November 12, 2008

Great Job, Lou!!

I got a VERY pleasant surprize at last night's Owner's Locker EPCOT Wine Evening when Lou Mongello stopped by.  Brian and I have been lucky to meet lots of really nice folks in the Disney fan community and Lou is one of the best.  He's been a great supporter of Owner's Locker and Lou and I have become good friends in the process.  Lou was in town doing what Disney experts do and it was great to catch up with him at EPCOT.



EWE Lou Mongello blog.jpg

As it turns out, Lou had lots of good news to share.  He has just won the best travel podcast award for the third year in an row.  What an honor.  And if you haven't listened to his podcast, you can give it a try by following this link to his site at WDW Radio.

 

Lou also shared a copy of his latest project, Celebrations Magazine.  For all of you fans who miss the Disney Magazine that ceased publication in 2005, you might like Celebrations even better.  I don't think Lou will mind if I share the table of contents alonmg with the cover.

Celebrations blog.jpg< Celebrations contents blog.jpg<

 

He's also recently released the second in his WDW audio guides.  This one is Adventureland and I've got to tell you, it's fantastic and even better than the first which covered Main Street USA. 

Adventureland Audio blog.jpg<

I joined a walking tour with Lou last year at Mousefest in Frontierland and was really impressed at how good Lou is in describing the parks.  I don't care how many times you've been to the Magic Kingdom and how much you might think you know about the park, Lou's audio guides are a treat eyes and ears!

 

Congratulations, Lou....and keep up the super work!

 

jdvm

August 11, 2008

Disney's Old Key West Resort--August, 2008

      Katie4blog.JPGThis is oldest daughter, Katie. She's studying photography and fibers at Savannah College of Art and Design where she is a junior.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are lots of pictures you can find of the resorts around Walt Disney World. You know, shots of the rooms and post card type views. But I thought it would be neat to turn a photographer loose with the assignment to capture the essence of a resort rather than simply providing a guided tour for folks trying to decide whether it's a nice place to stay.

So here are Katie's impressions of
Disney's Old Key West Resort, the first Disney Vacation Club Resort. If you've never been there, it might seem a bit random. But if you have, I hope these photos bring back pleasant memories.

Here's a sample of Katie's work at Old Key West. Following these three photos is a link to a slide show of all of the photos. And here's a link to Katie's Flickr page where you can see more of her work.
 OKW1blog.jpg

 

 

OKW2blog.jpg

 

OKW3blog.jpg

 

Click here to see the rest of Katie's photos of Old Key West.

July 19, 2008

The Ultimate Owner's Locker Packing List


OK, here it is. What you've all been waiting for....just what's inside those Lockers?

Well, we never look but many of our our Members tell us what they store in their Lockers.

So here's a master list of items we've heard about. Where possible, we've added links so you can see more detail about the items to answer questions like,  "what's that?" or "where do I get one of those?"

All Ears 4.jpg


Hopefully, this will give you some packing ideas......and we LOVE adding new items so if you don't see something you store, please let us know by leaving a comment and I'll add it to the list.

Here goes:

 

