Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
176
Not Just Fries Anymore
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 Rd., Orlando
(
&
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. (
&
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.
(
&
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. (
&
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. (
&
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).
5
8
ONLY IN ORLANDO: DINING WITH
DISNEY CHARACTERS
Dining with your favorite costumed characters is a treat for many Disney fans, but it's a
truly special occasion for those younger than 10. Some of the most beloved movie char-
acters seemingly come to life: shaking hands, hugging, signing autographs, and posing
for family photos (most never speak, with the exception of the princesses and a very small
handful of others, so forget about conversation). These are huge events—it's not uncom-
mon for Chef Mickey's, listed below, to have
1,600 or more guests on a weekend
morning
—so make your Advance Reservations (a must!!!!!) as far in advance as possible
