Florida in April

[Monterra]

The missus and I will be heading down to Florida in the latter half of April and are looking at spending 5 nites or so in the Orlando area to see the space center, Disney World, etc. After that, we will head down to the Keys.

We have not been in this area before and am wondering how busy this part of the world will be during this time period. i.e. will all the snowbirds be returning home? We've already booked our campground in the Keys and was somewhat surprised how full up the SP's already were this far in advance.

Also, does anyone have any suggestions regarding a good pet friendly campground that we could use as a base of operations in the Orlando/Kissimmee area?

[dblr]

If your there around the Easter breaks plan on it being crowded, but some of the snow birds might be headed north by then. Tropical Palms is a nice place behind Old Town, we use a Thousand Trails park near Clermont that is also nice also the king of them all is Fort Wilderness but if not doing Disney I would choose one of the others.

[10x]

Spring break time!

[Brother Les]

Originally Posted by 10x

Spring break time!

Most schools Springbreak schools will be over by the first of April. Most Snowbirds gone, also. Have a good time and try to stay at Fort Wilderness.

When is my spring break? - Dates for Spring Break 2014 by School - StudentCity

[slipf18]

We've been here 30 years...here's our advice, for what it's worth. KSC is worth visiting; important history and interesting exhibits. While there take some time to check out the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge (part of the real Florida). Orlando will be crowded, gridlocked and hot in April, plus it's spring break time. Uggghhh...
Mickey Rat runs a sophisticated tourist trap guaranteed to separate you from a lot of your money. If you must go, try the Animal Kingdom...at least most of the critters are not animatronic...and the gorilla habitat is amazing...spend an hour simply quietly watching these incredible animals (visit this enclosure first and early!)
Sea World abuses animals...the orcas...so don't even think of going.
We have been to the Keys many, many, many times...either by car, TT or on our sailboat. Yes, reservations are required well ahead. You mentioned the SP's...Pennekamp on Key Largo has sites that are very close together, and most have little shade. It'll be warm. Long Key SP is very nice, but its close proximity to the roadway provides constant background noise. The sites are all on the water, but don't expect a white sand beach...the Keys are not the Bahamas and beaches don't exist there. Plus, the sea grass builds up on what little beach there is and can get a bit smelly...however, if you've got a kayak, once away from the shoreline the water and fishing are magnificent! Bahia Honda SP is much like Long Key, but is situated on the pass between the Gulf and Atlantic. Flagler's railroad bridge is still there...amazing engineering feat...As you travel down the Keys, realize that you will be rolling over his original railroad bed. Before you come, read "Last Train To Paradise"...the story of how Flagler built Florida and opened up the Keys...in addition, it describes the 1935 hurricane and the incredible destruction it wrought on this area. Key West was over-run by the tourism industry and ruined a long time ago...if you feel compelled to visit and do the Duval Street crawl, well, don't say I didn't warn you...still, there are some interesting locales in KW...take the time to meander along the side streets in old town and discover some of the architecture, gardens, eateries and watering holes that only locals tend to inhabit...for a really cool experience, try chartering a float plane for a day trip out to Garden Key in the Dry Tortugas...see the fort, snorkel and soak up the sun and sea...Just remember, there is much natural beauty to be found in the Keys, but YOU MUST SLOW DOWN and take the time to discover it!! Good luck and have fun.

[dkb74]

Originally Posted by Monterra

The missus and I will be heading down to Florida in the latter half of April and are looking at spending 5 nites or so in the Orlando area to see the space center, Disney World, etc. After that, we will head down to the Keys.

We have not been in this area before and am wondering how busy this part of the world will be during this time period. i.e. will all the snowbirds be returning home? We've already booked our campground in the Keys and was somewhat surprised how full up the SP's already were this far in advance.

Also, does anyone have any suggestions regarding a good pet friendly campground that we could use as a base of operations in the Orlando/Kissimmee area?

Fortunately, most spring breaks are early next year. Ours (locally here in FL) were really late last year. FL spring breaks tend to be later in the year than northern states, and even ours is in early March.

April is a lovely time to visit FL. Cool evenings and mornings with comfortable days. Two of our kids birthday are in April, and we spend most Aprils camping.

Fort Wilderness is a fabulous campground, and I highly recommend it.

[glenn56h]

try Jetty park was nice years ago dont know now
Merry Christmas

[mjones12]

Originally Posted by slipf18

We've been here 30 years...here's our advice, for what it's worth. KSC is worth visiting; important history and interesting exhibits. While there take some time to check out the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge (part of the real Florida). Orlando will be crowded, gridlocked and hot in April, plus it's spring break time. Uggghhh...
Mickey Rat runs a sophisticated tourist trap guaranteed to separate you from a lot of your money. If you must go, try the Animal Kingdom...at least most of the critters are not animatronic...and the gorilla habitat is amazing...spend an hour simply quietly watching these incredible animals (visit this enclosure first and early!)
Sea World abuses animals...the orcas...so don't even think of going.
We have been to the Keys many, many, many times...either by car, TT or on our sailboat. Yes, reservations are required well ahead. You mentioned the SP's...Pennekamp on Key Largo has sites that are very close together, and most have little shade. It'll be warm. Long Key SP is very nice, but its close proximity to the roadway provides constant background noise. The sites are all on the water, but don't expect a white sand beach...the Keys are not the Bahamas and beaches don't exist there. Plus, the sea grass builds up on what little beach there is and can get a bit smelly...however, if you've got a kayak, once away from the shoreline the water and fishing are magnificent! Bahia Honda SP is much like Long Key, but is situated on the pass between the Gulf and Atlantic. Flagler's railroad bridge is still there...amazing engineering feat...As you travel down the Keys, realize that you will be rolling over his original railroad bed. Before you come, read "Last Train To Paradise"...the story of how Flagler built Florida and opened up the Keys...in addition, it describes the 1935 hurricane and the incredible destruction it wrought on this area. Key West was over-run by the tourism industry and ruined a long time ago...if you feel compelled to visit and do the Duval Street crawl, well, don't say I didn't warn you...still, there are some interesting locales in KW...take the time to meander along the side streets in old town and discover some of the architecture, gardens, eateries and watering holes that only locals tend to inhabit...for a really cool experience, try chartering a float plane for a day trip out to Garden Key in the Dry Tortugas...see the fort, snorkel and soak up the sun and sea...Just remember, there is much natural beauty to be found in the Keys, but YOU MUST SLOW DOWN and take the time to discover it!! Good luck and have fun.

There's also a boat that goes out to Fort Jefferson if you don't want to spend the bucks for a float plane.

[NO3putt]

Want to save a few bucks on camping, Lake Louisa SP is 25-30 drive from DW and they have some full hookups.