Primary recommendation: Use resort hotel bell services for overnight and same-day holds, and park-entry lockers for daytime needs. Registered guests typically have bags accepted at the front desk or bell desk without an extra fee; present photo ID and reservation confirmation when dropping off. Bell staff will tag and hold items until room ready or until departure later that day.
Locker rentals sit at the main entrances to the four parks–Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom–and at select attractions. Lockers come in small, medium and large sizes; payment is by card, and charges are applied per calendar day. Expect rate ranges rather than fixed prices (typical daily fees fall roughly between $10 and $25 depending on size and park). Lockers operate during park hours; extended storage overnight is not offered in most cases.
Merchandise handling and third-party options: purchases made inside shops can usually be held for pickup at the retail location or arranged for delivery to a resort front desk–ask the cashier at checkout for the available option. Commercial short-term storage services (examples: Bounce, Stasher, Vertoe) operate near the resort area and at transit hubs; typical fees run from about $5 to $15 per item per day. Check provider insurance limits, operating hours and cancellation policies before booking.
Practical tips: avoid placing passports, large sums of cash, irreplaceable documents or high-value electronics in any unattended hold; photograph tags and contents, keep reservation/receipt numbers, and label items with a contact name and phone. For checked transportation of suitcases to airports or long-term holds, coordinate with your hotel’s bell desk or a reputable off-site provider and confirm timelines for pickup and any fees in advance.
Storing bags at the Orlando theme-park resort
Recommendation: use on-site resort bell service for same-day and overnight bag storage when staying at a resort; if not a resort guest, rely on park entrance lockers for short-term storage or book a vetted third-party drop-off near hotels or transportation hubs.
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Resort bell service
- Available at official resort hotels for registered guests: staff accepts baggage before check-in and after check-out until departure time; present reservation confirmation and photo ID.
- Bell staff typically do not store high-value items (keep passports, electronics and medications on person).
- Use shipment labels with the resort name and arrival date if shipping ahead; confirm hotel policy and fees before sending packages.
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Park lockers (same-day only)
- Located at main entrances of each theme park and at major water parks; rental is for the operating day only–items left overnight may be removed.
- Multiple sizes available; daily rates vary by size and park (typical range in recent seasons: $10–$20 per day depending on size).
- Payment via credit/debit or park payment systems; follow posted prohibited-item lists at the entrance.
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Package pickup for merchandise
- Retail purchases can often be sent to a designated pick-up location or to a resort retail shop for same-day collection; ask the merchandise cast member at purchase for options and expected ready time.
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Third-party storage services
- App-based providers and local luggage storage shops operate near resort shopping/dining zones and transit nodes; typical rates range from about $5–$15 per item per day–confirm insurance and cancellation policy.
- Before booking, verify business hours, maximum hold duration, ID requirements and on-site security; check recent reviews and certificate of insurance where available. Example resource: locating the air suspension compressor on a lincoln town car.
Operational tips:
- Label each bag with name, phone number and resort reservation number if applicable.
- Photograph contents and keep serial numbers for electronics; keep valuables and travel documents on person at all times.
- Plan storage pickup times around park hours and transportation schedules; allow 30–60 minutes for retrieval during peak periods.
- If carrying large or irregular items, call the chosen storage provider in advance to confirm acceptance and any extra fees.
Where to rent day lockers in each theme park and what sizes/fees apply
Use on-site day lockers at each park entrance; three common size tiers cover backpacks, carry-on suitcases (~22″ upright) and larger checked-style cases, with daily rates typically between $10 and $25 depending on size and park.
Magic Kingdom – Location: right side of the entrance plaza near security/checkpoints. Size tiers: Small (fits a backpack or purse), Medium (fits a standard carry-on upright), Large (fits a 24–28″ checked-style suitcase or multiple bags). Typical fees: Small $15, Medium $18, Large $22. High demand days may reduce availability; plan to drop items before park opening when possible.
