There's so much more to Florida than Disney. The beaches, state parks, everglades, wildlife, Keyes etc, Florida is an amazing holiday destination without Disney.
BUT Orlando without disney is pointless.
All thatnotherbstuff in Orlando is a sideshow to Disney. They are Disney hangers on. Still some good attractions but they're only there because Disney is.
Disney Worldnis just an incredible place, that has to be seen to be believed or understood.
I'm not into Disney films or merchandise. A Disney shop is my hell, but Disney parks are another thing.
The theming, the detail, the organisation, the cleanliness, the service, you can't help but be impressed even if you don't go on a single ride.
The idea that a disney shop will replace this is laughable.
Go to Florida, do the gulf coast and miss Disney if you want, then you're doing something amazing but different.
But Orlando without Disney (if you've never been) is just cutting off your nose to spite your FIL.
Orlando is Disney. You'd never have heard of Orlando if not for Disney. The other parks are good too, but Disney is the point, and no one else does if quite like Disney.
Disneyworld in Florida does have a magic to it.
Staying on international drive and missing Disney sounds like the worst sort of Orlando holiday I can imagine. You might really hate Orlando the way you've planned it, but you could really love it, honestly. Even my DH did.