Hi Brenda, welcome back to planDisney! I can only imagine how excited you must be with your vacation right around the corner. You’re going to have such an incredible time soaking in every moment at
Walt Disney World Resort.
Your question about the Southwest Airlines
luggage transfer option available at select
Disney Resorts Collection hotels, including the
Value Resorts, is a great one. This convenient feature lets you check your luggage for your Southwest flight at your Disney Resort hotel before heading to the airport. Once you’ve dropped your bags off, they’ll be transferred directly to Orlando International Airport and loaded onto your flight, one less thing to think about on departure day.
When it comes to baggage fees, you’ll need to handle those before your luggage can be checked through Luggage Assistance. Since Southwest typically includes two checked bags per person at no additional charge, you usually won’t need to make a payment at the resort. However, if you’re checking more than two bags or you’ve purchased one of the new Southwest fare types introduced after May 28, 2025, any applicable fees would need to be paid directly to Southwest before you use the luggage transfer service.
Here’s a quick overview of how the process works:
At the start of your stay, check in at your Disney Value Resort and call or visit Luggage Assistance to take advantage of the service. If your bags already have inbound Southwest Airlines tags, leave them on; it’ll make things even easier. The day before your departure, be sure to check in for your Southwest flight online, then bring your bags to Luggage Assistance in the resort lobby by the designated drop-off time. After that, you’re all set! Head to the airport, skip the check-in line, and your bags will be waiting for you at baggage claim when you land.
For timing, Disney recommends (and I agree) dropping off your luggage the night before your flight if possible. If you’re flying before 1:00 PM, drop your bags off by 1:00 AM that night. If your flight is after 1:00 PM, make sure your bags are dropped off at least four hours before departure or no later than 1:00 PM. Luggage Assistance is available daily from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM and again from 4:00 PM to 1:00 AM, giving you plenty of flexibility to fit around your plans.
One thing I’ve learned from experience is that when in doubt, ask! The Cast Members who handle Luggage Assistance have been managing this process daily since its inception and often have the most up-to-date information, especially since the program is still relatively new. They’re always more than happy to walk you through the process and make sure everything is squared away before you head home.
And Brenda, when you return from your trip, come back to
planDisney and let us know how your experience went! We’d love to hear how the service worked for you and help with any future adventures you’re already dreaming up.
Safe travels,
Brent