Disney Plus declared a few years ago that it would launch its streaming service against Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and many other services. In November 2019, Disney Plus made its official debut and swiftly rose to prominence among streaming services.
What is Disney Plus, what services does it provide, and what more do you need to know about it? All of your Disney Plus questions can be answered in this comprehensive guide. Still, waiting to be a subscriber to Disney Plus? Use the button below to purchase it as part of a package that includes ESPN Plus and Hulu.
Describe Disney Plus?
The Walt Disney Company developed the on-demand streaming service known as Disney Plus. Thousands of Disney films and television programs from all of the studio’s brands, including Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and 20th Century Studios, are available to subscribers.
The service lets members stream content on smart TVs, phones, laptops, tablets, and gaming consoles. Unlimited downloads, numerous user profiles, a GroupWatch option, and other features are all included with the subscription.
Is Disney Plus worth it?
Disney Plus: Is it worth it? Absolutely! The value of this streaming to customers, especially families, is enormous. Disney Plus offers you access to its complete collection for a monthly price rather than requiring you to pay separately for each of your favorite Disney films or television programs. Ahead of their release in theatres, highly anticipated new Disney films are being aggressively added to Disney Plus’ catalog. Even a few movies, such as Cruella, Black Widow, and Jungle Cruise, were included in the service in 2021 when they were released in theatres.
Of course, there will be little here that is worthwhile purchasing if you have children and aren’t a lover of Disney. More mature options are rarely available because most of the content is family-friendly (although some of the new MCU shows have some adult language).
Disney Plus features:
Multiple profiles: Disney Plus supports up to 4 concurrent streams, so more people can watch at once with only one account. Users can manage their watch list and keep track of the stuff that most interests them by creating distinct profiles. Disney characters are an additional option for your profile image.
Offline watching: On mobile devices, you can download Disney Plus TV programs and movies to watch them on the move without using up all your bandwidth. Unlike Netflix and Stan, where some titles (especially non-originals) aren’t, all titles are available for download. The only restriction on the number of downloads you can make is your device’s storage space.
Features for accessibility: Closed captioning, audio descriptions, text-to-speech support, color contrast, responsive design, keyboard navigation, and other accessibility features are all available on the streaming service. Language differences affect whether closed captions and audio descriptions are offered. As a worldwide streaming service, Disney Plus offers material in various languages.
Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and 4K: Most of the library’s content is 4K Ultra HD and HDR. Additionally, the content supports Dolby Vision and has 5.1 Surround Sound and Dolby Atmos. The quality of more titles is constantly being improved. You’ll need a suitable device and a fast Internet connection to use these services.
Kids Profile: You can create a unique Kids Profile on Disney Plus that only displays movies and TV shows with G and PG ratings in Australia. Make sure to check the Kids Profile box when setting the profile name. You may fill it up just like you would a regular profile.
Pros and Cons of Disney Plus:
Pros:
Low-cost subscription: The fact that Disney Plus is so reasonably priced to have is a great victory. For access to such a vast media library, $6.99 per month is a meager cost. The streaming service would be well worth a subscription for access to the great live-action and animated films, even without Marvel, Star Wars, or Jeff Goldblum. Additionally, you can obtain a FREE trial; find out how HERE.
The ultimate Disney premium package: Disney Plus’s main selling point is that it offers virtually everything the company produces. Most of the time, this is accurate. Numerous Disney productions in the archives redefine the idea of “original material.” Of course, fans of Marvel, Star Wars, and Disney Channel may watch brand-new episodes on the site. Disney Plus is comparable to the Disney Channel in the days when it played only Disney-produced films, documentaries, and cartoons. Disney Plus also offers Pixar, Fox, and even National Geographic content. A good number of brand-new reality TV programs are also in the works. One is a Marvel initiative that honors young those who contribute to their communities.
Cons:
Losing fox films to the Disney vault: Fox movies are disappearing, a peculiar development following the Fox merger with Disney Plus. The loss of independent theaters’ ability to screen movies like Fight Club, for instance, has been covered in local media. With seven-year gaps between re-releases, the Disney Vault is a rotating system that controls supply and ensures demand. Walt Disney’s theatrical presentations were where the strategy first appeared and later appeared on home video. The same practice now seems to be affected by Fox movies and is disappearing.
Licensing Hang-Ups: Despite the staggering diversity of products, many Disney franchises and movies still need to be made available. The primary cause of this is licensing obligations that must pass before Disney can utilize the content again. Several Disney movies, including more recent ones from Marvel and Pixar, are still available on Netflix and Dish TV. These films won’t be accessible anytime soon.
The slightly varied legal requirements are another factor to take into account. Disney is legally prohibited from even exploring productions for Daredevil and the other Defenders, so that they won’t appear on Disney Plus anytime soon. Disney will again be free to proceed with a new Daredevil or Luke Cage series once a predetermined period has passed. Still, it will take a while to develop, and Disney has many other Marvel projects coming up, such as Moon Knight and She-Hulk.
How much does Disney Plus cost?
