Southwest & Disney Luggage Delivery Guide: Skip Baggage Claim & Check Bags at Your Resort

Southwest Airlines and Disney now offer luggage delivery for guests flying Southwest and staying at select Disney Value Resorts. You can skip baggage claim on arrival, and eligible guests with free checked bags can also check luggage at their Disney Resort on departure.

🌟 A Brand-New Disney Travel Perk — Bags Delivered Right to Your Resort!

If you’ve been dreaming of the “good old days” of Disney’s Magical Express — when your bags magically appeared in your resort room without you ever touching baggage claim — good news: a little bit of that Disney magic is back.

Walt Disney World and Southwest Airlines just launched a new Airport Luggage Transfer program, and it brings back the joy of skipping baggage claim entirely (yes, really!).

Even better?

Even better? Southwest guests staying at select Disney Resorts can now enjoy full round-trip luggage service — arrival and departure — courtesy of Disney’s partnership with BagCheck. Just keep in mind there are a few big catches that can trip up eligibility, and not every traveler will qualify.

.

Let’s dive into everything you need to know so you can decide if this magical perk works for your next vacation.

NEW for 2025 — Disney’s Airport Luggage Transfer on Arrival (Southwest & Value Resorts Only)

This is the part most travelers are Googling: Can I really skip baggage claim at MCO?Good news — yes, if you meet the criteria.

Disney and Southwest Airlines have launched a new Arrival Luggage Delivery Program that lets eligible guests bypass baggage claim at Orlando International Airport entirely. Just walk off the plane, hop on your transportation, and let Disney + BagCheck do the rest.

Still figuring our what you need to pack - our Ultimate Disney Downloadable Packing List can be your guide

How the Arrival Service Works

1. Register 30–5 days before your trip with your Disney Resort + Southwest confirmation numbers.

2. Check your bags normally at your home airport.

3. Arrive at MCO and skip baggage claim.

4. Bags are collected by BagCheck and delivered to your Disney Resort (typically 3–4 hours later).

5. Bags are held at Bell Services, not delivered directly to your room.

Eligible Disney Resorts (Arrival Service)

Right now, arrival delivery is only offered at these Value Resorts:

• Pop Century

• Art of Animation

• All-Star Movies

• All-Star Music

• All-Star Sports

Still planning and want to learn more about the different resort hotels at Walt Disney World? You can find the deets you need in our Where to Stay planning Hub.

Important Tips & Snafus to Know Before Using Disney’s Luggage Delivery

Important Tips & Snafus to Know Before Using Disney’s Luggage Delivery (Read Before You Rely on It!)

Even magical luggage delivery comes with its quirks — and a few rules that surprise a LOT of guests.Here’s everything you should know so your arrival goes smoothly and you don’t end up stuck waiting for bags when you were ready to hit the pool.

🕒 1. Delivery Takes Longer Than Disney Advertises (Plan for 4–6 Hours)

Disney quotes “around 3–4 hours,” but in real-world use:

• Afternoon arrivals move slower

• Weather delays anywhere in the country delay pickups

• Holiday weeks can push deliveries well past 5 hours

• Bags sometimes sit in the sorting room before leaving MCO

🧚‍♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip:Always assume 4–6 hours before your bag reaches your resort — especially on weekends, holidays, or if your flight lands after 3 PM.

📍 2. Your Bags Will NOT Be Delivered to Your Room Automatically

This is the biggest misconception — and where many guests get frustrated.

Even if your bags arrive at your Disney Resort via the new Southwest-BagCheck service:

👉 Bell Services will NOT deliver them to your room unless you are physically inside the room when they knock.

This is current policy across Disney Resorts (changed after 2020).

Bags are held at Bell Services until you:

1. Get your room number

2. Go to your room

3. Call Bell Services to request delivery

4. Are present when the Cast Member arrives

🧚‍♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip:As soon as your room is assigned in the app, call Bell Services and ask if your resort allows unattended delivery for BagCheck luggage.Some do. Many Value Resorts do not.

🏨 3. “Room Ready” Status Matters A LOT

Your BagCheck luggage cannot be delivered — even to Bell Services — with a room assignment that’s still pending.

