Owner's locker - love it or regret it?

[deva]

We are new to DVC, taking our first trip in 14 days

At first when DH mentioned the idea of an owner's locker I thought, "what a waste of money". Now I'm looking at packing rain gear for 5 and thinking this might not be a bad idea after all.

We have three small (and growing) kids, so I don't really see leaving any clothing down there. Who knows if it would fit on our next trip? Realistically going down 2 times per year (plus maybe a third quick trip every now and then) - Oct and Jan/Feb.

What else could I possibly put in that thing? With three kids we haul a lot of stuff but most of it we need back at home too (a nebulizer, just in case, for example).

Oh, I just thougth maybe sand toys and kids medicine/first aid kit.

That still leaves lots of space (and I'm not sure justifies the cost). I know there have been discussions on this but had no luck with a search. Any comments greatly appreciated.

 

[LisaS]

I resisted the idea for quite a while feeling that I don't really need or want a lot of extra stuff when I go on vacation. But we decided to try it and thanks to the lists people posted here, we came up with all sorts of things that would make our vacation more enjoyable.

Ever wake up in a dark hotel room and wonder what time it is but you're on the side of the bed with no alarm clock? Well, we have a small digital clock in our Owner's Locker so now we both can have a bedside clock. And we tossed in a couple of extension cords (one for the extra clock!) and some extra hangers (especially the kind with the clips on them), a lightweight bathrobe, a hook that goes over the top of the door to hang up the bathrobe, a toothbrush holder so that we no longer need to use a drinking glass for that, coffee filters, leftover containers, a pair of scissors, things we would need to get through our first night in case our luggage is delayed (toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, night shirt), slippers, a jug of laundry detergent, clothes pins, plastic wrap, aluminum foil, sandwich bags, an umbrella, rain ponchos... you get the idea. In other words, we went from wondering if we really needed an Owner's Locker to filling it to the brim!

 

[BlondeAlligator]

I debated about OL, but I decided to go for it after reading lots of great reviews. We leave on the 27th for our first trip as DVC owners, and I will be shipping a box to SSR to load up our OL with full-size bottles of shampoo, toothbrishes, toothpaste, deoderants, soap, razors, baggies, ponchos, scissors, clippers, hairspray, Excedrin / Advil / Kids motrin / a thermometer / Neosporin / bandaids, suncreen....there's so much stuff I can't list it all. With what I'm shipping down to stock our locker, we will be able to carry-on our luggage. For three of us, to check one bag each, round-trip for one vacation now costs $90. We usually go 2-3 times each year, so if we can save those check-ed bag fees, the locker will more than pay for itself each year, as well as make packing to and from a lot easier. I can't weait to see if it works out as well as I have heard from others.

 

[Tozzie]

I only have one regret, as I was packing tonight to go to the world tommorow I wish I didn't rely on my memory as to what I left and what I need to bring Other than I am very pleased with the service, they email you when you schedule your delivery, they email you to let you know the locker was picked up. I had a very embarrasing situation when I first ordered it, in between entering the payment info (they don't charge you until they pick up your locker after your first trip) and my trip I lost my credit card, I forgot to change the payment info and they couldn't charge me. When notified I was mortified and rectified the situation right away but they were great about it. Would recommend the service.

 

[MdmMim]

I love OL. Toiletries are heavy, and I leave them there and don't have to deal with hauling that weight around. Just pack some clothes, and I'm ready.

Ponchos, flipflops, bathing suit, Mickey sweatshirt, detergent, coffee filters and scoop, placemat, seasonal decorations, fleece, first aid supplies, comb/brush, etc. It's all there waiting for me.

And the customer service received from OL is phenomenal!

