Owners Locker for yearly visit?

[kenny]

Ok we are thinking of getting an owners locker. We currently have 200 points so our normal trip pattern will be once per year. I am sure we will have times where we borrow or bank and go multiple times (this year we are using our developer points so will go 2x), but on average 1x per year.

That being said how many people use the owners locker if they only make 1 trip per year?

trying to decide if the $100 per year is worth it. I guess it would be nice to leave non expirational items there but stuff like sun screen etc will go bad from year to year.

What are experts thoughts? Do you think it is worth it?

Thanks

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I'm not an expert. I'm in the same position as you (BWV 250 points, as well as kids with conflicting schedules), but I just signed up. I figure I won't know for sure if I don't try it, so what the heck. (Believe me, I went around in circles trying to decide.) If it doesn't really work out for us, we can always discontinue service. But knowing how absolutely crazy packing makes me, I'm looking forward to giving it a shot.

For things that expire and have an expiration date on them, I figure I'll just get them shortly before the first trip, include the expiration date on my inventory, and replenish accordingly. Sunscreen, according to something I read on this board, lasts about 3 years; if there's no expiration date, I'll just write the date I bought it.

 

[La2kw]

We go once a year, and it would not be worth it to us. We can use UPS to ship anything we don't want to carry in our luggage for less than the OL fees. You can also rent a car for a day and drive to Target or Publix to get whatever you need cheaper than that. As you point out, certain things may expire and would need to be replaced anyway. I see absolutely no value in OL for us. We've managed traveling to WDW for 14 years without it, and have no intention of changing the way we do things.

 

[Tinkerdreams]

We also go just once a year due to the kids schedules/activities. I basically put together my own owners locker by buying a suitcase and filling it with items such as detergent, body wash, bandaids, etc. I don't even plan to unpack this suitcase when we get home, I'll just replenish for the next trip.

I also just plan on carryons since we will be doing laundry. With ME and the automatic transfer of your check on luggage (which this would be), I have my "Owners locker" delivered directly to my room!!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I'm not an expert. I'm in the same position as you (BWV 250 points, as well as kids with conflicting schedules), but I just signed up. I figure I won't know for sure if I don't try it, so what the heck. (Believe me, I went around in circles trying to decide.) If it doesn't really work out for us, we can always discontinue service. But knowing how absolutely crazy packing makes me, I'm looking forward to giving it a shot.

For things that expire and have an expiration date on them, I figure I'll just get them shortly before the first trip, include the expiration date on my inventory, and replenish accordingly. Sunscreen, according to something I read on this board, lasts about 3 years; if there's no expiration date, I'll just write the date I bought it.

I am also going to try it out and see. The price was right (basically just the cost of the locker). I purchased it for Vero Beach trips which do not get ME. I only plan to use it once a year. Our accomodations will be OVIR's, so I can really use the xtra kitchen stuff while there. Oh, I don't know of anyone getting a rental car for $99/week and have it big enough to hold groceries!

 

[MrsNick]

Our pattern is once a year for a week, although we've been known to add last minute long weekends.

I've been a Beta Trial Member and am convinced it's totally worth it. Once my Beta Membership expires, I will be extending the membership for the $99 fee.

1) OL makes going on vacation convenient Packing is much easier and no need to worry about forgetting anything
2) Less garbage to drag through the airport (although if you drive you may not care). This makes travelling much easier AND since many airlines are now starting to charge for a second checked bag and enforcing their fees for any bag that weighs more than 50 lbs., this is a way to avoid paying extra charges to the airlines.
3) OL makes it such a cinch to plan a last minute trip when you see a great airfare and have DVC points burning a hole in your pocket.
4) Brian and John are true professionals, and really nice, too.

Check this thread for more details: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1697789

There are a few other OL threads on the DVC boards, you just have to sort of browse (since the search function doesn't seem to well, function )

A lot of people who were skeptical and tried OL are now converts (and I'm one of them).

 

[flechette]

We're going to try it for a bit, with plans to go once a year for the most part.

I know me and my hubby :if we have a box of stuff in ,say the garage, we'll borrow from it and forget to replenish it-- or more likely I won't know he took something out 'til we're in Orlando.

I have zero desire to argue with the airlines and lugagge: I want to pack less on planes, not more.


I broke down the price to monthly - $8.25. Is skipping one lunch out a month worth having all this stuff stored where I don't have to worry about it?