For ad-free streaming, Disney Plus is now $8 per month or $80 per year, although a price rise is scheduled for December. Starting on December 8, the cost of the ad-free service will rise to $11 per month or $110 per year. At that time, Disney will launch an $8 monthly ad-supported plan.
A Disney Plus package with Hulu and ESPN+ is also available, starting at $14 per month. If you subscribe, the bundle will save you at least $12 per month. Our Disney bundle guide has more information on how to get the Disney Plus bundle with ESPN+ and the various Hulu subscriptions.
A membership to any of Hulu’s live TV plans also comes with a free automatic inclusion of the Disney package. Over 75 channels are available with Hulu + Live TV for a starting monthly fee of $70.
Impressive audio and video quality
Disney+ offers a selection of materials in Dolby Vision, Dolby’s dynamic HDR technology that offers evolving content to connected TVs to extract the best contrast from each scene, and Dolby Atmos, which gives users of supported hardware an immersive, hemispheric soundstage.
While Dolby Vision is becoming more widespread, Atmos and Vision are still rare in the streaming world. These technologies are supported by just a few services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+, and are now supported by a small but growing selection of content. The fact that Disney+’s Star Wars movies, including the original trilogy (i.e., the 1990s special editions), are available in 4K with Dolby Vision and Atmos compatibility is one of the most appealing characteristics of the service’s 4K content at least for fans of the franchise. Due to this, Disney+ is the only place to watch these movies in these formats.
Additionally, 15 of its MCU films are in IMAX format, increasing the image’s height by 26%.
Disney+’s basic $8/month plan includes four concurrent streams for those unsure about family viewing.
Disney+ bundle pricing:
Disney Bundle Duo Basic: You may get Disney+ and Hulu for $9.99 per month. Only new Disney+ subscribers and new or current Hulu subscribers may purchase this plan. Currently enrolled Disney+ subscribers are ineligible.
Disney Bundle Trio Basic: For $12.99 a month, you receive ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu with advertisements.
Disney Bundle Trio Premium: For $19.99 per month, users can access ESPN+, Hulu, and Disney+ with no advertisements. They can download content as well.
Legacy Disney Bundle: This package’s monthly cost will rise to $14.99 from $13.99. With this plan, you can stream Disney+ (ad-free), Hulu, and ESPN+. Additionally, users can download content to watch. After December 7, 2022, this plan will no longer be available for purchase or switching to, but current subscribers may continue with the plan.
What devices does Disney Plus support?
You can watch Disney Plus through many connected devices:
- Computerized web browsers
- Tablets and smartphones
- Digital TVs
- Gaming systems
- Streaming gadgets (Apple TV 4th Gen and later, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku)
Where is Disney+ available?
Disney+ is currently available in the United States, Canada, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Germany, Ireland, Isle of Man, France, Belgium, Monaco, Italy, Portugal, Spain, India, Wallis and Futuna, French West Indies, French Guiana, New Caledonia, Japan, Indonesia, Latin America, Réunion, Mayotte, Mauritius, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and South Korea, with more countries being added this year.
How does Disney Plus compare to other streaming services?
While services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video contain a rotating mix of movies and TV series from other studios, Disney Plus is entirely focused on Disney content. As such, users can count on a set library of classic games and fresh monthly releases from the studio.
At a starting price of $8 a month, it remains competitively priced, and the discounted package with Hulu and ESPN+ offers even more value. Disney Plus is also one of the more great streaming services in multiple-device support, profile additions, downloads, and 4K playback.
On the negative, Disney’s focus on family-oriented programming would restrict the service’s appeal to some adults. That said, this attitude could be changing. To better compete with other major platforms, Disney Plus added three R-rated movies in July, which will probably add more in the future.
Disney+ vs. The Competition
Disney+ vs. Hulu:
Disney+ and Hulu can be bundled: Thus, it’s best to view the two as complementary rather than rival services. It’s a comparable decision to what you have to make with Netflix if you are debating one option vs. the other.
Although Hulu does contain kid-friendly programming and identifies it as such, it’s preferable to bundle if you’re a parent and want to please everyone in the family.
Disney+ vs. Netflix:
This depends a lot on who your target audience is. Netflix is significantly more expansive than Disney Plus because it doesn’t solely focus on content that Disney owns. Additionally, Netflix’s base plan has a higher price point, starting at $8.99 and going up to $17.99 per month.
Disney+ provides so many fantastic options for kids—arguably better overall than Netflix’s choices—that you’ll find it vital if you’re a parent, even if Netflix has a considerably more significant collection of films and television programs overall.
Naturally, different age groups will gravitate toward various fiefdoms inside the Kingdom of Disney, particularly once they’re old enough to enjoy Pixar’s offerings.
Disney+ vs. Amazon Prime:
Amazon Prime Video will provide access to numerous other streaming video-on-demand alternatives. One of these is Noggin, an excellent kids’ channel where you can watch Peppa Pig, Dora the Explorer, Blue’s Clues, and Bubble Guppies, among other beloved children’s shows.
It’s convenient to get Amazon Prime Video just for Noggin if you want to amuse and educate younger children. The video access is a fantastic bonus if you already have Amazon Prime to have a competitive advantage when buying from home.
