Places to visit on your trip:
Kennedy Space Center - you can go for the full day Astronaut Experience, have lunch with an astronaut, or just take a tour around. Check beforehand if a launch is planned around that time as you will need to book early if there is.
Busch Gardens: north on I-4 to Tampa Bay. You'll need a car to get there, but it's worth the short drive to nearby Tampa Bay to enjoy this 335 acre family park.
A Boat Trip at Winter Park This narrated, one-hour tour takes passengers through three lakes and two canals, skirting along the shoreline to peek at exclusive historic homes, elegant mansions, and wildlife (Winter Park is the Foxrock of Orlando). Its a great way to get away from the parks for a half day and relax on the water. The boat departs every hour on the hour and is a lovely experience for all the family.
Fantasy of Flight at Polk City. If you are looking for a real experience, real fun, and real takeaway - something the entire family can enjoy. We took a trip up in a 1929 biplane on New Year's Day and it was brilliant.
[SIZE=-1]St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied city in Florida - very relaxed and quaint, as is Mount Dora, which is nearer to Orlando - you can take a short trip on an old fashioned train while you are there and take a walk along the boardwalk. For a good look at the town, take the Mount Dora Road Trolley. Be sure to visit the pet shop and prepare to be amazed at what's on sale there! [/SIZE]
"Old Town" - There's a go-cart track, old-fashioned carnival-type rides and lots of shops to go in and places to eat.
It's not a large place but there's plenty to do.
[SIZE=-1]
Enjoy Crazy Golf at Pirate's Cove on I Drive. Congo River have another further up I Drive plus a couple more around the State, for example there's a good one at Altamonte Springs.
A great place to eat on I Drive is Bahama Breeze. The Brazilian Crazy Grill at the top of I Drive is an all-you-can-eat Brazilian buffet with great meats, big salad bar, Brazilian wine and very friendly service. Texas Grill is similar. Sweet Tomatoes Buffet is a healthy option all you can eat buffet on I Drive, for less than $10 a head - salads, pasta, ice cream, pizza, chicken. Avoid Tony Roma's and TGI Fridays.
The kids will love a visit to the Peabody Hotel to see the ducks
Merritt Island near Port Canaveral is a wildlife preservation area with the most beautiful unspoilt beach imaginable - not a shop or a house in sight, remote and wonderful.
Don't miss Epcot
I would suggest bringing/buying a set of walkie-talkies on your trips so that you can keep in contact with the kids and save on mobile calls. When visiting the parks wear comfy shoes bring your own water/snacks and take lots of breaks to avoid dehydration and the kids getting overtired. Publix and Albertsons supermarkets are brilliant for picking up eats and snacks. It can rain cats and dogs suddenly in Orlando (generally around 4 pm) so be prepared. I find Hertz very reliable for car hire and always get the Neverlost system as an extra, so there's never a problem finding places or knowing exactly where you're going.
Have fun!
[/SIZE]