Airline Luggage Transfer expanded at Disney World hotels
Traveling via Southwest from Disney World? A new Airline Luggage Transfer service helps guests check their bags at the end of their vacation before heading to MCO. Starting Nov. 18, 2025, the Airline Luggage Transfer program expands.
Photo courtesy of Southwest Airlines
A new service has arrived at Walt Disney World “value”-tier hotels for guests flying on Southwest Airlines from Orlando International Airport (MCO). As of April 3, 2025, a pilot program known as Airport Luggage Transfer began. This currently allows guests at the five Walt Disney World hotels in the “value” category to check their luggage at their hotel toward the end of their trip without needing to take it to the airport.
The Airline Luggage Transfer program is now available at:
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
However, the Airline Luggage Transfer program expands starting on Nov. 18, 2025. At that point, guests arriving on domestic Southwest Airlines flights into Orlando International Airport (MCO) and staying at the Walt Disney World Resort hotels listed above can register to skip baggage claim and have their checked luggage delivered straight to their resort within about four hours of arrival.
BagCheck
BagCheck, a third-party provider, operates the service. Guests can register online between five and 30 days before travel via the Airport Luggage Transfer section on the Walt Disney World website. Still, the Airport Luggage Transfer service is currently limited to Southwest Airlines.
The official Walt Disney World website explains the process to skip baggage claim in this way:
- Fill out the registration form for the Airport Luggage Transfer at Disney service anytime from 30 days to five days prior to your departure flight. You will need your Disney Resort confirmation number and your Southwest Airlines confirmation number when you register. You will receive a confirmation email after registering.
- Check in to your flight online as normal and pay any necessary baggage fees.
- Head to the airport and follow the Southwest Airlines procedure to drop off your luggage.
- Enjoy your flight!
- Upon arrival at Orlando International Airport, skip baggage claim and head directly to Walt Disney World Resort. Your luggage will arrive at your Resort hotel in under four hours.
For many visitors, a trip to Walt Disney World is a dream vacation, but traveling with luggage can sometimes be a hassle. In the past, Disney offered luggage transfer services (and transportation) to help with this issue. That service went away in 2020.
Airline Luggage Transfer: How does it work regarding the return flight?
Photo courtesy of Disney
Walt Disney World recently added a page to its website explaining the Airline Luggage Transfer Service. This service would help guests save time at the airport by sending their bags ahead via Southwest Airlines.
The Disney website lists the procedure to Airline Luggage Transfer in four steps. These include:
1.) At the beginning of your stay, check in at your Disney value resort hotel and call or visit Luggage Assistance to take advantage of this service. For a smoother experience, leave your inbound Southwest Airlines tags on your bags.
2.) The day before your departure, check in for your Southwest Airlines flight online.
3.) Drop off your bags at Luggage Assistance in the resort hotel lobby area by the required drop off time. Please be aware that you will need to provide a valid form of photo identification in order to drop off your bags. You can also call Luggage Assistance from your in-room telephone to ask for help with your bags.
4.) Head to the airport, skip the check-in line, enjoy your flight, and pick up your bags at baggage claim when you arrive at your destination.
This new Airline Luggage Transfer program is subject to change or cancellation without notice or liability. This service only handles bags that guests plan to check with Southwest Airlines. Also, this service does not offer the complimentary transportation that the former Magical Express service provided. Guests will still need to arrange their own transportation to and from Orlando International Airport.
Once again, the Airline Luggage Transfer program is subject to change. For more information, please consult the Walt Disney World website.
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