The Disney Airport Luggage Transfer program has expanded to all five Value Resorts, offering Southwest Airlines passengers a hassle-free way to send bags ahead to Orlando International Airport (MCO). Learn how it works and what to expect.
The Disney Airport Luggage Transfer program has been slowly rolling out at the Value Resorts at Walt Disney World. It started as a test program at Disney’s Pop Century Resort. This program resembles the former Resort Airline Check-In System. However, at this point, it is a significantly scaled-back version utilizing only one airline.
Disney Airport Luggage Transfer Program
The Disney Airport Luggage Transfer Program expanded to all five Walt Disney World Value Resort hotels starting April 3. This applies to the following hotels:
- Disney’s Art of Animation
- Disney’s Pop Century
- Disney’s All-Star Movies
- Disney’s All-Star Music
- Disney’s All-Star Movies
While five Walt Disney World hotels currently offer this service, guests must be flying on a specific airline and departing from Orlando International Airport (MCO). The one-way pilot program is only for Value Resort guests, and Southwest Airlines flights departing from MCO. We have no information about whether or when this might be expanded to other airlines.
How Does the Disney Airport Luggage Transfer Program Work
Walt Disney World stated that to save time at the airport, guests can send their bags ahead to Southwest Airlines. The procedure, according to Walt Disney World, looks like this:
- 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.
Disney Statement
A Disney spokesperson said the pilot program is an effort to “manage the high demand for travel to Central Florida and improve the experience for our guests and other airport passengers.” The full statement by the spokesperson looks like this: “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.”
Guests can find more information about the program at Walt Disney World’s website. Also, this service is subject to change or cancellation without notice or liability. For more theme park-related news and information, please consult MSM News.
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