With a variety of streaming services at the ready, and all the shows you could ever want to watch at your fingertips, how are you making the decision on which streaming services to keep and which ones to skip? Because frankly, there are just so many…and only so many hours in a day! From Max, to Netflix, to Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video, you can see almost everything on your watchlist. So what shows does Disney Plus have to make the new MORE EXPENSIVE monthly cost worth it? Is Disney Plus on your list? Is Disney Plus Worth It?
So, why would you want to add Disney Plus to your streaming catalog? Do you really “need” to see The Mandalorian? Or do need to revisit the old-school Ducktales? With EXCLUSIVE content specific to Disney, you may be wondering if you can’t just grab those shows through Hoopla, YouTube, or Amazon Prime Video instead. But let’s walk you through why you may or may not want Disney Plus Streaming to your lineup.
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How Much Does Disney Plus Cost?
How much does Disney Plus Cost? This is by far the most important question in the “Is Disney Plus Worth It?” topic. Especially since almost everyone cut the cable cord to “save money.” As such, does it really make sense to invest the $240 dollars a year in a Disney Plus and Hulu Streaming Service Package?
Early on in the streaming service game Disney Plus was offered at $6.99 a month. While this may be in line with Bob Iger’s sentiment that the “pricing was way off”, there was a perceived Add Value for Disney Plus customers that other streaming services couldn’t boast. But, that is no longer the case. With the prices of Disney Plus going up, it is no longer something you can just add to your monthly budget because it’s worth it. It’s now risen to the level playing field of all the other streaming services and begs the question of worth. As it’s taking a healthy chunk of your streaming service budget each month.
Is Disney Plus Worth it in 2023?
With a price range of $7.99 a month to $240 dollars a year, not including Live add-ons, Disney Plus is getting expensive. Jumping a whopping 27% in 2023, Disney Plus Prices across the board are going UP! And it’s the second price hike in less than a year, so be prepared for another jump and the reality that you may need to ask this same question upon every renewal. We’ve pulled together this table for a clear view of what you will be paying, monthly or annually, across the Disney Plus Pricing Options. Note that some services are not available until September 6, 2023. Price changes to current subscriptions begin October 6, 2023. Here’s what to know about How Much Disney Plus Costs, so you can decide if it is worth it to you. ( 2023 Disney Plus Prices Starting October 12, 2023).
If you’re like most people, a life without ads is preferred. That said, at 19.99 a month, with no annual discount option, this price is kind of high, in our opinion. Of course, if you’re just going for Disney+ and not Hulu, that’s still weighing in at 13.99 a month. And while this monthly cost may just be priced a little over your coffee and breakfast sandwich at Starbucks, the $140 per year cost, for access to a few shows you like, may not be worth it for you.
Should I get the Disney Plus Bundle?
If you’re debating whether or not to get the Disney+ Bundle, which includes either Disney Plus and Hulu, OR Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN, considering the costs helps. For instance, if you’re planning on getting Disney Plus without Ads, and really need access to Only Murders in the Building, The Great, and What We Do in the Shadows, then the extra $6/ month on top of your Disney Plus subscription, may not seem like a big deal. Especially if you only plan on getting the service for a few months in the fall, when the new shows come out.
However, if you’re looking at something like getting Hulu, and then adding Disney Plus to that, know that your $2 dollars extra only gets you Disney Plus, with ads. There is no way to get Disney Plus without ads as a Hulu add-on unless you go with the Premium Bundle.
Is Disney Plus Cheaper Monthly or Annually?
Disney Plus, without ads, annually, costs 139.00. This puts the monthly cost at $11.66/ month. While not a bargain, it definitely saves a few bucks if you know you’re subscribing to Disney Plus all year long. That said, there is no annual payment option for any of the Disney+ Bundle Products, so if you’re planning to have the services all year long, the Annual price when offered, is CHEAPER. However, it does remove the options for bundle pricing and locks you into an annual contract. As such, upon renewal or beginning the service, choose wisely.
If I cancel my Disney Plus Annual Subscription, do I get a Refund?