Can I get Disney Plus for free?
Initially, Disney Plus offered a seven-day free trial. Sadly, you can no longer try out the service. You must pay from day one and are either in or out.
You could use someone else’s account as your own. Disney memberships are intended to be used exclusively by one household, but the business still needs to take steps to prevent account sharing. But that’s not free. Someone needs to have a paid account even if you don’t.
Disney Plus can, however, be obtained for free through third parties.
Do you now use Verizon, or are you considering Big Red? Disney Plus is free to use!
Disney Plus is available for up to a full year without cost if you choose Verizon Wireless’ unlimited 4G or 5G plans as a new or existing customer. New Verizon Fios and 5G home internet users can also take advantage of this offer. The good news is that the Disney Plus-Hulu-ESPN Plus combo can also be added. As a result, you will pay for one service while receiving all three. That is unbeatable!
The best Disney Plus programs and films are:
As a possible see, the service offers a decent amount of content, and the list constantly expands. The Android Authority team has created specialized guides that go into numerous genres, as well as our opinions on the finest films and shows to help you find the shows you like:
- Best Pixar movies on Disney Plus
- Best Star Wars movies on Disney Plus
- Best Disney Plus Marvel movies
- Best Christmas movies on Disney Plus
- What to watch on Disney Plus
Does Disney Plus support 4K? If so, what equipment do you require?
- Roku devices and TVs that support 4K
- Microsoft Xbox One
- Sony Playstation 4 \sApple TV
- Android TV-based devices with 4K capability
- 4K devices with built-in Chromecast capability and Chromecast Ultra
- LG Smart TVs
Though not necessarily exhaustive, that list comes close. What can you watch in 4K, then? Many Disney Plus movies and TV episodes may be streamed in 4K. This includes every original and prequel Star Wars movie, which is now available on the service for the first time in 4K. Both Rogue One and The Force Awakens support 4K.
The Pixar CGI feature films and every Marvel Cinematic Universe movie available on Disney Plus enable 4K streaming. Several Disney animated films, including timeless favorites like Frozen and The Original Lion King, are available to stream in 4K. Several live-action Disney Plus films, including The Princess Diaries, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Santa Clause, also support 4K quality.
Disney Plus does, in fact, offer 4K on a multitude of platforms! Devices include:
The Mandalorian, Lady and the Tramp, Noelle, and are just a few of the original TV episodes and movies available on the service that enables 4K streaming if you want to know if a Disney Plus TV show or movie supports 4K streaming, ” portion of the content.
In November 2021, several of the “Details” links can be tapped or clicked. MCU films available on the service now also come in IMAX Enhanced and regular versions. For any scenes in the films that were filmed in IMAX, those editions change the aspect ratio to 1.90:1
Visit our Disney 4K guide for additional information in 4K on Disney Plus, what to watch, and a complete list of supported devices.
How can I subscribe to Disney Plus?
Direct registration for Disney Plus is available on the Disney Plus website. Provide your email address and payment information to create an account before you can begin streaming.
What is Disney Plus Premier Access?
When Disney Plus Premier Access was introduced in September 2020, customers were able to watch movies before they became freely accessible on the streaming service and at the same time that they were released in theatres.
Disney Plus users could view movies including Mulan, Cruella, Black Widow, and Jungle Cruise from the comfort of their homes for a one-time cost of $29.99/ £19.99.
When the COVID-19 pandemic was at its worst, this service was available so that people might see recent films. Disney is returning to theatrical release dates for its most significant new projects, so it’s still being determined if Disney Plus Premier Access will be available again soon.
Alternatives for Disney Plus:
- Netflix Streaming Service
- HBO Max
- Hulu Streaming Service
- Amazon Prime Video Streaming
- Peacock Streaming
- Youtube TV Streaming
- Paramount Plus
- Sling TV Streaming
- Crackle
- Philo Streaming Service
FAQs:
How many people subscribe to Disney Plus?
Disney announced in October 2022 that there are about 118 million customers of the service. It keeps adding new markets, and the coronavirus outbreak probably encouraged more people to sign up who were otherwise stuck at home and bored.
What systems and devices does Disney Plus support?
Mobile devices, desktop browsers, gaming consoles, set-top boxes, and smart TVs may all access Disney Plus content. Disney Plus is available for streaming on the following gadgets:
- Tablets and portable electronics
- Android mobile devices and tablet
- Apple iPad and iPhone
- Tablet Amazon Fire
- Windows 11 and 10
- LG WebOS Smart TVs, Samsung TVs, Panasonic TVs, and Android TV devices
- Apple TV (4th generation and later), Sony PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and other set-top boxes and gaming consoles
- Other streaming devices include a Chromebook, a Chromecast, an Apple TV, and an Amazon FireTV
Does Disney Plus have ads?
The service doesn’t contain ads. As a result of a partnership with Starz to get more material on Disney Plus sooner, some users may see a Starz commercial once they complete the sign-up process. However, this appears to be happening at random and won’t affect the majority of users (and even if it does, it’s a one-time ad+!).