For us the answer was yes . For someone else the answer will be different.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I broke down the price to monthly - $8.25. Is skipping one lunch out a month worth having all this stuff stored where I don't have to worry about it?

For us the answer was yes . For someone else the answer will be different.

That's the thing...just like buying into DVC or not, staying onsite or offsite, going to WDW every year or someplace else...it's all a matter of preference.

Packing makes me crazy to the point where, right before the trip, I start to wonder if it's all worth it. Not everyone is like that (lucky for them!).

For our upcoming trip (just DH and I) we won't be using it. A few weeks ago, I decided to really get a jump on things and replenish all my "stuff" so it will be all ready for our trip. Then, I had an unexpected weekend away. So I replenished it again. I've got weekends (mostly for DS's sports) that come up somewhat frequently, and I'd really like to just have a weekend bag ready for that, and if I can have a Disney locker ready and waiting for me at WDW, all the better.

Is packing and repacking and replenishing a huge deal in life? Nope. I've managed before, and I'd manage again. But I love the idea of having things all set for a trip to Disney. And not necessarily packing for one trip, but for several...the things that won't expire. For instance, all the baggies I take of all sizes; just pack a box of each. And foil for the kitchen. Replenishing won't be all at the same time. And I can keep an aerobed in there, for DS, who gets relegated to the floor of the kids' room by his two older sisters. And spin smart containers. And...and...all sorts of things! Can't wait to feed the box!

I personally hate dealing with shipping things. I still have Christmas gifts that I was supposed to send to my sister to return.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

That's the thing...just like buying into DVC or not, staying onsite or offsite, going to WDW every year or someplace else...it's all a matter of preference.

Packing makes me crazy to the point where, right before the trip, I start to wonder if it's all worth it. Not everyone is like that (lucky for them!).

For our upcoming trip (just DH and I) we won't be using it. A few weeks ago, I decided to really get a jump on things and replenish all my "stuff" so it will be all ready for our trip. Then, I had an unexpected weekend away. So I replenished it again. I've got weekends (mostly for DS's sports) that come up somewhat frequently, and I'd really like to just have a weekend bag ready for that, and if I can have a Disney locker ready and waiting for me at WDW, all the better.

Is packing and repacking and replenishing a huge deal in life? Nope. I've managed before, and I'd manage again. But I love the idea of having things all set for a trip to Disney. And not necessarily packing for one trip, but for several...the things that won't expire. For instance, all the baggies I take of all sizes; just pack a box of each. And foil for the kitchen. Replenishing won't be all at the same time. And I can keep an aerobed in there, for DS, who gets relegated to the floor of the kids' room by his two older sisters. And spin smart containers. And...and...all sorts of things! Can't wait to feed the box!

I personally hate dealing with shipping things. I still have Christmas gifts that I was supposed to send to my sister to return.

Another poster pointed out that you can check in the box as a second(or first) piece of luggage at the airport. That way you don't have to spend the $$ on shipping it. I think as of right now, Airtran is still excepting 2 bags for on board checkin. If this still holds true come August, I will do exactly this!

 

[wingawh]

Hi there!

Deciding to become an OL Member is a personal question that may or may not be easily answered.

Even though some things do expire you usually can get a few trips out of their use (even with 1 trip per year). We keep the expiration dates online with the inventory so we can see what needs to be replaced each trip. It looks like you get 4 years our of rubbing alcohol and peroxide, about 2 years from Advil, Tylenol, Neosporin and Benedryl.

The best part for us is to be able to keep laundry detergent, dishwasher tabs, wine glasses, shampoo and other bathroom items.

Happy travels...

 

[goofy4tink]

I love mine...I keep toiletries in mine as well as some Disney melamine dishware/cups. I have a bunch of Disney seasonal stuff that I don't use/wear at home but love to have at WDW with me. I keep a bathing suit for each of us in there. Not having to lug detergent/softener is wonderful.
I guess it all depends on how you travel and how often. It works for me.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Another poster pointed out that you can check in the box as a second(or first) piece of luggage at the airport. That way you don't have to spend the $$ on shipping it. I think as of right now, Airtran is still excepting 2 bags for on board checkin. If this still holds true come August, I will do exactly this!

Don't like dealing with extra luggage either; I end up toting around DH's suitcase as it is (altho, with OL, we can probably pack both of our belongings in one suitcase ) after he drops us off at departures and goes to park the car (or return the rental). That's why OL will work so well for us! (And not everyone.)

