After launching the pilot program previous this 12 months, Walt Disney Global is increasing Airport Baggage Switch for arrivals between Orlando World Airport and WDW on-site hotel accommodations, permitting visitors to skip luggage declare at MCO. This covers the most recent legitimate main points of the take a look at, solutions to commonplace questions, and our observation concerning the loose visitor perk for on-site accommodations.
As elementary background for many who ignored the unique protection, the Go back of Lodge Airline Take a look at-In Carrier at Walt Disney Global as a Pilot Program befell again this spring. Inside of literal days of launching, the carrier expanded the take a look at.
Walt Disney Global made it legitimate in a while after that, dubbing the brand new program Airport Baggage Switch. A identical carrier was once prior to now referred to as Lodge Airline Take a look at-In previous to being discontinued in 2020. That was once prior to now related to Disney’s Magical Categorical, even if the 2 interconnected choices have been run by means of two other 1/3 occasion companions. (Complicated and convoluted, I do know.)
With the prevailing outbound carrier, visitors staying at make a selection Walt Disney Global Lodge accommodations can drop checked luggage off with Baggage Help to be delivered immediately for your flight. A brand new third-party carrier, referred to as BagCheck, will take your baggage immediately to the airport in your Southwest Airways flight.
Lately, this pilot carrier is to be had in any respect Price Lodge accommodations for Visitors with Southwest Airways flights departing from Orlando World Airport (MCO). The pilot program comfortable introduced at Pop Century in overdue March, sooner than increasing to the All Stars and Artwork of Animation and being formally introduced by means of Walt Disney Global a few week later.
It was once our figuring out on the time that the pilot program could be expanded primarily based partly on sure visitor comments, usage charges, pride, and different metrics. Given its fast enlargement and the 1/3 occasion concerned, we have been extremely constructive that Airport Baggage Switch would handiest keep growing over the approaching months.
To my marvel and unhappiness, that also has now not took place. It have been radio silence since, and not using a additional growth to the Airport Baggage Switch carrier. No further airways or accommodations at Walt Disney Global are eligible. Nevermind ’spherical shuttle’ carrier for bags transfers upon arrival, which was once beginning to look like a pipe dream. Till lately.
Listed below are main points from the legitimate announcement made by means of Walt Disney Global…
Starting November 18, 2025, visitors arriving on home Southwest Airways flights at Orlando World Airport (MCO) and staying at make a selection Walt Disney Global Lodge accommodations will have the opportunity to skip luggage declare. They’ll be in a position to take action by means of checking their baggage on the Southwest bag drop house or price tag counter at their house airport for direct supply to their hotel.
BagCheck — a third-party supplier — will facilitate transportation of the bags from the airport, with supply to the hotel inside of roughly 4 hours of arrival.
Visitors will start to obtain the next e-mail about this carrier this week:
Expensive Visitor,
We’re excited to proportion a brand new pilot program for visitors flying Southwest Airways into Orlando World Airport (MCO) and staying at make a selection Disney Hotels Assortment accommodations. This useful carrier means that you can skip luggage declare and feature your checked baggage delivered immediately for your Disney Lodge resort.The carrier will start running for flights arriving November 18, 2025 or later. If you happen to’d love to benefit from the carrier, your registration window opens 30 days previous to departure and closes 5 days previous to departure.
For more info and to sign in, click on right here.
Sincerely,
Walt Disney Global Lodge
Walt Disney Global has now not equipped a hyperlink to the site the place visitors will pre-register for inbound Airport Baggage Switch, however we imagine it’ll be right here. Our expectation is that’ll replace in a single day, as registration must open on November 13, 2025.
Airport Baggage Switch for arriving flights isn’t a brand new or extraordinary carrier.
Oldschool Walt Disney Global enthusiasts almost definitely take into account the ones magical yellow baggage tags that arrived within the mail. You’d connect the ones for your baggage, examine it at your own home airport, and it could magically to find its method for your room at Walt Disney Global. This was once a large a part of the liked “Disney Bubble” that the corporate voluntarily punctured with the notorious finish of Disney’s Magical Categorical.
This seamless carrier was once really magical. That’s a phrase we’ve already used 3 times on this submit, and it’s now not one this weblog throws round flippantly. You’ve by no means heard us describe a cupcake as magical, as an example.
However in a global the place airport and transportation logistics have develop into nightmarish, Walt Disney Global had one thing particular with this–which is a large explanation why enthusiasts nonetheless bemoan the loss of life of Disney’s Magical Categorical. You have been on holiday the instant you landed in Orlando, and Disney took care of the main points.
We discuss for many Walt Disney Global enthusiasts once we say the real countdown to holiday began even previous: when that envelope arrived with the Disney’s Magical Categorical booklet and the ones yellow baggage tags. If that envelope confirmed up within the mail lately, I may just nonetheless determine it simply by really feel with out even opening it. And we haven’t used the carrier since ~2017. It’s foolish, however there was once one thing particular about getting the ones yellow tags.
