Riding shotgun in the Purple Van! - The DIS Discussion Forums

WebmasterDoc · 09-05-2009, 03:31 PM

I just returned from about 5 hours riding along with John (jdvm on the DIS) in the Owners Locker purple van. I've tagged along a few times in the past, but today was especially busy with multiple deliveries at SSR (including THVs), OKW, BWV, BCV, Swan, WL, BLT and AKV.

The new warehousing system OwersLocker now has in place is most impressive. It utilizes bar coded tags on each locker and a scanner logs every change the status of each locker - from the storage facility into the purple van, then to the resort, then to the reservation operations dept at each resort, then again when the lockeris picked up at the resort and loaded back into the purple van and again when it is returned to the storage facility (which really is "climate controlled" and felt good on aot day like today). When the locker is readied for delivery several automated messages are generated - one a week before your arrival date to let you know they are ready for your visit, another 3 days before arrival, again when the bar code is scanned upon delivery to the resort and again when the locker is safely back in storage. The bar coding scan also records the specific location in the storage facility further simplifying the process so that lockers don't require a static storage location. It's really reassuring to get those status report emails letting us know where our locker is located at any given moment!

John and Brian have quite a system developed allowing OL members to "name" their locker and many are even personalized by the members with their own decorations. (... and many are quite creative - both with the names and the decorations.)

The system allows great flexibility for last minute changes made by members. Today, John even got a call from a member returning from a cruise and made a detour to pick up their locker for return to storage. The service provided is most impressive.

While at the office, I also got to see the new Magic Strollers being offered by Owners Locker. They are really nice and seem to be priced to compete with both Disney and other stroller rental companies. Magic Strollers is offering a 20% discount to Owners Locker members on top of the already competitive pricing. They also provide a number of components at no additional cost (like parent consoles and rain covers). The strollers are delivered to the resorts in their own storage bags to minimize storage space- which seems to be appreciated by the Bell Staff at the resorts (some of the storage areas are overrun with loose items and huge strollers leaving minimal space for luggage and CMs to navigate).

This was a most interesting and informative morning. I continue to be impressed with the value, quality and level of service offered by Owners Locker.

Muhlenberg · 09-05-2009, 04:32 PM

That sounds quite impressive!

BlakeNJ · 09-05-2009, 05:11 PM

How exciting! I just joined OL last night! I have been collecting things in a bin, here in the house, of all the items I needed to bring with me on our next trip in November. The thought of lugging all that home again gave me the motivation and I decided it was time, went online and signed up!

Do you have pictures of the stroller being offered?

WebmasterDoc · 09-05-2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlakeNJ

How exciting! I just joined OL last night! I have been collecting things in a bin, here in the house, of all the items I needed to bring with me on our next trip in November. The thought of lugging all that home again gave me the motivation and I decided it was time, went online and signed up!

Do you have pictures of the stroller being offered?

They plan to have a new website up and running soon for online reservations for the strollers, but there is a temp site available right now with contact information and a picture of the two models available.

http://www.magicstrollers.com/

PSC · 09-05-2009, 05:38 PM

Cool - an Owners Locker Behind the Scenes Tour!

Can you book it through Member Services at a slight discount? I think John might have found a way to add on some extra help during the busy times.

5forDiz · 09-05-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WebmasterDoc

..............This was a most interesting and informative morning. I continue to be impressed with the value, quality and level of service offered by Owners Locker.

john's Adventures of the Purple Van photo thread is very cool too

WebmasterDoc · 09-05-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSC

... I think John might have found a way to add on some extra help during the busy times.

LOL! He even let me carry some of the lockers and scan bar codes!

Cyndibear · 09-05-2009, 07:58 PM

Cool! Nice to know you helped deliver our lockers today. We are staying at AKV Jambo.

Thanks!!!

Cyndi

DVCconvert · 09-05-2009, 08:18 PM

So Doc -- when will you give up your "day job" and work for OL full time??

WebmasterDoc · 09-05-2009, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyndibear

Cool! Nice to know you helped deliver our lockers today. We are staying at AKV Jambo.

Thanks!!!

Cyndi

It was my pleasure. I think we delivered 2 lockers to Jambo so one was certainly yours.

If you will still be here on Tuesday you should plan on the OL wine event at Epcot - at the wine kiosk at France. It's from 7:30 until Illuminations starts. It's a lot of fun and you'll get to meet John (and I think Brian will also be there).

Quote:

Originally Posted by DVCconvert

So Doc -- when will you give up your "day job" and work for OL full time??

That's being negotiated right now.

I can't think of many jobs more fun than that!

SamSam · 09-05-2009, 11:46 PM

What fun to ride shotgun in the Purple Van! Very fun reading your report on your 'ride-a-long'.

jekjones1558 · 09-06-2009, 07:48 AM

Quote:

He even let me carry some of the lockers and scan bar codes!

Is he "letting" you paint his picket fence next?

