Something revamped has officially returned for Disney World guests traveling through Orlando International Airport.
The Return of Effortless Disney Travel?
For years, seasoned Disney World visitors have reminisced about a certain kind of travel magic—one that began before they even set foot on Main Street, U.S.A. It wasn’t a parade or a park attraction, but a feeling that the Disney experience started the moment your plane landed in Orlando. Now, in a quiet yet significant move, Disney may be bringing back that magic in a brand-new way.
Could Disney’s latest pilot program signal the rebirth of one of its most beloved travel conveniences?
Disney’s New Pilot Program Arrives This November
Beginning November 18, 2025, guests arriving at Orlando International Airport (MCO) on Southwest Airlines will be able to bypass one of the most dreaded parts of travel: baggage claim.
Through a new pilot initiative, Disney is partnering with BagCheck, a third-party luggage transfer company, to deliver checked bags directly from the Southwest ticket counter to select Disney Resort hotels. Within roughly four hours of landing, luggage will be waiting at the guest’s resort—no airport lines, no conveyor belts, no stress.
The participating resorts currently include:
-
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
Guests who qualify can register for the service between 30 and 5 days before their departure, beginning November 13, by visiting the Airport Luggage Transfer page on Disney’s official site.
Why This Feels So Familiar
Longtime fans may recognize shades of Disney’s once-beloved Remote Airline Check-In service, which allowed resort guests to send their luggage to and from Orlando International Airport without lifting a finger. That service quietly ended several years ago, leaving a gap in Disney’s once-seamless travel ecosystem.
This new pilot, however, marks an important evolution. While the existing program still manages luggage from Walt Disney World to the airport, this new offering handles the reverse trip—from the airport to your resort.
Combined, the two services create a roundtrip system that could restore the full “door-to-door” Disney travel experience that fans have been missing since the discontinuation of Disney’s Magical Express in 2022.
The Bigger Picture: A New Era of Disney Transportation
What seems like a simple perk could have deeper implications for Disney’s long-term travel strategy. The company has been gradually reshaping how guests arrive and move around its property, replacing older transportation models with new, flexible solutions.
By integrating with a major airline like Southwest, Disney may be testing a larger concept: a seamless, airline-to-resort pipeline that redefines how guests experience arrival day. If successful, it could open doors for collaborations with other airlines and perhaps even lead to an international version of the service in the future.
This approach aligns with Disney’s recent trend toward personalized, tech-driven convenience—one where guests control more of their experience through online tools, digital check-ins, and now, even their luggage.
What Guests Need to Know
Disney has begun emailing select guests eligible for the pilot program, describing it as a “complimentary, convenient” service available for specific flight and resort combinations.
“We’re excited to share a new pilot program for guests flying Southwest Airlines into Orlando International Airport (MCO) and staying at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels,” reads Disney’s message. “This convenient service lets you skip baggage claim and have your checked luggage delivered directly to your Disney Resort hotel.”
Operational details are still being refined, and Disney has not yet confirmed whether inbound and outbound luggage services will be integrated into a single registration process. For now, guests will likely need to sign up for each direction separately.
Why It Matters for the Guest Experience
This revival of luggage delivery isn’t just about convenience—it’s about immersion. For decades, Disney fans have loved the idea that the “magic” starts before even setting foot in the parks. By removing another layer of travel friction, Disney reinforces that feeling and sets the tone for a stress-free vacation.
And for families, especially those with young children or multiple suitcases, this could make arrival day infinitely easier.
While it’s only a pilot for now, the symbolism is clear: Disney is listening to guest feedback and experimenting with ways to bring back the effortless, all-inclusive travel experience that helped define Walt Disney World vacations for years.
If this trial goes well, it could represent the first step toward a new era of Disney hospitality—one where the journey to the Magic Kingdom feels just as magical as the destination itself.
Author
