Disney Plus: How to sign up, features, and more

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When it comes to picking the best streaming service, you've got a lot to choose from. Disney Plus is our recommendation for both diehard Disney fans and families with viewers of every age. 

From classic Disney programs to new series developed exclusively for members, Disney Plus has a growing library of titles to stream. Subscribers can watch the studio's iconic animated films, new Pixar movies, and hours of content from "Star Wars" and Marvel franchises. Recent theatrical releases also hit the service after running in theaters, like "Inside Out 2" and "Wish."

Subscriptions start at $10 a month for ad-supported streaming or $16 a month for ad-free playback. You can even opt for a Disney Bundle to save up to 47% on Disney Plus combined with Hulu, ESPN Plus, or Max, starting at $11 a month for the duo and $20 a month for a trio.

If you're still deciding if Disney Plus is right for your streaming needs, we've got you covered. Keep reading to learn more about Disney Plus' features, content, pricing, plans, supported devices, and more.

What is Disney Plus? 

Disney Plus is an on-demand streaming service created by The Walt Disney Company. Subscribers can watch thousands of Disney movies and shows from all of the studio's brands, including Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and 20th Century Studios. 

The service lets members stream content on smart TVs, phones, laptops, tablets, and gaming consoles. Disney Plus also offers multiple user profiles, 4K video support, and other convenient features. 

How much does Disney Plus cost? 

The Disney Plus price varies depending on which plan you choose. The service costs $10 a month for ad-supported streaming or $16 a month for ad-free streaming. An annual ad-free plan is also available for $160, which means you can get a 16% discount by paying for a year upfront.

There's also an option to buy a Disney Plus bundle with Hulu and ESPN Plus or Max. This bundle with Hulu starts at $11 a month, and the trio bundles start at $20 a month. Subscribing to the bundles can save you more than 40%. You can read more about how to get the different Disney Bundles in our Disney Plus bundle guide.

The Disney bundle is also automatically included with a subscription to any of Hulu's live TV plans. Hulu + Live TV offers access to over 90 channels for a starting price of $83 a month.

Does Disney Plus have an ad-supported plan?

Disney Plus launched an ad-supported Basic plan on December 8, 2022. The plan now costs $10 a month, which is $6 less than the ad-free plan. It's one of the more affordable streaming service options available.

Though the ad-supported plan includes access to the entire Disney Plus library of movies and shows, it lacks features like Dolby Atmos audio support and unlimited downloads.

How do I sign up for Disney Plus?

You can sign up for Disney Plus directly through the Disney Plus website. To start streaming, you only need to create an account by entering an email address and payment method.  

Are there Disney Plus gift cards? 

Disney Plus gift cards are available in amounts ranging from $25 to $200 in the US. They can be applied toward new or existing monthly Disney Plus and Disney Bundle plans. You can purchase Disney Plus gift cards from the Disney Plus website and retailers like shopDisney, Best Buy, and Target.

Disney previously allowed shoppers to gift an annual Disney Plus subscription for an entire year of service. This option is no longer available in the US, and current gift cards can only be used toward monthly plans. 

What devices does Disney Plus support?

You can watch Disney Plus through many connected devices, including our picks for the best streaming devices and TVs. Here's a list of devices that support Disney Plus:

• Desktop web browsers
• Mobile devices and tablets (Android and Apple)
• Smart TVs (LG WebOS, Samsung Tizen, Android TV, Google TV, Vizio SmartCast, Roku TV) 
• Game consoles (PlayStation, Xbox) 
• Streaming devices (Apple TV 4th Gen and later, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku)

Is Disney Plus with ads available on Roku?

As of April 2023, the Disney Plus Basic plan with ads is now available on Roku devices. The ad-supported plan was previously unavailable on Roku products. If you're a Disney Plus subscriber and cannot access your account on a Roku device, try updating the device's Disney Plus app. 

What features and formats are supported on Disney Plus?

Disney Plus includes several features that make using the service more convenient. However, some features are exclusive to the ad-free plan. Here's what you get with each Disney Plus plan.

Disney Plus features included with ad-supported and ad-free plans:

• Up to seven user profiles per subscription.
• A special kids profile option restricts streaming to titles that are rated TV-7FV and G.
• Simultaneous streaming on up to four different devices.
• Up to 4K resolution streaming with high dynamic range (HDR), using the HDR10 or Dolby Vision formats.
• IMAX Enhanced playback for select movies, which lets you see even more picture on screen.

Disney Plus features exclusive to ad-free plans:

• Unlimited downloads via the Disney Plus app on up to 10 different smartphones and tablets. 
• Dolby Atmos immersive surround sound on select programs.

What shows and movies can I watch on Disney Plus? 

