Uncategorized /

💙 What’s in Our Disney Owner’s Locker

Hey y’all!


We’re wrapping up another Disney trip, which means it’s time to pack up our Owner’s Locker before it gets picked up and stored until next time.

If you’re not familiar, Owner’s Locker is a service where you pack your own storage box full of vacation essentials, and they store it in Orlando for you. Then before your next trip, you schedule a drop-off and it’s waiting at your resort when you arrive. Super easy and super helpful! ✨

Most of the boxes are purple, but since we signed up through DVC, ours is blue 💙

🧳 What We’re Keeping Inside

We’re still pretty new to using our Owner’s Locker, but it’s already made such a difference. Here’s what we packed this time around:

  • Full-size shampoo, conditioner, dry shampoo, and hairspray
  • Laundry detergent sheets & dryer sheets in a little pouch
  • Ponchos — because Florida weather is always a surprise! 🌦️
  • Sunscreen (we packed several bottles!) + after-sun gel
  • First-aid basics like Tylenol, Pepto, Band-Aids, and Dramamine
  • Fever patches and foot relief stuff — just in case
  • A pair of scissors — because somehow we always end up needing them! ✂️

Since we usually stay at the Fort Wilderness cabins, we also added:

  • Disney-themed decorations and some tinsel for our golf cart 🎀🪄
  • Sidewalk chalk for outside the cabin 🎨

✨ Why We’re Loving It So Far

Even after just one trip, it’s been so nice knowing our stuff is already there waiting for us. It makes packing easier and helps us settle in quicker once we arrive. Honestly, it’s just one more way to make Disney feel a little more like home. 🏡💫

📋 Our Owner’s Locker Checklist

Here’s a quick list of what we’ve packed so far — and a few ideas for next time!

Toiletries & Laundry

  •  Shampoo
  •  Conditioner
  •  Dry shampoo
  •  Hairspray
  •  Laundry detergent sheets
  •  Dryer sheets

Health & First Aid

  •  Tylenol
  •  Pepto-Bismol
  •  Dramamine
  •  Band-Aids
  •  Fever-reducing patches
  •  Foot relief items (balms, patches, etc.)

Florida Must-Haves

  •  Ponchos
  •  Sunscreen
  •  After-sun gel
  •  Scissors

Fort Wilderness Extras

  •  Sidewalk chalk
  •  Tinsel
  •  Disney-themed golf cart decorations

Let me know if you use an Owner’s Locker too or if you’re thinking about it — and if I missed anything brilliant that you keep in yours, I’d love to hear it! 💼🏰

Check out my YouTube page for a video of me packing the box this time!

Disclaimer: AI helped me edit and format this post

Building Blocks /

Cost per Wear: An Overview

Hello!

When thinking about what I am purchasing for my closet, I use something called Cost Per Wear (CPW) to guide me towards smarter choices when it comes to building my wardrobe. 👗It’s a simple concept that helps me to “c” the engineering mindset and apply it to everyday life.

CPW is all about maximizing the value of each piece of clothing we purchase. Let’s break it down: Imagine you splurge $100 on a stunning orange 🍊dress for a brunch outing, wearing it just once. That means the dress costs you $100 per wear. Now, contrast that with a different scenario: You snag a stylish blue dress and wear it religiously throughout the warmer months, say 26 times. The CPW for this blue dress 💙? A mere $3.85 per wear. Quite the difference, right?

But CPW isn’t just about number crunching, it’s about using that data point to inform our future wardrobe decisions. Think about why that blue dress offered more value. Is it because you have more accessories that pair with blue, or maybe you simply feel your best in cool tones. These qualitative insights complement the quantitative CPW analysis, giving us a complete understanding of what truly adds value to our closet. 💰💲👚🧢

So, grab your calculator and join me in my CPW journey. I have more in store for this topic, so I hope you hang on with me and continue to learn about how to “c” life engineered. 🧮

-C

Disney /

Disney Dining: Resort Mugs

Looking for a memorable souvenir from your Disney World trip? Look no further than the refillable resort mug! And guess what? You don’t even have to be staying on property to snag one – I’ve grabbed mine at a resort when I have been staying both on and off property. ✨

At $21.99 plus tax, you might raise an eyebrow at the price tag. But trust me, when you tally up the cost of individual drinks during your vacation, it’s a no-brainer. Just think about it: one soda alone can set you back around $5 each time. With the resort mug, after just five refills, you’ve already hit the break-even point. So if you foresee yourself enjoying five or more sodas (or coffees), it’s a no-brainer to invest in one. However, if you’re only popping by the resort briefly, maybe to check it out, the mug might not maximize its value. But hey, if you’re eyeing it because it’s adorable and you want to take it home as a keepsake, go for it! Plus, these cups offer two weeks of refill privileges from the purchase date, so you’ve got plenty of time to make the most of it. 🥤💰

When I stayed off-property, I’d hop on the monorail to Magic Kingdom, take a pit stop at the resort loop for a soda, and then head to the park. It was a fantastic way to explore different resorts while adding a unique twist to my Disney trip. Plus, I was on a mission to collect the Disney 100 medallions, so grabbing a refill while on the hunt was a bonus. 🚝🏰

On-property stays were even more convenient – grabbing a morning coffee or a midday soda became a breeze. And here’s a tip for anyone buying the mug: invest in a carabiner clip. This nifty little gadget allows you to attach your empty cup to your backpack, freeing up space while ensuring you’ve got it handy for refills. 🎒

So, if you’re on the fence about whether a resort mug is worth it, I hope this insight helps you make an informed decision. ✨

-C

Disney /

Animal Kingdom Lodge: Rooms

Hello!