Walt Disney Global has now not indicated whether or not the yellow tags will make a go back, however we suppose there’ll wish to be a way of signaling to BagCheck that the bags checked at your own home airport must be diverted from MCO’s luggage carousels to Walt Disney Global. With trendy era, there’s possibly a option to sign this with electronically, however for that to paintings, they’d (possibly?) want Southwest to proportion information from its methods. So most likely the low-tech yellow tags will make a go back. We will see!
Walt Disney Global additionally has now not indicated which accommodations can be eligible for the Airport Baggage Switch deliveries from the airport to their hotel resort. Right here’s the present checklist of eligible accommodations for the prevailing outbound model of the carrier:
- Disney’s All-Superstar Films Lodge
- Disney’s All-Superstar Tune Lodge
- Disney’s All-Superstar Sports activities Lodge
- Disney’s Artwork of Animation Lodge
- Disney’s Pop Century Lodge
It’s protected to suppose that, at minimal, the similar accommodations will be offering Airport Baggage Switch for arrivals, thus making a roundtrip model of the carrier for the primary time in years. It is still observed whether or not the inbound (or outbound, for that subject) Airport Baggage Switch may have an expanded eligibility roster of accommodations.
Anecdotally, I’ve stayed at a couple of other Price Hotels since Airport Baggage Switch returned. Whilst I haven’t but used the carrier (because of now not the usage of SWA or departing from the Price Lodge…or each), it has appeared lovely standard. Each time I’ve dropped off baggage for shifting (to different accommodations), there’s at all times been a modest crowd. Our reader responses to the carrier’s go back have been resoundingly sure, too.
It’s thus unsurprising that the Airport Baggage Switch pilot program is increasing…even supposing it’s going down months later than expected and in a moderately other means than we anticipated it’d spread. Walt Disney Global seldom does the rest this briefly, even with the help of 1/3 occasion members.
This nonetheless has us extra constructive that Airport Baggage Switch will handiest keep growing over the approaching months. It’s like that they’re understanding logistics on the Price Hotels as a result of this tier is more uncomplicated.
As for why Walt Disney Global began the Airport Baggage Switch pilot program on the Price Hotels, the most productive clarification is that it’s perfect. Those 5 accommodations are positioned in handiest two distinct spaces, with over 10,000 rooms. That’s over one-third of all Disney-owned resort stock and in moderately condensed areas of Walt Disney Global.
There’s nowhere else at Walt Disney Global that provides this many rooms on this shut of proximity–particularly if Walt Disney Global needs to pilot this system at a complete tier of accommodations, versus a hodgepodge of them in a hotel district.
As for why it’s beginning with Southwest Airways, it’s the similar clarification. SWA is the most important airline flying out of MCO and it’s protected to mention that it has the easiest proportion of checked baggage by means of quantity due to its “baggage fly loose” coverage. That coverage is now defunct, however it carried out to bookings made thru overdue Might.
Those are simply guesses on our section, however the ones are the most likely explanations for why BagCheck selected the ones Walt Disney Global Lodge accommodations and Southwest Airways.
It’s the very best start line for the carrier whilst trying out logistics and iterating sooner than scaling up. It lets in Airport Baggage Switch to make a moderately large have an effect on with fewer sources because it onboards new staff and refines the carrier.
So it won’t really feel “honest” to visitors paying large greenbacks to stick Membership Stage on the Grand Floridian and fly Delta One, however it most likely comes all the way down to scale and logistics versus which visitors are maximum “deserving” (air quotes) of Airport Baggage Switch. That is extra impactful than some other hotel advanced, tier, and airline aggregate.
The excellent news is that Airport Baggage Switch will virtually usually amplify additional. It’ll simply take time. Admittedly, extra time has handed than we was hoping between the legitimate release and the primary large growth, however it’s now not sudden.
It is a difficult carrier and the infrastructure for it’s been dormant for over 5 years. It comes to now not simply Walt Disney Global Solid Individuals, but additionally BagCheck staff and distributors at MCO. There are numerous transferring portions, and it can’t cross from 0 to 100 in a single day.
Past that, we’ll double-down on our standpoint that this makes Disney’s Magical Categorical much more likely to go back. Orlando World Airport must support its potency in more than one regards, and having passengers arrive and go away by way of higher-capacity buses is one such method. This looks like the celebrities aligning, as there’s a mutually-beneficial answer for each Disney’s and MCO’s woes.
The go back of Airport Baggage Switch/Lodge Airline Take a look at-In moves me as Walt Disney Global laying the groundwork for bringing again Disney’s Magical Categorical. The bags dealing with is the extra difficult piece of the puzzle that will wish to roll out first.
The airport commute infrastructure already exists, simply with other stickers at the buses. Not like this, that changeover may well be like flipping a transfer. That is all nice information, and turns out like a great confluence of instances: Disney in any case knowing the mistake in their tactics in deflating the Disney Bubble and MCO desiring reduction from its prime passenger quantity.
