Dec. 30--No, you can't have fries with that.
The world's largest McDonald's, located near the intersection of International Drive and Sand Lake Road, will close tonight at 11 p.m.
The iconic structure, built to look like a giant box of french fries, is being replaced with a new building next door. Construction of the "new, state-of-the-art replacement restaurant nears completion," said officials with Oerther Foods, Inc., the company that owns and operates the restaurant.
The "French fry box" structure has been a staple of I-Drive, a tourism corridor in Orlando, since it opened in 1976. The restaurant has become a destination for the district thanks to the bowling, slides and video games for children inside.
The new 19,000-square-foot McDonald's will open in February, said Oerther Foods leaders. Owners have remained mum on what attractions will be located inside the new restaurant.
cdineen@tribpub.com or 407-420-5414
