Disney’s Airport Luggage Transfer Pilot Expands to American and United Airlines at Value Resorts
Disney’s Airport Luggage Transfer pilot program at Walt Disney World has expanded beyond Southwest Airlines. As of May 19, 2026, eligible guests flying Southwest, American Airlines, or United Airlines can use the service at Disney’s Value Resorts for select domestic flights through Orlando International Airport (MCO).
Beginning May 19, 2026, Disney expanded its Airport Luggage Transfer pilot program to include eligible domestic flights on American Airlines and United Airlines, joining Southwest Airlines.The service remains limited to select Disney Value Resorts and Orlando International Airport (MCO). Disney has stated this is still a test program as they continue to “test and learn” before any possible future expansion.
Since this original April 2025 announcement, Disney and Southwest Airlines expanded this pilot program to include inbound luggage transfer from Orlando International Airport to Disney’s Value Resorts. Guests using participating airlines can now skip baggage claim on arrival and check their bags at the resort before flying home, when eligible.For the latest details on how the full round-trip service works, please see my guide here: Southwest Airport Luggage Transfer at Disney Value Resorts: Full Round-Trip Guide.
Other websites have touted this as an indication of Disney’s Magical Express returning, but the two services are totally unconnected. These individual services were provided by two separate contractors. Mears ran Disney’s Magical Express, and a company called BAGS ran the luggage service. Mears contracted with Disney to provide guest transportation, while BAGS contracted with the airlines/airport to transport luggage and alleviate lines at the airport.
The service remains limited to select participating airlines and participating Disney Resorts Collection hotels, but Disney has continued expanding the pilot. What began with the five Value Resorts now includes Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, the first Moderate Resort added to the program.
How It Works
This complimentary service allows eligible guests staying at participating Disney Resorts Collection hotels to transfer their checked luggage between their resort and Orlando International Airport when flying on a participating airline.
On departure day, this is especially useful because you can hand over your checked bags at the resort and then spend your remaining time dining, shopping, visiting a theme park, or relaxing at the resort until you need to head to the airport. Bell Services can hold any carry-on luggage you don’t want to take with you during the day.
When you arrive at Orlando International Airport, you can head directly to security instead of stopping at the airline counter to check your luggage.
The Rules:
- The service is available only for eligible domestic flights through Orlando International Airport (MCO) on a participating airline.
- Before departing Walt Disney World, check in for your flight online beginning 24 hours before departure and pay any applicable checked-baggage fees through your airline’s app or website.
- Bring your checked bags to Luggage Assistance at your participating Disney Resorts Collection hotel between 24 hours and 4 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure.
- You must present a valid government-issued form of photo identification when dropping off your luggage.
- Have your boarding passes ready before dropping off your bags. Boarding-pass printing is not part of the Airport Luggage Transfer service.
Luggage Assistance is available to receive luggage 24 hours per day. You can also call Luggage Assistance from your in-room telephone for help with your bags.
The Details
Before handing over your bags for a departing flight, you’ll first check in with your airline online and pay any applicable checked-baggage fees through the airline’s website or app.
When you bring your luggage to Luggage Assistance, you’ll need your boarding pass and a valid government-issued photo ID. Unlike the old Resort Airline Check-In service, boarding-pass printing is not part of the current Airport Luggage Transfer service.
Once your bags are accepted, luggage tracking bands and stickers are affixed, and your bags are placed into a temporary storage area adjacent to the luggage-transfer location. They are then placed in lockable rolling containers with other baggage to await the next truck heading to Orlando International Airport.
When the truck arrives, the driver loads the container onto the truck using a hydraulic lift, and your bags are on their way to MCO. From there, they are transferred to your participating airline for your flight.
That’s the beauty of the service: once you’ve handed over your checked luggage, you don’t have to deal with it again until you reach baggage claim at your final destination. You can enjoy the rest of your Walt Disney World departure day and then head to MCO with only your carry-on luggage.
Participating Airlines
All flights must be arriving at or departing from Orlando International Airport (MCO) on one of the following participating airlines for eligible domestic flights:
- Southwest Airlines
- American Airlines
- United Airlines
Participating Resort hotels include:
Disney Moderate Resort:
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney Value Resorts:
- 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
Over to you. Have you used this service? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below!
This article was written by Steve Bell, founder of Military Disney Tips.
Steve is a retired U.S. military member who has been visiting the Disney Parks since 1971 and writing about Disney military discounts and vacations for the military community for over 18 years.
Read Steve’s Full Bio | Follow Military Disney Tips on Facebook
Leave a Reply