ITEMDESCRIPTIONCOST
water filter pitcherBrita Space Saver Model--6 glasses $20.99
shampoo-kidsSuave Cherry Blast 2 in 1 Shampoo 18.1 fluid ounces $1.89
salt and pepper shakers  $9.99
mouthwashListerine Whitening Pre-Brush Rinse 16 fluid ounces $3.19
flashlight  $2.99
contact lens solutionAlcon Opti Free Express 12 fluid ounces $6.99
insect repellantCutter All Family pump spray 6 fluid ounces $5.08
WDW guide bookBirnbaum's Walt Disney World 2008 $16.95
local restaurant guideOrlando Chow: Restaurants for The Rest of Us $11.95
champagne glassesCinderella and Prince Charming flutes $64.95
sunscreenBanana Boat SPF 8 lotion 8 fluid ounces $6.99
sunscreenBanana Boat Sport Sunblock Lotion SPF 15 8 fluid ounces $6.99
shaving creamEdge Sensitive Skin 9.3 ounces $2.34
toothpaste-adultsColgate Total Whitening gel 6 ounces $2.49
staplerSwingline Soft Grip $5.99
pool toySplash Master disc $1.99
frying panLodge Logic 12 inch cast iron skillet $24.00
power stripPower Sentry 6 outlet power strip $2.79
curling ironConair 3/4" Instant Heat curling iron $14.49
body lotionVaseline Total Moisture dry skin lotion 24.5 fluid ounces $4.99
pool toysdive sticks $3.99
deodorant-ladiesDegree Fresh Oxygen 2.6 ounces $4.27
scissors-kitchenKitchenAir All-Purpose Shears $14.99
ice cream scoopKitchenAid ice cream scoop $9.99
skin cleanser-kidsNeutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash $4.49
air freshenerLysol Neutra-Air 10 ounces $2.39
shampoo-kidsJohnson's Baby Shampoo 15 fluid ounces $2.89
measuring cupsKitchenAid kitchen measuring cups $6.99
Orlando Map  $7.95
deodorant-ladiesDegree Fresh Oxygen 2.6 ounces $4.49
scotch whiskeyMacallan 10 year old single malt scotch whiskey 700 ml $47.49
measuring spoonsKitchenAid kitchen spoons $3.99
hairsprayAussi Mega Styling Spray 14 ounces $3.79
disposable underwater cameraKodak Sport Single Use $9.79
chip clipGreenfeet stainless steel bag clip $2.50
magic markers8 Crayola washable markers $4.99
drawing paper pad48 sheet Strathmore Kids Drawing Paper Pad $3.39
candles16 tea light candles $5.99
swim goggles3 pair Speedo Vanquisher Plus goggles $31.65
corkscrewScrewpull Lever Model corkscrew $129.95
lip balmChap Stick $1.89
staple removerOffice Depot staple remover $1.19
finger nail clipperTweezerman stainless nail clipper $4.00
hair ties25 Luxor professional hair ties $4.50
Q-tips170 Q tips $2.29
pain reliever50 Advil coated pain capsules $5.99
hair brushSpornette G36 Hair brush $8.99
antiacid50 Extra Strength Rolaids Freshmint $5.99
vitamins-kids 60 Flintstones Gummies $7.49
razor-men'sGillette Mach 3 Turbo razor $9.49
razor blades-men'sGillette Mach 3 Turbo cartridges $19.49
tweezersRevlon Point Tip tweezer $9.99
nite lightTinkerbell color changing night light $12.50
toothbrush-ladiesOral B Pulsar toothbrush $4.49
toothpaste adultsCrest Pro-Heath Mint Gel toothpaste $1.49
moleskinDr. Scholl's Moleskin Plus padding $5.69
shower  shaving mirrorThe best fogless shower mirror $59.95
disinfecting wipes70 orange scent Clorox disinfecting wipes $9.99
baby powderJohnson's Baby Powder 15 ounce $4.99
ice cube trays2 red Mickey Mouse ice cube trays $12.50
rain poncho  
dryer sheetsBounce Outdoor Fresh Scent dryer sheets $5.79
laundry detergentTide 2X Ultra original scent 100 ounce $14.99
lint brushEvercare Magik Brush $3.99
zip lock bags18 ziploc gallon storage bags $3.29
battery chargerUniversal Smart Battery Charger and Conditioner $44.95
umbrellaMickey Mini Travel Umbrella $7.99
over the door organizer24 pocket Over the Door Organizer $24.99
first aid kitRed Cross Family First Aid Kit $19.95
sound machineSound Oasis Travel Sound Therapy System $89.99
pizza pan15 3/4"  Air Bake Pizza Pan $7.99
sandwich grillGeorge Foreman Champ Grill $24.99
portable iPod speakersLogitech Pure-FI Anywhere Compact Speakers for iPod $129.99
cologne-mensChanel Allure Homme Sport $82.00
swim maskTusa Liberator Plus Swim mask $34.95
back packDisney Logo backpack Cooler $24.50
Disney pinsChronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian $59.50
pin lanyardMickey Pin Starter Lanyard Set $9.50
mister fanO2 Cool Squeeze Breeze Fan $7.99
dental flossJohnson & Johnson Reach Clean Burst dental floss $1.79
aluminum foilReynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil $3.59
blue iceRubbermaid Blue ice All-Purpose Pack $1.50
sewing kitSinger Egg Centric Sewing Kit $3.79
stir crazyStir Crazy 6 Quart Corn Popper $29.99
wine glasses2 Veranda Acrylic Wine Glasses $5.90
cell phone chargerBlackberry Travel Charger $12.99
vaseDisney Home Collection Vase $9.99
body wash-men'sOld Spice High Endudurance Body Wash 18 ounces $4.49
shampoo-adultsAveda Rosemary Mint Shampoo 8.5 ounces $9.00
fitted king bottom sheetRalph Lauren Supima fitted bottom sheet $49.99
air bedAerobed for kids $79.99
air bed pumpInstant On Hand Held AC Pump $29.99
AA batteries16 Energizer Max Alkaline batteries $11.99
microwave popcorn2 Act II Butter Lovers microwave popcorn $3.00
rum750 ml bottle Malibu Rum $17.49
dishesFish melamine Dinner Set $19.99
silverwareJubilee red flatware set $19.99
