Owner's locker - love it or regret it?

[waltfan1957]

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.

love it, even got a second coming from the uk it makes a great differance

 

[Princess_Melanie]

We LOVE our OL!!

Coming from the UK too it makes life easier and we can put more fun things in the suitcase - especially bringing gifts home!!

Hmmmm - some of our OL contents...

Ponchos
Meds (so many for all eventualities and we bring them home every time so now we just leave the lot!)
Travel Kettle (I need Tea in the morning)
Flip flops and Crocs
Maps and guide book
All our toiletries - all large size - no more travel size for us!
Coffee filter papers
T-Bags
UK/USA plug adapters
Washing tablets for clothes (sensitive skin)
Packing materials - bubble wrap, tape etc for sending things to friends in the US and back home

I could go on - I was surprised at how much we got in ours.

And I can't stress enough how friendly John and Brian are - they really are great people and the service is AMAZING. Really - it's BRILLIANT!!

 

[cogero]

printing this thread to get my box ready to mail for April

 

[disyady]

I really don't have anything to add to the great posts above, but I just have to answer the question in your thread title - WE LOVE IT!

 

[rkwier]

Originally Posted by DaveH

...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...

This happened to us! We were packing getting ready to leave on check out day and realized at around 10:30 that we needed a second locker! We phoned Brian and he went back to the warehouse to make us a second one and had it to the resort by 1:30. Even though he went out of his way to help us, he was so friendly and helpful and assured us that it was no problem at all.

DH was also very skeptical about this service. After we were able to have all of our "comforts of home" and especially after meeting Brian, he thinks that I am brilliant for finding out about OL. (The real credit belongs to the DIS, because I would have never found out about it otherwise. )

Yes, we love, love, LOVE our OL!!!

 

[LIFERBABE]

Love it! Just back from Vegas exchange and wish i had my locker there.

We had to stop at CVS first thing to buy things because I took carry on only. Had to do without alot of things. I lived, but i sure did miss my locker!

Owners locker is like having "home in a box".

 

[LindaBabe]

I loved my locker and wish I'd had it when I was flying down on 4 trips a year. I had it stuffed with most of the things people have listed and a few others too, like my tiara and teddy bear pirate and princess clothes.

But sadly I decided to give it up this year because:
We now drive down and don't fly. We have a minivan with two people in it, and plenty of room for stuff. AND

We usually start or end (or both) our trips at Jacksonville, Vero Beach, or Port Canaveral. Even though John and Brian bent over backwards to help us make it work, it was a strain on all of us.

If I ever went back to frequent, flying trips exclusively to the world, I would have another in a heartbeat.

 

[tmli]

We LOVE our OL, my only regret is it took us so long to sign up!!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

JMHO...I really think this is an expense that is a luxery, not a needed item. One can very efficiently pack most of the items stored in the OL. Heck, why not just pay $15/bag for the extra stuff to take ont he airlines as a checked bag. Its still cheaper than the $95/yr. Also, there is the "obligation" to use it since your paying for it. Nope, nice concept, not really a good value, monetarily speaking.

 

[BlondeAlligator]

JMHO...I really think this is an expense that is a luxery, not a needed item. One can very efficiently pack most of the items stored in the OL. Heck, why not just pay $15/bag for the extra stuff to take ont he airlines as a checked bag. Its still cheaper than the $95/yr. Also, there is the "obligation" to use it since your paying for it. Nope, nice concept, not really a good value, monetarily speaking.

That depends...considering that the airlines charge $15 / bag to check now, for my family of three that's $90 RT everytime we go to Disney. We are going three times this year so that's $270 just to check our luggage. We've already made our money backl.

Having the OL will also mean that we'll have so much stuff already there that all we'll need to bring is our clothes and a few other things in carry-on luggage. On top of that, I'll save even more money by buying regular sizes of things like shampoo, conditioner, etc. instead of the over-priced travel sizes. Also, by keeping a stocked "medicine cabinet" we'll never have to spend Disney prices on simple things like sunscreen and Advil.

I think that it really can be a great money saver and a huge convenience if you go to Disney two or more times a year.

 

[HayGan]

JMHO...I really think this is an expense that is a luxery, not a needed item. One can very efficiently pack most of the items stored in the OL. Heck, why not just pay $15/bag for the extra stuff to take ont he airlines as a checked bag. Its still cheaper than the $95/yr. Also, there is the "obligation" to use it since your paying for it. Nope, nice concept, not really a good value, monetarily speaking.

Personally, I agree. I think it is a great concept and works perfectly for so many. For us, it really is not a consideration. We will drive most trips and have our own little DVC box already started. No big deal for us to take that back and forth on our trips. Even if when we fly, we don't have crazy amounts of stuff that can't be included in our existing suitcases. Plus so much of the stuff I see people listing has expiration dates and would likely be thrown out on the next trip anyway (sunscreen, medications.)

