Hello Dawn! Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel.
To maximize my vacation days, I try to book early flights on the day I arrive and late flights on the day my departure and
soak up every Endlessly Magical moment out of Walt Disney World Resort. Since checkout time on departure days is 11:00 p.m. at most Walt Disney World Resort hotels, this leaves the issue of what to do with luggage on departure days. Thankfully, Bell Services has you covered.
Bell Services (usually located near the front desk of your Walt Disney World Resort hotel) provide the complimentary service of storing your luggage on the day of your arrival and the day of your departure. I employ this service on every vacation, spend a day at one of the parks and then come back for my scheduled Disney's Magical Express departure time to pick up my luggage for my oh-so-sad trip back to Orlando International Airport. Generally, I tip $2 per stored bag for the service, although gratuity is up to the discretion of the Guest.
Disney's Magical Express will schedule a
pickup time for 3 hours prior to your domestic flight and you are responsible for being at the bus depot location at your Walt Disney World Resort Hotel for your scheduled time.
If you are flying on participating airlines, an alternative to checking your luggage at Bell Services is Resort Airline Check-In Service. This service allows you to
print your boarding pass and check you luggage for your flight later in the day, enjoy the Walt Disney World Resort Theme Park of your choice and then board Disney's Magical Express to Orlando International Airport, ticket in hand and luggage stowed.
Have a Magical Vacation (and a not too "tragical" departure)!