Can I snoop in your Owner's Locker?

[mommylibrarian]

I know it's rude... but I can't help myself!

I am convinced that we need an Owner's Locker. But my DH isn't. Tell me...

What do you have in your Owner's Locker that makes it worth the cost (as opposed to mailing down some stuff before your trip and after).

I have seen the recent posts about air mattresses, which I thought was a great idea. Obviously, I would put water containers/filters, mister/fans, etc. in there. I was also thinking beach towels... but right now... all the stuff I come up with is light enough to make me think mailing it is cheaper. I also love to cook (even on vacation) and I was thinking a hand-mixer might come in handy.

So can I peek in your locker? What's in there that's so awesome it will convince DH it's worth it!

 

[kitsch4]

We don't own a locker, but I have visited the company's website, and they have examples of things that people keep in there. I have seen that some people put in full-size shampoo bottles and sunscreen just to name a couple of things. Can't remember any of the others right now.

 

[GGOOFY1]

I was thinking of doing it also, the things that I would put in it:
George Forman Grill
Flat griddle (for making pancakes, french toast)
beach towels
my floats for the pool
lights for the balcony
That is the start of my list. These are things I bring down that the villas are lacking.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

I used to think that I had a pretty good way to deal with all the stuff we now keep in our Owner's Locker...dedicated drawers in our guest room filled with Disney stuff. I figured my system worked as well as any locker would and saved me the cost of storage. But now that we have a locker (we're beta trial members), the unthinkable has happened...I don't want to (and won't) go back to my old system even though I am cheap, cheap, cheap.

Part of it is that, being cheap, I hated to throw out the stuff I used to throw out at the end of every visit, knowing I was just going to have to re-buy it all over again the next time. But a lot of the benefit of Owner's Locker isn't exactly a 2 + 2 = 4 quantifiable issue. Since you asked, I've listed most of what we have in the locker below. But I know that there was a time when I would have looked at a list like this and thought, "there is no way that the annual cost can justify a locker, when I can just throw out the rest of a bottle of mouthwash, and dedicate a suitcase to stuff like the squeeze breezes."

There's just something about having that locker waiting for you when you check in that makes the trip so much easier and friendlier. I really like having home-size, familiar products waiting for us at our Disney home. It makes it seem....well.....like home. I like not having to choose between shopping for a long list of stuff I will have to throw most of away at the end of a week, or doing without a lot of stuff that makes my life easier at home and/or making do with tiny sample sizes that remind me every time I use them that I am definitely a very short-term visitor to the World, not a real (albeit temporary) resident.

Well, this post is already long enough. Hope it helps!

Here's (an almost complete) list of what we keep in our locker:
____1 king, 2 queen fitted bottom sheets for DVC beds
____Laundry detergent
____Dryer Sheets
____Soft Scrub
____Sanitizing wipes
____SOS pads
____Dishwashing tabs w/bleach + whirlpool cleaning instructions
____Saran wrap
____Foil
____Gallon food bags
____Quart food bags
____Trash Bags
____Paper cups (bathroom size)
____Napkins
____Tea
____International Coffee
____Flat Coffee Filters
____Salt / Pepper shakers
____Popcorn
____Paper Bags
____Corkscrew
____Knife
____Sponges
____Disposable Tupperware
____Sunscreen
____Bug spray
____Dental Floss
____Toothbrushes
____Toothpaste
____Mouthwash
____ACT
____Shampoo
____Shaving Cream
____Razors
____Hand lotion
____Bath Soap
____Blistex
____Lipstick
____Perfume
____Hand Sanitizer
____Deodorant
____Hair brushes
____Tweezers
____Tylenol
____Antenna toppers
____Plastic card keepers for Water Parks
____Disposable Ponchos
____Sqeeze Breezes
____Fanny packs
____Magic Marker
____Night lights
____Tape, duct tape and scotch
____Scissors
____Black & White thread, needles, pins
____Ruler
____Bright ribbon for luggage, stroller id
____AA batteries
____Nightlight bulbs (3 - 5 watt)

 

[mommylibrarian]

Thanks, Donald! This is exactly the sort of list I'd love to see. Keep them coming!

 

[SamSam]

Most things listed by donaldbuzz&minnie, in addition:
-pics in frames of our kids
-magnetic pics (for the fridge) of our grandkids
-a curling iron
-backpack
-feather pillow
-brita faucet filter
-bandaids & neosporin
-handheld mixer
-a lightweight jacket
-umbrellas
I'm sure there's more, I'll check my actual list later.

 

[Kurby]

wow that's quite the list -

one thing i didn't like in the photo on their website is that they have products in there that clearly should be used within a year ie sunscreen. this would be something that shouldn't be left in unless you are travelling more then once a year.

thanks for asking the questions -

right now we don't need one because we drive down but it gives us an idea what to put in our travel container until such time that we will fly down and need one.

can i ask why you bring your own sheets? do they not provide them in DVC units??

 

[mello]

I was thinking of doing it also, the things that I would put in it:
George Forman Grill
Flat griddle (for making pancakes, french toast)
beach towels
my floats for the pool
lights for the balcony
That is the start of my list. These are things I bring down that the villas are lacking.

Sounds like we're going to have to add mugs & glasses in there now!

We just signed up for an OL, and we're sending down a small latte machine this next trip to keep in there so we can make our own coffees.

I've got a list going of other things to add. It includes things like swimsuits & towels, flip flops, pillowcases and sheets so we know they're clean, laundry stuff, toiletries, etc. With the new luggage regulations and the reductions in amenities in the villas, I'm glad to have this option!