children's TylenolTylenol Plus Children's Cold grape 4 ounces $6.99
tampons36 Tampax Pearl Plastic Tampons $8.49
aloeSolarcaine Burn Relief Aloe Extra Gel 8 ounces $7.99
AAA batteries8 Energizer Max Alkaline batteries $7.99
clothes pins10 wooden clothes pins $.99
flashlightRay-O-Vac flashlight $5.99
safety pins50 Singer safety Pins $1.99
swiss army knifeTinker Swiss Army Knife $24.00
pop up hamperWinnie the Pooh Pop up clothes hamper $10.42
stain stickSpray 'N Wash Power Stain Stick $3.50
fabric softenerDowny Ultra Fabric Softener 34 ounce $6.29
shower capConair Styling Essentials Shower Cap $2.99
hair straightenerConair Ultra Slim Ceramic Hair Straightener $26.99
oreganoMcCormick Ground Oregano $1.79
cooking sprayPam No-Stick Cooking Spray 6 ounces $3.99
olive oilDa Morgata Extra Virgin Olive Oil 500mls $14.99
plastic wrapSaran Cling Plus Clear $2.99
food processorCuisinart Mini-Prep Processor $29.95
coffee grinderCuisinart Coffee Grinder $30.00
french press coffee potBodum Bistro Neo French Press $24.95
AoseptAosept Powerful Disenfecting Solution 12 ounce $8.79
hydrocortizone creamCortizone 10 Maximum Strength $9.49
crushed chili peppersA-1 Crushed Red Peppers $4.09
aspirin50 Bayer Genuine Aspirin $4.99
screwdriver setHome Center Helping Hand Screwdriver Set $5.99
pliersHome Center Helping Hands Pliers Set $6.99
drink packetsCrystal Light On The Go Lemonade $3.79
pizza cutterKitchenaid 4" diameter pizza wheel $14.99
scotch tapeScotch 1/2 inch Magic Tape $2.79
toiletry caddyEagle Creek Pack It Caddy Toiletry Kit $30.00
bath robeDream Sack Silk Bathrobe $99.00
bobby pins48 Scunci No-Slip Grip Bobby Pins $1.99
negligeeLa Perla Sensuality negligee $248.00
hair gelSexy Hair Concepts Big Sexy Hair Blow Dry Volumizing Gel $12.49
water shoesBody Glove Riptide Water Shoes $14.99
anti-bacterial soapDetails Bath and Body $5.19
bath fizzies2 New Moon Fantasy Bath Bombs $7.00
coffee filtersMelitta 4 in cone coffee filters $9.98
TylenolTylenol Day & Nite $9.99
collapsable coolerCryofreeze Collapsible 12 can cooler $7.99
wrinkle sprayWrinkle Spray Trigger Pack $12.99
odor removerFebreze Fabric Refresher 27 ounce $5.99
toasterRivalTwo Sllice  Cool Wall Toaster $12.99
trash bags for laundry25 Glad large Drawstring trash Bags 30 gallon $7.99
crockpot1.5 quart Dip Master Slow Cooker $14.99
bath sheetWestpoint Charisma Egyptian Cotton Bath Sheet $34.99
slippersIsotoner Terry Clog Women's Slippers $18.00
antenna toppersAmericana Minnie Antenna Topper $7.99
duct tape3M Duct Tape 3939 Silver $7.98
laundry detergentWisk 2x Ultra 32 ounces $8.99
bleach tablets5  Astonish Whites Booster tablets $2.19
bodywash-ladies'Dove Refresh Beauty Body Wash 10 ounces $5.29
beach towelEeyore giant beach towel $11.99
cutting boardCuisinart Prep Board Cutting Surface $10.00
cooling rackWiliams-Sonoma 11"X16" cooling rack $9.00
grooming kitNorelco Bodygroom $29.99
bathing capBathina Shower Cap $16.00
NutellaNutella Chocolately Hazelnut Spread 13 ounces $3.79
facial cloths30 Olay Total Effects Age Defying Wet Cleansing Cloths $7.49
peanut butter Jif Creamy Peanut Butter 18 ounce $3.15
swimsuit coverup Victoria's Secret Trapeze cover-up dress $29.00
deck of cards  
alka seltzer20  Alka Seltzer Plus Sparkling Original Cold Formula $4.99
Tylenol50 Extra Strength Tynol Rapid Release Gels $6.99
Imodium18 Imodium Advanced $7.99
reading glassesFoster Grant Readers' Choice reading glasses  $17.99
electric blanketSunbeam King Size Heated Blanket $79.99
electric razorRemington Micro Flex 200 $49.99
Lectric shaveLectric Shave Tenderface 7 ounce $5.99
2-way radiosMotorola rechargeable two-way Radio $79.99
plug adaptors2 Skytronic UK-US adaptors $5.87
swimmiesSpeedo begin To Swim Bands  $6.99
electric toothbrushCrest Spinbrush powered Toothbrush and Charger  $18.99
neck pillowTempur Pedic Sweedish Neck Pillow$80.00
local store discount cardsWinn Dixie Customer Reward Card 
christmas lightsMickey Mouse 10 Light Christmas String $8.42
space bagsSpace Bag 7 Bag Super High Capacity Set $19.95
hand vacuumDirt Devil Scorpion Hand Vacuum with Inflator $24.88
fanO2 Smart Power Rechargable Fan  $29.99
curling ironConair Instant Heat 1" Curling Iron  $14.99
pantiliners64 Kotex light Days panty Liners $6.99
halloween costumes  
pina colada mixDaily's Pina Colada Mix  64 ounce $6.95
game consoleSony Playstation 2  $99.99
placemats4 Williams-Sonoma Provence Placemats $32.00
egg cookerChef's Coice Egg Cooker $39.95
portable radioSony Style Emergency Radio $49.95
Sudafed72 Sudafed PE Nasal Decongestant Tablets $14.99
full sized hair drierPro-Tools 4000 Ceramic Turbo Dryer $43.29
tea bags40 PG Tips Pyramid Bags $2.79
ketchupHeinz Tomato Ketchup 32 ounce $2.99
duvetBed Time Queen Size Comforter $119.00
foot creamMiracle of Aloe Foot Repair Cream 8 ounce $9.99
DVDs  
sunglasses  
camera monopodVelbon RUP-40 4 section monopod $29.95
portable dvd playerSony DVP-FX820 portable DVD player $179.99
splenda100 Splenda No Calorie Sweetener Packets $4.29
green tea30 Celestial Seasonings Antioxidant Grren Tea Bags