🌟 Thank you for joining me in my first “official” Disney related post as we explore the wonderful world of room choices at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge! 🦁 For this post, I’ll be keeping the scope to room types only, leaving out suites and Disney Vacation Club options. Don’t worry though, there are more Animal Kingdom Lodge (AKL for short) posts to come!

🦓When planning our stay, the first thing I considered was the view we wanted. You have several choices: standard, pool, resort, water, and savannah. Standard views typically encompass the parking lot, while the rest speak for themselves. But it’s the savannah views that truly captivate, offering glimpses of the animals right outside your room!! 🌿🐾Since we planned to spend a lot of time at the hotel and primarily go to Animal Kingdom, we opted for the savannah view. This is where you need to consider what is the most value add to you and what is best for your trip. Some questions I asked myself was, how much time will we spend in the room / is it most important to me to be able to use the resort amenities such as the pool. Had this been a situation where the priority was using the AKL pool at the most effective cost with little plan to actually be in the room, I would have opted for the standard view room.

⬆⬆Photos of our View/ Room⬆⬆

🛌Then, there’s the bed type to consider. We went with whatever was cheapest, but if you have more than two people in your group, you might prefer a room with two beds instead of one.💤

 🛎Lastly, there’s the option of booking a club-level room, which gives you access to the Club Level Lounge with complimentary refreshments like breakfast, evening drinks, and desserts. Since we had plans to dine at several different restaurants and spend time at the parks, we decided against it. However, if you’re planning a resort-only getaway with a focus on Animal Kingdom, it could be a great choice. I kept saying we should move to Orlando and do weekend club level staycations 😂!

One thing to keep in mind when booking is any special offers Disney World might have. As annual pass holders, we were able to save up to 35% on our stay, making it easier to justify upgrading to a deluxe savannah view room!

Choosing your room at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is akin to engineering a custom experience. 🐾🌿Consider your priorities: savannah views, amenities, or club-level luxuries. It’s all about finding the right balance for your vacation. Evaluate your options, and keep an eye out for any discounts or special offers to enhance your stay. Happy planning!

-C

Disney /

The Magic Is Calling

Hello!

Have you noticed the magical theme in my recent post titles? Well, that was my not-so-subtle way of leading up to a conversation about Disney!

Over the past couple of years, I’ve rediscovered my love for all things Disney. This rekindled passion has led me to plan numerous trips to both Disneyland and Disney World.

With this passion, I have decided to dedicate a space to ramble on about my Disney opinions. Whether you’re a seasoned park-goer or planning your first visit, I hope to help you maximize the enchantment of your Disney vacation!

🏰 What to Expect:

  • Itinerary Planning
  • Ride Opinions
  • Dining Reviews
  • Packing Tips
  • And So Much More!

Is the magic calling you too? I’d love to hear about some of your Tips and Tricks!

-C

Building Blocks /

Unveiling the Magic: Value-Add vs. Non-Value-Add

Hello!

Thank you for being here! In today’s post I wanted to unveil the magic of value-add and non-value-add.

⭐The Magic of Value-Add

Value-add is like the secret ingredient that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. I remember learning about this back in school. When determining if something is a value add, I ask myself, “Would I be willing to pay extra for this?” It’s that extra sparkle that enhances a customer’s or individual’s experience. Although, the perception of value can be subjective varying from person to person or situation to situation.

💎Examples of Value-Add:

  • Innovative Features: I have a poncho I bought that has space for my mickey ears, in my opinion that’s a value add when visiting Disney World in the rainy season!
  • Customization: A product or service to tailored to individual preferences… like a monogrammed tote. You guessed it that’s a value-add

🌪️Navigating Non-Value-Add

Now, let’s journey into the land of non-value-add—a place where value disappears. In all seriousness, this is what you don’t want to pay extra for. My go to explanation for this is a customer is willing to pay for expedited shipping to their home to make it in time before they go on vacation, but they do not want to pay extra for you to move product between warehouses due to poor inventory planning.

🚫Examples of Non-Value-Add

  • Excessive Paperwork: I’m not talking waivers for activities, I’m talking needing to fill out the same form 3 different times because it needs to be on pink, purple, and yellow paper.
  • Redundant Processes: An action that doesn’t make the end product better, like adding extra packaging only for it to be thrown away.

✨In the end value-add versus non-value-add is a building block of lean thinking. Value-add activities directly enhance a product or service for the end user. On the other hand, non-value-add activities, while necessary, don’t directly contribute to the end product or service.

❤️I anticipate referencing this topic in future posts, so I hope this helps you to C Life Engineered.

-C

General /

Back to Blogging: A Magical Rekindling!

Hello!

After a magical break, I’m excited to be back trying to blog again. Having cleared the slate by deleting all previous posts, I feel ready ready to begin to sprinkle engineering takes on everyday tasks, and just ramble on about life. I hope you’re ready… and interested… in joining me on this journey. 💗

What can you anticipate from this renewed endeavor?

✨Disney Adventures

🌱Growth and Reflection

📈Excel Spreadsheets

✍️Planning Tips

🛠️ Engineering Takes

🎉 Lots of Rambling

And to anyone who has journeyed this far, a sincere thank you for being here. 😀

-C

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