Questions for John at OL (yes, again)!!

[Anal Annie]

We are down to 4 weeks and 6 days until our next visit to Disney & am inching my way into talking DH into it - he's been VERY reluctant...but I mentioned it again a couple days ago & he didn't snap NO at me so that's progress. I have been working on my "Disney Box" (my pretend OL) for weeks now. I have a 3 page list of all of the goodies inside complete with quantities & expiration dates for everything. I know I'm running out of time to get it ordered in time for this trip but I haven't gone thru everything in it yet with DH... My most recent idea was to buy a box of these "travel space bags" and am currently in an independent testing mode with those right now. These ones I bought don't use the vacuum cleaner attachments ('cuz I couldn't remember if the vacuums at the DVC resorts had the right attachments on them or not?? Can anybody confirm that?) so I think they're more tedious to use but ANYWAY, I'm testing to see how much we might be able to do in carry-ons - THAT would convince DH. But I want to see how badly stuff wrinkles up once it's been smushed up like that. I typically IRON EVERYTHING before we go and pack it with tissue paper so this smushing thing is a bit of a stickler with me....the whole wrinkling thing might not work for me. I don't cook, clean or do laundry / iron on vacation!!

ANYWAY....back to my questions for John....if I don't get the locker ordered prior to our 30 days is that a problem? Can I sign up for my initial delivery at say 21 days for example? OK, I've read where the zip ties can be difficult to use (remove) so it IS OK for us to provide some sort of a lock for it, right? What kind of lock do you recommend? Like a suitcase travel lock or a lock that you use for a gym locker? Are there any restrictions for that? What kind of lock works best?? I will likely not want the dividers so should I just tell you that so you don't deliver them at all? I would hate to waste them (ie thorw them out). Finally, on our August trip we're going to Vero Beach at the end so we would have to return the thing at the airport...is it possible for you to just meet us at the car rental place so we don't have to schlep the locker on a shuttle over to the airline check-in or do you not really do that?? We don't usually rent a car in FL so I'm assuming we'll just have to schedule a return time for the car of say 12:30 or whatever. But I can see DH not wanting to carry the locker around the airport if it weighs 35 or 40 Lbs or whatever.

TIA!!!!

 

[hockeyprincess]

Annie, I love your post!!! Looking forward to the answers as well. ENJOY your trip! We're going back Home in a few months. Kids are super excited!

 

[Tara]

First off, no, the vacuums don't have the attachment you need for space bags.

I'll let John answer all your other questions, but I will say that, while I'm sure they like to have plenty of notice, they are pretty on top of things and can get you a locker quickly if needed. I ordered a second locker last month the day before I was checking in, and not only did it get delivered early on check-in day, they made time to check with me to make sure I only wanted the new one as requested and not my original locker, too. Awesome customer service!

IME, the zip ties aren't really that hard to remove. They don't just peel away easily, but I don't have to say "honey, come do this for me."

I typically IRON EVERYTHING before we go and pack it with tissue paper so this smushing thing is a bit of a stickler with me....the whole wrinkling thing might not work for me

Now I'm understanding where you get your username from.

Good luck on getting your husband to come around. I think mine thought I was a bit crazy at first (I had a "practice box" at home, too, that I used to gather things and make sure they'd fit). But it only took that first trip of having that stuff with us for him to realize what a great idea it is. When I set up our second locker (on a weekend trip with my girlfriends) and showed him all the stuff I put it in (I made a video for OL to post on their YouTube page), he was very enthusiastic and I got lots of "great idea!" comments back. And the other day out of the blue as he was combing his hair he said "Hey, do I have a spare comb in the Owner's Locker?"

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

John can tell you about the locks he sees on lockers, but I can share our experience that a luggage lock won't cut it. They're way to small to loop around the plastic area on the locker.

I'm sure it's not the way they prefer to do business, but we actually signed up for our OL during a stay. Bell services called the next afternoon to say our locker had arrived.

 

[donald...really]

Yes, this post answered a few questions I had about your name!!!

We use the space bags in our lockers. They work great. They are the kind that you stuff, roll up to squeeze the air out, and seal, so there is no need for a vacuum. We fit ALL of our stuff in the lockers and don't even need to take a carry on if we don't want to. The clothes come out very wrinkled, so if you want freshly pressed clothes you will need to iron them. Some of the wrinkles hang out, and we also use that wrinkle release stuff for t-shirts and things, but they do come out wrinkled.