No. As the service is paid through the end of the current billing cycle, it won’t cancel until that cycle is complete. As an annual subscriber, you’ve already paid it, and will not get a refund for partial or unused months. If you cancel your subscription after the Disney+ Promotional Period, your cancellation will be effective at the end of the current billing period. No refunds or credits for partial months.
Disney Plus Password Sharing Rules
Starting in 2024, Disney Plus will begin its password-sharing crackdown on all current subscribers, by collecting location data. As Netflix recently enacted the same procedure with a vast amount of success and new subscribers, it’s no surprise that Disney+ is following suit. The technology involved will include harvesting location data, and IP information, and identifying which users are accessing the streaming services outside of the main subscribing household. There will also most likely be a Cost Per Person Add-On option, much like Netflix, at an exorbitant cost ( 7.99 a person on Netflix) for allowing users to share the account with non-household members, but remain on the same family account.
Again, for Disney Plus users who have been in it since the beginning of the streaming service for Disney Plus Day on November 12, 2019, this is a major blow to the “Add Value” illusion. While other streaming services would conveniently cap your family user profiles to 5, Disney Plus allowed 10 profiles to be had on the same service. As someone from a large family, this was a godsend! However, as part of the Disney Plus Password Sharing crackdown, Iger has shared that this strategic tactic will most likely limit the profiles on one account altogether.
What are the Disadvantages of Disney Plus?
Apart from price, the biggest disadvantage of Disney Plus is their current track record for removing shows you like. Earlier this year Disney removed amazing programming from the platform to save money and limit payout to actors and writers. The Mysterious Benedict Society and Turner and Hooch were both original programming that didn’t get much of a lifespan on the platform. In 2023, several Christmas movies were also removed from the platform. Home Alone was removed completely. Jingle All the Way was moved to Hulu. And ABC Family classics like Snowglobe, 12 Dates of Christmas, and Snow were all removed. That said, does it make more sense to review the catalog and pay monthly? Maybe so.
What Shows are on Disney Plus?
That said, much like taking on any other streaming service, it’s sometimes about more than just the cost. In fact, it tends to be closer to this; What do I get on Disney Plus that I can’t get anywhere else? You can peruse the Disney Plus Catalog for every title available. Keeping in mind that Disney owns practically everything, chances are there is more than you realize! Check out our What’s New on Disney Plus post for all the films and shows on the way.
Does Disney Plus have All the Disney Movies?
No. In fact, Disney Plus doesn’t have certain Disney films that you would expect to be on the platform. Disney+ does not have the live-action Cinderella for instance. It also doesn’t have the classic ABC Family Christmas Movies that you would expect it to. It also doesn’t have certain Disney archival content on the platform. Certain holiday specials, like Mickey’s Magical Christmas, isn’t included. The Wonderful World of Disney and the House of Mouse are also not on Disney Plus.
Exclusive Premiere Access on Disney Plus
Never mind that some films will always release in theaters first, or simultaneously. The fact that Disney films, both current and archival, come back to Disney Plus is a bonus. And Disney Plus Premier Access often means you get to see a new Disney Film at the same time it’s in theaters, for an extra fee of $29.99 of course. Mulan, Cruella, Jungle Cruise Black Widow, and Encanto were all released on Disney Plus, some required a charge, and some were free to subscribers. And Pixar’s Turning Red releases EXCLUSIVELY on Disney Plus. Just like both Soul and Luca before it, it’s FREE to subscribers and is unable to be seen anywhere else. In addition to that, Disney Plus opens most releases to subscribers, about 70 days after a theater release. If you’re a Disney Fan or a Disney Family, looking to save on the per-person price tag at the movie theater, then Disney Plus will quickly pay for itself. Even with the $30 dollar upcharge on these films.
