I Tried Pizza at the World’s Largest McDonald’s - Was It Worth The Trip?

During my Father's Day trip to Orlando I had the unique opportunity to try the famous...or infamous pizza at McDonalds. The experience itself was pretty fun. The McDonalds is enormous, standing at a whopping two stories with an arcade room on the second floor, tons of Kiosks, and a pizza cooking area similar to what you see in Dominos. It is, in fact, the largest McDonalds in the world, but the service was still surprisingly fast.

The pizza itself was on the pricey side, like most things in Orlando. But it was ok for the experience. In addition to the pizza, our family grabbed a couple McDonalds Philly Cheesesteaks. I was pleasantly surprised with the variety and speed of service but that's where my happiness ended. The 'special' dishes we got, the pizza and Philly Cheesesteak underdelivered...big time. Let's get into the full review of each item.

McDonalds Pizza Review

The McPizza was no better than a frozen pizza like Totinos, Tombstone, or DiGiorno. The pizza was cooked well and the sauce was tolerable but it tasted like they used the same salt they sprinkled on their French Fries. The pizza wasn't awful but I expected more from the biggest fast food restaurant on the planet.

I do often wonder, however, how things would have turned out if I added Mac Sauce to my pie.

McDonalds Philly Cheeseteak

The McPhilly was terrible. It's hard to describe how the meat tasted but I imagine it's what would be served in a prison. The meat was soggy and had a really bad aftertaste. Due to it being overpriced, I didn't want to throw it out so I doused it in BBQ sauce to mask the awful flavor. For anyone curious about McDonalds Philly Cheesesteak, stay away...your wallet and tongue will thank you.

The Largest McDonalds on Earth

Located on International Drive in Orlando, Florida, this McDonalds is more than just big. It’s a landmark. Standing at 19,000 square feet and often dubbed the "Epic McD," it's got a full arcade, a play area, and an extended menu. Two stories tall with escalators inside. You’ll find more than just burgers and fries.

This one-of-a-kind McDonalds serves pasta, brick oven pizza, Belgian waffles, omelets, and even cakes. It’s been around since 1976 but underwent a serious renovation that expanded its size and upgraded the kitchen. That’s probably why it can pull off stuff like custom pizza orders. Just don’t expect New York quality.

The location even has conference rooms. Birthday party space. Specialty coffee bar. They have McCafé drinks you can’t get anywhere else. A few international menu items too. Stuff you usually only find in places like Japan or Spain.

Even the staff seems trained to handle the chaos. Lines move fast. Orders are mostly correct. Which is impressive considering how jam packed it gets.

Why McDonalds Doesn’t Serve Pizza Everywhere

McPizza was a real thing. Launched in the late 1980s and tested at select locations. The problem? Time. McDonalds thrives on speed. Pizza takes too long. Even their revamped ovens can’t match the drive-thru pace. Add the extra ingredients and training needed and it just didn’t scale well.

There were also space issues. Most kitchens weren’t built to handle pizza prep. Franchisees didn’t want the hassle. By the early 2000s, the pizza dream was dead. Except in Orlando. For some reason, Epic McD kept it alive. It’s a rare relic of what could’ve been.

Some rumors say the only reason it’s still served here is because of sheer demand. Tourists ask for it. They saw the commercials as kids. They’re chasing nostalgia. That’s a powerful motivator.

Why Is There a McPhilly?

That’s a good question. The Philly Cheesesteak isn’t exactly a fast food staple. But McDonalds wanted to experiment. Places like Orlando draw tourists from everywhere. A cheesesteak is an easy sell to people looking for something familiar. That’s probably how it made the menu.

It’s also one of those items you won’t find nationwide. The Epic McD has a lot of autonomy. They play with regional and seasonal ideas. That’s why the pizza and cheesesteak exist side-by-side. Even if they shouldn’t.

The Philly isn’t even new. They tested a McSteak sandwich in the 90s. Didn’t take off. But Orlando is where the weird things live on.

Other Exclusive Items You’ll Only Find Here

Besides pizza and cheesesteaks, this McDonalds has stuff you’ll never see at your local spot. Belgian waffles with syrup. Pasta Alfredo. Big breakfast platters with toast and hash browns. Even a dessert bar with slices of cake.

There’s also a build-your-own-sundae bar. A small bakery area. And digital kiosks with options that scroll for miles. It’s almost overwhelming. It feels like a mash-up of McDonalds and a diner. A weird combo but it works.

