PHOTO: McDonald’s. FILE
In Taupō, visitors can experience a unique kind of in-flight meal at the world’s coolest McDonald’s, as named 11 years ago. Despite the passage of time, tourists still flock to this spot, captivated by its novelty.
Taupō’s McDonald’s offers an extraordinary dining experience inside a real plane—a decommissioned Douglas DC-3, complete with its original cockpit and an eye-catching paint job. Meals are ordered at the adjacent standard McDonald’s, and then enjoyed inside the aircraft, which features a 20-seat dining area within the plane’s fuselage, with the cockpit preserved behind glass doors.
This McDonald’s in Taupō, featuring a decommissioned Douglas DC-3, has been celebrated as the “coolest in the world”. Photo / lovetaupo.com
@philippinozemtsev Did you know Taupo, New Zealand, has the honor of being home to the world’s coolest McDonalds????? There are seats inside the plane for your dining enjoyment, and you can view the cockpit as well! #nz #mcdonalds #mini4pro #taupo
The restaurant continues to amaze visitors, who frequently share their excitement on social media. British travel influencer Katie Scallon expressed her surprise on TikTok: “Imagine typing ‘McDonald’s’ into your maps and ending up here in Taupō, New Zealand, home to the world’s coolest McDonald’s. I couldn’t believe my eyes.” She added, “You can enjoy your Maccies inside the plane, with a real cockpit to explore. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience.”
Since its construction in 1943, this iconic McDonald’s has had an interesting history. It served South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand from 1961 to 1966, was later used as a top-dressing plane by Fieldair Holdings under the name Whio, and was decommissioned in 1984. McDonald’s purchased the plane in 1990, and in 2013, it was crowned the “Coolest McDonald’s” by the foodie website Daily Meal, which praised its unique dining setup and quirky charm.
SOURCE: NZHERALD