AoA, Owners Locker, Grocery Service & Stroller Rental

[Amirah95]

1. To anyone who has an Owners Locker and stays on-site can you please answer this OL question for me please?? My OL is very heavy and I'm staying at AoA...someone suggested I call luggage services and be in my room to receive it during their scheduled visits. I'm an off-siter who is staying on-site for the first and maybe final time...OL is easy for us off-site because we have our minivan, we get to the front desk and load our box into it, drive it to the room...nice. I'm staying at AoA with DD5 next trip and w/o DH who would actually carry the box to the room no matter how far it is. We have 2 OL, but I'm only sending for one because it doesn't seem convenient to have one delivered let alone two.

How long is the wait to receive luggage delivered to the room? I am taking the Magical Express and will have no checked luggage. I plan to arrive at AoA in the early afternoon before check-in.

Dumb question. And how much do you guys tip luggage services? We never had to use a bell service before, not even in Vegas or anywhere else -- we handle our own luggage.

How far in advance should I call luggage service to come pick up my OL before we check out? Night before, day of?? I have to get it back to the front desk.

2. Who do you guys use as a grocery service? Someone recommended? Garden Grocer to me...no rental car so that means no Wally World for me.

3. My DD5 will be 6 when we go on vacation and she's still a noon-2pm napper. I won't be able to bring her jogger stroller so I'll need to rent one if I want to be out all day long DTD, in the parks, at other resorts, etc. without having to take her back to the hotel for a nap. I will not be checking any luggage to keep things easy on me. I Googled some stroller services and there are many that rent out up to 75lb single strollers...who do you guys recommend? I was happy to see that OL rents out strollers at a great price, but they only rent up to 50lb single strollers.

Sorry for this being so long.

Thanks!

 

[bumbershoot]

Yes, definitely have Bell Services deliver it to your room. If you need the items in both, have both delivered to the resort and to your room. Don't let a few moments of inconvenience cause you to go without things you have purposely saved in your lockers!

How long is the wait to receive luggage delivered to the room? I am taking the Magical Express and will have no checked luggage. I plan to arrive at AoA in the early afternoon before check-in.

What luggage will you be having delivered? If you have no checked luggage, you'll have your stuff with you at checkin, yes? Oh you will be dropping it off with Bell Services if your room isn't ready? Well when you get to your room, either stop at the Bell Services desk on your way in (if you go by there) or get to your room and call them. I don't have experience with AOA, but with other resorts they are generally there inside of 15 minutes.

We once got a ride WITH our luggage at a resort (SSR) on the cart.


What will you be doing for your 6 year old's nap if it's done in the stroller? Doesn't sound like much fun for you without another adult with you to take turns sitting there while the other has fun. If she's that strict of a napper, I'd just go on back for a proper break, if you are the sole adult.

 

[Amirah95]

Yes, definitely have Bell Services deliver it to your room. If you need the items in both, have both delivered to the resort and to your room. Don't let a few moments of inconvenience cause you to go without things you have purposely saved in your lockers!

I called it an inconvenience because someone told me I had to wait in my room for my OL. I will be arriving before check-in, I'll check-in and then wait for bell services to drop off my OL at their scheduled time and I don't know what schedule their on. I don't have an ADR on the itinerary for the first night so that's a good thing.

What luggage will you be having delivered? If you have no checked luggage, you'll have your stuff with you at checkin, yes? Oh you will be dropping it off with Bell Services if your room isn't ready? Well when you get to your room, either stop at the Bell Services desk on your way in (if you go by there) or get to your room and call them. I don't have experience with AOA, but with other resorts they are generally there inside of 15 minutes.

We once got a ride WITH our luggage at a resort (SSR) on the cart.

AoA is a value resort so I don't see any golf carts in my future! But, but if they did that that would be really cool. No checked luggage, but if I'm there before my room is ready I will leave our stuff with bell services so we can hit the pool.

What will you be doing for your 6 year old's nap if it's done in the stroller? Doesn't sound like much fun for you without another adult with you to take turns sitting there while the other has fun. If she's that strict of a napper, I'd just go on back for a proper break, if you are the sole adult.

If DD decides to nap, I can push her around while shopping at Disney shops in peace (I don't get to shop much at the parks because DD17 and DH like to keep things moving along and DH must ride with me or he can't ride at all - they are not going this time), taking pictures with characters (I have a picture of her with Belle and Beast while she was sleeping at Epcot) and grabbing snacks and drinks around World Showcase. I call it a little "me" time.

 

[LisaRae87]

3. My DD5 will be 6 when we go on vacation and she's still a noon-2pm napper. I won't be able to bring her jogger stroller so I'll need to rent one if I want to be out all day long DTD, in the parks, at other resorts, etc. without having to take her back to the hotel for a nap. I will not be checking any luggage to keep things easy on me. I Googled some stroller services and there are many that rent out up to 75lb single strollers...who do you guys recommend? I was happy to see that OL rents out strollers at a great price, but they only rent up to 50lb single strollers.

Why not bring her jogger stroller? Or your own umbrella stroller, or standard stroller. You can use it at the airport and have them put it under the plane when you board. Then you will have it when you get off the plane as well. I have done this twice, once with an umbrella and once with a regular (bulky) stroller. Will they not do this for older children? Mine is only 2 so I haven't gotten to that point.

 

[Amirah95]

Why not bring her jogger stroller? Or your own umbrella stroller, or standard stroller. You can use it at the airport and have them put it under the plane when you board. Then you will have it when you get off the plane as well. I have done this twice, once with an umbrella and once with a regular (bulky) stroller. Will they not do this for older children? Mine is only 2 so I haven't gotten to that point.