EPCOT – Locations: main entrance lockers by the turnstiles and a separate bank at the International Gateway (Yacht & Beach Club/BoardWalk side). Size tiers: Small (daypack), Medium (carry-on), Large (checked-style). Typical fees: Small $12, Medium $15, Large $18. Use the International Gateway bank for easier access when entering via monorail or Skyliner hotels.
Hollywood Studios – Location: directly outside the main entrance turnstiles. Size tiers: Small (personal items), Medium (carry-on), Large (checked-style). Typical fees: Small $12, Medium $15, Large $18. Locker banks here are convenient for guests arriving by bus or park monorail alternatives; bring an extra daypack if ride lockers are needed during attractions.
Animal Kingdom – Location: at the front entrance/Oasis area before the bridges to the park proper. Size tiers: Small (backpack/purse), Medium (carry-on), Large (checked-style). Typical fees: Small $10, Medium $13, Large $15. Compare this park’s lower rates against other parks if storing larger items for a single day.
Payment and access notes: most locker banks accept credit/debit cards; smaller parks may have fewer large lockers. Sizes and fees are subject to change, so confirm current dimensions and price at the park ticket plaza, Guest Relations desk, or the park map kiosk before relying on availability.
Resort hotel bag storage and using Bell Services at on-site hotels
Request Bell Services on arrival; most on-site resort hotels accept guest bags for early arrivals and after checkout at no charge, tag items, and hold them securely until room availability or departure (standard check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM).
Procedure on arrival or at checkout: deliver bags to the bell desk, provide reservation confirmation and a government photo ID, request an itemized tag/receipt, and retain the claim stub. For same-day room delivery ask for estimated delivery window and confirm whether staff will place bags inside the assigned room or leave them at the door.
Resort-to-resort transfers and third-party deliveries: request transfer at the sending resort’s bell desk and provide full recipient name, resort name, and reservation number. Expect internal transfers to take 24–48 hours; schedule deliveries from airport carriers for late afternoon or evening to reduce holding time. Bell Services will refuse hazardous materials, perishable food, and high-value items for storage.
Storage limits and valuables: short-term storage (hours to a few days) is normally complimentary. For storage beyond seven days, contact the hotel in advance to confirm policies and potential fees. Guests should retain medications, passports, cash, jewelry, electronics, and irreplaceable documents with personal possession rather than placing them in Bell Service storage.
Situation | Action at Bell Desk | Info/Documents to Provide | Typical Timeframe | Fee/Note |
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Early arrival (before 3:00 PM) | Drop bags with bell staff; request tags and receipt; ask for room delivery when ready | Reservation confirmation, photo ID | Same day when room is ready (often by mid-late afternoon) | Usually complimentary for short-term holds |
After checkout (post-11:00 AM) | Leave bags at bell desk for pick-up later same day | Claim stub or reservation info, photo ID at pickup | Hold through departure day; pickup same day recommended | No charge for same-day storage at most properties |
Resort-to-resort transfer | Submit transfer request at sending bell desk; confirm delivery resort and recipient name | Sending and receiving reservation numbers, contact phone | 24–48 hours typical | Often complimentary; verify with both hotels for timing |
Airport or courier delivery | Inform Bell Services of incoming delivery; provide tracking and arrival time | Tracking number, recipient reservation info, photo ID at pickup | Same day or next-day acceptance depending on arrival time | Bell staff may refuse certain shipments; label packages clearly |
How to ship or transfer baggage between the airport and an on-site resort (couriers and timelines)
Best approach: schedule courier delivery to the resort with arrival on the check-in date using FedEx Priority Overnight or UPS Next Day for same-day arrivals; for savings choose FedEx/UPS Ground (allow 2–5 business days) and book at least 5 business days before travel. For international itineraries, allow 10–14 business days and use a door-to-door service with customs brokerage.