 

[DeeCee735]

i don't see us using this, and I/we travel there 2x a year - this year will be 3 in a 12 month period, sometimes flying, sometimes driving. It's just a few things that we would store, nothing horrible to have to take with us. $100 a year is way more than the cost of picking up some things even on property, so even if we didn't want to take with us, buying there isn't such a big deal. I'm talking a small laundry det, toiletries and bottled water. We won't ever use the locker.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Don't like dealing with extra luggage either; I end up toting around DH's suitcase as it is (altho, with OL, we can probably pack both of our belongings in one suitcase ) after he drops us off at departures and goes to park the car (or return the rental). That's why OL will work so well for us! (And not everyone.)

What I meant to say is that when you first get your OL, it is empty. So others, like myself, pack a box to take down to fill up the OL for the first time. This could be really heavy if you pack it all in a suitcase plus your regular trip stuff. So I am filling up a box that I will put into the OL once I get there. But instead of shipping the box ahead of time, I will just check this box as luggage at the airport. I am going to include items like a small crock pot, electric griddle, a few plates, bowls, silverware, cutting board. The money I will save from not eating everything out will more than pay for the annual fee.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

What I meant to say is that when you first get your OL, it is empty. So others, like myself, pack a box to take down to fill up the OL for the first time. This could be really heavy if you pack it all in a suitcase plus your regular trip stuff. So I am filling up a box that I will put into the OL once I get there. But instead of shipping the box ahead of time, I will just check this box as luggage at the airport. I am going to include items like a small crock pot, electric griddle, a few plates, bowls, silverware, cutting board. The money I will save from not eating everything out will more than pay for the annual fee.

As Rosanne Rosannadanna would say "Never mind".

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Or was that Emily Litella?

 

[Brian Noble]

What are experts thoughts? Do you think it is worth it?

Not an expert, but I'm also nominally a once-a-year visitor, and I've decided to pass.

I always stay in units with full kitchens and washer/dryer, whether DVC or an offsite location, so we don't have to pack the "full trip's" worth of clothes, and we have most all of the other equipment etc. that we need provided in the unit. Yes, I suppose I could keep coffee filters, a few simple spices, a set of ponchos, etc. etc. in there. But, right now, we just bring the ponchos back and forth, and I just buy a set of little sundries from garden grocer each year.

Yes, I only use 7 of my 50 coffee filters, and throw the other 43 out at the end of the trip, but if you add up all the stuff I end up buying new each trip and could keep in the Locker, I spend well under $100 acquiring a fresh set of those things. So, it's cheaper to buy new and toss the leftovers than to try to store them from trip to trip.

If I were coming down 3-4x per year, OL would make a lot more "cents".

 

[gingermouse17]

We plan on going twice a year but even once a year works nicely with us since we have 3 young children. I leave extra blankets, toys, bath products, crayons, coloring books etc. These things do get heavy in a bag. This also helps us carry 3 bags instead of 5 which is great!!!!

I just got an email from OL and they even service to DCL which is great too.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

I just signed up with a special promotion, I have three trips planned for the next year so if I see value in it I will keep is after the first year. I had a ball today hitting the dollar store and filling it up. I am excited that I won't have to carry all this stuff the next two trips.

 

[jodifla]

Not an expert, but I'm also nominally a once-a-year visitor, and I've decided to pass.

I always stay in units with full kitchens and washer/dryer, whether DVC or an offsite location, so we don't have to pack the "full trip's" worth of clothes, and we have most all of the other equipment etc. that we need provided in the unit. Yes, I suppose I could keep coffee filters, a few simple spices, a set of ponchos, etc. etc. in there. But, right now, we just bring the ponchos back and forth, and I just buy a set of little sundries from garden grocer each year.

Yes, I only use 7 of my 50 coffee filters, and throw the other 43 out at the end of the trip, but if you add up all the stuff I end up buying new each trip and could keep in the Locker, I spend well under $100 acquiring a fresh set of those things. So, it's cheaper to buy new and toss the leftovers than to try to store them from trip to trip.

If I were coming down 3-4x per year, OL would make a lot more "cents".

I think this service will be more valuable now that airlines are starting to charge for a second check in bag, or even a first check in bag!

And shipping stuff is about as expensive as using Owner's Locker.