I'm taking a group of 8 year old cheerleaders to Orlando in December. I'm looking for fun, inexpensive things to do.

We will go to Disney one day.

I was also thinking of taking them to see the shuttle launch on 12/6. Where is a good place to view the launch from without tickets? And where should we have dinner over there?

An airboat ride is always a fun experience, particularly for first-time visitors to Florida. Boggy Creek Airboats <http://www.bcairboats.com/> is close to the WDW/Lake Buena Vista areas and very tourist friendly!.

I would buy a regular visitor complex ticket and you can watch from the grounds, the Space Center is fun IMO.

The space center website says they don't sell regular admission tickets on the day of a launch. But I can buy tickets to get on the grounds to see it. I just hate to sit in that much traffic with a bunch of 8 year olds who have to go to the bathroom every 15 minutes

Would the ponce inlet lighthouse area offer a good view? They could climb the lighthouse earlier and then go out to the beach for the launch. Or should I go further south?

Also, how is the Center FL Zoo?

The Central FL Zoo in Sanford is not worth it IMO, and it is only 10-12 miles from my home.

Hello rizzo0904

Will they be competing? If so, when and where?

Sorry about that rizzo, I'm glad you checked...I just watched the Discovery go up this morning, and I am 50 miles inland, so anywhere between here and there will give somewhat of a view if you look in the right direction at the right time...good luck in the competition and have fun !

rizzo0904, if you're interested in taking them to a zoo, try the Brevard Zoo (www.brevardzoo.org) where they can hand-feed giraffes among other things.

As for seeing a launch, as Wednesday says, you can see it for miles and miles. Try one of the parks around Cocoa Beach: Lori Wilson park, Shepard Park, or Jetty Park. Lots of bathrooms.

Thanks everyone!! I will check out that link for the zoo.

Kopp...I am with AYF. We compete on Friday, the 7th of Dec. at UCF. I am sending my Mitey Mite team to the invitational as a generous sponsor agreed to pay for the whole trip. I have 2 other teams competing at Regionals...so hopefully they will advance as well. Do you coach? Pop Warner or AYF?

Hi rizzo, no, I'm not a coach. Just an old team mom who remembers the competitions. Have fun and good luck!