Courier options and expected transit times
FedEx/UPS Ground: 2–5 business days domestic; cost roughly $10–$40 per package depending on weight and distance. FedEx/UPS Priority Overnight or UPS Next Day Air: 1 business day; typical cost $40–$150 per package. USPS Priority Mail: 2–3 business days domestic; lower cost for small parcels. Baggage-specialist services (Luggage Forward, Send My Bag, My Baggage): door-to-door handling for suitcases, domestic 2–5 days ($70–$200 per bag), international 5–12 days ($150+ per bag); these include pickup and delivery windows and often handle oversized items. International shipments require commercial invoice, possible duties/VAT, and can add 3–7 days for customs clearance–select courier with customs brokerage and declare accurate values.
Addressing, timing and arrival handling – step checklist
Address format to print on each package:
Hotel/Resort Name (exact property name) – Guest Name as appears on reservation – Reservation/Confirmation #: Hold for Guest; Check-in Date – Full street address, city, state, ZIP. Call the resort’s front desk to confirm acceptance policy and ask about per-package handling fees before shipping. Send courier tracking number and expected delivery date to the resort email or phone. For same-day delivery, book overnight service and request AM delivery; schedule pickup at least one day before planned departure from origin city. If arrival precedes package delivery, arrange courier delivery for the afternoon of check-in or book a pickup from the resort for later return shipments.
Packing and risk reduction: remove old carrier tags and attach a printed copy of the reservation inside each suitcase. Photograph contents, buy insurance equal to declared value (couriers and baggage shippers offer declared value coverage or separate plans), mark fragile items, and use hard-shell cases or protective wraps for sports gear. Keep essentials and medications in carry-on. For protecting cases during Florida rain or transfers, include a compact protective umbrella such as best coarse fishing umbrella.
Using third‑party bag storage near the theme‑park resort: locations, pricing, booking steps
Recommendation: Book an app-based storage provider (Stasher, Vertoe, Bounce, LuggageHero) located in Lake Buena Vista, Flamingo Crossings, Kissimmee or International Drive; typical transit time from major resort hotels or park entrances is 5–20 minutes by walk or rideshare.
Common storefront locations are hotel lobbies, coffee shops and retail kiosks within the resort area and along International Drive; airport-area pickup points near MCO and hotels serving Orlando International Convention Center are available for early-morning or late-night transfers. Search by neighborhood name in each app to surface the closest listings.
Typical pricing: per-bag daily rates generally range from $5–$12 per 24 hours; some platforms offer hourly pricing around $1–$2 per hour. Multi-bag discounts commonly reduce total to $12–$25 per day for 3–5 pieces. Oversized items (strollers, coolers, sports equipment) often incur an extra $5–$15. Expect an overnight surcharge on some listings of $3–$10. Verify provider insurance limits (commonly $1,000–$3,000 per item) before booking.
Booking steps: search provider app/website and enter resort-area neighborhood, compare price and opening hours, select a drop-off time slot and pay online (note cancellation window on the listing), arrive with booking QR or confirmation code, present government ID at the host location, accept a tamper-evident tag or photo record of stored pieces, and confirm the pick-up window plus late-fee policy.
Operational details to confirm on each listing: exact host address, whether same-day walk-ins are accepted, maximum storage duration (some hosts limit to 7–14 days), liability coverage amount, whether hosts accept batteries/electronics or perishable food, and required ID types. For group travel, reserve multiple slots under one booking to secure adjacent handling and a consolidated receipt.
Practical timing: reserve at least 24 hours ahead for holiday weekends and park-event dates; allow a 30–60 minute buffer between planned park entry or departure transfer and scheduled pick-up/drop-off. Retain the digital receipt and host contact number; file any damage or loss claim with photos and the booking reference within the provider’s stated claim window.
Tip: If storage needs include strollers or folding wagons, search listings that explicitly list those item types and confirm oversized-item fees before arrival to avoid on-site surprises.
Items prohibited from park storage and security screening rules to avoid surprises
Avoid placing prohibited articles into on‑site storage; items that violate park policy are subject to immediate confiscation and possible law enforcement action.
Commonly forbidden for on‑site storage
- Firearms, ammunition and any weapon-like objects (including replica/antique weapons and accessories).
- Explosives, fireworks, gunpowder, flares and other pyrotechnics.
