Getting to and from Walt Disney World just got a little easier for some travelers.
Disney has announced that its Airport Luggage Transfer pilot program is expanding to include American Airlines and United Airlines, starting May 19. These carriers join Southwest Airlines, which was already part of the test program.
The service is currently available at select Disney Resort hotels and applies to eligible domestic flights arriving at and departing from Orlando International Airport (MCO).
If you haven’t been following this rollout, it’s similar to the Airline Check-In Service you might remember from years ago. Guests can have their checked luggage transferred directly between the airport and their Disney Resort hotel. That means you can skip hauling bags through the airport, onto transportation, and into your hotel room. For many travelers, especially families, that’s a pretty big win.
As of right now, the program is still in a testing phase and is available only at the following resorts.
- All-Star Movies Resort
- All-Star Music Resort
- All-Star Sports Resort
- Art of Animation Resort
- Pop Century Resort
But the expansion to additional major airlines suggests Disney is continuing to invest in the concept, which we think is great news.
This service is separate from the former Magical Express, which provided transportation between the airport and Walt Disney World before ending in 2022. While Airport Luggage Transfer doesn’t include transportation, it does bring back some of the convenience many guests have missed.
For arrivals, the service could allow guests to head straight to the parks or explore their resort without waiting for their luggage to arrive at baggage claim. On departure day, it could make the trip back to the airport smoother by removing one more step from the process.
Disney says the goal is to continue testing and refining the experience, with the potential to expand the service further over time.
For now, it’s another small step toward making Walt Disney World vacations a bit more seamless, especially for those flying in and out of Orlando.
