Owner's Lockers: Why did you, or didn't you do it?

[CarpeDisney]

Just curious as to why some people did, or did not decide to rent a box from Owner's Lockers.

As new members of DVC, the family is beginning to arrange all the details for upcoming trips, and this is one of the items we've been back and forth on for a while.

Any insights you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[vicki_c]

We just decided to try it "just to see". We didn't think we had a big need for it, since we have most often driven to WDW and have a van.

But we used it for the first time on our last trip (we flew) -- and we love it now! We have 2 additional trips coming up this year, 1 flying and DH and I are so excited about the fact that we can probably just take a carry-on for our luggage because 90% of our toiletries and other park things are already there.

My DH was skeptical about the need, but once we used it once, he was sold! I'm not sure if it will make sense for us forever, it depends on how often we plan on going, but with DVC, it will at least be every other year. This year we have 4 trips, so it's worth it for now.

 

[ak1024]

We also decided to try it and see how it works. Wow, do we love it. It is so nice having all of our toiletries, otc meds, ponchos, beach towels etc waiting on us. It took us no time at all to pack for our last trip because all we needed was clothes! I would highly recommend it. The Owner's Locker customer service is great also. I don't know how we would live without it now!

 

[twinklebug]

Not going to even try it - how much do we really NEED with us on vacation? Isn't the idea to get away from it all?

If I do get to the point were I'd like to have some stuff in the area I'll store it over at my parent's house in clermont. Right now, the only thing I'd really like there are a tent & supplies so we can save weekend points and my kids could experience "camping" in Ft Wilderness (not about to lug a tent/air mattress etc with me on the plane)... but then again POR is beautiful. Oh, and perhaps our own blankets - but after a Day in Disney it usually doesn't take me more than 3 minutes to pass out at night

 

[hellerjw]

We always drive so the need isn't as great as someone who flys. However, we just added-on and plan to start going more frequently so I am considering it just to free up some space in the back of the vehicle. I could see us storing toiletries, cleaning supplies, etc. If we flew each time it would be a done deal.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

We love Owner's Locker for the convenience, and we'll keep it for that reason. It's great to have all the toiletries, etc waiting for us. But beyond the convenience, there's a psychological value that's more intangible, but has some real worth for us. It's so nice to have regular, large size products we use at home waiting at our "other" home. Tiny tubes of toothpaste are for vacation. Owner's Locker helps us feel at home.

 

[Chellymouse]

We haven't gotten a locker and aren't planning on it. I really don't want my toiletries stored for months at a time and potentially getting icky While we generally try to go twice a year, with the economy it's going to be once a year until airfare comes down a bit. I suppose if we went more often we would, but not now.

 

[DisneyDVCFamily]

For a one time $75 fee, plus $99/year for the basic plan or $179/year for the premium plan, that just more money than I want to spend for something I really don't need, and really wouldn't use.

My reasons...
1. We are a family of 4. We can bring 4 full size suitcases on JetBlue with no surcharge. I really don't need anything for a 1 week vacation that I can't fit into 4 suitcases.
2. Magical Express makes it so that I don't have to handle my suitcases after I check them in at my departure airport. So 4 suitcases are not a burden.
3. You have to buy the toiletries you put in the Owner's Locker, whether you have the Owner's Locker or not. Since we rent a car when we're there for the week, I'd rather just run down to Wal-Mart and spend $50 to $75 on the items I need. Even if I throw them away and don't bring them home, $50 to $75 is still less than $100 for the Owner's Locker PLUS having to buy everything you put in it.
4. I don't need (or really want) a million things to pack and unpack when I'm on vacation. I have no interest in having pictures, appliances, fans or any other non-disposable items to unpack when I arrive and pack back up when I leave. The DVC rooms are plenty nice without additional decoration.

The "value" of Owner's Locker is very subjective. Hopefully enough feedback will give you the information you need to evaluate whether or not this service provides you with value equal to the cost.

 

[jamstew]

I decided to do it because between myself & my kids and their families, someone will be there every year, often more than once. I haven't started my locker yet, but I'm so looking forward to only having to pack clothes, makeup & prescription medication. Everything else will be there waiting for me!