- Sharp tools and blades: box cutters, hatchets, machetes, large knives (pocketknives often included).
- Hazardous chemicals and flammable liquids: gasoline, propane cylinders, aerosol cans with flammable contents, bleach, compressed gas canisters.
- Large lithium‑ion battery packs, hoverboards and many personal electric transporters (spare batteries often restricted).
- Drones, remote‑control aircraft and related equipment requiring Federal Aviation authorization.
- Live animals (service animals exempt) and fragile live plants.
- Perishables that require refrigeration for safety (raw meat, large coolers packed with ice) – many storage locations will refuse these.
- Commercial film/recording setups and heavy professional gear without prior permit; some storage options will not accept tripods or lighting kits.
- Illegal substances and drug paraphernalia.
Security screening: what to expect and how to prepare
- All bags subject to inspection at entry points; expect walk‑through metal detectors and hand wands. Keep personal items accessible to speed the process.
- Open alcoholic beverages are not allowed through security checkpoints; sealed retail purchases in official shops typically permitted once bought inside.
- Medical supplies: keep prescription medications in original containers with labels; injectable medications should be accompanied by documentation when possible and kept readily available for inspection.
- Spare lithium batteries and power banks: carry on person rather than store when possible; many storage providers prohibit loose high‑capacity cells.
- Photography accessories: selfie sticks and monopods are commonly banned from attractions and sometimes from parks; tripods and commercial rigs may require permits–verify before attempting to store or bring in.
- Battery‑powered mobility devices will be inspected; note battery type and bring any manufacturer documentation if available.
- Suspicious or unattended packages will prompt an expanded search and potential temporary closure of entry points; arrive early to avoid delays from such incidents.
- Consequences for prohibited items include confiscation, denied entry, citation or arrest depending on local law enforcement findings.
Quick pre-entry checklist: remove prohibited items from bags, keep medications and important documents on person, stow large batteries appropriately, and plan alternatives for restricted articles (vehicle trunk, courier service, or a permitted storage provider).
Collecting delivered purchases and reporting missing or held bags at Guest Services
Immediate action for pickup: Present the original order confirmation (printed or mobile), a government photo ID and the payment card used at the park’s Package Pickup or Guest Services desk. If purchase used a park-specific wearable or ticket, present that ID instead of a payment card where applicable.
What staff will require: Order number or packing slip, photo ID, signature for receipt, and a telephone number for follow-up. For resort-delivered orders, show the hotel reservation name and confirmation number or room key at Bell Services.
Typical hold windows and timelines: Same-park package desks normally hold items until park close that day for convenience; resort deliveries commonly require 24–72 hours to arrive at Bell Services after purchase. Found-item reports are usually retained by Guest Services or Lost & Found for up to 30 days; check the park’s official lost-item page for exact retention policies.
How to report missing or held bags at Guest Services: Go to the nearest Guest Services/Guest Relations location or call the park’s Lost & Found line. Provide a detailed description (color, brand, approximate size, distinctive markings), last known location and time, any tag or claim numbers, and associated ticket/reservation IDs. Request a written report number and expected follow-up timeframe.
Evidence and ownership verification: Keep purchase receipts, serial numbers, photos of distinctive items, and baggage tags. For high-value items (electronics, jewelry, passports), be prepared to provide serial numbers or formal ownership documentation before retrieval.
If items were delivered to a resort: Contact Bell Services with the reservation name and confirmation number; bring photo ID and the credit card used or the signature receipt provided at purchase. For deliveries scheduled during arrival or after checkout, confirm hold policy with Bell Services–some properties will hold for a limited period only.
Follow-up and escalation: Note the Guest Services report number; allow 24–48 hours for staff to search internal lost-and-found logs. If no resolution within that window, submit the park’s online lost-item form and reference the report number. For items believed to have been screened or held by security, request a transfer to Park Security and ask Guest Services to coordinate.
Quick tips: Photograph purchase receipts and tags at time of sale, keep order emails accessible, attach a visible name tag or contact card to checked bags, and collect any claim checks issued at point of storage or screening to speed recovery.