Orlando recommendations please!!

[twolittlemonkeys]

Hoping someone can help me. DFIL has very kindly paid for us to fly to Orlando at the end of this month as he has a timeshare out there but there's no way we can afford the airfare. However it's also unlikely we can afford to take the kids (almost 4 and 2) to Disney. We worked out the tickets (3 day ticket plus 2 extra days 'free') will come to over £400, plus the extortionate $20+ each day to park there.

Can anyone recommend fun things for us to do that aren't going to totally break the bank? I'm excited to go on holiday but just can't bring myself to get into debt in order to entertain everyone whilst we're there!

We went when our twins were almost 2 and also didn't do Disney.
One trip we did was to go to Green Meadows Petting Farm which isn't cheap but no where near Disney prices and the DTs loved it.
The only big theme park we visited was a one day trip to Seaworld and we could have gone back for a second day free of charge (not sure if this is still the case).
There's loads to do in the International Drive area such as mini golf. Also pick up the free papers which all have coupons for discounts in attractions (not Disney), restaurants and shops.

Thanks for that Badpups - I'll look into it as it sounds like the sort of thing my boys would love. It's so hard to find other things as it's all about the theme parks when you go to Orlando!

Check out this forum -here they are mostly about the big parks but do have other ideas..
BTW I'm sure you already knew but under 3's go free to Disney. You can also get cashback from quidco for disney tickets. Seaworld is expensive I would book tickets in advance and you have to pay for parking there as well.

I am just back from Orlando.
I found Seaworld a lot cheaper than the Disney parks - the food/drink/mercahndise was a lot cheaper too.
You have to pay for parking at all the parks - 14$ per car.
Have you looked into going to Gator Park? We didnt do this but it looks good - its full of alligators and supposed to be a good day out, although not sure of the cost - it will be cheaper than Disney though!

I'd second the Green Meadows suggestion, I've been taking the DC there for around 10 years now and they loved it when they were younger.
I'd recommend picking up a brochure from outside a tourist info place or a local supermarket. They often have discount coupons in them for places such as Green Meadows and also Seaworld. Shamu's happy harbour is fabulous for little ones.
It is worth trying to save up if you can to do one day at a Disney park (Magic Kingdom is the best for little kids) as it seems a shame to go and not see some of the characters.

Thank you all for the suggestions, will look into them :-)