What else is there good to do in Orlando Florida other than Disney and the other theme parks?

I'm going with family (wife, 10 yr old daughter, 6 yr old daughter, 5yr old son, 13 yr old niece, and brother-in-law) to Disney in Orlando Florida. We will have some extra time in town and were looking for a few other sites to take in. I'm consider going to Silver Spring Park (went there when I was a kid), or Daytona Beach. Does anybody have any other suggestions preferebly something in or closer to Orlando?What else is there good to do in Orlando Florida other than Disney and the other theme parks?
In or near Orlando there is Discovery Cove, many different dinner shows, minigolf, Cirque du Soleil, GatorLand, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, SkyVenture Orlando, Haunted Grimm House, Terror in Orlando, WonderWorks, Green Meadows Petting Farm, and you can rent jet skis nearby also. Kennedy Space Center is 45 min. away. You can take an Everglades Airboat ride that is about 30 min away. Those may be worth the short drives. Many people think Clearwater beach is worth the drive and is better than any of the east coast beaches near Orlando (1.5-2hrs).
Gatorland is a fun, 1/2 day place to go to. Low key. I like throwing feeding the gators with hot dogs. I like the Kennedy Space Center (spend a day - about a 45-60 minute from Orlando). I also prefer Cocoa Beach. I try to avoid New Smyrna Beach which is where all the shark attacks happen. Daytona can be very crowded.

You could also visit the Tampa/ St. Petersburg area.

Orlando has a ghost walk that's fun but it's in the evening.

Depending on the time of year you're coming, you can go to Crystal River and look for manatees (they come to play in the the winter).

Welcome and have fun.What else is there good to do in Orlando Florida other than Disney and the other theme parks?
Rock Springs Run is alot of fun. This is a natural spring that is down a sloping hill. The water is a natural lazy river where you can inter tube down or just float around on your back. Kids have a blast swimming down the crystal clear refreshing water.

From Interstate 4, take Exit 101C and travel west on State Road 46 for approximately ten miles to the park entrance located at the beginning of County Road 433 (County Road 433 is not marked-it begins at the entrance to the park;

only 2$ per car entrance fee



-GATORLAND!! inexpensive fun to experience alligators.



-Aquatica or Blizzard beach water parks are worth the money



- Wonderworks on International drive very fun for kids



-BEACHES

Coco beach

- Daytona beach

-Clearwater ( my favorite out of the 3 )



-Nascar fans? go see the speed way in Daytona



-Airboat rides in Kissimmee are Really a thrill to see gators in their natural habbitat.



-Fun Spot a great little park with go-cart racing also on international drive.



- Ripley's believe it or not on international drive



Just some suggestions =]] have a great time!! good luck!
Silver Springs has not changed at all since you were there, even if it was 30 years ago. The springs are still beautiful, but there are beautiful springs to swim in instead of looking through the glass bottom boats.



In the Ocala National Forest off of Hwy 19 between Daytona and Ocala there is " Salt Springs" and "Silver Glen" . They are gorgeous and great fun to snorkel through.What else is there good to do in Orlando Florida other than Disney and the other theme parks?
I've always felt Sea World was money well spent - lots of BIG critters to feed and marine animal rescues. Their Water park just opened also, but don't know how the girls would like it for what it costs....

If you're considering Daytona Beach, it's a direct shot going East on I-4, and they have many new, clean Beachfront Parks [one is right next to a Hilton] - just check News for Beach conditions with respect to rip tides [f/k/a undertow]

but Volusia has lots of lifeguards....

If they're into Space, or want to be, take the BeachLine [528] East and exit at SR407 [left exit] to KSC Visitors Center - IMAX movies, bus tours - FUN education - new Launch experience now open....
Gatorland is awesome! The airboat rides are fun but it's quite a drive to the everglades. Not sure if there's any closer or not.