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“Airport Luggage Transfer at Disney” Expands to All Value Resorts

Joshua
Written by Joshua Posted

A few days ago, we shared news that Disney was testing an airline luggage check-in service at Pop Century Resort. The perk, which debuted with little fanfare, allows Southwest Airlines passengers to check their bags at the resort before heading to Orlando International Airport (MCO). Tonight, Disney officially launched “Airport Luggage Transfer at Disney” and expanded it to include all Walt Disney World Value Resorts. X’s Scott Gustin posted a statement shared by a Disney spokesperson:

“We continue to work with Orlando International Airport on ways we can help manage the high demand for travel to Central Florida and improve the experience for our guests and other airport passengers. As part of these efforts, we are working with a vendor to pilot a new one-way service for guests at Disney Value Resorts to conveniently check their luggage prior to departure when flying out of the airport on Southwest Airlines. We look forward to sharing more information with guests soon.”

Starting Thursday, April 3, Southwest guests staying at the following hotels can take advantage of the new perk.

  • Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
  • Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
  • Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
  • Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
  • Disney’s Pop Century Resort

How it works

Disney provided the following instructions. Don’t rip off those luggage tags after landing in Orlando!

  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.

When to drop off your luggage

While item 2 says you need to check your bags the day before your departure, you can wait until your departure day if you have a later flight.

  • When Flying Before 1:00 PM: Drop your bags off by 1:00 AM the night before your flight.
  • When Flying After 1:00 PM: Drop your bags off at least 4 hours before departure or no later than 1:00 PM—whichever comes first.

Luggage Assistance is available from 5 AM to 1 AM.

Remember not to pack medications, IDs, phones, and other important items. You won’t be able to access your bags until after you arrive at your final destination.

While Airport Luggage Transfer at Disney is still limited to Southwest passengers and Value Resort guests, the hope is that it will expand to other airlines and hotels. It’s been five years since Disney canceled “Resort Airline Check-In,” the predecessor to this new service. It feels good to be getting some of the Disney bubble magic back.

Visit Disney’s newly launched webpage for more information on Airport Luggage Transfer.