Flying to Disney World? Disney’s Airport Luggage Transfer Service Just Got Better
If you’ve ever flown into Orlando for a Walt Disney World vacation, you know the routine.
Get off the plane, make your way through Orlando International Airport, head to baggage claim, wait for the suitcases and then figure out how you’re getting everyone — and all those bags — to your Disney Resort.
Disney is testing a service that can make part of that arrival a whole lot easier.
And as of September 24, JetBlue has been added to Disney’s Airport Luggage Transfer pilot program, giving more travelers the opportunity to use it.
What Is Disney’s Airport Luggage Transfer?
The idea is pretty simple.
If you’re staying at a participating Disney Resorts Collection hotel and flying on a participating airline, you can arrange to have your checked luggage transferred between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and your Disney Resort hotel.
On arrival day, that means you can get off your flight and skip baggage claim. Your checked bags are collected and transported to your participating Disney Resort while you head on your way. Disney says to allow up to four hours after your flight arrives for your luggage to reach the resort. Walt Disney World
And it isn’t just for arriving at Disney World.
The service can also handle your luggage on the way home. You can leave your checked bags with Luggage Assistance/Bell Services at your participating resort, and they’ll be sent ahead for your flight from Orlando International Airport. Walt Disney World
You can use the service for your arrival, departure or both. Walt Disney World
Which Airlines Participate?
With JetBlue now included, the participating airlines are:
- American Airlines
- JetBlue
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
Disney says additional airlines could be added in the future. Walt Disney World
Which Disney Resorts Are Included?
This is one detail that’s important to know: the service isn’t available at every Walt Disney World Resort hotel.
Disney currently lists these participating 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 Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
So before assuming you’ll be able to use the service, make sure both your airline and your Disney Resort participate. Walt Disney World
How Does It Work When You’re Flying to Disney World?
You’ll need to register for the service before your trip.
Disney currently allows registration from 30 days until 24 hours before your departing flight, and you’ll need your Disney Resort confirmation number and flight confirmation number. Walt Disney World
If you register more than seven days before your flight, luggage tags are mailed to you. If you register less than seven days beforehand, Disney says your bags can still be transferred even though you won’t receive the tags in the mail. Walt Disney World
At your home airport, you check in for your flight and check your luggage with your airline like normal.
Then you fly to Orlando.
Once you arrive at MCO, instead of heading to baggage claim, you can head directly toward your transportation to Walt Disney World.
Your luggage follows separately.
Disney says it can take up to four hours after your flight arrives for your bags to reach your resort. You can pick them up from Luggage Assistance/Bell Services or arrange to have them delivered to your room. Gratuities aren’t included. Walt Disney World
What About the Trip Home?
This may actually be just as convenient.
Starting 24 hours before your flight, you’ll check in online and pay any applicable airline baggage fees.
Your luggage then needs to be delivered to your resort’s Luggage Assistance/Bell Services between 24 hours and four hours before your scheduled flight departure. You’ll also need your boarding pass and a valid government-issued photo ID when dropping off your luggage. Walt Disney World
After that, you can head to Orlando International Airport without dragging your checked suitcases along with you.
When you reach your final destination, you pick them up at baggage claim like normal.
A Few Things You Should Know
There are a couple of limitations worth knowing before you plan on using the service.
The program is currently for domestic flights only, and you must be staying at one of the participating Disney Resort hotels and flying with one of the participating airlines. Walt Disney World
Disney also recommends keeping important items in your carry-on, including medications, electronics, important documents and anything perishable or sensitive to heat. Walt Disney World
And remember that your luggage may not arrive at your resort for up to four hours after your flight.
So if you’re planning to land in Orlando and immediately head to the pool or the parks, put anything you’ll want right away — swimsuit, sunscreen, medications, MagicBands, chargers or a change of clothes — in your carry-on.
Is Disney’s Airport Luggage Transfer Worth Using?
For me, the biggest advantage is simply convenience.
You’re already dealing with an airport, transportation, hotel check-in and possibly excited kids who are ready to get their Disney vacation started.
Being able to skip baggage claim and not worry about hauling several suitcases around is one less thing to deal with.
The same goes for departure day. Dropping your checked luggage at the resort and seeing it again when you arrive at your final destination could make that last day a little easier.
It’s still a pilot program, so participating resorts, airlines and procedures can change. Disney specifically notes that the service is subject to change or cancellation. Walt Disney World
But adding JetBlue alongside American, Southwest and United makes the program available to more Walt Disney World travelers — and I’ll be watching to see if Disney expands it to additional airlines and resorts.
Planning a Walt Disney World Vacation?
There are a lot of moving pieces to a Disney vacation — choosing the right resort, park days, tickets, dining, transportation and now even figuring out whether services like Airport Luggage Transfer make sense for your trip.
That’s where I can help.
Tell me what you’re looking for in your Disney vacation, and I’ll help you put the pieces together without making it more complicated than it needs to be.