Almost a year following its last price hike, Disney is once again increasing the costs for Disney+ and Hulu standalone offerings, along with their bundles.
Disney, take heed: this isn’t the perfect moment to ask for more from us, particularly after the reactions to the Jimmy Kimmel Live! suspension, which prompted a surge of cancellations for Disney+ and Hulu. Nevertheless, the media behemoth can do as it wishes, so here we are.
This signifies Disney+’s fourth price rise in four years, hence it’s not surprising. It’s merely the latest streaming service to raise rates this year (Peacock also adjusted its prices in July). Standalone Disney+ and Hulu plans with advertisements will see an increase of $2, going from $9.99 to $11.99 monthly, while Disney+ Premium (ad-free) will climb from $15.99 to $18.99 per month. Bundle options will also experience a rise of $2 to $3.
When will the new prices go into effect?
There is a bright side: the new pricing won’t kick in until Oct. 21. This provides you time to lock in a deal (more details on that below). If you are on a monthly subscription, the new rates will take effect when your subscription renews after that date. For yearly subscriptions, the new rate will be applied at the year’s end. To cancel, click on your profile icon, then account, then “manage my account.” Click on subscription details to modify, pause, or cancel your plan.
Tips for saving on a Disney+ subscription
The optimal way to get the lowest price on a Disney+ subscription is to enroll in an annual plan before the Oct. 21 deadline. Sadly, Disney+ does not provide an annual option for its ad-supported tier, but it does for its Premium tier. Enrolling now for a year of Disney+ Premium will set you back $159.99, which saves you $30 upfront, since the price will soon rise to $189.99. You’ll need to pay in advance, but your future self will thank you. This amounts to $13.33 per month, a reasonable rate for ad-free streaming.
If you’re a Verizon Wireless or Total Wireless user, you can obtain a discounted (or free) Disney+ subscription. Verizon Wireless users can save $6.99 per month (rising to $9.99 per month post-increase) on the Disney Bundle.