 $3.12

printerCanon BCJ-85 Portable Bubble Jet Printer $169.95
trip journalBookfactory 168 page journal $16.99
wireless access point  
keyboard for laptop  
ethernet cable  
apexicon cream  
glade air wick plug in  
body glide  
mosquito wipes  
eye mask  
linen spray  
tea bags  
craft set  
casserole dish  

 

 

hot potRival 32 ounce Hot Pot Express$12.99
spatula Williams-Sonoma flexible spatula $8.00
sandwich maker Breville Ikon Panini Press $99.95
apron Blue Denim Apron $19.00
gin  
laptop  
rice cookerRival 6 cup Rice Cooker$12.99
espresso machine Bialetti Mukka Express Electric Capuccino Maker $139.95
margarita glasses  
tequila  
margarita mixDaily's Margarita Mix  64 ounce $6.95
triple sec  
electric skilletRival 12 inch square electric skillet$24.99
table napkins 4 Williams-Sonoma Provence napkins $28.00
champagne  
digital camera  
photo frames  
flip flops  
jack daniels  
WDW trivia vol. 1 Lou Mongello's Walt Disney World Trivia Book Volume I $9.99
candyland board game Candyland Disney Theme Park Edition $16.99
swim fins  
monopoly board game Monopoly Disney/Pixar Edition $29.99
tea kettle  
vodka  
cosmopolitan mix  
crocs  
WDW trivia vol. 2 Lou Mongello's Walt Disney World Trivia Book Volume II $11.99
booster seat  
cocktail shaker  
game of life The Game of LIFE: Pirates of the Caribbean edition $22.99
gin Bombay Sapphire 
unofficial guide  
margarita salt  
disabilities guide  
  Apple Airport 
eyeglass repair kit  
iPod charger  
Lysol spray  
mini mesh laundry bag  
rechargeable camera battery  
 rum  
 white wine  
 zip ties  
 can koozies  
 creamer coffee mate powder 
 neosporin  
 potholders  
 napkins  
 sore throat lozenges  