 

[mello]

wow that's quite the list -

one thing i didn't like in the photo on their website is that they have products in there that clearly should be used within a year ie sunscreen. this would be something that shouldn't be left in unless you are travelling more then once a year.

thanks for asking the questions -

right now we don't need one because we drive down but it gives us an idea what to put in our travel container until such time that we will fly down and need one.

can i ask why you bring your own sheets? do they not provide them in DVC units??

The bottom sheets aren't fitted in the sets provided, so they come off really easily. Also, with all the info about uncleanliness in the hotel industry, I feel better with my own sheets & pillowcases anyhow.

 

[jiggerj]

A few things that I keep in there that may be different is that I store some plug and plays for the kids for down or rainy times. A craft kit for them containing markers, crayons, craft paper, glue, glitter, tape, stickers and scissors. A POTC nightlight. A few puzzles- We always have a puzzle going at all times on the table in the livingroom. I also store a few little "surprises" for the kids to discover the next time we open our locker. A vase for flowers that I pick up to make my Vacation Club home more cozy. I always seem to have left over bottled water so that is stored as well. Im addicted to Fruit 2 0 and its not available onsite.

I travel more than a few times a year home so I have a full size can of FOLGERS! Container of sugar and will be purchasing a new Disney mug this trip that I will keep in my locker.

This trip coming up in about 7 weeks, I dont have to pack ANY clothes for DS. They are all there already! . A tip I picked up from these boards is getting Disney themed pillowcases so I will purchase them up here and keep them in my locker for sweet Disney dreaming!

 

[Inkmahm]

First aid kit
grapefruit handsoap 2 bottles
Feminine products
chip clip
scrunch spray aerosol
scrunch spray -spray bottle
hair spray
eye makeup remover pads
soft & dry deoderant
kleenex individual packages - 2
kleenex big box
Body glide to prevent blisters
Army foot powder
antibacterial hand cream 2 little bottles of Purell
hairdryer
bug repellant
Colgate toothpaste
DH' toothbrush
clear duct tape
suction hooks
ear plugs
curling iron
8 hangers
shavers 2
ziplock bags gallon, sandwich and quart size
sudafed
shampoo blue bottle
conditioner white bottle
cotton balls
q tips
astringent
plastic vase
pirate hats
Christmas ears
Gold ears
blue lighted ears
DCL cold pack case
travel umbrella Samsonite
Incredibles lanyard
postcards
sewing kit
sound soother / alarm clock
waterproof storage box hangs around neck for swimming
DCL water lanyard
Disney flip flops
King size fitted sheet
jewelry cleaner
tea
cooler headband
sun visor
crystal light water sticks a big bag full
clorox wipes
laundry detergent
salt and pepper
coffee mug
Disney socks 2 new pair
coffee packets
Disney Name me
name tag DH
pop up hamper
Plastic ties Extra to close the locker
fish hanger
night light
CELLPHONE CHARGER
DH NEEDS SHAVER AND CREAM MARCH 2008

That's our list.The last two items are things we need to take next week when we're back at Disney.

 

[groverdog]

Wow! I didn't think I could justify the cost but now I think I may have to get a locker. Down pillows will be the first thing in

 

[SamSam]

Wow! I didn't think I could justify the cost but now I think I may have to get a locker. Down pillows will be the first thing in

I wrestled with justifying the cost too, but since they offer a money back guarantee I decided to try it. I was definitely hooked on the first trip where I filled it with things I had shipped down and other things from our luggage. Things that we wouldn't have to haul back and forth every again!
Having my Down Pillow there for each trip is worth the price of the OL!

 

[1000th happy haunt]

I keep a terrycloth bathrobe in my locker. And also a microwavable gel pack that I can use when my knee acts up.

And since there's no mugs or glasses in DVC studios anymore, next trip I'll be taking mugs down with us to keep in the locker. I've already picked out mine. Now DH has to pick one for him.

 

[mommylibrarian]

This is great. It's looking more and more reasonable to get one. We have a family we frequently visit with... I may talk to them about splitting the cost. Thanks for sharing this with me!

 

[PutnamDS]

When you ship things down, do you just address it to yourself at the resort? What do they do with it if it arrives early - just hold it for you? Do these packages ever get lost or stolen?

Deb

 

[cncDisney4]

I will be filling our OL in just a few days and our list looks alot like Donald's. We're just looking forward to packing our clothes and going ... not worrying about the "extras and necessities". We even have medicines, i.e. Advil, Pepto Bismol, Neosporin ... all in small bottles but they are there already! I will be traveling to WDW four times this year and we will probably be going 2-3 times each year.

Our DS's are grown so we're traveling in our retirement and want to travel lighter.

I'm also packing my coffee mugs and plastic glasses due to the change in policy regarding mugs and glasses in studios.

Personally, I think OL is just a fantastic idea.

 

[iloveokw]

WOW I miss the days when we went to WDW 5 times in one year - and most at least 4 - but DD is in H.S. and plays a fall sport so Labor Day and Columbus Day weekends are out. My other reason not to get a OL is that we always go to Vero and Hilton Head at least once a year - too bad we can't get it shipped there

 

[LocustPoint]

On top of a lot of what has been mentioned here, I have a candle and matches, silverware, and bowls. I always did hate the plastic ware and paper bowls that were supplied in the studios. I also have a decent sized mug for my hot tea.

 

[mikesmom]

WOW I miss the days when we went to WDW 5 times in one year - and most at least 4 - but DD is in H.S. and plays a fall sport so Labor Day and Columbus Day weekends are out. My other reason not to get a OL is that we always go to Vero and Hilton Head at least once a year - too bad we can't get it shipped there

I'm pretty sure I have read on these Boards that the OL people will meet you at the Orlando airport if you are flying in there, and hand the Locker off to you for a trip to Vero.