Doctor Who on Disney Plus
Fall 2023 marks the beginning of Doctor Who on Disney Plus. As the new home to everyone’s favorite time traveler, THIS show will be the one that people are watching. New subscribers will surely abound. And as much as true Doctore Who Fans will just own all the DVD box sets of this show, the NEW season will only air on Disney Plus. Of course, we don’t know if Max or Britbox will move Doctor Who off their platforms or not. But either way, Disney Plus will be the American home of the Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials as well as the new season featuring Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa as the 15th Doctor. Outside of the U.S., you can catch Doctor Who on the BBC.
Marvel Cinematic Universe Exclusive Content
Loki, Falcon and the Winter Soldier, WandaVision… need we say more. If you have any investment in the MCU at all, then you will need to add Disney Plus to your streaming lineup. Because it’s less about “Is Disney Plus Worth it?” and more about, “can I let the Marvel Cinematic Universe storytelling happen without me”? CRITICAL pieces of the Marvel story are only happening on Disney Plus. So, if you’re hoping to have a complete picture when theater-worthy films release like Thunderbolts, it would benefit you to get Disney Plus, so you can stay up to date in the interim.
Does Disney Plus have all the Marvel Movies?
Disney Plus has all of the Marvel Movies, so far, with the exception of the Spider-Man movies, which are still under Sony’s umbrella.
Star Wars Films and Series
A cornerstone of the Disney Plus universe is a plethora of Star Wars-related content. Both original and new. While housing all the Star Wars films, animated series, The Mandalorian, and now the Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka there is more than enough content here for the Star Wars fan. Does Disney Plus have all the Star Wars Movies? Yes.
Disney Channel Original Series
While the fan base for Disney Channel Original content may be smaller than Star Wars and Marvel, it’s definitely just as powerful. Classics like Wizards of Waverly Place, Even Stevens, and Shake it Up, along with Disney XD programming are just a few things included spanning this catalog beginning with Disney Channel’s inception in 1983.
- Disney Channel Valentines Day Episodes and Movies on Disney Plus
- Best Disney Movies for Easter on Disney Plus
- Disney Channel Halloween Episodes on Disney Plus
- Disney Channel Christmas Episodes on Disney Plus
- Disney St. Patrick’s Day Movies and TV Episodes on Disney Plus
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is a show with a cult following if ever there was one. And if you’re looking for the complete catalog of this series you can find all of it on Disney Plus! Complete with its own collection in the Disney Plus platform, you can find any episode you need at any time. Does Disney Plus Have all the Simpsons Episodes? Yes, Disney Plus has all the Simpson episodes through Season 33 ( as of August 2023). Including holiday specials, and shorts.
Schoolhouse Rock!
This vintage television show was alive and well in the good old days, teaching kids everything they needed to know about grammar, math, science, and history. a one-stop-shop, if you’re looking for educational resources for the kids, Schoolhouse Rock! in its entirety, can only be seen on Disney Plus. This is one of our TOP choices for a Disney Homeschool Curriculum and may be worth it as a school year cost for you.
The Muppets
Another fan favorite, all things Muppets can be found on Disney Plus and include The Muppet Movie, Muppet Show, Muppets Now, and a variety of Muppets holiday specials. In addition, you can also see original Muppet content, like Muppet’s Haunted Mansion, AND classic Muppet content like The Great Muppet Caper. For us, this means year-round access to our favorite Disney Christmas Movie, Muppet’s Christmas Carol. Which, of course, we also have on DVD.
Once Upon a Time
Is Once Upon a Time on Disney Plus? Yes. Yes, it is. To OUAT fans this is a godsend. Mainly because as one of the best shows produced by ABC in the 2000s, watching this entire series on Disney Plus is a must. For us, when we considered ” Is Disney Plus Worth It?” this was the show that sealed the deal since it wasn’t being shown anywhere else. If you’re up for a massive soap opera fairytale drama featuring Snow White and Prince Charming, Emma Swan and Captain Hook, and an evil queen with a heart, don’t miss this one.
Boy Meets World and Girl Meets World
If you’ve heard of the ’90s, you’ve heard about this show. Boy Meets World that is. Featuring Cory and Shawn and television’s most endearing friendship, between two guys. And then, of course, Girl Meets World gives us the girl version, set in the 2010s. Both shows come with all the highs and lows of middle school. Both shows come with their own devoted followers, for the instructions given about friendship, family, and growing up.
