Orlando in April: the last great month before summer, once Easter passes

Find Easter first, then enjoy the dry weather

Easter moves every year, and it decides how April feels. The week before and the week after Easter usually bring spring break crowds, holiday pricing and long waits. Look it up before you book. If Easter falls in March, most of April is calm. If it falls late, the first half of April stays busy and the end of the month is the window.

Once the school breaks are over, April is one of the most pleasant times to be in Orlando. Locals know it, so weekends still fill the springs and beaches.

Highs usually run 80 to 86°F, with lows of 59 to 65°F. April is one of the driest months, so outdoor plans rarely wash out. Humidity begins to creep up toward the end. The sun is strong, and sunset is usually around 7:50 p.m., giving you long evenings.

On the calendar, usually

• The Florida Film Festival usually runs for about ten days in April, centered on the Enzian theater in Maitland.
• EPCOT's Flower and Garden Festival is usually in full swing, with the topiaries at their fullest.
• Jacaranda trees usually start to bloom purple across Winter Park and College Park in late April.
• Spring art shows and outdoor markets usually fill weekends around Lake Eola and in Winter Park.
• Spring training usually ends by late March, so baseball is no longer an option, but Orlando City soccer usually plays home matches.

A slow April day in Winter Park

1. Take the scenic boat tour early, before the dock gets busy.
2. Walk Park Avenue and stop at the Morse Museum, which is small and easy to see in an hour.
3. Have lunch outside, then drive ten minutes to Harry P. Leu Gardens while the beds are still in spring color.
4. Rest through the hottest part of the afternoon.
5. Catch an evening film festival screening or a sunset at Lake Eola.

Pack for summer, almost

Shorts, breathable shirts and sandals for most days. One light layer for air-conditioned theaters and restaurants, which can feel cold after a day outside. A hat, sunscreen and sunglasses are essential. Pack a swimsuit, because pools and water parks are fully comfortable by now. A small umbrella is optional this month but useful from May on.

Where to eat outside while you can

April is patio season, and it ends quickly once the summer humidity sets in. Use it. Park Avenue in Winter Park has sidewalk tables under the oaks. The streets around Lake Eola and Thornton Park have open-air spots for brunch and early dinner. East End Market in Audubon Park works well for a casual lunch on the lawn. At the parks, EPCOT's outdoor festival booths are at their most pleasant before the heat of May. Food trucks gather at breweries and weekend markets around town, and an evening beer outside is still comfortable after sunset. Book tables for Easter brunch weeks ahead; it is one of the busiest restaurant days of spring.

Prices, and the small mistakes

Hotel rates and flights spike around Easter, then soften. The last two weeks of April are often good value, with rates well below March. Park tickets follow the same pattern, since date-based pricing tracks demand. Rental cars get easier to find once spring breakers go home. If you plan to drive to the coast or the springs, a car for just those days often costs less than a full week.

Do not underestimate the sun. April burns people who think it is still spring, and a pale first day often turns into a painful second one. Reapply sunscreen at lunch, and wear a hat on the boat tour, where the glare off the water doubles the exposure. Drink water steadily at the parks. Book film festival tickets early for opening night and popular screenings, which can sell out. And if you plan a spring visit, go on a weekday; on Saturdays the parking lots at Wekiwa and Rock Springs can close by mid-morning.