Dave,
I haven't spent much time in Orlando but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express... sorry I couldn't help it.
Anyways, my mom lives in Cape Coral which is just across the caloosahatchee from Fort Myers. I don't know of an FBO to suggest, but there is a lot to see from the air around Fort Myers and Cape Coral.
The city of Cape Coral itself is an interesting sight from the air. The city has canals that run throughout the city and connect to the Caloosahatchee and the gulf. My mom and step-dad have a direct access canal behind their house. A 10-15 minute ride put them in the Gulf of Mexico.
Sanibel island is right off the coast and is interesting from the air and ground. The causeway that connects the island to the mainland has recently been rebuilt. The old drawbridge is an interesting sight and worth investigating. The lighthouse on the far eastern tip of Sanibel island is also pretty and a great photo op. There is a lot to do on the ground at Sanibel as well. Just rent a bike and spend the day pedaling around (it's all flat). JN Ding Darling National Wildlife park is an interesting place to visit that you can drive through. There are also lots of neat restaurants to visit (try the Island Cow, the serve cupcakes instead of rolls).
Captiva is also a neat place to visit from the air/ground. On the ground the beaches are great for searching/diving for sea-shells and is pretty excluded. The houses on Captiva are extraordinary. Most can't be seen from the ground because of dense foliage/landscaping/walls. But from the air you can see that they are mansions.
North Captiva Island is only accessible by boat or plane. They have a grass strip on the north end of the island that is private (to renters/owners of properties on the island). You might call the North Captiva Resort and see if you can land on the strip and dine at the restaurant that is there on the island. You can also kayak and snorkel off the island (we saw an alligator/crocodile last time we were there and kayaking). This is where my wife and I spent our honeymoon.
Depending on how long you're in Fort Myers, you might consider the Key West Express (
http://www.seakeywestexpress.com/) for traveling down to Key West. Rates run about $130/adult for a round trip. It's a lot of fun just as a day trip or to spend a few days in Key West. If you've never been to Key West, I'd say it's a must visit for Florida. Bring your drinking shoes.
I'll email my step-dad and see what else he recommends for the area. Have fun.
Central Florida plane rental
Linear Mode
