Need help deciding about owners locker

[DisneyMSF]

Ever since I started seeing threads about Owner's Locker on these boards, I have been incredibly intrigued by it. It seems like a great idea, but I am having a hard time actually convincing myself that it would actually be useful for us. (I'm also having a hard time convincing DH who feels that most of the things I can think to leave in it aren't really that difficult to just bring).

We only go once a year, and don't really have a lot of things that we only use at Disney. And a lot of the things we take to Disney, we also use at other times of the year or on other vacations, so we wouldn't be able to leave enough in it such that we could only travel with carry-on baggage. Though I can certainly think of a few things we could leave down there.

So, I guess my question is, do those of you who currently have owners lockers think that they are worth it even if we only go down once a year?

Also, we are fairly new to DVC (first trip last year in a studio, staying this summer in a 2-Bedroom for first time). So I was also wondering if perhaps there are any other benefits of the owners locker that I might not have thought of since we really haven't used DVC much yet.

Thanks!

[Tink-aholic]

I was in the same boat. I could see the value of it and thought it was a heck of an entrepreneurial idea...but couldn't quite make the commitment to buy into it ourselves. DH found a great deal and signed up for it without consulting me and we used it for the first time this past April.

Now, I cannot live without it! ;) The convenience (especially with all of the restrictions from airlines now) is amazing. In addition to the full-size shampoos, powders, sunscreens, laundry detergent, etc. we have things that make our trip "better". For example, DH doesn't like the eensy coffee cups at DVC, so he has a great big one in there (with extra coffee). We usually carry "mister" fans around with us, so we have a few of those and extra batteries (which are cumbersome to pack). We shower A LOT while we are in Florida, so I have 4 really nice bath sheets in it. I have an extra bathing suit, hats, and lanyards in it that I really wouldn't use anywhere else. I have a first aid kit, moleskin, body glide, and a power strip. We still have lots of room for an aerobed (our 2 teenage boys will NOT sleep in the same bed) in case we get a 1BR one time.

We retrieved ours for the first time last week and it was amazing how streamlined your packing can be without all of that stuff. I COULD have gotten by with just carryons, I'm sure.

Why don't you email them with your concerns? DH emailed them a couple of times before he signed up and got answers directly from John, the owner.

I'm sure glad we signed up.

[WebmasterCricket]

We only go once a year, and don't really have a lot of things that we only use at Disney. And a lot of the things we take to Disney, we also use at other times of the year or on other vacations, so we wouldn't be able to leave enough in it such that we could only travel with carry-on baggage. Though I can certainly think of a few things we could leave down there.


We have duplicated some items we use on non-Disney trips and have, since our first trip, added some newer items that are Disney only.

I have a wireless router that I wouldn't want to lug back and fourth for instance. Rain gear, water shoes, flashy light Fantasmic dealies and an "ok" start an a stocked bar so we don't need a loan every time we go "home" to set up the drink station. The booze savings pays for most of the locker each year by itself. Your savings may vary. ;)

[Tink-aholic]

The booze savings pays for most of the locker each year by itself. Your savings may vary. ;)

Dang! How much do you drink while on vacation...and where can I find your villa? :lmao:

[WebmasterCricket]

Dang! How much do you drink while on vacation...and where can I find your villa? :lmao:

It's always the one with the cops in front of it (at least it seems that way). Golfer's hate bottle rockets! :)

Note: At no time does WebmasterCricket condone the use of fireworks legal or otherwise on or near any DVC property by members or guests of members. Any use of said entertainment should be considered grounds for ejection from any and all DVC properties and suggestion for dismissal from "the club". If you choose to do so even after this warning, you should immediately run as quickly as possible and stop laughing prior to answering any police questions.

[heart]

DisneyMSF--

I wasn't really sure we would use our Owner's Locker--now I LOVE IT!

You may want to check out their web site, there appears to be a pretty enticing offer to try a locker, and they'll refund your money if you don't like it.

I'm confident--as they must be--that you will find it becomes a "need."

Happy travels!

[CarolA]

I am a big fan of the locker.

Now I do go more then once a year. (How often shall remain a secret LOL!)

However, I find it so nice to have stuff. I put a REAL hairdryer in mine for example so I don't have to use that horrid thing Disney provides. (Is there a difference between High and Med on that thing? I use them at hotels all the time and they are just bad LOL!)

