Some of you may be wondering, what the heck is an Owner’s Locker? Well, let me tell you.
An Owner’s Locker is a plastic storage tub where guests can store some of their vacation gear at a warehouse near Walt Disney World. When you are heading to Disney World, you place an order for your locker to be delivered to your resort. Then, you use the contents, and at the end of the trip, you ship it back to the warehouse, where it remains safe and secure until your next visit to Disney World.
When I first heard about Owner’s Locker, I didn’t think it was for me. I just wasn’t sure if I really needed to leave a storage tub of stuff down there. But after hearing about how much friends loved their Owner’s Lockers, I figured I’d give it a try.
I first met my Owner’s Locker in August 2007. I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to store in it at first, but then I decided that I would pack essentials in it in hopes that it would allow me to lighten my suitcase in my trips. I packed it with four days worth of clothes, a pair of sneakers, a pair of sandals, spare glasses and sunglasses, toiletries, ponchos, umbrellas, and other necessities.
My Owner's Locker
John and Brian's Back Ache
Almost every trip, I add another essential item to the box. Some of my more recently added items include: a cell phone charger, an iPod charger, an extension cord, and a hair straightener. These are the type of items that are easy to forget when you are packing, so it’s nice to know that they will be waiting in my Owner’s Locker when I return to Disney World.
My Owner’s Locker contents have evolved a bit over the years, and now, in addition to the essentials, I also store some things that enhance my trips to Disney World--just a few small comforts that will make my room feel a bit more like home when I’m at Disney World. I have a framed picture of my nieces and nephews to put on my nightstand. I have some Christmas decorations to make my room festive during my annual December trips to Disney World. Since I usually stay at a Disney Vacation Resort with a DVD player in the room, on my next trip, I’m going to bring a couple of the DVD copy of movies that came with some Blue Ray discs I purchased recently.
There is no limit to what you can pack in your Owner’s Locker. I’ve heard of people packing everything from air mattresses and duvet covers to waffle irons and griddles in their Owner’s Locker. For frequent visitors to Disney World, it is great to have some of the comforts of home that you wouldn’t be able to bring down every trip.
One thing that is really cool about Owner’s Locker is the ability to keep an online inventory of the contents of your locker on your Owner’s Locker dashboard. It’s great to have an inventory list available so you know exactly what’s in there to help you remember what you need to pack, and what you can leave at home. The inventory is very easy to create and edit.
I have been working in records management for about 20 years now, so I know a thing or two about storage. When I first got my Owner’s Locker, I grilled John, one of the founders of Owner’s Locker about their systems and procedures. I wanted to be confident that my stuff would be safe, secure, and easily located within their warehouse. Without boring everyone with all the details, I’ll just say that I am very impressed with the Owner’s Locker system and procedures. The used a barcode system to track and update the location of the locker so that they can easily tell where the locker is--whether it’s checked out to an owner, out for delivery in the big purple van, or safely tucked away in the warehouse. Their system and procedures are better than many of the storage companies I have worked with in recent years.
The communication from the company is outstanding. About two weeks before a scheduled visit, they send out an e-mail reminding you about your upcoming visit. Since plans can often change, I love getting this reminder so that I can double check that I have sent my Owner’s Locker to the right resort. They also text and/or e-mail you to let you know when your locker is delivered, or picked up and returned to the warehouse.
The founders of Owner’s Locker, John and Brian, are two of the nicest guys on the planet. Their commitment to providing top notch service is one of the greatest attributes of the company. You’ll be hard pressed to find another company that is so willing to go the extra mile for their customers. They will work with the owners to come up with a solution when an owner has a special request. They are responsive to owners’ concerns and open to suggestions. They are friendly, personable, and accessible. I really can’t say enough good things about John and Brian.
John even hosts wine evenings at Epcot on Tuesday nights, giving him the opportunity to meet the owners. This also gives the owners the opportunity to meet one of the men behind this fantastic company, and also gives the owners the opportunity to mix and mingle. I met two of my dear Disney friends, Cheryl and Keith, at an Owners Locker Wine Evening a few years back, and have seen them on almost every trip to Disney since that time. I wouldn’t have met Cheryl and Keith if it wasn’t for my great big purple box.
They have a partnership with Disney Vacation Club and attend the Welcome Home Wednesday event at the Atlantic Dance Hall. DVC members even get a discount on the one time membership fee!
If you go to Disney World more than once a year, and you don’t own an Owner’s Locker, you don’t know what you are missing. You’ll be amazed by how much easier it is to pack, and how much less you have to pack (which is a huge plus with all of the extra fees for baggage when you fly).
You can read more about Owner’s Locker, and sign up for your own Owner’s Locker at www.ownerslocker.com
No comments:
Post a Comment