Some of you may not be able to go your entire vacation without a trip to McDonald's for a Big Mac. If you just can't pass up a trip to Mickie D's for a fast-food fix, the good news is that Orlando has a handful of uniquely themed McDonald's unlike any you'll find in your neighborhood. All of them sport unique and eclectic menus, which, in addition to the usual fare, add (among other items) pizzas, portobello eggplant, turkey wraps, panini, and crème brûlée cheesecake.
The 24-hour McDonald's European Café, 7344 Sand Lake Road, Orlando (tel. 407/264-0776), boasts two levels with plenty of glass to allow sunlight to pour in. You won't mistake it for a European cafe (it's still a McDonald's, so don't get too carried away), but neat features include a pool table and arcade games on the second level, and fabulous views of the sand lakes.
The Ancient Ruins branch, located at 5401 Altamira Dr. (tel. 407/345-9477), is themed (wonder of wonders) to the ancient ruins of Greece, complete with broken columns, stone walls, and frieze-style moldings.
Moving on to Africa, the Club Safari location, 2944 S. Kirkman Rd. (tel. 407/296-6265), boasts an African Safari theme complete with rich wooden fixtures, African masks and artwork, crystal chandeliers, and animal prints galore. Animatronic toucan and Tiki figures sing jungle jingles, and you can't help but take note of the 13-foot bronze giraffe and two bronze tigers keeping watch.
Chrome shines everywhere you turn at the Motorcycle McDonald's, 5400 S. Kirkman Rd. (tel. 407/352-1526). Tail pipes, shocks, and various other bike parts adorn the restaurant's walls.
Finally, the world's largest McDonald's can also be found in Orlando, right on 6875 Sand Lake Rd. (tel. 407/351-2185). The location boasts a huge tubular maze with 25,000 feet of twists, turns, sliding, crawling, and jumping space for kids to play in. Another unique feature: You can book hotels, transportation, buy attraction tickets, and get daily park information, all while enjoying your fries and a Coke (or, in this case, maybe a gourmet coffee).