I have full size hairspray, full size hair junke and my "disney toys" I also have a pair of shorts and a few t-shirts. If I do have to check and the airline loses my luggage I can make do for a day with what is in the locker. (I have a pair of Crocs in there too. I am not wearing those things anyplace else LOL!)

[SamSam]

In addition, we have framed pics of our kids and grandkids, my feather pillow, backpack, brita faucet filter, keyboard for our laptops, the list goes on and on. I am queen of frugal but I absolutely love having my OL and find it well worth the cost.

[Inkmahm]

...(I have a pair of Crocs in there too. I am not wearing those things anyplace else LOL!)

I find myself buying more and more crocs as they add styles and I wear them just about every single day! Some are nice enough to wear to work.

[CarolA]

I find myself buying more and more crocs as they add styles and I wear them just about every single day! Some are nice enough to wear to work.

Crocs would be a violation of the dress code!:lmao:

Also, I do not find them comfortable . I really cannot wear them for any length of time. So I wear them to the pool at Disney!

[jdvm]

Hi DisneyMSF,

I'm glad you've started this thread as we find a lot of folks are like you. Many people are on the fence because they've gotten by just fine without Owner's Locker in the past. If you haven't seen a need so far, why do you need it now?

Well, it's a very personal service and the answer is different for most folks. But I can tell you this. Those who have been skeptics pretty quickly switch to being vocal converts once they've given us a try. Here's a link to a list of the things people have told us they store in their Locker. Have a look and keep in mind that we have a risk free trial where we refund every penny you've paid us if you try Owner's Locker and decide it's not for you.

http://www.ownerslocker.com/blog/2008/02/the_ultimate_owners_locker_pac.html

John

[kaelarad]

We just joined OL and have a list already of what we will bring down. We are always at Disney for Christmas, so ornaments, lights for the balcony and Disney Christmas t-shirts will get put in the locker this December. I have also had hairspray, shampoo and other liquids open in my checked luggage, so being able to put those items in the locker will save alot of laundry for me upon arrival at Disney. I only wish the Christmas Tree would fit in the locker ( which it won't) this would free up a great deal of space in the car trunk!

[jdvm]

kaelarad,

1. where on earth did you get that user name?

2. as long as your tree is in some sort of bag or box, we'll store that for you, too.

John

[thepops]

I only wish the Christmas Tree would fit in the locker ( which it won't) this would free up a great deal of space in the car trunk!
Hmmm... Do we hear opportunity knocking ? ? ?

[WebmasterCricket]

Hmmm... Do we hear opportunity knocking ? ? ?

Someone special, who could it be?
This job's too big for you and me.
We need some help!
But never fear-o....
It looks like a job.......for an Owner's Locker Hero!
An Owner's Locker Hero!

[flechette]

Heya~

Was in a similar situation, I very firmly wanted OL - hubby was alot more hesitant. He was ok (barely) with the yearly fee of $99. He had his foot down on the $75 for a pretty purple container. We plan on once a year trips for the next 5 years or so - after that I hope to get more in :rotfl2:

I got around the $99 by breaking it down monthly - $8.25 a month. All I have to do is skip one lunch out a month and the OL fee is covered, or we use a BOGO free coupon for dinner.

No report of OL losing a locker yet - same can NOT be said for the airlines or FedEx/UPS.

OL will meet you at MCO airport and you can get your locker if you're going on a cruise or to Vero Beach etc:thumbsup2

I lucked out and Mousesavers Newsletter had a great offer w/ a discount on purple container- I signed us up and hubby agreed to give it a try ( I think partially in the interest of peace :angel: )

Dis Boards has had a pretty good offer too from OL - keep an eye out on the banners at the top of the forums.

My first trip home is the Oct, I can't wait to try out OL! Even hubby is on board now; I caught him sneaking in some pool toys into the Disney/OL box I started~:wizard:

[brandylouwho]

Someone special, who could it be?
This job's too big for you and me.
We need some help!
But never fear-o....
It looks like a job.......for an Owner's Locker Hero!
An Owner's Locker Hero!

