Florida Orlando
 

Hi,
I will be in Orlando area for a week in february with boys 9 and 13. Would love advice beyond Disney parks.
Thanks!

If your boys are Harry Potter fans you might want to consider Universal for a couple days.

Beyond the Universal & SeaWorld parks too?

February is a good time to see some manatees in their natural habitat at Blue Spring State Park.
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Blue-Spring
https://www.savethemanatee.org/manat...natee-webcams/

10 Things to Do in Orlando Besides Theme Parks
https://www.fodors.com/world/north-a...es-theme-parks

_______________________________________________
Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

Thanks! Big Yes for Harry Potter. Manatees seems like a great idea too.
Since we have been to Disneyland a few times in LA, want to find something different and new to do as well.

Also, we'll have a car. Any thoughts on Kennedy Space Center? Is there a good time to go? What about beaches that are family friendly?

Beaches south of Kennedy like Cocoa are good.

The Melbourne Zoo is good, small and not expensive, about a hour away.

Kennedy Center is good but a bit of a relic, still recommended.

Harry Potter was a hit with slightly older boys on Saturday (the one in Hollywood), it’s $120 though.

Consider renting a house (“villa”), in Orlando the rentals are all British owned and managed so it’s a cultural experience as well.

In my case last time we were in Orlando with our kids was about 15 years ago, but the following places are still around:

1. Reedy Creek Swamp; Osceola District School Environmental Study Center, open to the public on weekends only, a great place, our kids loved it.

2. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

3. Florida Aquarium in Tampa and right next door the SS American Victory Mariners Memorial and Museum ship

4. Caledesi Island, one of the best beaches in the world.

5. Orlando Science Center.

It is very easy to spend a week in the Orlando area and not set foot on a Disney property.

Caladesi, not Caledesi..