We were reluctant to spend the money on the service at first, but with their promotion we decided to try it. We ordered one locker, and the day before we left to go home we called and ordered a second one. They had it delivered almost immediately. We are now sold on the concept. It is SO GREAT to not have to run around and pack before leaving for the airport. And it is also SO GREAT not to have to UNpack when we get home from vacation. I think if your husband just tries it, he will be sold.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We also use the space bags. We, however, have decided NOT to use a lock. The security tags provided seem just fine to us, and there isn't anything of great value in there anyway. Besides, We TRUST John and Owner's Locker explicitly!!

 

[zulaya]

If you go to the Owner's Locker Forums at ownerslocker.com, there's a forum for these types of questions. And I know John and Brian will be on there more frequently than here.

 

[Anal Annie]

If you go to the Owner's Locker Forums at ownerslocker.com, there's a forum for these types of questions. And I know John and Brian will be on there more frequently than here.

I looked over there on the ownerslocker forum but it seemed like the most recent post over there was several days old so I wasn't sure if that would really be any quicker or not.



I'm glad some of you can see now where my screen name comes from. I'm not liking the wrinkling information about the space bags! I was afraid of that. I usually spend several hours ironing before I pack so that's not gonna work for me!

I have trouble opening toys & various packaging when those ties are used so that's why I was concerned about using the zip ties to secure the box since our scissors will be INSIDE the box!! That seems a little unpractical. Then if you cut it you can't re-use it.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I looked over there on the ownerslocker forum but it seemed like the most recent post over there was several days old so I wasn't sure if that would really be any quicker or not.



I'm glad some of you can see now where my screen name comes from. I'm not liking the wrinkling information about the space bags! I was afraid of that. I usually spend several hours ironing before I pack so that's not gonna work for me!

I have trouble opening toys & various packaging when those ties are used so that's why I was concerned about using the zip ties to secure the box since our scissors will be INSIDE the box!! That seems a little unpractical. Then if you cut it you can't re-use it.

I don't believe they are the reusbale kind anyway. You can always use a knife from the kitchen.

 

[jdvm]

someone called me??

HI Annie! Sorry I'm a little slow on the draw. First of all, don't tell hubby that we require no advance notice. You can even order a Locker after you're already here. As long as we get instructions by 6M, we'll have your Locker to you that day. So you have plenty of time.

Lots of our Members tell us they use space bags and I have heard that none of the DVC resorts have vacuums with a hose--as required by the space bags. Some Members keep a small vacuum in their Locker while others use the non-vac types. I haven't used either one so that's all I can tell you.

The seals we have on the Lockers have been annoying for some. They are numbered breakable seals. There is a strip that you pull to open the seals and they can be difficult. We include four seals for when you leave. I'd suggest practicing with one and you probably won't have a problem. A very few people put locks on their Locker and we don't mind at all. A gun lock or cable lock seems to work the best.

Some folks don't want the dividers and/or the "jewelry box." We'll include them anyway...you never know. Just leave the dividers and we'll pick them up if you decide you don't want them.

Your description of the airport hand off is perfect. When a Member asks to have their Locker delivered to the airport, we meet them in baggage claim. When they drop off at the airport, we try to meet at the rental car return for the very reasons you mention.

One request....I've really enjoyed our conversations and whether you decide to become a Member of Owner's Locker or no, I do hope you'll stop by the France pavilion for an Owner's Locker EPCOT Wine evening (every Tuesday) so we can meet.
j

 

[Disney Princess]

I'm glad some of you can see now where my screen name comes from. I'm not liking the wrinkling information about the space bags! I was afraid of that. I usually spend several hours ironing before I pack so that's not gonna work for me!

You sound like you could be my twin! I always iron everything right after the laundry is done so it hangs in the closet nicely. Then we pack it and the airlines toss and muddle up my luggage so much that it isn't PERFECT when I get it out at the hotel. I sometimes have to iron on vacation so that it doesn't stress me out to see the wrinkly clothes. Glad to know I'm not the only one in the world.

 

[Anal Annie]

someone called me??

HI Annie! Sorry I'm a little slow on the draw. First of all, don't tell hubby that we require no advance notice. You can even order a Locker after you're already here. As long as we get instructions by 6M, we'll have your Locker to you that day. So you have plenty of time.

Lots of our Members tell us they use space bags and I have heard that none of the DVC resorts have vacuums with a hose--as required by the space bags. Some Members keep a small vacuum in their Locker while others use the non-vac types. I haven't used either one so that's all I can tell you.

