If you ask anyone who has been visiting Walt Disney World for a while about services they wish had not been discontinued, it wouldn’t take long before Disney’s Magical Express is mentioned. Disney’s Magical Express was a bus service that whisked visitors directly from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to their Disney resort. It was a free service, and the best part is that you didn’t even have to stop by baggage claim to pick up your luggage. The service picked up your checked luggage and delivered the bags to your room. With the demise of Disney’s Magical Express, visitors now have to pick up their bags from baggage claim and find their own way to the resort. I’m happy to report that part of this service has returned… kinda-sorta, at least.
MouseHouseNews.net reported in Spring that Disney is piloting a service where guests can check their bags at the resort instead of at the airport. This service is available to guests flying Southwest Airlines who stay at one of the Disney value resorts. Now, the other piece of the puzzle is in place. Those guests flying into MCO on Southwest Airlines beginning November 18th can now skip the baggage claim upon arrival to the airport and go directly to their resort.
Just like with the initial pilot program, this new service only applies to guests staying at the following Disney resorts:
- Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
That’s right, you can now have the luggage transfer service for both arrival and departure if you fly Southwest and stay at one of these resorts!
Luggage Transfer Upon Arrival
If you would like to take advantage of this service, now called Airport Luggage Transfer at Disney, you will need to pre-register with BagCheck anytime from 30 days to 5 days prior to your flight departure. You will need your flight confirmation number as well as your Disney Resort confirmation number. You will receive a confirmation email after registering. Then, you follow the normal procedures for getting to your flight. Once you arrive at MCO, skip the baggage claim and head to Disney World! Your bags will be delivered to your Resort hotel in under 4 hours.
Luggage Transfer When Departing Disney World
About a day prior to leaving the resort, visit Luggage Assistance or the check-in desk of your hotel to let them know you want to use this service. Then, you will check in for your Southwest flight the day before your departure. You’ll need to drop your checked bags off with Luggage Assistance (or call them if you would like them picked up from your room). Note that your valid photo ID is required when leaving your bags with them for transfer. Once your bags have been left with Luggage Assistance, you are free to head to the airport when it’s time, skip the bag drop line, and enjoy your flight home. Your bags will meet you at your destination airport! There are deadlines that apply to when you need to have your bags to Luggage Assistance:
- If your flight home departs before 1:00 PM: Drop your bags off by 1:00 AM the night before your flight.
- If your flight home departs after 1:00 PM: Drop your bags off at least 4 hours before departure or no later than 1:00 PM—whichever comes first.
Of note, Luggage Assistance is available to receive luggage any time from 7am-1pm and 4pm-1am daily. Also, for best results, Disney strongly recommends that you drop off your bags the night before your scheduled departure. However, if you need that extra time, the guidelines listed above are the absolute cut-off guidelines.
This is yet another value add for staying in a Disney Resort hotel! When you’re on vacation, time is money, and the less time you have to hassle with anything airport related, the better! Happy traveling! Stay tuned to MouseHouseNews.net and we will bring you more ways to enhance your next trip to Walt Disney World.