Thanks for making the darn Higgly Town song stick in my head all afternoon :rotfl:

[dopeygirl76]

Here is another vote for the I can't live with out my locker!!! We only PLAN to go once a year - until we buy more points that is. But as said already those airline restrictions are getting the better of us so we LOVE our locker!!!

[WebmasterCricket]

Thanks for making the darn Higgly Town song stick in my head all afternoon :rotfl:

I'm just glad I'm not the only one that knew it! :)

[mikesmom]

Heya~




No report of OL losing a locker yet - same can NOT be said for the airlines or FedEx/UPS.


I lucked out and Mousesavers Newsletter had a great offer w/ a discount on purple container- I signed us up and hubby agreed to give it a try ( I think partially in the interest of peace :angel: )


My first trip home is the Oct, I can't wait to try out OL! Even hubby is on board now; I caught him sneaking in some pool toys into the Disney/OL box I started~:wizard:

I totally agree with how great OL is. We couldn't live without it! and as for DH - he loves it but has NO idea how much (or little) it costs. It comes out of my budget and I pay for it. Ladies, a separate checking account is often a wonderful thing!

By the way, for those of you who have hubbys on the fence. My DH says the first time has to go down to the hotel Gift Shop at midnight for "feminine products", figure what is needed and pay a fortune for it - Owners Locker is worth it no matter what is costs. (We obviously keep a supply of such items for self, daughters in law or other gals who are travelling with us).:lmao:

[DisneyMSF]

Thanks everyone for the advice!! I think you guys may have just about convinced me (now I just have to see if I can convince my DH).

One follow-up question.... I could have sworn I saw an ad somewhere on these boards last week for a discount on Owner's Locker, but now I can't seem to find it. Am I just looking in the wrong place, or am I just too late and it is no longer being offered?

[aurorafan]

My DH was okay with the idea, especially since I got one of the deals offered here on Dis a while back, but he wasn't enthusiastic at first. However, by the time we were packing for our June trip he was actually figuring out things to take with us for the locker ;). We couldn't bring down everything in June, so we'll bring some more stuff in Dec., but we left some full sized shampoos, bodywash, suntan lotion etc., plus Disney lanyards (no more kids frantically rummaging through their rooms to find them ;)), Disney hats, my Disney crocs and a couple of other things. When we go back in Dec. we're bringing a water pitcher and reusable water bottles (the kids seem to collect those like flies!) so we won't have to pay for bottled water anymore.

Love love love my OL and can't wait to stock it up more in Dec.! :cloud9: :goodvibes :thumbsup2

[Cruelladeville]

I love our OL, too! We have our umbrellas and ponchos in ours, so we don't have to keep buying those things. We also have wine and beer in our's--and a 10 lb bag of charcoal that we never got around to using!! Now when I pack for Florida, I just pack clothing. I like the idea of them keeping the Christmas tree, too. I have been lugging it back and forth because it didn't fit in the OL, never realized that they could store it in their facility. Now, with the problem on airlines charging for baggage, we may be leaving our golf clubs down there, too!:lovestruc

[Tink-aholic]

One follow-up question.... I could have sworn I saw an ad somewhere on these boards last week for a discount on Owner's Locker, but now I can't seem to find it. Am I just looking in the wrong place, or am I just too late and it is no longer being offered?

They are still offering it. The link (for me) is on the User CP screen. I'll PM you with it, if you can't find it.

[PSL]

I don't see a link for a discount and I would be interested in finding one if it's still available? Missed out on the $50 off deal a while back. :sad1:

[aurorafan]

I love our OL, too! We have our umbrellas and ponchos in ours, so we don't have to keep buying those things. We also have wine and beer in our's--and a 10 lb bag of charcoal that we never got around to using!! Now when I pack for Florida, I just pack clothing. I like the idea of them keeping the Christmas tree, too. I have been lugging it back and forth because it didn't fit in the OL, never realized that they could store it in their facility. Now, with the problem on airlines charging for baggage, we may be leaving our golf clubs down there, too!:lovestruc

Oh I forgot about the ponchos! We got some in June and left them in the OL--they come in handy for so much more than rain gear lol ;).

[jdvm]

just go to our sign up page and choose the DIS from the drop down box asking how you heard about Owner's Locker and you'll get the special DIS deal.