 

[goofy4tink]

Let's see....what do I leave in my OL??
sweatshirts
holiday shirts/hats
beach towels...so much nicer to have at the pools/waterparks
extra shoes
shampoo/conditioner
sunscreen
first aid kit
plastic plates/bowls/cups
cards
Uno
bathing suits
mister fan
detergent/softener sheets
nail clippers/files/scissors
socks
underwear
4 changes of clothes (mostly WDW tee shirts that I don't wear at home)
travel clock
nightlight
flashlight
clothespins
over the rod shoe holder for those toiletries and such..saves a ton of space

That's all I can think of off the top of my head, but my locker is full to the brim...I really need to thin it out a bit next month!!! Poor John will get a hernia lifting it if I don't!!!

 

[Inkmahm]

I only have one regret, as I was packing tonight to go to the world tommorow I wish I didn't rely on my memory as to what I left and what I need to bring Other than I am very pleased with the service, they email you when you schedule your delivery, they email you to let you know the locker was picked up.

We're packing today and leaving tomorrow. We only need one suitcase for the week between the two of us because we have quite a bit of our stuff in the OL already. That's a savings of $30 on Airtran for not needing a second suitcase with us sharing the one. And if we go for a shorter trip or stay in a one or two bedroom with onsite washer/dryer, we might be able to do it with just two carryons in the future, a savings of $60.

OL has an inventory list on line that you can fill in. I highly suggest using it and updating it as you repack the OL before leaving WDW. It comes in very handy when you are tryng to remember what you need to pack and what is already there.

 

[jade1]

Haven't done OL yet, but would put a couple small fans in there for sure-we all like that noise when we sleep.

 

[BlondeAlligator]

Haven't done OL yet, but would put a couple small fans in there for sure-we all like that noise when we sleep.

Oooo...good idea!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

DH felt the same way as the OP for a long time. I finally convinced him last year when the airlines started charging for the first bag. Now he's a HUGE fan!! LOL, now I have to start convincing him we need TWO lockers!

 

[DiznyDi]

Count me in as one of those that my locker!

There is so much now that I don't have to pack or send down now. Prior to having my locker, I would send a large box down the week prior by UPS. The last box I sent was $30.00 each way!

Did I mention that I my locker?
Di

 

[jekjones1558]

Here is a list of some of the things others have in their lockers:
http://www.ownerslocker.com/blog/2008/07/the_ultimate_owners_locker_pac.html
This service it the best. We have 2 lockers.

 

[jodifla]

Let's see....what do I leave in my OL??
sweatshirts
holiday shirts/hats
beach towels...so much nicer to have at the pools/waterparks
extra shoes
shampoo/conditioner
sunscreen
first aid kit
plastic plates/bowls/cups
cards
Uno
bathing suits
mister fan
detergent/softener sheets
nail clippers/files/scissors
socks
underwear
4 changes of clothes (mostly WDW tee shirts that I don't wear at home)
travel clock
nightlight
flashlight
clothespins
over the rod shoe holder for those toiletries and such..saves a ton of space

That's all I can think of off the top of my head, but my locker is full to the brim...I really need to thin it out a bit next month!!! Poor John will get a hernia lifting it if I don't!!!

We have a lot of these things, and then staples too for the kitchen: paper napkins, place mats, microwave popcorn, lemonade powder, tea bags, can of spaghetti sauce, pasta, green beans, pudding cups, Doritos, oil & vinegar, some spices, wine, liquor, toys, and much, much more.

So, basically, once we get "home" we can uncork a bottle of wine, make a green bean vinaigrette with pasta and spaghetti sauce out on or OKW balcony and relax.

I can also make up the lemonade and iced tea right away, and DS has popcorn to tide him over until dinner time.

 

[Candace]

Haven't done OL yet, but would put a couple small fans in there for sure-we all like that noise when we sleep. [/QUOTE

I have a noise maker/sleep machine from Brookstone in my OL, just like the one I have at home. Love that white noise wherever I am!

 

[Anal Annie]

These threads always make me so jealous bcuz I haven't been able to convince DH we need to get an OL yet!! SO-O I have formed a plan...

