We have travelled to Orlando, approximately 20 times, and in the last 7 years we have had the joy of taking our children too, this has sadly bumped the price up to around £6000 for a two week trip. We are by no means frivolous with our spends, and DH loves to try and save money!
One year we stayed at a budget hotel, it was the choice of this or no trip. The hotel provided a daily shuttle to the parks, and there was a Lynx bus stop nearby too, however we didn't entertain the thought of using the buses, I'm sure that if you're a couple or a family with older children then this would be fine, but with younger ones or those with special needs it would be a tiresome experience, I understand that the bus services are reliable etc but at the end of a long day at MK for instance you just want to get those kids home to bed, and yourself 9 times out of 10 come to think of it! So by using either the direct service of the Disney buses or hiring a car this is IMO the best option for the OPs friend. rather than going round the houses to get back to your hotel or whatever.
I am currently helping my SIL to sort out a holiday for their family to WDW in the summer, as she is so overwhelmed by all of the information out there, it would be foolish for a first time visitor not to research the destination fully and I depth, again especially if there are children involved in the trip. Personally I would say that not planning would be their worst mistake, as we have been so many times we feel that it's second nature to us, we know where to go, where to eat, what can save money etc, but a first timer isn't going to know this, the boards are invaluable for information and I would say always gain perspective from every view.
The whole point of Florida with kids is Disney, why go otherwise? Yes we have been on trips where we haven't bothered, but my 6 year old has been there 6 times, he's not going to be fussed if he misses out one year on Disney, as a parent I would feel like They were missing out if we went but didn't do Disney and it was their first and possibly only trip to suggest that they don't do disney's parks is ludicrous to me again just IMO.
Personally I'd say to the OP's friend.....
Wait and save up enough to do the trip properly, I wouldn't reduce the length of my trip to save a bit of cash, travelling is hard on you and takes up two days of your holiday.
Research everything you would like to do thoroughly, gain the views of other people who have done it and make up your own mind especially about what would work for your family, what is great for one isn't necessarily going to work for others.
Join the Dis and the Dibb for sure!!
But in answer to the original question...... No I don't think it's particularly do-able in the current climate to travel for 2k, and have the "experience of florida"
I hope they get their holiday sorted!