What do you store in your owner's locker?

[jodifla]

Who uses all that stuff for a weeks vacation?????????????????

We spend a fair amount of time in our room. We use the locker to provide "the home away from home" experience.

 

[Anal Annie]

We did this and it worked great! We packed a box to mail to ourselves at SSR to put in our OL. It was right around Christmas time, so I used one of the bins that we keep Christmas decorations in as a comparison. It worked great!

OK, I have yet to convince DH that we could utilize this service like how I know we can (he's still SO far from convinced). But I have a question about mailing something to yourself. How do you do this? How does the resort know what to do with it & when you're coming etc? Do you call them to tell them you're doing it? I would be someone who would probably mail it like a week ahead to be sure it's there before me. Just curious how this works. Is that really cheaper than just checking an extra bag on the way down with the airline (we have been using Air Tran which now charges $15 per checked bag per flight). Seems like mailing a box could end up costing a lot too?? (I know I spent a small fortune mailing stuff at Xmas to people!) We just added another quick trip this week for Memorial Day weekend. So now we have May, August & are planning for NEXT spring break too...3 trips in 1 year would definitely be worth it TO ME!!

 

[Anal Annie]

Who uses all that stuff for a weeks vacation?????????????????

We would... I don't have one YET but have a list started....some other things I'd add would be:

a can of air freshner or febreze
a beach/pool bag to use for the pool
BIG beach towels
oatmeal packets & those single serve containers of cereal
sugar & Sweet & Low
lanyards & FP holders
string backpack
xtra paper plates
can & bottle huggies
insulated mugs
Our spray fan bottles (I hate packing those for our summer trips)
xtra batteries
eyeglass straps for the water parks (once u loose a pr. of RX sunglasses at the bottom of a slide you'll understand)

 

[LeCras]

Who uses all that stuff for a weeks vacation?????????????????

Well, we usually go for two weeks twice a year, so for us it's used for a month every year.

Charlotte

 

[SamSam]

Shipping has definitely gotten more expensive over the past year, so packing an extra bag with items for your OL might actually be more cost effective.

 

[Tara]

OK, I have yet to convince DH that we could utilize this service like how I know we can (he's still SO far from convinced). But I have a question about mailing something to yourself. How do you do this? How does the resort know what to do with it & when you're coming etc? Do you call them to tell them you're doing it? I would be someone who would probably mail it like a week ahead to be sure it's there before me. Just curious how this works. Is that really cheaper than just checking an extra bag on the way down with the airline (we have been using Air Tran which now charges $15 per checked bag per flight). Seems like mailing a box could end up costing a lot too?? (I know I spent a small fortune mailing stuff at Xmas to people!) We just added another quick trip this week for Memorial Day weekend. So now we have May, August & are planning for NEXT spring break too...3 trips in 1 year would definitely be worth it TO ME!!

You just address it to the resort and mark the box prominently with your name, reservation number and arrival date. The resort will hold it until your arrival.

That said, there are two caveats:
1. As you point out, it isn't cheap to send a box of stuff. I put some of my OL stuff in a box (the lighter stuff that took up more room) and took the rest of it in a small suitcase that I checked (since it had liquids). The box I shipped cost about $20. I didn't have to pay for the checked bag since I flew Southwest. My goal was really just to reduce the amount of baggage I brought with me.

2. I haven't personally experienced it, but I've been hearing that resorts are now charging to receive shipments. I don't recall what the charge is.

 

[Jacky]

Space Bags would be perfect for fluffy robes. There are ones that don't need a vaccum-- but it really saves space and you would get down to one OL. LOL


Jacky

 

[Anal Annie]

Ooooh! Space Bags. I have never used 'em. I actually bought a pkg of them last summer in the travel dept. at Target, then realized they didn't use a vacuum & thought they might not work right so I returned them before opening them! Isn't there vacuum in the villas? (Do they have attachments?) So then wouldn't you be able to use either type of these bags? I've seen the ones that use a vacuum at Bed, Bath & Beyond & I always have 20% off coupons. Does stuff wrinkle badly in those? If I can't convince DH to rent an OL I could maybe just use them for packing our luggage. I guess that doesn't help with the WEIGHT limits on the bags but might reduce the number of bags I pack. Hummmm....

 

[Tara]

Ooooh! Space Bags. I have never used 'em. I actually bought a pkg of them last summer in the travel dept. at Target, then realized they didn't use a vacuum & thought they might not work right so I returned them before opening them! Isn't there vacuum in the villas? (Do they have attachments?) So then wouldn't you be able to use either type of these bags? I've seen the ones that use a vacuum at Bed, Bath & Beyond & I always have 20% off coupons. Does stuff wrinkle badly in those? If I can't convince DH to rent an OL I could maybe just use them for packing our luggage. I guess that doesn't help with the WEIGHT limits on the bags but might reduce the number of bags I pack. Hummmm....

The vacuum in the villas won't work for space bags (or air mattresses) - it's an upright with no hose attachment.

 

[lizziepooh]

I also have a nonstick electric frying pan for studio stays (for grilled cheese, scrambled eggs etc.) and a king size fitted bottom sheet.

 

[Jacky]

There are space bags that you roll up and take out the air and it works without a vaccum. (There are also ones that need the vaccum). Travel space bags. They work pretty well. Be careful of the one you pruchase. It shuld help with packing.

Jacky

 

[rkwier]

Originally Posted by Anal Annie

OK, I have yet to convince DH that we could utilize this service like how I know we can (he's still SO far from convinced). But I have a question about mailing something to yourself. How do you do this? How does the resort know what to do with it & when you're coming etc? Do you call them to tell them you're doing it? I would be someone who would probably mail it like a week ahead to be sure it's there before me. Just curious how this works. Is that really cheaper than just checking an extra bag on the way down with the airline (we have been using Air Tran which now charges $15 per checked bag per flight). Seems like mailing a box could end up costing a lot too?? (I know I spent a small fortune mailing stuff at Xmas to people!) We just added another quick trip this week for Memorial Day weekend. So now we have May, August & are planning for NEXT spring break too...3 trips in 1 year would definitely be worth it TO ME!!

Sorry to not answer earlier, but I have been off the computer all weekend.

We shipped the box to ourselves the Tuesday before our trip via UPS and it arrived the next Friday (3 days). We arrived the next Wednesday. The box weighed ~20 lbs and it cost $18.03 for shipping. This is how I was told to address it:

Name, Guest arriving on xx/xx/xx
Name of Resort
Resort Address

I did not tell the resort ahead of time to tell them that I was shipping the box, but I did not have any trouble. They will know when you are arriving because you put the date on the package after your name.

Although the cost that I paid for postage is more than the $15 AirTran fee, you also do not have to ship it back home or continue to bring things both to and from the resort. We usually fly American, so our $18.03 was much better than the $35 fee they charge for a checked bag now.

There is a risk free trail, so you do not have anything to lose by trying it. My DH was EXTREMELY skeptical about OL when I first told him about it. Once we used it the first time, he thought that I was brilliant!