Disney Resort Airline Check In Service Returns to Value Resorts

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Hey Disney Vacationers! Alright, this is big. Disney is testing the return of something that used to make leaving vacation a little less painful — the Disney Resort Airline Check In Service. If you’ve ever wanted to skip dragging your luggage through Orlando International Airport while still feeling like you’re in the Disney bubble, this is for you.

Let’s break it all down. Simple. Direct. Here’s what’s happening.

What Is the Disney Resort Airline Check In Service?

If you’ve been to Walt Disney World before 2020, you probably remember this. The Disney Resort Airline Check In Service let you check your bags right at your Disney resort. That means no waiting in baggage lines at the airport. Your luggage got tagged, handed off, and magically showed up at your destination airport.

It was convenient. It was free. It kept the magic going until the very last second of your trip. But then 2020 happened. And like a lot of things, the service disappeared.

Now, Disney is quietly testing it again.

Where Is Disney Testing It?

The pilot program just launched — and it’s very limited right now.

It’s happening only at Disney’s value resort. That’s it. If you’re staying at a Disney value resort, you might hear about it.

Disney is keeping it low-key for a reason — they want to manage the rollout before scaling up beyond its value resorts. Here is the list of participating resorts:

Participating Disney Resort Hotels
This service is only available at the following locations:

• 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

The plan? If things go well, they’ll expand the Disney Resort Airline Check In Service to more Disney resorts.

Which Airline Is Participating?

As of now, only Southwest Airlines is part of the pilot.

So if you’re flying with Southwest, and you’re staying at Pop Century, you’re in luck. But other airlines? Not yet. Disney said if interest grows, they’ll consider expanding the service to include more carriers.

So yeah, this could grow. But for now — it’s Southwest or bust.

How Does the Disney Resort Airline Check In Process Work?

Here’s how the current test setup works:

• Guests walk up to the Luggage Assistance desk in front of the resort.
• Cast Members are there to help you check in your bags.
• Your bags go directly from the resort to the plane.
• You don’t have to carry them around. You don’t even have to see them until you land.

There are a few requirements, though:

• You must be staying at a Value Resort
• You must be flying with Southwest Airlines.
• You must be checked in for your flight, and you must have paid for your bags in advance.

If all of that checks out, and Southwest gives the green light, you’re good to go.

But heads up — once your bags are checked, you won’t be able to access them. So don’t pack your meds, your park tickets, or your kid’s favorite stuffed animal.

When Can You Check Your Bags?

Timing is important with this service.

• If your flight leaves before 1:00 PM, you must check your bags the night before.
• If your flight is after 1:00 PM, you can check your bags the morning of your flight — but you need to do it at least 4 hours before your flight.

Miss that window? You’ll have to take your bags with you like everyone else.

Who’s Running the Service?

This part’s interesting.

Even though we’re calling it the “Disney Resort Airline Check In Service” (because that’s what people know it as), there’s no official signage with that name yet. The whole thing is being run by a third-party company called Bag Check.

Bag Check is new, but its roots run deep. The company is owned by Craig Mateer, who used to own Bags, Inc. — the same company that handled the original Resort Airline Check In Service at Disney before 2020.

So, this is kind of a reboot — same idea, same people behind it, new company.

Can You Use It If You’re Not Staying at a Value Resort?

Yes, but there’s a trick.

You just have to be staying at a Value Resort on the day you’re using the service.

So if you’re doing a split stay — let’s say you spend most of your trip at the Grand Floridian or Animal Kingdom Lodge — you can switch to a Value Resort like Pop Century just for the last night to qualify.

If you’re okay with moving rooms, that’s a smart move. You get to enjoy the higher-end resort experience during your trip and still get the benefits of Disney Resort Airline Check In Service when it’s time to go home.

Is the Disney Resort Airline Check In Service Free?

Yes. It’s still completely free to use.

You’ll still need to pay any airline baggage fees directly to the airline — that part hasn’t changed. But the actual check-in and baggage handling process at the resort? No cost to you.

Why This Matters

For a lot of guests, the Disney Resort Airline Check In Service was a game-changer. It made travel day way easier. You could enjoy the parks, grab breakfast, or chill by the pool without dragging your suitcase around.

This small perk helped extend the magic, especially for families trying to squeeze in those last few hours before heading to the airport. If this pilot goes well and Disney brings it back across all resorts and airlines, it’ll be a massive win for guests.

Final Thoughts

The return of the Disney Resort Airline Check In Service is one of those “small but mighty” changes that can make a big difference in your trip.

Right now, it’s limited. It’s quiet. It’s only available at Disney value resorts. But it’s a sign that Disney might be listening — and bringing back the conveniences that used to make the experience feel complete.

No word yet on other favorites like Magical Express or full Extra Magic Hours, but the fact that this service is even being tested is a step in the right direction.

Keep your eyes on this one. And if you’re flying Southwest and staying at a Value Resort soon, check in with the front desk — your vacation might have just gotten a little easier.

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