Disney Plus has three subscription tiers, each with different costs and features
Disney Plus offers three plans: Disney Plus Basic, Disney Plus Standard, and Disney Plus Premium. The Basic plan costs $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year. The Standard plan costs $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year. The Premium plan costs $13.99 per month or $139.99 per year. These prices are current as of 2024, but Disney has raised prices multiple times in the past, so costs may change.
The main differences between plans are video quality, number of simultaneous streams, and whether ads appear during shows and movies. Basic includes ads and allows one stream at a time in standard definition. Standard removes ads and allows two simultaneous streams in high definition. Premium removes ads, allows four simultaneous streams, and includes access to 4K Ultra HD content on compatible devices.
Disney also offers a bundle that combines Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus at a lower combined cost than buying each separately. The bundle pricing varies depending on which ad tier you choose for each service, so the total can range from around $14.99 per month to $24.99 per month depending on your selections.
Key Takeaways
- Disney Plus Basic costs $7.99 monthly or $79.99 yearly and includes ads with one stream at a time in standard definition.
- Disney Plus Standard costs $10.99 monthly or $109.99 yearly, removes ads, and allows two simultaneous streams in high definition.
- Disney Plus Premium costs $13.99 monthly or $139.99 yearly, removes ads, allows four simultaneous streams, and includes 4K content.
- A bundle combining Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus costs less than purchasing each service separately, with pricing that depends on your ad preferences for each service.
- Annual payment saves money compared to paying monthly on any plan, with savings ranging from about $10 to $20 per year depending on the tier.
How the three plans differ in video quality and simultaneous viewing
The Basic plan streams in standard definition, which means lower resolution on larger screens. You can watch on only one device at a time, so if someone else in your household wants to watch Disney Plus simultaneously, they cannot. This plan works best for a single person or someone who watches primarily on a phone or tablet where standard definition is less noticeable.
The Standard plan upgrades to high definition, which looks sharper on most TV screens. You can stream on two devices at the same time, so two people in your household can watch different shows or movies simultaneously. This is the middle option and covers most household needs.
The Premium plan allows four simultaneous streams, so up to four people can watch at once. It also includes 4K Ultra HD on compatible devices, which provides the highest resolution available. If you have a large household or a 4K television, this plan gives the best picture quality and the most flexibility for multiple viewers.
What ads mean on the Basic plan
The Basic plan includes advertisements during shows and movies, similar to watching television with commercial breaks. Disney has not published the exact number or length of ads per hour, so the ad load may vary by title. Some shows may have more ads than others.
The Standard and Premium plans have no ads at all. If you find ads disruptive, moving to Standard is the way to remove them entirely. The cost difference between Basic and Standard is $3 per month or $30 per year, which is the price of removing ads.
Annual versus monthly payment and when to switch plans
Paying annually saves money on every plan. On Basic, annual payment saves about $10.89 per year compared to paying monthly. On Standard, you save about $10.89 per year. On Premium, you also save about $10.89 per year. The annual discount is roughly the same across all tiers, so the percentage savings is slightly better on the cheaper plans.
You can change plans or cancel anytime. If you switch from Basic to Standard mid-month, Disney will typically charge you a prorated amount for the remainder of that billing cycle, then charge the new plan price on your next regular billing date. If you downgrade from a higher tier to a lower one, the change usually takes effect when ready.
If you pay annually and want to switch plans before your year is up, you may be able to upgrade to a higher tier and pay the difference prorated. Downgrading mid-year is less common, so check Disney Plus's current policy if that is your situation.
The Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus bundle
Disney offers a bundle that combines all three services. The bundle has four pricing options based on ad preferences: Disney Plus Basic with ads, Hulu with ads, and ESPN Plus with ads costs $14.99 per month. Disney Plus Basic with ads, Hulu without ads, and ESPN Plus with ads costs $19.99 per month. Disney Plus Premium without ads, Hulu without ads, and ESPN Plus with ads costs $24.99 per month. Disney Plus Standard without ads, Hulu without ads, and ESPN Plus without ads costs $24.99 per month.
The bundle saves money if you want more than one service. For example, if you wanted Disney Plus Standard, Hulu without ads, and ESPN Plus with ads separately, you would pay $10.99 + $14.99 + $6.99 = $32.97 per month. The bundle with those same tiers costs $19.99 per month, saving you about $13 per month or $156 per year.
Not all combinations are available in the bundle. You cannot, for instance, get Disney Plus Premium bundled with Hulu with ads and ESPN Plus without ads. The bundle options are fixed, so review what each tier includes before committing.
Student discounts and other ways to reduce cost
Disney Plus does not currently offer a student discount directly. However, some student discount platforms like UNiDAYS or Student Beans occasionally feature Disney Plus promotions, though these are temporary and vary by region and time of year.
Some wireless carriers and internet providers offer Disney Plus as part of a bundle or promotion. For example, certain Verizon plans have included Disney Plus at no extra cost for a limited time. These offers change frequently, so check with your provider to see if you currently have access to Disney Plus through them.
Disney Plus is also sometimes included free with Disney theme park annual passes or as part of other Disney promotions. These offers are seasonal and limited, so they are worth checking if you are already a Disney customer.
How Disney Plus pricing compares to other streaming services
Disney Plus Basic at $7.99 per month is less expensive than Netflix's Standard plan at $15.49 per month, though Netflix Standard allows two simultaneous streams while Disney Plus Basic allows only one. Disney Plus Premium at $13.99 per month is less than Netflix Premium at $22.99 per month, but Netflix Premium allows four streams while Disney Plus Premium also allows four streams, so the feature set is similar.
Hulu's ad-supported plan costs $7.99 per month, matching Disney Plus Basic. HBO Max (now called Max) starts at $5.99 per month with ads or $15.99 per month without ads. Amazon Prime Video costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year as a standalone service, though many people have it as part of an Amazon Prime membership.
The bundle combining Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus at $14.99 per month with ads is often cheaper than subscribing to any single premium service alone, which is why many households choose it as an entry point to streaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my Disney Plus password with people outside my household?
Disney's terms of service state that accounts are for personal, non-commercial use within a single household. Disney has implemented technology to detect and prevent password sharing across different locations. If you share your password with someone outside your home, Disney may ask you to verify your account or may restrict access. The safest approach is to have each person in your household create their own account.
What happens to my subscription if I cancel and come back later?
If you cancel Disney Plus, your access ends at the end of your current billing period. If you resubscribe later, you start fresh with a new account or reactivate your old one, depending on Disney's current system. You do not lose money or get a refund for unused time in your billing cycle. Your watch history and saved content may or may not be preserved depending on how long you were away.
Does Disney Plus cost the same in every country?
No, Disney Plus pricing varies by country and region. Prices in other countries are set in local currency and reflect local market conditions. If you travel internationally, you may not be able to access your Disney Plus account outside your home country, or you may face restrictions. Check Disney Plus's regional pricing page for the cost in your specific location.
Is there a free trial for Disney Plus?
Disney Plus does not currently offer a free trial period for new subscribers. In the past, Disney has offered limited-time free trials during promotions, but these are not permanent. Your best option to test the service is to sign up for the Basic plan at $7.99 for one month and cancel if it does not meet your needs.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind about my subscription?
Disney Plus does not issue refunds for subscription fees once you have been charged. If you cancel, your access continues until the end of your billing period, but you will not receive money back for the time remaining. If you were charged in error or have a billing dispute, contact Disney Plus customer service to discuss your specific situation.