 

contact lens case  
nail file  
shower poof  
shower gel  
medicated powder  
neosporin  
hand sanitizer  
shower radioSony Digital Shower Radio/CD Player  $69.99
luggage scale  
luggage wheels   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


June 1, 2008

A Glimpse At Owner's Locker's Personality

I learned in my years with a big multinational company that every company has a distinct personality.  After a while, I could tell you how Chevron would respond to an issue and it would be different than the way Shell or BP might handle the same set of facts.  The decision by United Airlines to charge for second pieces of luggage and by American Airlines to charge for the first piece has created quite a stir

Here's a glimpse of Owner's Locker's personality.  This is an e-mail I received today:

"Hi......thanks for responding, personally, to my post on INTERCOT.
I think the fact that even though there are recent economic problems, 
you are holding true to your word and not raising prices. Living, 
much less vacationing, has become harder due to the monetary problems 
of this country. And it's nice to know that there is a business that 
isn't 'taking advantage' of the customer.
I look forward to using your business. I've only been to your website 
once or twice,....and I didn't 'investigate in depth'...but I plan on 
doing that this week.
Thanks so much for writing. It meant a lot ----

Carolee"

INTERCOT is an unofficial Disney fan site with discussion forums.  I responded to a question about whether we'd be raising prices like this:

"There are no plans to raise prices. We've been operating a little over a year and while we didn't quite anticipate that diesel would be the price that it is, we built our plan around leaving our prices at the current level for several years.

We're in this business for the long term and while we want to earn an adequate return, we want to have long term happy Members and we always want to treat people the way we would like to be treated.
John"

And here's my response to Carolee's e-mail:

"Thanks for asking your question on the INTERCOT forums and thanks so much for your very kind e-mail!!  You're right...there is so much hassle out there these days, we just want to help cut back on it.  It seems that so few people are as interested in keeping your business as they are in getting your business.  And, to be honest, that's one of the reasons we started Owner's Locker.  I spent most of my career working for a company that constantly looked for ways to raise prices. We certainly want to make a living, but we'd rather use the airline turmoil as a selling point for our service instead of an excuse to raise prices."

This bit of back and forth traffic is not really earth-shattering but it does give you an idea of what makes us tick at Owner's Locker.

JDVM

ww.ownerslocker.com



 

May 21, 2008

Owner's Locker-A Convenience Becomes a Necessity

Savvy visitors to Orlando have been enjoying the convenience of a service called Owner's Locker that allows them to store their personal items on site between visits rather than hauling them back and forth.

All Ears 4.jpg 

Recent moves by the airlines, including the announcement by American Airlines that it will begin charging for all checked bags, means that using the Owner's Locker service is not just a convenient way to have personal items on hand when visiting Orlando. 

Owner's Locker has become an extremely effective way to avoid the hassle and cost of dealing with luggage on airplanes.

Owner's Locker Members purchase a Locker for their vacation items; it's picked up from their resort when they leave and stored in a climate controlled warehouse until their next trip when it is waiting at the front desk when the Member checks back in to any one of over 200 resorts in Orlando.  There's a one-time fee of $75 for the Locker and the initial delivery and pickup and then it's $99 per year for storage and one free delivery/pickup per year.  And, best of all, there's no weight limit on what you can store in your Locker.

Owner's Locker-the purple place for storing your vacation stuff.

www.ownerslocker.com

 

Judy Wiley, Fort Worth Texas Star-Telegram Travel Editor wrote an article about what people could do avoid luggage charges and had this to say about Owner's Locker:

- Owner's Locker would probably save money in the long run for frequent travelers to Orlando. The service lets you fill a locker with the items you need on every trip, delivers it to any of more than 200 hotels in Orlando, then picks it up after you leave. While it's wildly convenient, it won't save you money if you don't travel often to Orlando. The initial set-up fee is $75 for the locker and the first delivery and pickup. Then, the basic service starts at $99 a year -- that's for climate-controlled storage and one delivery/pickup a year.
See www.ownerslocker.com for details.

you can read the entire article here.

About

Inside John's Locker is the companion site to Owner's Locker (www.ownerslocker.com) and is pretty much the personal playground of its founder, John D. Van Meter. You'll find background about the business, notes on the process of launching a startup, more detail about aspects of Owner's Locker than you'll find in the FAQ's, and other stuff that just fits better here than on the main site--which we try to keep short, sweet, neat and tidy.
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