I didn't know I could do that. We don't fly and if DH and I do fly it's to Vegas and no need for a stroller. So I can go through security and to the gate with the stroller? Sweet. If there is no additional charge then I'll look into it. Thanks for this tip!!!

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm not sure that Bell Services HAS any sort of scheduled time to come around, though. I *think* that when you ask them to bring something to you, they'll get to work on it. The OL will already be there unless you're getting there very early in the morning and they haven't stopped by yet, so it's just about getting the Bell people to come on by. Tell them to bring it when you're on your way to the room and it shouldn't be a problem, I don't think.



OK, that's good that she'll sleep through shopping, etc. I'm an avowed non-napper, even when I was a toddler. My poor mom.

 

[Gracie09]

I didn't know I could do that. We don't fly and if DH and I do fly it's to Vegas and no need for a stroller. So I can go through security and to the gate with the stroller? Sweet. If there is no additional charge then I'll look into it. Thanks for this tip!!!

If you plan on taking park buses just make sure it folds. American may make you check your stroller but the rest you should be able to gate check

 

[BayGirl22]

You can bring your stroller on the plane, there should be no extra charge if your child has a seat. You can bring it through security so that should help with getting to/from the gate. Just make sure it folds.

If you decide to rent I'd get a BabyJogger City Mini GT or an Elite for a child that age. Should be big enough for her and have an easy fold. There are a number of rental places listed here, I know Orlando Stroller Rentals is a DIS sponsor and I think they have those options. Apple strollers has a good deal right now but they have only the City Mini which is not rated for that weight IIRC.

I totally understand about having her nap in the stroller. That's what we do, its our break time too, we just like to spend our breaks IN the parks.

 

[ammag]

Ooh yes stroller sleeping time is definitely nice me time! After AK both kids passed OUT in the double at DTD, DH and I ended up with a nice little date night! Just grabbing a snack and sitting to people watch would be a good break for you. You might want to consider a light blanket to cover a bit too? I use a muslin one and tie it to my stroller when my guys asleep, keeps e light out but is still loose and breathable, nice shade too. We rented a city mini double from kingdom strollers, were very happy with the company and will use again in November. DD weighed about 49 lbs and was totally fine, she and her brother were total 75, I think the limit was 100. Bt even if she's over the weight it might be fine, it's ot extended use.

If you travel with the stroller, you might want to pick up a gate check bag...it's a bright red bag with drawstring to put the stroller in at the entrance of the plane for gate check. Is flimsy material but offers a little extra protection for the stroller and is easy to spot, or watch how they handle it if you need, I. Ase of damage later. We've done this for 6 years and been fine! Bout it at a baby store. Make sure it's empty when you go through security, if its an umbrella one they have you fold it and put through metal detector, if its much bigger you might be pulled aside for a better inspection. Not a huge deal.

Even if she does not nap in the stroller, you will both be happy she had the chance to rest, and you had a place to store all your stuff! I loved that part..all I carried all week was a little wallet with my phone, attached to my belt loop and stuck in my pocket, and small camer sin the other pocket. I and reading when the kids are Oder and I have to use a bag!

 

[jdvm]

The crew at the Art of Animation luggage are fantastic to work with....we're there every day. with Owner's Locker and Magic Strollers. When you check in, just stop by and tell them you have an Owner's Locker. When we drop them off, they are always logged in so they know exactly where they are (they are also rather easy to spot but that's another conversation). They will gladly have it sent to your room. There is also a possibility that they will already have taken it to your room. They will know whether this is the case when you ask. That luggage room is very busy and sometimes to make room they'll deliver the Locker to your room if it is ready just to reduce the amount of stuff in the luggage room. I will also note that you do seem to be using your Locker properly...it's supposed to be heavy....
j

 

[kmb584]

You can absolutely bring your daughter's stroller with you throughout the airport and once you arrive at your gate ask the ticketing agent for a "gate check" tag. Once the flight begins to board you'll simply wheel/carry it to the end of the jetway, fold it up and head on to your seats. Once the entire flight has boarded those working at the airport will take all of the strollers, car seats, and carry-on bags (in case of a full flight, they'll ask for volunteers to check their carry-on's to ensure room in the overhead) into a luggage compartment.

 

[PWammy]

I would bring my own stroller and gate check it. You never know what her daily schedule will be at the parks;she might be a trooper and skip naps, or she might nap at other times during the day. If you are in the Little Mermaid area, you will die carrying her from the bus area to the room if she falls asleep on the bus back to the resort like kids sometimes do. My 4yo talked me out of even bringing our stoller last time, but there were a few times we could have used it.

 

[Amirah95]

The crew at the Art of Animation luggage are fantastic to work with....we're there every day. with Owner's Locker and Magic Strollers. When you check in, just stop by and tell them you have an Owner's Locker. When we drop them off, they are always logged in so they know exactly where they are (they are also rather easy to spot but that's another conversation). They will gladly have it sent to your room. There is also a possibility that they will already have taken it to your room. They will know whether this is the case when you ask. That luggage room is very busy and sometimes to make room they'll deliver the Locker to your room if it is ready just to reduce the amount of stuff in the luggage room. I will also note that you do seem to be using your Locker properly...it's supposed to be heavy....
j

Greetings John! My OL is so heavy I had to borrow some space in my sister's locker...I think I'll call for both lockers then if it won't be any real trouble getting them to a LM room.