place is? Was it crowded?
I got there before the supper rush, so had no problems ordering. When I left though there was zero parking.
Amazing …
That is one crazy McDonalds. Important question.. do they have free wi-fi?
Hmmm…I actually don’t remember. I just got my Big Mac, my photos, and hightailed it out of there.
I’m not a McDonald’s fan, but the menu at this McDonald’s looked not bad. I probably give the food here a try, and then regret it after. I think I’d probably take my meal to go though. I can only imagine how loud it is with play area.
The noise does cover the sound of your arteries hardening, so that is one plus.
Once again I’m laughing out loud. That looks like my idea of hell. I’ve driven past there once, but had no idea it had all those crazy things. Pizza and Pannini….I had no idea!!
There’s a lot going on inside for sure. You can even buy theme park entrance tickets.
o_O this place looks rather creepy though for some reason …..
I have to disagree — it looks creepy for many reasons.
Raymond, thanks so much for saving so many of us from what looks like a creepy step back in time. I’m even more thankful for the picture of the outside of this place so if I ever happen to pass by I can apply a reasonable amount of force on the gas pedal and tell my girls there is a dancing pink elephant on the other side of the street. Disaster avoided… you’re a life saver!
Haha!!! I love it!! Pedro — you need a blog!
I still find it amusing (and sad) that McDonalds is the official restaurant of Olympics. I mean really? I am tempted to go check out the worlds biggest McDonalds at the Olympic site once it opens in London, I mean it is the official Olympic restaurant, they must’ve done something with the menu…
I think there’s a “dump your tray contents” event at this year’s Olympics, that’s why they’re sponsoring it.
This might make me reconsider my disbelief in hell.
It certainly challenged my belief in their heavenly fries.
A super-sized McDonald’s. Hard to believe it is real. Looks like a put-on. The saddest thing to me in Orland was the group of English ladies of a certain age on a bus. They told us they come to America every year on the cheap flights to Orlando, and that’s the only place they go.
Oh dear. That is sad. They should head to Miami and live it up!
I did enjoy my time in Orlando, but I don’t think I could go there year after year.
I too would go just to look at the huge unusual menu for a McDonalds! Was the dirt cake good?? Used to make that when my kids were little.
Sadly, I did not try the dirt cake. The Big Mac was dirty enough for me.
I’d probably go there too, just to say that I’d been. (I’d never admit to eating anything though. haha)
I was sitting on the fence about admitting to going, so you’re one step ahead.
Wow; I had forgotten all about Mac Tonight — and now I can’t get that song out of my head (thanks for that!)
We’re still going in June — despite the cheesiness — while it can still claim the “World’s Largest” title!
You are most welcome.
I was singing it as soon as I saw him, so only too happy to pass it on.
McPizza, Paninis, and a Game Room? I’ve never even heard of a McDonald’s like this. I can imagine it’s a kids’ paradise
I hope that I’ll make it to the other big kids’ attraction in orlandon later this year (i.e., Disneyland). Don’t think I’ll head to McDonald’s, but I really appreciate you sharing this. McPizza? Really? 
Awesome!
I cannot believe you’ve never had a McPizza! They’re actually pretty good.
Cool! I couldn’t take a McDonald’s that offered an eggs benedict panini seriously, but I would still check it out just for the novelty.
It is worth a look for sure.
This is cool! Great post!
Thanks Brett!
The only time I’ve ever gotten food poisoning was at a McDonald’s in Florida en route to Orlando (when I was 4, but still), so I think I’ll refrain from visiting this one
Not even for the novelty items? I was hoping to win a Grimace doll. A GRIMACE DOLL!!
Wrong. Just wrong.
It’s not wrong, it’s just different. AND wrong.
Can’t do Mickey Ds, even if it is the largest. Good lord.
Any port in a hunger storm I say. ANY port.
This may have been the reason why five hurricanes struck the city in that one season I was there… and yet it endures. Can I say, I’m actually intrigued? Worth a look if only to try the cup of dirt.
I think the layers of grease lining the building may have saved it from the hurricanes — like water off a duck’s back.
Wow, yes, this definitely adds a whole new meaning to the term “supersized”!! I’m guessing the “cup of dirt” is something crumbly, chocolate-y and comprised of a day’s worth of calories, yes?
Alas, I did not partake of the cup of dirt. Although that was probably the most natural thing on the menu.
We used to stay at a hotel a block or so away from this McDonald’s, and you’re right, it’s dark inside and kinda weird. It doesn’t really seem like a wholesome atmosphere for kids like most McDonald’s do.
I think I may have even seen one of those “Cigarettes and Party Favors” girls walking around…
I have only been inside once and never ventured as far as you. It was a zoo for ordering and I left.
That corral thing they have in front of the tills is a bit of turn off as well — you have to order at one till, then move through the line and pay and get your order at another.
Hi Raymond, I’m Andre, a journalist and travel blog editor from Brazil. Recently I posted about the biggest Mc Donald’s in the World and I found very difficult to find good pics on the web. I’d like you authorization to use your pictures in my Blog since they are very good ones. Thanks a lot.
Hi Andre — by all means you may use the photos. If you could put a credit to http://www.manonthelam.com that would be great.
Thanks for stopping by!