Walt Disney World has expanded its Airport Luggage Transfer service, offering some guests staying at Value Resorts a convenient way to check bags at their hotel or skip baggage claim entirely on arrival.
Walt Disney World has quietly rolled out one of its most guest-friendly perks in years, and early feedback suggests it may become a major part of the resort experience going forward. The Airport Luggage Transfer Service, operated in partnership with BagCheck, allows guests staying at select Disney Resort hotels to skip the stress of hauling bags through the airport and let Disney handle the transport for them, both to the airport on departure day and, in some cases, from the airport on arrival. However, you need to be flying a specific airline…Southwest!
Once part of the now-retired Disney’s Magical Express program, this revived service represents one of the most significant enhancements to guest service since the pandemic-era transportation overhaul. However, it is now growing. Nonetheless, guests still need to provide their own transportation to and from the airport and hotel.
Airport Luggage Transfer: A New Era of Luggage Convenience at Walt Disney World
Disney’s Airport Luggage Transfer program is currently available at all Walt Disney World Value Resorts, including:
- All-Star Movies Resort, All-Star Music Resort, and All-Star Sports Resort
- Art of Animation Resort
- Pop Century Resort
Guests staying at these hotels can check their bags directly at their resort on departure day. That means no hauling suitcases onto buses, no rolling bags through the airport, and no scrambling for check-in kiosks at Orlando International Airport (MCO). This part of the Airport Luggage Service has been available since April 2025.
Instead, travelers simply drop off their luggage with BagCheck at their resort’s designated location, and Disney takes care of the rest: bag tagging, airline processing, and airport delivery. The result? A smoother final day at Walt Disney World and more time for parks, pools, or one last Mickey-shaped snack.
Southwest Airlines Leads the Way
At the moment, Southwest Airlines is the only carrier participating in the revived service. Guests flying Southwest can take advantage of all departure-day features, including:
- Resort-based bag drop
- BagCheck processing
- Delivery to Orlando International Airport
- Verified airline check-in
- Final handling by Southwest’s airport team
Guests must check in for their flight online before using the service and present both a valid photo ID and their boarding pass at the time of drop-off.
Pilot Program Expands to Arriving Guests
In what may become the biggest Disney transportation story of the year, the company will soon begin testing inbound luggage transfers for guests arriving at MCO. Instead of waiting at baggage claim, participating travelers can have their luggage collected directly from the airport and delivered to their Disney Resort hotel, allowing them to head straight to the parks, Disney Springs, or their resort.
Here’s how the arrival pilot currently works:
- Available only for select Southwest flights
- Guests must register between 30 days and five days before check-in
- Luggage is delivered to the hotel within approximately four hours
- The service is free during the pilot phase
How the Airport Luggage Transfer Program Works – Arriving at Walt Disney World Resort
According to the Walt Disney World website, guests can send their bags ahead to their participating Disney Resort Value hotel. Simply follow these steps:
- Fill out the registration form for the Airport Luggage Transfer at Disney service anytime from 30 days to 5 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 4 hours.
This service is subject to change or cancellation without notice or liability.
How It Works – Leaving Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World advises guests to save time at the airport by sending their bags ahead to Southwest Airlines at Orlando International Airport. Follow these steps:
- Check in for your Southwest Airlines flight online starting 24 hours prior to departure and pay any necessary baggage fees via the Southwest mobile app or online.
- 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 government-issued 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. For a smoother experience, leave all inbound tags on your bags.
- 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 final destination.
This service is subject to change or cancellation without notice or liability.
Is This the Return of Magical Express?
Not quite — at least, not yet, if ever! We would not expect that service to return, sorry.
Magical Express was a combined transportation + luggage service operated by Mears and Disney. The new Airport Luggage Transfer only handles luggage, not guests, and currently serves a limited number of resorts and a single airline. Still, we may see the Airline Luggage Transfer program expand to Moderate or Deluxe resorts, or additional airlines, by 2026.
Who Should Use This Service?
This perk is especially beneficial for:
- Families with strollers or multiple bags
- Guests using rideshare or private airport transport
- Travelers aiming for rope drop on departure day
- Anyone who wants a smoother, more relaxed travel experience
If you’re staying at a Value Resort and flying Southwest, this service is nearly a no-brainer.
Airport Luggage Transfer
Disney’s Airport Luggage Transfer service marks the return of a much-missed travel convenience. Early signs suggest Disney is testing the waters for a broader rollout, and if the pilot continues to perform well, we could see this transform into one of the resort’s most valuable perks.
For now, the service is free, flexible, and an easy win for guests staying at Disney’s Value Resorts. With inbound transfers now in limited testing, this is absolutely a program to watch in the coming months. We’ll continue to track updates, resort expansions, airline partnerships, and policy changes as they occur.
For more theme park-related news and information, visit MSM News.
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