What we do is book a day room at the MCO Hyatt. By the time we get off the cruise and to the airport its about 9:30 or so. We go directly to the check in desk, get our key and drop our carry on/bags/parcels in the room, change into swim suits and go to the pool that is on the top of the hotel. We wander around the airport and grab lunch, nap if we so choose, shower, maybe watch a bit of TV. The possibilities are there and you have a place, inside the airport, where you can get away from the crowds.
We check out at 6, head over to security and go to our gate. It is a very relaxing day. I'm not sure we have paid more than $110 for the day room, that was the rate from last November anyways. Worth every penny. Depending on the age of your children it might be good to have a place where they can nap and chill out before the flight.