 

[snowwhitemom]

So can someone please assist me on how to contact them and is there still a "DIS" discount code???
Thanks so much in adavance for your help!!!

 

[DisneyDVCFamily]

http://www.ownerslocker.com/

 

[DisneyDVCFamily]

Also, important to note...

The $99/year includes only 1 visit per year. Additional visits are $25 each.

The premium plan is $179/year and allows unlimited visits.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

There's a special offer for DIS members that gets you two visits a year for three years. But I don't know the link.

Maybe when you sign up, you can use the drop down box to indicate you were referred by "The DIS". And if you call John he can probably do two free visits a year instead of one.

And make sure you recalculate the order, since DIS members get a $30 discount on the membership fee.

 

[mikesmom]

WE LOVE our Owner's Locker. Here are just SOME of our reasons.....

- DH has a long term back problem. He is not supposed to lift, drag, push, pull etc anything over a certain weight. That leaves little old me with the luggage problem
- I hate to be wasteful. Even without the toiletries we were buying salt, pepper, napkins, coffee filters, extra laundry soap, plastic wrap, baggies etc and throwing the remainder out. I HATE that.
- There is a whole batch of things I wouldn't drag along and don't think to buy until there is a critical need: band aids, aloe vera, moleskin, antibiotic ointment, etc. Somethings always comes up when you travel with family and buying emergency band aids at 10 pm in the Gift Shop gets very pricey
- Dh would pay almost any amount to NOT have to go to the gift shop to buy "feminine hygeine products" at midnght for some female member of our family who got surprised
- If we had the money on all the times we have left a phone charger in the forroom or had to go buy a phone charger because we forgot to pack one it would pay for the Locker. DH and I both have a business and being without phone contact for a week is not acceptable. The charger is in the Locker and so is a tech kit with connector, mouse, etc for the laptop

It's the little things......

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Most of our DVC trips are to VB or HHI. Just wouldn't work for us. And we always bring our car so we are good to go wherever.

Edit: I would be careful with keeping things like antibiotics, spf, repellents, etc. Once opened the shelf life doesn't apply any more.

 

[MdmMim]

I did it because I found that I was hauling a big suitcase every trip, with the same stuff, back and forth, back and forth. It was getting to be too much work for me, as I often travel solo.

I leave all those heavy toiletries there. This time of year, I take several extended trips, so I can leave coffee, etc. without worrying, as I know I'll be back before it becomes stale. I keep an eye on things that could out-date. But I have the luxury of knowing that during my winter trips, I already have a warm turtleneck and a fleece waiting for me, should I need it. (I would always leave them at home because they were too bulky to pack and drag around.) I have flipflops for trips to the pool--I never wanted to waste valuable suitcase space on them--they live there now. An extra pair of reading glasses. A nice tablecloth. Things that make the room feel homey.

OL works out for me, and makes my travel much easier. And for that, it's worth it.

 

[Dodie]

Even though your question is slightly different, you might want to check out this thread from earlier this week as it detoured into a hearty discussion about the costs vs. the benefits, as well as some ideas of the kinds of things people store in their lockers and how they get that stuff down there in the first place.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1962201

 

[wildernessDad]

Personally, I think it's too expensive.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

I have my own owner's lockers in my closet. For years I have used the big Rubbermaid bins to store vacation stuff. When we get back from Disney or a cruise (I have one for each), I unpack into those bins. It makes packing for the next trip so much easier. I don't waste time gathering things and I don't forget them.
We do not need their service because we drive. If we flew, it would be much more appealing.
Something I have in mine is the outlet adapter that allows more things to be plugged into an outlet. Is this not needed at the villas?

 

[moredisneyplease]

I have my own owner's lockers in my closet. For years I have used the big Rubbermaid bins to store vacation stuff. When we get back from Disney or a cruise (I have one for each), I unpack into those bins. It makes packing for the next trip so much easier. I don't waste time gathering things and I don't forget them.
We do not need their service because we drive. If we flew, it would be much more appealing.
Something I have in mine is the outlet adapter that allows more things to be plugged into an outlet. Is this not needed at the villas?

This is an extremely interesting approach!! I like it!

I personally havent tried OL yet but I'm thinking I may sometime in the next year. We'll see..........