We are taking our girls 6 & 9, for a week in June. We are only doing one park so I have been working on a list of some free/cheap things we might do that I found on-line.
FREE & CHEAP THINGS TO DO/SEE WHILE IN ORLANDO
Downtown Disney Marketplace: Here you can visit the World of Disney, the biggest Disney souvenir shop in the area. Theres no charge for looking and the shop is an experience in itself with Disney movies playing, princess accessories to try on, and animated Disney characters. Stop by the
Lego Imagination Center and let your kids enjoy the free Lego building stations and nearby playground. Check out the huge Lego sculptures while youre there, including the enormous dragon in the lake.
Disneys boardwalk: Experience a little old-time Atlantic boardwalk charm right in Orlando. Along the way you can window-shop and enjoy the water views and street entertainers. 2101 North Epcot Resorts Boulevard, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, (407) 393-5100
Lake Eola Park: This beautiful 43 acre park in downtown Orlando has views of the city, fountains, a walking path, swans to feed, and a playground. Swan shaped paddle boats are available for a fee. 195 N. Rosalind Avenue, Orlando, Florida, United States 407 246-2827
www.ci.orlando.fl.us
Harry P. Leu Gardens: In this downtown Orlando oasis you can enjoy three miles of paved walkways, a rose garden, a butterfly garden, an evening garden, ancient oak trees, camellias and more. Admission is free on Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon (otherwise admission is $5 adults, $1 children) 1920 North Forest Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803-1537, 1 407 246 2620
http://www.leugardens.org/
Go hiking in
Ocala National Forest: Ocala National Forest, 325 John Knox Rd,Tallahassee, Florida,32303, 904-942-9300 If you want to experience natural Florida while visiting Orlando, this is the place. The popular Florida Trail is an easy hike that lets you glimpse several habitats including hardwood forests, swamps, springs, and prairies. The trail is relatively flat and over 60 miles in length, so unless youre going to be here awhile youll probably want to choose just a short portion. You can also canoe, picnic, bike, and swim here (watch for alligators). Fees may apply to some of these activities depending on which part of the forest you visit.
http://www.stateparks.com/ocala.html
Tour the town of
Celebration: This Disney-made town can seem a bit creepy (everything is just a little too perfect). But it doesnt cost anything to stroll around and admire the gorgeous houses and well-groomed yards. Kids can play in the interactive fountain and search for turtles and alligators in the lagoon. Depending on when you visit, you may even see machine-generated falling leaves or snow. Stop by the farmers market on Sunday mornings or check out the many free events (author readings and signings) offered by Reading Trout Books.
Enjoy the sights and smells of tropical plants at
A World Of Orchids, 2501 North Old Lake Wilson Road, Kissimmee, FL 34747, (407) 396-1887The 22,500-square-foot (2,090-square-meter) conservatory has orchids as well as many other species of exotic flora. Walk along the path and admire natural exhibits with flowers from Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Australia, and Central and South America. Closed Sundays.
Big Tree Park, 930 North Thornton Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803,(407) 246-2283 visit Florida's oldest resident, "the Senator." At 118 feet (38 meters) tall and approximately 3,500 years old, it is one of America's oldest bald cypress trees. Amble along the boardwalk or bring along lunch to eat at one of the park's many picnic tables.
http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/guide/parks/park1.asp
Even if you're not in the park, the Magic Kingdom
Fireworks can be seen from other areas. Leave your car in the main parking lot and take the free tram to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) for the best up-close views of the nightly fireworks. If you are staying in a Disney-operated resort, hop on the monorail for free and get off at the Magic Kingdom entrance to watch the show.
Fleaworld & Funworld, For cheap souvenirs and county-fair style treats and rides, just a 10-minute drive north of Orlando. Parking and admission are free. You'll find more than 1,000 vendor booths selling clothing, home decor items, accessories, wall art, plants, jewelry, toys, shoes, weight-loss products, items as seen on TV and a plethora of other products that you might not realize you need until you see it at Flea World. The Fun World amusement center has carnival rides and games as well as magic shows and concerts. Walkways are paved, and rollerblading is allowed. 4311 South Orlando Drive , Sanford, Florida 32773, (407) 330-1792
www.fleaworld.com
Go to
Lake Wales, Florida, to see if the old
Indian Legend of Spook Hill is true. A sign marks the spot where you should stop your car, put it in neutral, and watch as your car rolls uphill.
http://www.cityoflakewales.com/city/visitor.htm
Old Town, a unique amusement park and shopping area. Over 700 motorcyclists rally through the streets on Thursday nights. On Saturday nights Old Town comes to life with a vintage-car parade with over 300 cars. While the park offers live entertainment every night at 7:30 p.m., its Saturday night show (7 p.m.) plays exclusively '50s and '60s rock 'n' roll. Visitors must buy tickets for the amusement rides, but admission to Old Town, and its concerts and car shows, is free. 5770 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway #421, Kissimmee, FL 34746, (407) 396-6445
http://www.old-town.com/
All Orlando visitors can enjoy free nightly Italian music performances at the picturesque
Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando. The hotel has been recognized as one of the most elaborate themed hotel environments in the United States. 5601 Universal, Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32819, (407) 503-1000
Watch a
jai-alai partido (game) at
Orlando Jai-Alai, 6405 S Us Highway 17/92,Casselberry, FL 32730-2057, (407) 831-2044, In what is claimed to be the world's fastest sport, players hurl a rock-hard ball (the pelota) back and forth (with a cesta) at speeds up to 150 miles an hour (241 kilometers an hour) in a handball-like court. The sport, of Spanish Basque origin, is popular in Latin American countries. Students free every night with I.D.; seniors free at matinees; all women get in free on Thursdays. The venue has both simulcast and seasonal live games.