If your room isn’t ready yet:

• Bags will be held at Bell Services

• They won’t be queued for room delivery yet

• Delivery can take 1–2 hours after your room is assigned

🎒 4. Keep All Medications, Valuables, and Tech in Your Carry-On

Because Disney has no control over the airline-handling side of the journey:

• Essential medication

• Travel documents

• Laptops/iPads/cameras

• Jewelry or valuables

• Anything heat-sensitive

…should never go into checked bags you plan to have delivered.

🧚‍♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip:Pretend your checked bag will vanish for 12 hours and pack your carry-on accordingly.

🪪 5. Names on Your SWA Ticket & Disney Reservation MUST Match

A surprising number of guests run into trouble because:

• A nickname is on their Disney reservation

• A middle name is missing on the airline ticket

• A maiden name is still on one booking

If the names don’t match, BagCheck may reject the transfer.

📦 6. Oversized or Odd-Shaped Items May Be Excluded

BagCheck (and MCO baggage staff) sometimes sideline:

• Strollers

• Car seats

• Sports equipment

• Instruments

• Duffle bags with loose straps

Even if the program “should” cover them.

If the airline pops these on the carousel, they won’t be picked up automatically.

🌙 7. Late-Night Arrivals Should Expect LONG Delays

Flights landing after 9 PM are the most at risk for:

• Slow processing

• Reduced BagCheck staffing

• Bags not making it to the resort until morning

🧚‍♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip:If you're arriving late, it may be worth grabbing your bags yourself.

📵 8. Notification Texts Are Inconsistent

Because the arrival-side service is brand-new:

• Some guests get too few texts

• Others get too many

• Some receive no notification that bags hit Bell Services

• Bags may arrive at the resort before the system updates

🧚‍♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip:If you haven’t heard anything within 90 minutes of landing, stop by your resort’s Front Desk. They can check the internal system for early scans.

Still exploring ways to travel from Orlando International Airport to the Walt Disney World Resort? Our Transportation from MCO Guide has the info you need to make the right choice for your fam.

Quick Overview — How Southwest Departure Bag Check Works

Disney brought back a limited version of Resort Airline Check-In, but it’s only available for Southwest Airlines and only at five Disney Value Resorts (Pop Century, Art of Animation, and the three All-Stars).

Here are the key things guests need to know:

✔ What It Does

• Check your luggage at your Disney Resort

• Get your boarding pass printed

• Skip the Southwest ticket counter at MCO

• Head straight to security at the airport

✔ When & Where

• Available at select Value Resorts only

• Operates early morning to early afternoon (hours vary)

• Look for the Resort Airline Check-In desk near Bell Services

The Big Catch: Only Guests With FREE Checked Bags Can Use It

Because Southwest no longer includes two free bags for everyone — and Disney cannot process bag-fee payments — you can only use the departure service if your fare already includes free checked luggage.

Eligible for Departure Bag Check (Free Bags):

• Business Select

• Choice Extra

• A-List Preferred (two free bags)

• A-List (one free bag)

• Southwest RR credit card holders (one free bag)

NOT Eligible (No Free Bag Included):

• Basic, Choice, or Choice Preferred fares

• Anyone who owes a bag fee

• Anyone checking a third+ bag

🧚‍♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip:If you love the idea of checking your bags at your resort and heading to the park free-handed, compare the cost of upgrading your fare versus paying bag fees at MCO.

Want the full breakdown of how Disney and Southwest’s departure check-in program works (and who actually qualifies)? We’ve got all the deets waiting for you in our full guide.

And that's a Wrap

Whether you’re skipping baggage claim on arrival, checking your bags at your resort on departure, or simply trying to navigate Southwest’s new baggage rules, this updated luggage program can definitely take some stress out of your Disney travel days. Just keep those eligibility quirks and timing differences in mind so you’re not caught off guard.

As always, we’ll keep this guide updated as Disney expands or adjusts the service. Your smooth, magical vacation is always our goal — and luggage that practically delivers itself is a pretty great start! 🧚‍♀️✨

Pixie Dust Hugs,P.S. Planning your own magical getaway?

✨ Start with our Walt Disney World Vacation Guide

🗂️ Download our printable Cheat Sheets for Walt Disney World & Universal Orlando

💫 Need accessibility tips or DAS advice? We’ve got you covered here

🎟️ Or let Bren help you plan your Practically Perfect Vacation

Bren, Lyn, and Kim