I got a plastic bin that I'm going to call my "Disney box" and I have my list of what I would put in it. I also made a short shopping list that I stuck in my purse so when I'm out shopping I can refer to it for sales & bargains for extras of some things (like small umbrellas & flip flops). We have these things now, but we use them at other times too so I need spares. Anyway, my PLAN is that over the next 2 months (before our next trip) to get the bin filled so I can SHOW DH how handy it would be.

We have 2 trips booked, flying on Air Tran which charges $15 pp per bag per flight...so that's $180 if we each check a bag on each trip. I am thinking with an OL we could get by with a carry-on pp + possibly 1 large checked bag that we all share so that would save $120 between the 2 trips. So we'll see if this works on him. It may backfire and if it does then at least it will cut down on the time it takes me to pack 'cuz 1/2 of my stuff will already be rounded up!

Some of the items on my list include:

LARGE beach towels for the pool
slippers & nightshirts
can of air freshner
spray fan bottles
batteries
full size sunscreens in various SPF's (those weigh a lot to put in checked luggage)
ponchos & umbrellas
pack of paper plates & plasticware (we do studios)
1 sweatshirt each
Captain Morgan
insulated refill mugs
sharp kitchen knife
swiss army type knife for those McGyver moments
Duct or packing tape
Downey Wrinkle Release
Ziplocks (assorted sizes)
Toiletries, razors, shave mirror etc.
lanyards & FP holder
hats
string backpack & fanny pack
can & bottle huggies
Clorox wipes
laundry products


Wish me luck that my visual approach will work on DH!!!!

 

[dopeygirl76]

I love OL!!! DH was not thrilled - but I trumped him with OK we won't do OL but you will start helping me pack! Guess what? OL it was!!! I keep a list and print it out before we go to WDW that way as I repack OL I can mark what goes in and what I need. I also made a place on the list for expiration dates since I do keep some medicines in there. One trip of having to buy cough medicine for $8.00 for a small bottle is enough!!!

 

[DaveH]

We love our OL. We are empty nesters and it makes our trips nicer. On the OL site they have boards and some of the lists I have read folks have left some stuff for their kids so less to take with them. If you decide there are 3 basic ways folks fill their lockers. One if they drive they bring it with them or an extra bag on plains. Two send a package ahead and fill it. Three buy the stuff in Orlando by renting a car or using their car they drive down. The guys at OL are great and work with you. I have read where folks needed a locker or a second one on check out day and they have arrived at the resort or the airport and then take the locker. If you want to use your locker on a cruise and they will meet you at the airport at each end of the trip among other ways of meeting you in the area. OL goes to any hotel in the Orlando area it is not just for Disney.

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

My only regret is that my kids got ahold of my storage list and I can't find it!


Other than that, love it..love it..love it!


Is it wrong to miss an inanimate object so much?

 

[SamSam]

OL is the best thing EVER!!! There's a money back guarantee, so you really can't go wrong by trying it.
In addition to most of the items already mentioned, we keep framed photos of our grandkids and kids (for that at-home feel), keyboards for our laptops (yes, some of us have to work a little while there), even a flatscreen monitor.
And the most important item.....my down pillow.

The service is great, John and Brian run a top-notch company.

 

[dgaston]

This last trip was to Vero, so we only had our Locker for two days at the end of our trip (OL meets people at MCO, but we flew in and out of Sanford). DH was ever so grateful for the long-sleeved Disney shirt, and the one-day admission tickets -- we found ourselves at Epcot on Saturday, even though we hadn't planned on it.

We also have a Brita filter, surge protector, battery chargers, phone chargers, George Foreman grill, toiletries, and laundry stuff, including a pop-up hamper. We stay in studios most of the time, and were prompted to get an OL by the cup and mug caper. We have a set of Pfaltzgraff melamine dishes as a result. (Although I haven't used them much and they take up a lot of room -- they may return to CT soon). Pal Mickey and 2 outfits, mister fans, and water bottles also live in our OL.

I really like it.