I’ve seen the scene a thousand times - a tired and cranky child wobbling on wary feet begging for mom and/or dad to pick him up and carry him. Tantrums ensue. There’s screaming, crying and, often, heavy groaning noises are emitted from whichever parent finally relents and heaves the potato sack of a child onto his/her now weakened back. But, all this could be avoided (though still expect some tantrums when little Timmy sees a stuffed Mickey Mouse he desires that costs more than your first car and refuses to leave the store without it).

As much as it pains me to say it (since I hate the way they block the walkways and always seem to bite my ankles in a crowd situation), having a stroller is absolutely necessary when it comes to navigating a theme park with a child. Long nap-free hours in the hot Florida sun are impossible for a tot to endure on his own tiny legs. Early in the day he might be speeding off ahead of you, but by hour 5 or 6 of your trip his little legs will turn to Jell-O and you’ll be, quite literally, dragging him through all those long queue lines in Fantasyland.

If you’re coming from out of town (especially if you’re flying here), bringing your typical, modern stroller is a daunting task. Even folded down, these wheeled devices are gargantuan in size and hard to carry (especially with the large amounts of luggage you’re also likely to be bringing with you). You can rent strollers at each of the theme parks, but at $10 a day ($18 for double-wide versions), this cost can add up, especially if you’re here for awhile.

Bring your own stroller or rent one if you must (and if you must, don’t rent one regular-sized stroller for two children and make them switch out which one rides and which one walks throughout the day - I’ve seen that battle play out too many times as well and it’s not a pretty one), but I have a better idea. A recent search at Walmart revealed smaller, compact umbrella strollers for sale for as little as $15 (and I’m sure other retailers such as Target and K-mart have similar models at similar prices). The one I saw even had a Winnie the Pooh design on the fabric, perfect for an Orlando vacation. Why not invest in one of these and save yourself some hassle and dollars? It’s easier to carry onto a plane (or pack in a crowded car), or (and this is my suggestion) you can save even that much hassle and purchase one after you get into town (and leave it behind when you go - you’ll certainly have gotten your $15 out of it by that point). While it might not have all the bells and whistles of your favorite model - no cup holders or wheels that navigate tight turns with ease - it gets the job done and is easy to fold and cram onto a monorail, tram or bus. Also, since nearly every ride or show requires you to leave your stroller parked outside, the colorful designs on umbrella strollers help them to stand out from all the identical-looking rented park models, making it easier to track yours down after exiting the attraction.

Whatever stroller choice you make, just be sure to have one for each tot in your party. It will save lots of crying - both from the kids and from their parents.

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