What follows is information about how Airport Baggage Switch recently works for departures. Clearly, it’ll be other for arrivals. We’ll proportion extra main points after they’ve been launched!
How Airport Baggage Switch Works
Save time on the airport by means of sending your baggage forward to the airline. Merely observe those steps:
- In the beginning of your keep, examine in at your Price Lodge resort and contact or consult with Baggage Help to benefit from this carrier. For a smoother revel in, depart your inbound Southwest Airways tags for your baggage.
- The day sooner than your departure, examine in in your Southwest Airways flight on-line.
- Drop off your baggage at Baggage Help within the Lodge resort foyer house by means of the desired drop off time (see under). Please bear in mind that you are going to wish to supply a legitimate type of photograph identity as a way to drop off your baggage. You’ll be able to additionally name Baggage The aid of your in-room phone to invite for lend a hand together with your baggage.
- Head to the airport, skip the check-in line, experience your flight and pick out up your baggage at luggage declare while you arrive at your vacation spot.
When to Drop Off Your Baggage
It’s strongly inspired that you simply drop off your checked baggage the night time sooner than your scheduled departure. On the other hand, if you want some overtime, you’ll be able to do the next:
- When Flying Ahead of 1:00 PM: Drop your baggage off by means of 1:00 AM the night time sooner than your flight.
- When Flying After 1:00 PM: Drop your baggage off no less than 4 hours sooner than departure or no later than 1:00 PM—whichever comes first.
Baggage Help is to be had to obtain baggage any time from 7am-1pm and 4pm-1am day-to-day.
Airport Baggage Switch FAQ
What do I wish to do sooner than losing off my baggage?
You should whole your Southwest Airways check-in on-line or during the Southwest Airways cellular app. Take a look at-in starts 24 hours sooner than your scheduled departure. A boarding go and legitimate ID are required when losing off baggage. All related luggage charges, if any, will wish to be paid sooner than benefiting from Airport Baggage Switch at Walt Disney Global.
Can I print my boarding passes after I drop off my baggage?
No. Walt Disney Global does now not supply boarding go printing as a part of the Airport Baggage Switch carrier. You’ll have your boarding passes in a position sooner than losing off your baggage.
Am I nonetheless eligible for the carrier if I got rid of the inbound tags from my bag?
Sure, you’re nonetheless eligible for the carrier. Whilst we suggest conserving your inbound Southwest Airways tags for your bag for a smoother revel in, it isn’t a demand.
Can I see the positioning of my baggage or get help?
You’ll be able to observe your baggage the usage of the Southwest Airways app. For added give a boost to together with your baggage, please touch Southwest Airways customer support.
What occurs to the bag if a flight is cancelled?
In case your Southwest Airways flight is cancelled, your bag can be routinely redirected for your new flight. For help, please touch Southwest Airways customer support.
The place do I pick out up my baggage after my flight?
You’ll be able to pick out up your baggage in luggage declare at your flight’s ultimate vacation spot.
Who must I touch if I’ve problems or questions on my baggage after drop-off?
You’ll be able to touch or consult with Baggage Help for any questions on your baggage after drop-off. As soon as the bag departs the Lodge resort, you’ll be able to get data by way of the Luggage webpage for Southwest Airways. You’ll be able to additionally see a Southwest Agent on the airport for help.
Is that this carrier to be had for all airways?
This pilot program is handiest to be had for flights on Southwest Airways.
Will this pilot program amplify to different accommodations or airways?
Right now (operative phrases), Walt Disney Global has handiest dedicated to this being a loose perk for visitors staying on the Price Hotels and flying Southwest Airways.
Are there any dimension or weight restrictions for bags?
Sure. Same old dimension and weight restrictions follow. Take a look at with Southwest Airways for main points on particular checked luggage insurance policies.
What occurs if my baggage is lacking, behind schedule or broken?
In case your baggage is lacking, behind schedule or broken, you’ll be able to put up a report back to Southwest Airways.
Making plans a Walt Disney Global shuttle? Know about accommodations on our Walt Disney Global Inns Critiques web page. For the place to devour, learn our Walt Disney Global Eating place Critiques. To economize on tickets or resolve which kind to shop for, learn our Guidelines for Saving Cash on Walt Disney Global Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a singular have a look at artful pieces to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney Global Journey Guides will lend a hand. For complete recommendation, the most productive position to start out is our Walt Disney Global Commute Making plans Information for the whole thing you want to understand!
Your Ideas
What do you take into consideration the go back of Airport Baggage Switch/Lodge Airline Take a look at-In for arriving flights? Will you utilize this carrier from your own home airport to Walt Disney Global hotel accommodations? Assume this paves the best way for a comeback of Disney’s Magical Categorical, or is that also not going? Do you compromise or disagree with our observation? Any questions we will allow you to solution? Listening to your comments–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please proportion your ideas under within the feedback!