Disney Movies
While Disney Plus may not have ALL the movies Disney has ever made, they have a lot of them! This includes Disney animated films like Cinderella and classic live-action films like That Darn Cat. Chances are if you’re looking for a Disney movie, it’s on Disney Plus. Check out the Disney Plus Catalog for every title available.
Disney Plus Original Programming
One of the main perks of Disney Plus, prior to the WGA, and SAG-AFTRA strikes of course was the nonstop flow of absolutely NEW content. Unfortunately, I think we’re all seeing how unsustainable that kind of artistic creation on the part of the writers, actors, and production teams really is. That said, we’re hoping for the sake of sustainability, that Disney actually begins to pull back on its original content. And instead drills down into the archives a bit for “new” things. Several select new shows and programs a year, evenly spaced throughout the year would be enough to get people to the service, without breaking Hollywood in the process. We saw this effort earlier this year as they began to fill Disney Plus with content already produced for the partner franchises; National Geographic, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, and a bunch of documentaries, independently produced, all took their place on the platform. Of course, have a quick list of the Top 10 Things to Watch to Disney Plus if you’re wondering what the fuss is about.
Behind the Attraction
An absolute favorite, and one that we hope will get a second season, is the Behind the Attraction series. As parkgoers, learning all the intricate details and lore around Disney Parks rides was such a treat. And something that could only be seen on Disney Plus as part of the Exclusive Original Programming. Featuring a behind-the-scenes look at Disney Imagineers, stories, and how they brought attractions to life, this is such a fun show to help build your Disney knowledge.
High School Musical the Musical the Series
Without intention, High School Musical, The Musical, The Series became the star vehicle for breakout star Olivia Rodrigo. And a favorite among anyone and everyone adoring musical theater. With Broadway Stars touting its brilliance and more talent than you can imagine, HSMTMTS, has begun to garner a following almost as strong as the original High School Musical.
Mickey Mouse Shorts (2013) and The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse and friends show up in this fun Emmy-Award Winning animated series, for adventures, and mishaps. This is one of our favorite shows to watch. These mini cartoons are about 5-6 minutes long and offer fun snapshots into the world of Mickey Mouse! The original series started in 2013 and is available on Disney Plus, and features the original voice actress for Minnie Mouse. After her passing, the show closed out the run and reopened a new run as the Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse. All in all both series are the same animation. And definitely worth the watch.
Classic Disney Saturday Morning Cartoons
Ok, so let’s get down to brass tax here. When we ask ourselves, “Is Disney Plus Worth It”, it’s the Saturday Morning Cartoons that we simply can’t give up. You know the ones. Ducktales, Gummi Bears, and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh join newbie favorites like Phineas and Ferb and Gravity Falls. All are ONLY available on Disney Plus.
What Shows are on Hulu?
A common combination is to have Disney Plus and Hulu as a bundle. This means you get all the content on Disney Plus for kids and a bunch of adult content on Hulu. Weirdly, Disney has chosen to begin moving forward to a “one app” experience for these services to combine. As they take full ownership of Hulu, we could definitely see the bundle situation change and shift to an exorbitantly priced service featuring a gigantic collection of shows that you may, or may not want. But, if you’re looking for more “grown-up” content you can head to the other streaming service under Disney’s umbrella, Hulu. Hulu also has original programming and most of the Fox catalog. Plus, Hillary Duff’s new comedic vehicle, How I Met Your Father, Elle Fanning’s The Great, and FX’s What We Do in the Shadows.
Comedies
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine: A cult classic, all 8 seasons are available for watching and rewatching on Hulu. Andy Samberg and friends work the beat in New York, complete with day-to-day problems, and crimes to fight.
- Abbott Elementary: Emmy award-winning comedy at its best, Abbott Elementary is by far one of the best comedy sitcoms of the day.