John

[PSL]

just go to our sign up page and choose the DIS from the drop down box asking how you heard about Owner's Locker and you'll get the special DIS deal.

John

Thank you....I'm the person who you have been emailing back and forth tonight! You have been very helpful! :)

[bonzarella]

OP- once you have your locker, you won't ever look back:goodvibes We are so grateful to J&B! On 5 out of 6 trips last year we were able to do carry on thanks to OL. I am sure you will have no regrets:thumbsup2

[tinker_me_happy]

Looks like an awesome option to me! But since I don't know what my travel habits will become (NEW DVC owner here too) I'll have to wait and see!

[qtzar]

OL has to be one of the best investments we have made. We currently have one OL but will be getting a second one as our current one is full to the brim with things like bottles of booze, bottles of water, all our bathroom stuff, laundry stuff, snacks that won't go off, coffee mugs and coffee ( and filters ), pizza cutter and loads of other stuff.

Even if you travel once a year it is worth it on the standard plan as that 'visit' is included in the yearly subscription plan. then if you do decide to make a second trip it's not going to cost an arm and a leg, you pay just as much taking extra bags on an airplane nowadays.

[pixiechick]

I haven't read all the replies, but wanted to add how much we love our OL. It has made traveling so easy. :thumbsup2

[Cyndibear]

We just loooovvveee our OL!! We usually go twice a year and it is amazing how much easier it has made traveling! We, just like others, have it filled to the brim with full size bath items and laundry items, Crocs, our poncho's and umbrellas, Nesquik (Dh is a chocolate milk junkie), swimsuits and coverups, rechargable batteries and charger, and sound machine.

Dh is trying to talk me into another one to keep our clothes in so we don't have to pack!!

Cyndi

[photobob]

Are the majority of OL users those who fly?

[jdvm]

Good question, photobob. I'd say it's a majority but not by much. These days everyone is focusing on airline luggage charges but have a look at the video on the Owner's Locker site splash page. That couple drives down in a pickup and has PLENTY of room. It's the convenience of not having to pack...not just the cost savings.
John

[AKV707]

WE are at AKV right now and received our OL for the first time on check in day. We will be leaving with much less than we brought with us. It is exciting to think of all of the things that we will leave here with the locker that will be here when we arrive for our next trip.

[pixiechick]

Are the majority of OL users those who fly?

John already addressed this, but I'll chime in too.

We do fly, there are only 3 of us so flying is cheaper than driving.

But, even if we started driving tomorrow, we would keep our OL. Packing is so easy. We used to have storage tubs of the stuff that was used for trips. No more. It's all sitting in Florida now waiting for us.

If you told us we needed to leave for a trip to WDW in 10 minutes, we could do it easily.

The negative is when we go somewhere else. Then we have to pack all the toiletries etc. I'm constantly double checking to be sure I didn't forget something!

[DiznyDi]

Are the majority of OL users those who fly?

We fly and we :love: our Owners Locker! We're trying to get to the point where DH and I take only a carry-on bag and no checked luggage....

[stopher1]

We fly too, and we LOVE the fact that



with our villas we have the in-room w/d and avoid those extremely costly coin ones that we used to need part way through our trips so our luggage has been cut in half - we can do as much as needed, and enjoy a full-size container of detergent in our OL - no more $1, $2 or whatever travel packs currently cost if/when they run out too
with our OL that half was cut in half once again with vacation-only "stuff" that we can now just leave there each time, and it will be ready and waiting for us when we return
because of our OL, we can now have other "stuff" that makes our stay more "home-like", adding ease and convenience to our mornings and evenings
because of our OL, we can have full-size toiletries instead of trying to get by with travel-sized containers that might even need to be replaced locally at ridiculous prices
because of our OL getting ready and packing for a trip is less involved - we have a list of items that we know are already there, so no need to even think about them at home

We are actually pondering a 2nd one right now. :rotfl: If I could cut our luggage needs even by another 1/4 I'd be thrilled - but even if not, that's ok, having a few more "home-like" and vacation-specific items there waiting for us would be cool too. My sons and I will be there in just 16 days, and I'll definitely be sizing up the situation prior to our next family visit in October. We'll just have to wait and see if a 2nd one is on our horizon or not. As I sit typing this my guess is yes...