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

We got one last year and we love it. We go to Disney at least twice a year, so it works for us, especially with all the pesky airline restrictions and charges. In ours we have:

bug spray
sunblock
bandaids
nail clippers
scissors
razors
shampoo
conditioner
hair elastics
shower gel
shaving cream
deoderant
pop up clothes hamper
nail file
hairspray
4 beach towels
hair dryer (I don't like the in-room ones)
Sweet n Low (DH uses it)
Coffee Mate Non-dairy creamer
paper plates
plastic forks/knives/spoons
napkins
rain ponchos
battery charger
cell phone chargers
laundry detergent
lanyards
Disney hats
Handheld misting fans
Light up necklaces
Excedrin
Coffee filters
4 pairs of Sunglasses
DH and DS’s extra bathing suits
Flip flops for me and DD
Disney tote bags
tube of glow necklaces/bracelets
zip ties
Disney license plate that we attach to DH's scooter (with zip ties) so we can readily identify it

I'm sure there is more in there, but thats all I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[DbleTheFun]

I wasnt sure if I would love it or not... but after reading the reviews, I thought, our family would sign up for 1 year and if it wasnt worth it, cancel after that... boy am I glad I signed up!

Its so nice to know we have our stock of everything from sunblock to baileys in there waiting for our arrival. It has been fabulous and worth the investment 100 times over!!!!

The risk isnt really a risk at all... try it, and if it isnt for you let them know... they are an amazing group of people to work with!

 

[SamSam]

JMHO...I really think this is an expense that is a luxery, not a needed item. One can very efficiently pack most of the items stored in the OL. Heck, why not just pay $15/bag for the extra stuff to take ont he airlines as a checked bag. Its still cheaper than the $95/yr. Also, there is the "obligation" to use it since your paying for it. Nope, nice concept, not really a good value, monetarily speaking.

Okay, I'm not being snarky, this just made me laugh because I've never considered our trips to Disney fall in the luxery, not needed area anyway.
However, I do consider my OL very close to being a necessity. It makes preparing for our trip, time during our trip, and unpacking after our trip, all a little easier and less stressful. Understand, that I've been called the Queen of Frugal (or downright cheap) by people, but I still feel my OL is worth every penny.

 

[toocherie]

Ok, here's a silly question: when I locked up my OL for the first time I put one of those plastic ziploc thingies on it. If my scissors are locked up IN my Owner's Locker, how do I open this? (I'll be in a studio so not sure if I'll have real knives?) Ideas?

 

[Cyndibear]

Ok, here's a silly question: when I locked up my OL for the first time I put one of those plastic ziploc thingies on it. If my scissors are locked up IN my Owner's Locker, how do I open this? (I'll be in a studio so not sure if I'll have real knives?) Ideas?

They have little tabs on them so you can just pull it open. It rips the plastic on the tab so they come right off. No need for scissors!

We loved our first OL that we now have two. No need for us to check luggage anymore! It's great. Well worth the cost and the service is just fantastic!!!

Cyndi

 

[Cyndibear]

but I still feel my OL is worth every penny.

Me too!!!

 

[DbleTheFun]

To further clarify the no obligation... there is absolutely NO obligation... check out the website, if it doesnt work for you after a year, they will issue a refund.. so yes, there is no obligation.

Yes... it's a luxury, and as others stated... the whole WDW and DVC experience is a luxury for that matter... but for me it's about simplifying my life... making travel and time with my family as stress free as possible. Knowing that I am not going to spend hours running around the night before a holiday gathering all those little "extras" that you need while in a different climate (We live on the opposite side of the continent in a different country) is worth it to me.

 

[BlondeAlligator]

They have little tabs on them so you can just pull it open. It rips the plastic on the tab so they come right off. No need for scissors!

We loved our first OL that we now have two. No need for us to check luggage anymore! It's great. Well worth the cost and the service is just fantastic!!!

Cyndi

Is the plastic ziplock tab thingy something they provide with the locker or did you bring it yourself to lock your locker? I have been wondering just how I was going to lock it up for storage.

 

[stopher1]

Is the plastic ziplock tab thingy something they provide with the locker or did you bring it yourself to lock your locker? I have been wondering just how I was going to lock it up for storage.

They are provided with the locker, there will be at least a couple of them delivered with the box. On our last trip I accidentally closed it and "locked" it too soon, and had to reopen it - and thankfully there were extras available.

For us - yes, we love it. As others have said, it makes for a less stressful experience in packing and unpacking again at home. As a family of 5, yes, checked luggage can add-up quickly. We don't drive, so having all of those things on-site already is quite helpful. It's really not that much money, when you break it down and consider it on a monthly basis (not that you can pay it that way) and just think of it as another bill like your cell phone bill or cable bill (other luxuries when you really think about it). I pay more money to take my family to McDonald's for lunch one time than I do for my OL each month...it' works out to like $8 per month. Luxury? Yes... well worth it? ... IMO yes, yes, yes.