Starting today, November 18, 2025, Disney World guests flying Southwest Airlines into Orlando International Airport can skip baggage claim entirely and have their luggage delivered straight to their resort room. According to WDW News Today, this expansion of Disney’s airport luggage transfer pilot program marks the return of a convenience that many guests have been missing since Disney’s Magical Express ended in 2022.
How the Service Works
The new checked-bag delivery service is refreshingly simple. When you land at Orlando International Airport on a domestic Southwest Airlines flight, you can bypass baggage claim and head straight to your resort. Your luggage will arrive at your hotel room within approximately four hours of landing, handled by BagCheck, the service provider Disney partnered with for this program.
To use the service, you’ll need to register between 30 days and 5 days before your departure. Registration requires both your Disney Resort confirmation number and your Southwest Airlines confirmation number. Eligible guests are being notified directly by email with registration instructions.
The Catch: Limited Availability
Here’s where it gets restrictive. This service is currently only available to guests staying at Disney’s Value Resorts—think All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, All-Star Sports, Pop Century, and Art of Animation. If you’re staying at a Moderate or Deluxe resort, you’re out of luck for now.
Additionally, the service only works for domestic Southwest Airlines flights. International arrivals and other airlines aren’t part of this pilot program.
Why This Matters
This expansion complements an existing program that already handles luggage transfers from Walt Disney World resorts to the airport for departing guests. Together, these services create a complete round-trip luggage solution that restores much of the “door-to-door” travel experience that disappeared when Disney’s Magical Express was discontinued.
For families traveling with young children, multiple suitcases, or mobility concerns, avoiding baggage claim can eliminate one of the most stressful parts of arrival day. Instead of wrestling luggage through the airport and onto rideshare vehicles or rental car shuttles, you can head directly to your resort and start your vacation.
What We Think
While we appreciate Disney testing this service, the limitations are notable. Restricting it to Value Resorts and only Southwest Airlines feels like an odd strategy—many guests at Moderate and Deluxe resorts would gladly pay for this convenience, and Southwest isn’t the only major carrier serving Orlando.
That said, it’s a pilot program, which means Disney is likely gauging interest before potentially expanding. If you’re eligible and flying Southwest, this is absolutely worth registering for. The four-hour delivery window means your bags should arrive well before you’re ready to change for dinner, and the peace of mind is worth it.
We’ll be watching to see if Disney expands this to more resorts and airlines in the future. For now, Southwest passengers staying at Value Resorts get a very welcome perk.
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