What the world’s largest McDonald’s can teach event planners
You’re in Orlando on a site inspection tour looking at venues, stuck between another beige ballroom and a rooftop with questionable shade coverage. Then suddenly, like a golden beacon of over-the-top kitsch, you see it—a 30-foot-tall Ronald McDonald, hand raised in eternal welcome.
Welcome to Epic McD, the world’s largest McDonald’s and perhaps the boldest combination of fast food and fantasy this side of the Magic Kingdom. Spanning 19,000 square feet across three stories, this is not just a place to get fries—it’s a case study in immersive experience design.
Come for the Big Mac, Stay for the Brick Oven Pizza
Sure, you’ll find the usual suspects—burgers, nuggets, fries—but this McDonald’s goes full conference-caterer on you. Craving Philly cheesesteaks or customizable pasta bowls? You’re in the right place. Need a breakfast bar with omelets and Belgian waffles? Done. There’s even a “Gourmet Bistro” menu that leans upscale casual. And if your attendees demand dessert (and let’s face it—they do), there’s hand-scooped ice cream, fresh cakes, and a full dessert bar that could give your hotel’s pastry chef a run for their money.
Basically, it’s the only McDonald’s on the planet where someone might order a pepperoni pizza with a side of fries and a sundae… at 2 a.m.
Yes, That’s a Giant Hamster Wheel
Forget your average post-meeting mixer—Epic McD has an entire arcade with over 100 games, from classics to ticket-gobbling digital chaos. Winners can cash in prizes or just brag until the next team-building retreat.
Got kids on the guest list—or just execs who act like them? The two-story PlayPlace features slides, climbing structures, and yes, a giant hamster wheel. Add in karaoke nights, magic shows, and touchscreen table games, and you’ve got a venue that does more than entertain—it lets loose.
The Vibe: Vegas Meets Value Meal
This place isn’t shy. There’s an elevator, a live fish tank, and enough blinking lights to rival a casino lobby. The signage? Oversized. The energy? Pure theme park. And the star of the show: a 30-foot-tall Ronald McDonald that greets every guest like a hype man for your keynote speaker.
It’s garish. It’s glorious. And it’s a reminder that people want fun with their food—and maybe even their next breakout session.
A Smart Event Leaves An Impression—Even If It Comes With Fries
You probably won’t host your next investor summit here (though now you’re tempted, right?). But Epic McD makes one thing clear: when you blend food, spectacle, and just enough kitsch, people don’t just attend—they remember.
So the next time someone says, “Let’s keep it simple,” you might want to say, “Or… we go full McDonald’s, Orlando-style and make it epic.”
Any thoughts, opinions, or news? Please share them with me at vince@meetingsevents.com.
Photo by CC0 1.0