The seals we have on the Lockers have been annoying for some. They are numbered breakable seals. There is a strip that you pull to open the seals and they can be difficult. We include four seals for when you leave. I'd suggest practicing with one and you probably won't have a problem. A very few people put locks on their Locker and we don't mind at all. A gun lock or cable lock seems to work the best.

Some folks don't want the dividers and/or the "jewelry box." We'll include them anyway...you never know. Just leave the dividers and we'll pick them up if you decide you don't want them.

Your description of the airport hand off is perfect. When a Member asks to have their Locker delivered to the airport, we meet them in baggage claim. When they drop off at the airport, we try to meet at the rental car return for the very reasons you mention.

One request....I've really enjoyed our conversations and whether you decide to become a Member of Owner's Locker or no, I do hope you'll stop by the France pavilion for an Owner's Locker EPCOT Wine evening (every Tuesday) so we can meet.
j

Thanks (AGAIN), John!! I am not telling hubby anything I don't have to! He thinks WAY too logically and would come up with another question in response! But I am so excited! My Magic Express stuff for our trip next month came today. That always makes it feel "real"!! This next trip is a quickie 4 nighter over Memorial Day & we're going home on Tues. morning...so will have to pass on the Tues. wine in Epcot for this trip - but that's really nice that you do that. Perhaps on our August trip?! Knowing that we could "hook up" at the car rental place on our return from Vero is perfect. LOVE that.

Breakable seals huh? I was picturing zip ties. Hummmm.... (Diane - we stay in studios...I don't know if they even HAVE a sharp knife or not. I will make a mental note to check on that one!)

Glad I bought the "travel" kind of space bags to use. I have had one "loaded" for 2 days now for my "testing' and am wondering if I should take the shirts out to see just how wrinkley they got after being all wadded up! Goodness I just hope I can talk him (DH) into it after all this scheming & planning! My OL list is beautiful!! It's a real anal masterpiece!!

 

[kdzgon]

We also use the space bags. We, however, have decided NOT to use a lock. The security tags provided seem just fine to us, and there isn't anything of great value in there anyway. Besides, We TRUST John and Owner's Locker explicitly!!

In our case - and I suspect we are not alone - the ties are much more about holding the lid closed than worrying about what could possibly disappear!

 

[SamSam]

In our case - and I suspect we are not alone - the ties are much more about holding the lid closed than worrying about what could possibly disappear!

Exactly, I usually kneel on top of our OL while DH uses the ties to seal it.

 

[dianeschlicht]

In our case - and I suspect we are not alone - the ties are much more about holding the lid closed than worrying about what could possibly disappear!

LOL! Yes, that's correct!

 

[DIZNYCHERYL]

John, the seals on the lockers must be VERY strong!! I keep waiting for the call that our locker has exploded since it is so stuffed. I'm not worried about the security of my stuff at all, just the embarassment of you wondering why we have so much "crap". We have filled our locker at least a dozen times including switching resorts and we have always had a vacuum cleaner in the DVC villas that works with the space bags. We have had the upright style with the disconnecting hose. We look forward to our next visit . Thanks for giving our things a place to live and your continued excellent service.

 

[Anal Annie]

John, the seals on the lockers must be VERY strong!! I keep waiting for the call that our locker has exploded since it is so stuffed. I'm not worried about the security of my stuff at all, just the embarassment of you wondering why we have so much "crap". We have filled our locker at least a dozen times including switching resorts and we have always had a vacuum cleaner in the DVC villas that works with the space bags. We have had the upright style with the disconnecting hose. We look forward to our next visit . Thanks for giving our things a place to live and your continued excellent service.

Oh interesting!! I think I must start a thread devoted to just the use of space bags to see what others have found! Yep! That's next on my agenda!!

 

[hockeyprincess]

Hi Annie, FWIW: NO "real" utensils in the Studios...only plastic!

 

[Anal Annie]

Hi Annie, FWIW: NO "real" utensils in the Studios...only plastic!

That's what I thought...that's why I wanted to pick up a sharp knife to include in our OL...THANKS!!!!

 

[Anal Annie]

Exactly, I usually kneel on top of our OL while DH uses the ties to seal it.

Sometimes it takes 2 of us to zip our suitcases...then we weigh 'em and they're 52 LBS so we have to take something out! Another reason I'm hoping to convince DH we need an OL!!