We came here on a whim, for an impromptu visit wit...

We came here on a whim, for an impromptu visit with my 2 toddlers. I was happy to see the drive was an easy one (from oviedo) and the drive into the zoo was a nice one and prepped the kids for something "fun and exciting". We recieved the first responder discount, which was great, and my 2 year old was free! All great things. However, as much as I wish I could say it was wonderful...it was mediocre at best. We don't frequent zoos often but have been to the Pittsburgh Zoo and the Cleveland Zoo (in other states obviously) and so in comparison, this zoo left a lot to be desired. Minimal animals at best (who can blame them with the scorcherous heat Florida has....can you imagine a polar bear in it??!). Not sure if that was something to do with it. But really....the only wild life they have are your basic Florida wild life anyway....gators, crocs, different birds (nothing crazy), a decent reptile selection, a rhino, a cheetah, monkeys... and that's about it. Giraffes you can feed lettuce to for 5 dollars (they are over the lettuce pretty quickly but the toddlers were happy.) A splash pad and a play ground.... my kids were more happy to play in the park than walk and see the animals they saw. Thats toddler life though....not sure if its a testament to the zoo itself. Im sure im mising a few animals (the bears were "out of service").... butterfly plants to attract butterflies (faaar from an exhibit)... no aquarium (that we saw)...really not worth the money (even with the discount) more than once a year. Customer service is nice. It was a fun day out....but if youre looking for more than just animal's in enclosures this place probably isn't it.