We will be going on a Caribbean cruise leaving out of port canerval but will be flying into Orlando airport first. The cruise doesn't leave until the next day so basically we have 1 day to explore Orlando (Friday). We don't want to do anything with Disney as it's expensive and one day is not enough to do that so we'd rather explore other attractions to maximize that one day. Do you have any suggestions? We'll have 2 small kids (ages 5 and 2). Thanks in adv for your feedback.

Also, what hotel would you recommend for just one night?

GatorLand - seriously. Everything reptile. Fun, not crowded, easy to push stroller with younger kid. Jumping gators, snake petting zoo area. They have a website.

Not sure if this fits into that "maximize one day". You certainly could do one theme park with a 1-day ticket or go to SeaWorld. Expensive but I think you would have a good time.

People make the mistake in Orlando of trying to see everything. Quality rather than quantity. It will still be there for return trips.

Are you renting a car? Wondering if you could rent and drop at Cocoa Beach? Cape Canaveral has nice beaches and good prices on hotels.

Orlando has over 400 hotels. What area do you want to stay in?

Honestly if it were me I would just head over to Port Canaveral get a room at the Radisson and visit KSC. Then the next day take a leisurely shuttle to the port.

https://www.radisson.com/cape-canave...-32920/flcocoa

>>Honestly if it were me I would just head over to Port Canaveral get a room at the Radisson and visit KSC.

https://www.goportcanaveral.com/airp...-of-cruise.php

There are a lot of shuttles to the port. This way you would not even have to rent a car.

I agree with spending your time on the East Coast -- you can choose between beaches or the space center, and there is also the Merritt Island wildlife preserve:
http://www.nbbd.com/godo/minwr/