http://www.orlandojaialai.com/
Try to spot some manatees at
Blue Springs State Park 2100 W. French Avenue,Orange City, Florida 32763, (386) 775-3663 covers more than 2,600 acres including the largest spring on the St. Johns River. Blue Spring is a designated Manatee Refuge and the winter home to a growing population of West Indian Manatees.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/
Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and Museum 4931 South Peninsula Drive - Ponce Inlet, Florida 32127
http://www.ponceinlet.org/planningyourvisit2.html Climb the 203 stairs to the top of the 100-plus years old Ponce Inlet Lighthouse in Volusia County and take in the view. About 2 hours from Orlando, south of Daytona Beach.
RDV Sportsplex Ice Den 8701 Maitland Summit DR, Orlando, Fl 32810 407-916-2550
http://www.mvpsportsclubs.com/florida-orlando-rdv-sportsplex-ice-den a family facility which features one IHL/NHLsized ice rink (200 x 85) and one Olympic-sized ice rink (200 x 100). The Ice Den offers a variety of programming activities including hockey leagues and hockey camps, public skating 7 days a week, skating and figure skating lessons
Learn about gardening and explore the butterfly garden at
Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter, 1909 Slavia Road Oviedo, Florida 32765 (407)-365-6163 Admission for the Butterfly Encounter is $5.00 per person and $7.00 for guided tours Sun.-Sat. 9-4
http://www.lukasnursery.com
Disney Wilderness Preserve Old Pleasant Hill Rd., The Nature Conservancy, Orlando, FL, remarkable place to experience natural Florida. Located just south of Orlando, the preserve protects the headwaters of the Everglades ecosystem. This 12,000-acre preserve is an innovative model of ecological restoration and one of the largest off-site wetlands mitigation projects ever undertaken in the United States.
The preserve is bordered by Lake Russell, one of the last remaining undeveloped lakes in central Florida. It is also home to hundreds of wildlife species, many of which are rare, such as bald eagles, Florida scrub-jays, sandhill cranes and gopher tortoises.
A hiking trail is available to visitors who want to learn about the preserves resident plants and animals and the Conservancys efforts to restore and protect them.
www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/florida/preserves/art5523
open9 a.m. to 5 p.m daily. Please call the preserve before visiting (407)935-0002 as the preserve may have limited access due to flooding or restoration activities
Princeton Park and College Park Pool, 2411 Elizabeth Street, Orlando, Florida, Amenities: Fitness equipment, See Saw, Slide, Swings, Basketball Court, Benches, Restrooms, Picnic tables, Universal access, Monkey Bars/Jungle Gym, Baseball field, Parking, Shade, Staffed, Swimming pool, Twisty Slide, Lighting, Trees
Big Hawk Lake Park, 13709 Big Hawk Lake Drive, Orlando, Florida Amenities: Twisty Slide, Shade, Monkey Bars/Jungle Gym, Slide
Shelter over the play structure!
Cherry Tree Park - Orlando Playgrounds & Park 1206 West Columbia, Orlando, Florida, 1 407 246 2283, This Play structure is outstanding and coincide so well with its name - Cherry Tree Park. For an interesting way to play follow the leader, try the Circular Horizontal Ladder.
Apopka Vineland Park - Orlando Playgrounds & Park Old Winter Garden Rd and Apopka Vineland Rd., Orlando, Florida Amenities: Twisty Slide, Shade, Monkey Bars/Jungle Gym, Slide
Play structure with Shelter over it.
Turkey Lake Park - Orlando Playgrounds & Park 3401 South Hiawassee Road
Orlando, Florida,32835, 1 407 299 5581, Amenities: Picnic tables, Universal access, Benches, Restrooms, Walking path, Twisty Slide, Monkey Bars/Jungle Gym, Parking, Swimming pool, Shade, Staffed, Slide, Safety-rules sign, Swings
Daily 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. November to March; 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. April to October,November-March 8am-5pm; April-October 8am-7pm
Aloma Bowling Center Inc - Orlando Bowling Alley10749 E Colonial Dr, Orlando,FL,32817, 1 407 447 2792
Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge - Orlando Wildlife / Animal, 18515 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32820, 1 407 568 5138, Central Florida's largest wildlife refuge. The facility rescues and houses wild animals that have been displaced or injured. Some animals are rehabilitated and returned to the wild. FREE, 9am-4pm daily except New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter
Float the River at
Kelly Park Lake Apopka, just 20 minutes west of Orlando, is fed by the free-flowing natural spring in Rock Springs at Kelly Park. The 245-acre park offers camping, hiking trails, wildlife and water play. Ride an inner tube, slowly and steadily, down the river. The park is a popular destination, so to lessen the environmental impact and ensure that guests aren't crowded, it often stops admitting people by mid-morning. There is a fee for camping. There are four different hiking trails, volleyball courts and playgrounds.Kelly Park, 400 East Kelly Park Road, Apopka Florida 32712,
www.orangecountyfl.net
There are some good finds in them. I also do the Mall at Millenia and occasionally the Fl Mall. 
to Spirit of the Swamp airboat tours, not far away S of Kissimmee. We ponied up for the 2-hr tour, but they will run 30-min and up. The ride is private to your party, so you have Captain Harold all to yourself. He'll answer all your questions about the land and the wildlife you see. We saw all kinds of birds, including bald eagles, and several gators!! 