Most Disney shows or movies already released are available to watch on Disney Plus. From classics like "Aladdin" to recent big-screen releases like "The Marvels" and "Wish," the service features a huge library of titles across Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and 20th Century Studio brands. 

Disney Plus also has lots of original programming, including series like "Loki," "Ahsoka," "The Mandalorian," "Ms. Marvel" and "Secret Invasion," as well as movies like "Hocus Pocus 2." High-profile titles that have arrived this year include "X-Men '97," a new Marvel show that picks up where the classic '90s animated series left off, "Agatha All Along," a "WandaVision" spinoff of sorts following Marvel witch Agatha Harkness, and "Acolyte," a new Star Wars series taking place before the rise of the Empire.

The service also lets you watch exclusive music content, including concert films and recording sessions from Miley Cyrus, BTS,  Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, and Billie Eilish, along with a film version of the Broadway show "Hamilton" and Beyonce's visual album "Black is King."

You can find more information about Disney Plus shows and movies below:

• Disney Plus movies
• Disney Plus shows
• Marvel movies and shows on Disney Plus
• Star Wars movies and shows on Disney Plus
• Pixar movies on Disney Plus

Does Disney Plus still offer Premier Access?

In 2020 and 2021, Disney Plus allowed subscribers to pay an extra fee to stream select movies on the same day they debuted in theaters. This premium option was called Premier Access. Each Disney Plus Premier Access title cost $30 to unlock.

The first movie released via Disney Plus Premier Access was "Mulan," which hit the service in September 2020. "Raya and the Last Dragon," "Cruella," Marvel's "Black Widow," and "Jungle Cruise" all followed in 2021. After a three-month Premier Access window, these movies were added to the regular Disney Plus catalog for all subscribers to stream without any extra fees.

Disney Plus did not release any movies through Premier Access in 2022, and the studio has not announced plans to release any additional Premier Access movies. For now, this release model appears to have been suspended in favor of exclusive theatrical releases.

Who should sign up for Disney Plus?

Disney Plus is an ideal service for Disney fans, whether they're Marvel geeks, "Star Wars" devotees, or animation aficionados. It's especially suitable for families with children who want to watch recent Disney movies and older Disney titles from the studio's vault.

The lineup of original programming has also grown a lot since its launch. Popular shows like "Star Wars: Skeleton Crew" and "Bluey" continue to add value, and you'll need to sign up for Disney Plus to watch them.

While there's some content that's more suitable for adults, the app comes with handy parental control features that allow users to set a password-protected rating lock on profiles. The streaming service also has a "Junior Mode," which, when enabled, only shows content suitable for all ages. Similarly, there's a Kid-Proof Exit feature to keep little ones from accidentally navigating away from this mode.

You can read our full Disney Plus review for detailed impressions, as well as our Disney Plus review from a parent's perspective for specific thoughts on the platform's family-centric features. 

How does Disney Plus compare to other streaming services?

Disney Plus compares well to other services, with competitive pricing, features, exclusive originals, and a vast back catalog of content. 

While platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video feature a rotating mix of licensed movies and TV shows from different studios, Disney Plus is focused entirely on Disney programming. That means that subscribers can count on a healthy library of classic titles and new monthly releases from the studio.

However, the Disney Plus library is not permanent. Disney removed a selection of titles from its catalog in 2023, including some original shows like "Willow," and it's not clear if they plan to bring them back at a later date. This practice is common on other streaming services, but Disney was previously an outlier that tended to keep its library consistent. 

At a starting price of $10 a month, Disney Plus remains competitively priced, and the discounted bundle with Hulu and ESPN Plus adds even more value. Disney Plus is also one of the most generous streaming services in the areas of multiple-device support, profile additions, downloads, and 4K playback. 

On the downside, Disney's focus on family-friendly programming does limit the service's appeal to adults. Disney has taken some steps to rectify this by adding a handful of mature Marvel shows, and three R-rated movies to its lineup, but competitors like Netflix, Max, Peacock, and Paramount Plus have a lot more content geared toward older viewers.

Is Disney Plus merging with Hulu?

Disney Plus and Hulu are still technically separate services, but as of December 2023, Disney launched a new one-app experience for users who sign up for both platforms using the Disney Bundle. Now, Hulu content is accessible within the Disney Plus app if you're subscribed to both platforms.

To watch Hulu within Disney Plus, just navigate to the Hulu hub in the Disney Plus app. 

You can also subscribe to a Disney Plus and Hulu bundle, Duo Basic, starting at only $11 monthly.

Does Disney Plus allow password sharing?

Disney Plus does not allow password sharing and enables users to invite additional members outside their household through a paid sharing feature. Members can add an Extra Member to their account for a monthly fee. It's more affordable than an entirely separate membership at only $7 a month for Disney Plus Basic or $10 a month for Disney Plus Premium.