Sounds like a fun time. Only a true-blue DVCer would enjoy spending vacation time delivering lockers!

waltfan1957 · 09-06-2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WebmasterDoc

They plan to have a new website up and running soon for online reservations for the strollers, but there is a temp site available right now with contact information and a picture of the two models available.

http://www.magicstrollers.com/

when they going to have bikes or motorbikes

Mlissa88 · 09-06-2009, 02:58 PM

sounds like you had a fun time! Yes...I can imagine that visiting resorts all day would be a pretty fun job!

drakethib · 09-06-2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WebmasterDoc

That's being negotiated right now.

I can't think of many jobs more fun than that!

Agree with Doc.

John is a genuis to have come up with the OL idea

09-05-2009, 03:31 PM	#1
WebmasterDoc Administrator Join Date: Aug 1998 Location: Indiana Posts: 20,353	Riding shotgun in the Purple Van! I just returned from about 5 hours riding along with John (jdvm on the DIS) in the Owners Locker purple van. I've tagged along a few times in the past, but today was especially busy with multiple deliveries at SSR (including THVs), OKW, BWV, BCV, Swan, WL, BLT and AKV. The new warehousing system OwersLocker now has in place is most impressive. It utilizes bar coded tags on each locker and a scanner logs every change the status of each locker - from the storage facility into the purple van, then to the resort, then to the reservation operations dept at each resort, then again when the lockeris picked up at the resort and loaded back into the purple van and again when it is returned to the storage facility (which really is "climate controlled" and felt good on aot day like today). When the locker is readied for delivery several automated messages are generated - one a week before your arrival date to let you know they are ready for your visit, another 3 days before arrival, again when the bar code is scanned upon delivery to the resort and again when the locker is safely back in storage. The bar coding scan also records the specific location in the storage facility further simplifying the process so that lockers don't require a static storage location. It's really reassuring to get those status report emails letting us know where our locker is located at any given moment! John and Brian have quite a system developed allowing OL members to "name" their locker and many are even personalized by the members with their own decorations. (... and many are quite creative - both with the names and the decorations.) The system allows great flexibility for last minute changes made by members. Today, John even got a call from a member returning from a cruise and made a detour to pick up their locker for return to storage. The service provided is most impressive. While at the office, I also got to see the new Magic Strollers being offered by Owners Locker. They are really nice and seem to be priced to compete with both Disney and other stroller rental companies. Magic Strollers is offering a 20% discount to Owners Locker members on top of the already competitive pricing. They also provide a number of components at no additional cost (like parent consoles and rain covers). The strollers are delivered to the resorts in their own storage bags to minimize storage space- which seems to be appreciated by the Bell Staff at the resorts (some of the storage areas are overrun with loose items and huge strollers leaving minimal space for luggage and CMs to navigate). This was a most interesting and informative morning. I continue to be impressed with the value, quality and level of service offered by Owners Locker. __________________ Doc Assistant Webmaster DIS doc@wdwinfo.com

09-05-2009, 04:32 PM	#2
Muhlenberg Clues! We want clues! It's a small world after all It's a small world after all... E / E Tushy imprinting chair here Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Under a Rock in Gilbertsville, PA Posts: 12,130	That sounds quite impressive! __________________ Kathy It's O.K. to Dream... CR 6/97 6/00 8/06 1/07 CBR 8/07 CR 1/08 BWV 8/08 SSR 1/09 AKV 9/09 BLT 2/10 THV 8/10

09-05-2009, 05:11 PM	#3
BlakeNJ DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,290	How exciting! I just joined OL last night! I have been collecting things in a bin, here in the house, of all the items I needed to bring with me on our next trip in November. The thought of lugging all that home again gave me the motivation and I decided it was time, went online and signed up! Do you have pictures of the stroller being offered? __________________

09-05-2009, 05:38 PM	#5
PSC Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Central NJ Posts: 391	Cool - an Owners Locker Behind the Scenes Tour! Can you book it through Member Services at a slight discount? I think John might have found a way to add on some extra help during the busy times. __________________ Scott Owners Locker Groupie http://www.ownerslocker.com/

09-05-2009, 07:58 PM	#8
Cyndibear I love my DVC's!!!! Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Coopersburg, PA USA Posts: 760	Cool! Nice to know you helped deliver our lockers today. We are staying at AKV Jambo. Thanks!!! Cyndi __________________

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09-05-2009, 08:18 PM	#9
DVCconvert DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: BWV Posts: 3,628	So Doc -- when will you give up your "day job" and work for OL full time?? __________________ Dare to do what dreamers do

09-05-2009, 11:46 PM	#11
SamSam DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Kansas Posts: 4,248	What fun to ride shotgun in the Purple Van! Very fun reading your report on your 'ride-a-long'. __________________

09-06-2009, 02:58 PM	#14
Mlissa88 A little song...a little dance... a little seltzer down your pants Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Central Pennsylvania Posts: 321	sounds like you had a fun time! Yes...I can imagine that visiting resorts all day would be a pretty fun job! __________________ 1974-FW (1st Disney trip), 1976 & 92- Disneyland, 1999-WL, 2002-OKW, 2003-VWL, 2003-POR, 2006-CS, 2008-OKW, 2008-WL, 2009-POR, 2010-OKW

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