- What We Do In the Shadows: A fan favorite, this campy, over-the-top, comedy follows fish out of water vampires as they try to navigate neighbors, modern conveniences, and daylight from their spooky, sometimes dilapidated home in State Island. Originally written by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, this series follows the same flavor as the film.
Dramas
- Only Murders in the Building: Martin Short, Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Nathan Lane lead this Emmy award-winning sitcom. As they solve murders by podcast. Fun and frisky, each season offers a new murder to solve. Exquisitely written, this show is beautiful, smart, and offers a great story.
- The Bear: A renowned cast makes The Bear a must-see on Hulu, and a show that’s getting more and more notice each season. Combining drama and comedy, this one follows a brilliant chef who returns home to run his family’s sandwich shop after a death in the family. Life, love, and everything in between are tackled in this dramedy.
- The Great: Nicholas Holt and Elle Fanning lead the all-star cast in this mostly true retelling of Catherine the Great’s reign in Russia. Gorgeous scenery and costumes, get you to the table for this one. And an interest in how Catherine will eventually overthrow the Czar to take her place on the throne of all Russia. Lots of sex in this one, so be wary of the kids watching.
What Christmas Movies are on Disney Plus?
We pretty much live for the holidays. And having the BEST Holiday movies at our fingertips with a streaming service like Disney Plus is a godsend. This past Christmas we didn’t even ask “Is Disney Plus Worth It.” Mainly because the number of times we watched the Santa Clause trilogy alone completely justified the cost. We have a list of the Best Christmas Movies on Disney Plus and all the Disney Channel Christmas Episodes you can watch, for a reason.
And many more! For those looking for Christmas Rom Coms on Disney Plus, you can find also12 Dates of Christmas, Snowglobe, and While You Were Sleeping.
What Christmas Movies are on Hulu?
With a full lineup of Christmas Movies on Hulu, there is no shortage of things to watch for the holidays. Especially, if you add this to your Disney Plus Bundle! With classic rom-com, kid’s cartoons, and family favorites, here are just a few you can watch, and rewatch through the holiday season.
- The Holiday
- The Man Who Invented Christmas
- Jingle All the Way
- The Happiest Season
- Back to Christmas
- A Christmas Movie Christmas
How Many Streaming Services Do You Need?
Finally, we come to the big question, How Many Streaming Services Do You Need? Or rather, How Many Shows can you ACTUALLY watch? The second one always gets us. Causing us to fall into that trap of just paying, and paying for more streaming services each month than we can actually use. So, when it comes to how many streaming services you need, consider just making a chart. Good old-fashioned data will tell you what you’re actually most, versus what you’re actually just scrolling through. From there, you can then check out alternatives to streaming.
Apps like Hoopla, through your local library, get you FREE ACCESS to shows from Acorn, BritBox, Paramount Plus, Disney, Fox, Hallmarks, and more. And they even have Binge Passes, which you can check out for 7 days. So if you’re a Hallmark Now fan, you can actually just rent that content for FREE through Hoopla. What about becoming an Amazon Prime Member? A great alternative to multiple streaming services is Prime Video. Amazon Prime not only offers up original content, like Good Omens but also Included access to loads of shows and movies. As well as Add-On channel subscriptions. Sure, Amazon Prime does mean a yearly fee, but if you’re buying your regular items, and groceries, and need two-day shipping anyway, might as well have it! And of course, never forget the amazing ease of good old-fashioned DVDs. Because no streaming service is required when you have the Dvd Box set of Succession or Doctor Who or Game of Thrones
Disney Plus Streaming Service Review
In a world where serial binge-watching has become the norm, chances are your watchlists on the services you already pay for, are limitless. From Netflix to Hulu, to Amazon Prime Video, to HBO Max, how could you possibly get through all that programming? Ever?
Hopefully, this post has given you a quick snapshot of what you get when you get the Disney Plus streaming service. And if you’ve been asking “Is Disney Plus worth It,” perhaps this post has cleared up a few of your questions. Let us know if you have questions we need to cover! And happy streaming.
Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer with an MLIS in Information Science and a B.S. in Arch and Design. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.
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