Disney World Airport Luggage Transfer Expands to American and United Airlines

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Disney World Airport Luggage Transfer Expands

If you fly American or United Airlines to Orlando, Disney World just made your trip a lot easier. Starting May 19, 2026, Disney World’s Airport Luggage Transfer service is expanding to include American Airlines and United Airlines — adding two of the country’s largest carriers to a service that was previously limited to Southwest Airlines. Here is everything you need to know about how it works and whether it is right for your trip.

Quick Summary

  • Disney World’s Airport Luggage Transfer service now includes American Airlines and United Airlines starting May 19, 2026
  • The service, operated by BagCheck, lets guests skip baggage claim on arrival and skip check-in counters on departure
  • Available at five Value Resort hotels: All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, All-Star Sports, Art of Animation, and Pop Century
  • Covers eligible arriving and departing domestic flights at Orlando International Airport (MCO)
  • The service was previously available only for Southwest Airlines flights
  • Disney confirmed it to travel agents and described it as a test and learn initiative with potential for growth
Disney World Value Resort hotel

What the Airport Luggage Transfer Service Actually Does

The service, operated by BagCheck, is designed to remove the most frustrating parts of airline travel for Disney World guests — baggage claim on arrival and airline check-in on departure.

When you arrive at Orlando International Airport, your checked bags get transferred directly from the airport to your Disney Value Resort hotel. You skip baggage claim entirely, head straight to your resort, and your luggage will be waiting. On the day you leave, the process works in reverse — BagCheck handles getting your bags from the hotel to the airport, tagged and checked in with your airline, so you can go straight to security without stopping at the check-in counter.

You can use the service on arrival, departure, or both, depending on what works best for your travel schedule.

Disney World Airport Luggage Transfer Expands

Which Resorts and Airlines Are Eligible

The service is currently available at five Disney Value Resort hotels:

  • 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

And as of May 19, 2026, it covers flights on American Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines for eligible arriving and departing domestic flights at MCO. Disney confirmed the expansion to travel agents, adding that the program is designed to grow over time.

How This Expansion Came About

The addition of American and United was not entirely surprising. At the end of April, Disney’s Airport Luggage Transfer page briefly listed all three airlines as participating carriers — along with a note that additional airlines could be added soon. The page then quietly reverted to showing Southwest Airlines only, with no explanation.

Today’s formal confirmation to travel agents makes clear that earlier update was posted ahead of schedule rather than being an error. The expansion to American and United has been in the works, and May 19 is the official launch date.

Is It Worth Using?

For most Value Resort guests flying on one of the three eligible airlines, this is an easy yes — especially if you have kids in tow or tend to pack heavy. Skipping baggage claim after a long flight and walking straight out of the airport is a genuinely better experience. And not having to wrestle your suitcases to an airline counter on departure morning frees up time for one more park stop before you head home.

There will be fees involved — BagCheck charges for the service — so it is worth weighing the cost against the convenience for your specific trip. But for a family with multiple bags spending a week at a Value Resort, this is the kind of service that takes real stress out of the travel day.

Disney describes it as a test and learn initiative, which means the service could expand to more resorts and airlines down the road. Stay tuned to DisMornings as we track those updates.


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Meet the Author: Nate Bishop

I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!

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