Some of the dishes are hits. Others are straight misses. But there’s value in having options. You don’t walk in here just to eat. You come for the spectacle. The photo ops. The chance to try something nobody back home has.

Historical Facts About McDonalds

McDonalds started in 1940. It was a barbecue joint. The original founders were Richard and Maurice McDonald. But the company exploded when Ray Kroc came into the picture in 1955. That’s when the franchise model really took off.

McDonalds has had its share of flops. Pizza. Hot dogs. McSpaghetti. All tried. All gone. But some items stuck. Like Chicken McNuggets. Those didn’t roll out nationally until 1983. Now they’re everywhere.

They also once made bubblegum flavored broccoli. True story. It was for kids. Didn’t work. Kids were confused. Adults were disgusted.

Today, McDonalds has more than 38,000 locations worldwide. They serve 69 million people a day. That’s more than most countries. Even with the weird items, they’ve stayed on top.

In Japan, they sell shrimp burgers. In India, they offer McAloo Tikki. In the Philippines, they once had spaghetti with hot dogs. The chain adapts. It bends without breaking.

As for me, I’ll probably stick to fries and a McDouble next time. But if you’re ever in Orlando, check it out. Just don’t expect a pizza that’ll blow your mind.

McDonalds Pizza and Orlando Travel FAQ

Can you add Mac Sauce to a McPizza?

Technically yes. But it depends on who’s working. Some employees will do it. Others won’t. You just have to ask nicely. They might charge extra. They might not. Either way, it’s worth a try. Might be the only thing that saves the slice.

Which McDonalds serves spaghetti?

If you’re hunting for McSpaghetti, book a flight to the Philippines. They’ve been serving it for decades. It comes with sweet sauce and sliced hot dogs. Definitely not Italian approved. But kids there love it.

Where is the best pizza in Orlando?

It’s not McDonalds. Let’s just get that out the way. If you want real pizza, hit up Uno Pizzeria & Grill. Their deep dish is the real deal. Plenty of cheese. Crisp crust. Big flavor. And they have a location not too far from the tourist zones.

Other local spots worth trying are Pizza Bruno and Anthony’s. Both get a lot of love from locals. But Uno hits the nostalgia angle hard. Especially if you grew up eating it.

Does the Epic McDonalds have a drive-thru?

Nope. You have to walk in. That’s part of what makes it feel different. It’s more like a tourist attraction than a drive-thru spot. Expect a crowd. Especially during holidays and weekends.

Is the food at the world's biggest McDonalds good?

Some of it is. The ice cream bar is solid. The Belgian waffles are decent. Omelets weren’t bad either. But the pizza and cheesesteak? Huge letdowns. You go more for the vibe and novelty. Not for Michelin stars.

What should I order if I go?

Stick to what they’re good at. Fries. Sundaes. Nuggets. Maybe a waffle or omelet if you’re feeling fancy. Skip the pizza unless you’re doing it for the story. Same with the cheesesteak.

Does the arcade cost extra?

Yep. You’ll need to buy tokens or swipe a card. Same setup as a Chuck E Cheese or Dave and Buster’s. It’s not free but it’s fun. Especially for kids.

Does the Orlando McDonalds serve breakfast all day?

Yes. Or at least close to it. You can get waffles, eggs, sausage, and more long after the normal breakfast cutoff. Some of it depends on the time and how busy it is. But it’s way more flexible than a regular McDonalds.

Can you eat upstairs?

Absolutely. The upstairs has booths, tables, and the arcade section. A lot of families go up there to let kids play while they eat. It’s not quiet but it’s fun.

How long does the pizza take to make?

Roughly 10 to 15 minutes. Sometimes longer if they’re slammed. It’s not a fast grab and go like the rest of the menu. You’ll need to wait for them to cook it from scratch. That’s part of why it never caught on.

Is this the only McDonalds with a pizza oven?

Pretty much. There used to be a few others back in the 90s but they’re all gone now. This is the last one standing. It’s a bit of a time capsule.

Is there parking?

Yes but it fills up quick. Especially during lunch and dinner rush. You might end up parking across the street and walking. They do have wheelchair access though. That part is easy.

Can you order online or through the app?

Not really. Because their menu is so different, the usual McDonalds app doesn’t work well here. You’ll have to order in person or at the kiosk inside.