Starting today, the pilot of the return of the Resort Airline Check-In Service has expanded to the remaining Value Resorts at Walt Disney World following an initial rollout at Pop Century. With the addition of all Value Resorts, the service has received an official name now too: Airport Luggage Transfer. The Airport Luggage Transfer (ALT) service remains limited to Southwest Airlines as the third-party company operating the service scales up its operations. We made it out to the trio of Disney’s All-Star Resorts this morning to check out the latest expansion of the service.
Airport Luggage Transfer Service Expands to All Value Resorts
The feedback was swift and positive following our initial reporting on the return of the Resort Airline Check-In Service earlier this week. We heard overwhelmingly positive feedback from readers and guests on social media as Walt Disney World piloted the return of a pre-COVID offering that was cut when the theme parks and resorts reopened in 2020.
As a reminder, the newly renamed Airport Luggage Transfer service is a complimentary offering that allows eligible guests to essentially check their bags into their flight at their Walt Disney World hotel. Walt Disney World has officially announced the service, offering additional details.
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.
We made it out to Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort this morning to find signage installed at the Luggage Assistance desk announcing the service, along with TSA guidelines for guests who are utilizing the service.
Airport Luggage Transfer at Disney
Beginning April 3, 2025, if you are staying at select Disney Resort hotels, you can drop your checked baggage off with Luggage Assistance to be delivered directly to your flight.
Currently, this pilot service is available at Disney Value Resort hotels for Guests with Southwest Airlines flights departing from Orlando International Airport (MCO).
How It Works
Save time at the airport by sending your bags ahead to Southwest Airlines. Simply follow these steps:
- 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.
- The day before your departure, check in for your Southwest Airlines flight 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 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.
- 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 service is subject to change or cancellation without notice or liability.
When to Drop Off Your Bags
It is strongly encouraged that you drop off your bags the night before your scheduled departure. However, if you need some extra time, you can do the following:
- 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 to receive luggage any time from 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM.
Participating Disney Resort Hotels
This service is only available at the following locations:
- 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
Please be aware that this service is only available if you are checking out from one of the Disney Value Resort hotels listed above and your return flight is with Southwest Airlines.
You can track your bags using the Southwest Airlines app.
Airport Luggage Transfer is only available from a Disney Value Resort to the Orlando International Airport (MCO). ALT does not include luggage transportation from the airport to your Disney Resort hotel.
Before dropping off your bags, you must complete your Southwest Airlines check-in online or through the Southwest Airlines mobile app. Check-in begins 24 hours before your scheduled departure. A boarding pass and valid ID are required when dropping off luggage.
Standard weight and size restrictions still apply to your baggage per Southwest Airlines rules.
ALT only includes luggage transfer, and does not include other services such as transportation to the airport for you and your party. ALT also does not include the ability to print your boarding passes at your Disney Value Resort.
If your Southwest Airlines flight is cancelled, your bag will be automatically redirected to your new flight. You can contact or visit Luggage Assistance for any questions about your luggage after drop-off. Once the bag departs the Resort hotel, you can get information via the Baggage webpage for Southwest Airlines. You can also see a Southwest Agent at the airport for assistance.
If your luggage is missing, delayed or damaged, you can submit a report to Southwest Airlines.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
