Your Guide to Disney World’s Southwest Departure Bag Check — FAQ for 2026
- Practically Perfect Pixie Dust
- Apr 3, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 1
Updated 1/1/26
Walt Disney World has brought back airport luggage transfer for guests flying Southwest Airlines out of Orlando International Airport (MCO). You can check your bags right at your Disney Resort and skip the airport check-in line entirely… but only if your Southwest fare already includes free checked bags under the airline’s new baggage policy.
It’s a little bit of old-school Disney convenience with a modern twist — and if you qualify, it really is as easy as a wave of a magic wand! ✨
Looking for details on the arrival side of Disney’s luggage program? 👉 Check out our full guide to Disney’s Airport Luggage Transfer (ALT) arrival service.
What is the Disney Airport Luggage Transfer Service?
A magical service where guests at select Disney Value Resorts can drop off checked bags directly at their hotel for Southwest Airlines flights, skipping the traditional airport checkin process.
Which Disney Resorts Are Eligible?
Currently the service is only available at Disney's 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
New to Value Resorts? Our Disney Value Resorts Guide breaks down everything you need to know about rooms, transportation, food courts, and planning your stay.
Who Can Use This Service?
This service is available only to guests staying at select Disney Value Resorts on the last day of their vacation who are flying out of Orlando International Airport (MCO) on Southwest Airlines.
In addition, all checked bags must be accounted for before resort drop-off — either included for free or pre-paid online through Southwest’s digital bag check system.
✔ Eligible Guests (Bags Included or Paid in Advance)
These guests may use Disney’s Southwest departure luggage service:
Guests with Free Checked Bags Included
Business Select
Choice Extra
A-List Preferred (two free checked bags)
A-List Members (one free checked bag)
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Credit Card holders (one free checked bag)
Any fare or status that includes complimentary checked luggage
Guests Who Pre-Pay Checked Bag Fees Online
These guests are eligible only if bag fees are paid in advance through Southwest (online or in the app) before dropping bags at the resort:
Wanna Get Away / Wanna Get Away Plus
Basic / Choice / other lower-tier fares that do not include free bags
👉 Bag fees cannot be paid at the resort — they must be settled digitally with Southwest ahead of time.
❌ Not Eligible
These guests cannot use the service:
Anyone who has not pre-paid required bag fees
Anyone checking a third (or additional) bag
Anyone who must pay any bag fee at the airport (including certain overweight or special items)
Guests unable to complete Southwest’s online bag check/payment process
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip:If using resort luggage check is high on your wish list, compare the cost of upgrading your fare versus pre-paying bag fees online. Sometimes the upgrade costs only a little more — and adds flexibility, perks, or boarding benefits too.
How Does This Service Work?
According to Disney:
Save time at the airport by sending your bags ahead to Southwest Airlines. Just follow these steps:
At the beginning of your stay, check in at your Disney Value Resort and contact Luggage Assistance to let them know you plan to use the departure luggage service.Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Leaving your inbound Southwest bag tags on your luggage can help streamline the process.
The day before departure, check in for your Southwest Airlines flight online and complete digital bag check, including pre-paying any required bag fees.
Drop off your bags at Luggage Assistance in the resort lobby by the required cutoff time.
You’ll need a valid photo ID
Your boarding pass (printed or digital)
Head to the airport bag-free, skip the check-in line, and pick up your luggage at baggage claim when you arrive at your destination.
⚠️ This service is subject to change or cancellation without notice or liability.
Flying through Orlando? Stay updated on monorail and tram construction at MCO in our MCO Airport Monorail & Tram Update.
When should I drop off my bags?
Disney 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:
Guests who are flying Before 1:00PM: Drop bags by 1:00AM the night before
Guests who are flying After 1:00PM: Drop bags 4 hours before departure or one 1:00PM, which ever comes first.
Luggage Assistance is open 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM daily to receive bags.
What Do I Need to Bring?
Printed or downloaded Southwest boarding pass. (Disney's Value Resorts will not be able to print your boarding pass for you.)
Valid photo ID
Remember to have any essential items and medication in your carry-on.
Can I print my boarding passes when I drop off my bags?
No. Disney's Resorts will not be able to print your boarding pass for you. You need to have your boarding passes ready before dropping off your bags.
Am I still eligible for the service if I removed the inbound tags from my bag?
Yes, you are still eligible for the service. However keeping your Southwest Airlines tags on your bag will help for a smoother experience, but it is not a requirement.
What Happens If My Flight Is Canceled?
Southwest will automatically reroute your checked luggage to your new flight.
Can I Track My Luggage?
Yes! Use the Southwest Airlines mobile app for real-time tracking.
Is there a cost to guests for the ALT service?
No, Disney's Lugage Airline Trasfer Serivce is a FREE guest perk to guess staying at Walt Disney World
Where can I pick up my checked luggage after my flight?
You pick up your luggage at baggage claim when you reach your flight’s final destination.
Do I need to pay checked bag fees before dropping off my luggage?
Southwest Airline currently does not charge for the first two checked bags with weight and size limitations applying. However, starting May 28, 2025, this poicy will change for most customers. At that time, Southwest customers who do not qualify for free bag options will be charged for their first and second checked bags. All baggage fees will need to be paid before dropping off your bags for Airport Luggage Transfer.
Has Disney released when other resorts will be included in ALT service?
Not yet, but Disney has released the following statement:
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.
As frequent Southwest flyers ourselves, we were excited to see the return of this Magical-Express-like departure service. We haven’t had a chance to use it yet on our own trips — our last few stays were at Moderate Resorts — but we’re itching to try it out!
✨ Have you used the Southwest bag check service from a Disney Resort since it returned? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
Pixie Dust Hugs,
Bren, Lyn, and Kim 🧚♀️
P.S. Planning your own magical getaway?
Comments