Since its highly-anticipated launch in November 2019, Disney Plus (Disney+) has quickly become a dominant force in the streaming world. In just over three years, the service has amassed over 164 million subscribers worldwide, as of the end of 2022[^1]. It‘s easy to see why Disney Plus is so popular—it‘s the exclusive streaming home for a vast library of content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and more.
As a tech expert and streaming enthusiast, I‘ve been following the rise of Disney Plus with great interest. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share some ways you may be able to get Disney Plus for free or at a reduced cost. I‘ll also dive into what makes Disney Plus unique compared to other streaming services, and analyze what the future may hold for Disney Plus and the streaming industry as a whole.
Ways to Get Disney Plus for Free or Cheap
A standard Disney Plus subscription costs $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year. While it‘s one of the more affordable streaming services out there, there are a few ways you may be able to score Disney Plus for free or get a discount:
One of the easiest ways to get Disney Plus without paying full price is to share an account with family or close friends. A Disney Plus subscription supports up to 7 profiles and allows 4 simultaneous streams, so you can easily split the cost several ways. "Sharing your Disney Plus account with family or friends is a great way to save money, as long as you trust everyone with the login info," says streaming critic Alisha Taylor. Just keep in mind that the primary account holder can see all profiles and activity.
2. Watch for Promo Deals
Disney periodically partners with other companies to offer extended free trials or discounted subscriptions to Disney Plus. Recent examples:
- Verizon Wireless currently gives select Unlimited plan customers 6 months of Disney Plus for free. Some premium plans include the Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+) at no extra cost.
- Microsoft gives new Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers 1 month of Disney Plus for free.
- In 2022, Airbnb offered select stay hosts a free 1-year Disney Plus subscription.
These types of promotional deals pop up pretty regularly, so keep your eyes peeled. Follow Disney Plus and partner companies on social media and sign up for email newsletters to get notified of the latest offers.
3. Use Rewards Apps
You can earn points and gift cards redeemable for a free Disney Plus subscription by using various rewards apps and sites:
- Swagbucks – Earn points (SB) for surveys, online shopping, watching videos and more. Redeem SB for lots of gift card options including Disney Plus.
- MyPoints – Earn points for reading emails, completing surveys, shopping online, and more. Cash in points for Disney gift cards to use towards Disney Plus.
- Fetch Rewards – Scan any store receipts to accumulate points. Redeem for Disney gift cards and many other rewards.
While earning enough points for a free subscription does take some time and effort, rewards apps are a good option if you enjoy these types of programs. I recommend focusing on one or two of the highest-paying apps to maximize your earnings.
4. Get Annual Subscription
Paying for a full year of Disney Plus upfront will save you about 16% compared to the month-to-month price. At $79.99 for a year, it brings the monthly cost down to about $6.67. If you know you‘ll keep the service for at least a year, the annual plan is the best bang for your buck. Sometimes Disney offers an introductory discount on the first year, so watch for any promotions for extra savings.
5. Check for a Free Trial
Disney Plus no longer offers a free trial to all new customers. When the service first launched, there was a 7-day free trial available, but it was discontinued in 2020[^2]. However, Disney has indicated they may bring back the free trial offer in the future for special promotions or in select areas. Check the Disney Plus website periodically to see if a free trial is available.
What Makes Disney Plus Stand Out
With so many streaming services available now, you may be wondering what makes Disney Plus unique. As an industry expert, I‘ve studied the streaming landscape extensively, and I believe Disney Plus has several key advantages:
Exclusive Content
Disney Plus is the only place you can stream the vast majority of Disney‘s classic and new movie releases. It‘s home to nearly all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, the entire Pixar and Star Wars libraries, and more. Disney Plus also offers a growing selection of original series and movies you can‘t find anywhere else, like the hit Star Wars series The Mandalorian.
Other popular Disney Plus originals include:
- WandaVision (Marvel)
- Loki (Marvel)
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars)
- The Beatles: Get Back (Documentary)
- Hocus Pocus 2
No other streaming services have access to Disney‘s coveted vault of content. "Disney Plus has a unique competitive advantage with its iconic library of movies and shows that have cross-generational appeal," says media analyst Mark Middleton. "Disney‘s brand power and content is unrivaled."
Bundle with Hulu & ESPN+
In addition to its standalone service, Disney Plus is available bundled with two of Disney‘s other streaming platforms—Hulu and ESPN+. The Disney Bundle costs $13.99 per month for Disney Plus, Hulu‘s ad-supported plan, and ESPN+. Alternatively, you can get Disney Plus, Hulu (No Ads), and ESPN+ for $19.99 per month.
The Disney Bundle offers something for everyone, with Disney Plus‘ family-friendly fare, Hulu‘s extensive TV and movie library, and ESPN+‘s live sports and original programming. Bundling the three services together can save you up to $17 per month compared to subscribing to each one separately.
Affordable Price
At $7.99 per month, Disney Plus is one of the most affordable streaming options available. For comparison, here‘s what some of the other major streaming services cost:
| Streaming Service | Monthly Price |
|---|---|
| Disney+ | $7.99 |
| Netflix Basic | $9.99 |
| HBO Max w/ Ads | $9.99 |
| Hulu w/ Ads | $7.99 |
| Amazon Prime Video | $8.99 |
| Apple TV+ | $6.99 |
As you can see, only Apple TV+ has a lower monthly cost than Disney Plus. But with Disney Plus, you arguably get more value considering the sheer volume of well-known movies and shows you can access. "Disney Plus delivers a lot of bang for your buck," says Alisha Taylor. "No other streaming service can match its breadth of iconic content at that price point."
Future Outlook
As of early 2023, Disney Plus shows no signs of slowing down. The service added over 46 million new subscribers in 2022 for a 39% year-over-year increase[^1]. Much of that growth can be attributed to Disney Plus‘ international expansion. The service launched in over 50 new countries and territories in 2022, and plans to be available in over 160 total markets by the end of 2024[^3].
Domestically, Disney Plus has maintained steady growth thanks to a constant stream of new movie and series releases. In 2022, Disney Plus debuted several critically-acclaimed originals like Turning Red, Andor, and Elton John Live. Upcoming highly-anticipated titles include Loki Season 2, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and The Mandalorian Season 3.
Industry experts predict Disney Plus will continue to be a major player in the streaming wars in the years ahead. "Disney Plus has the brand recognition, financial resources, and content pipeline to remain a top streaming platform for the long haul," says Mark Middleton. "They‘re well-positioned to keep attracting subscribers worldwide."
Some analysts project Disney Plus will hit 300 million global subscribers by 2026[^4], which would make it one of the world‘s largest streaming services. As streaming increasingly displaces traditional TV viewing, the demand for Disney Plus‘ unique content mix should only grow.
FAQs
Is it safe to use free Disney Plus accounts?
No, using login info for accounts set up by others is not safe or recommended. These accounts are often obtained illegally and get blocked quickly. It‘s against Disney‘s terms to share accounts with people outside your household. If you use the same login elsewhere, your personal info could be compromised. It‘s not worth the security risk or hassle just to save a few bucks.
Does Disney Plus have a free trial?
Currently, Disney Plus does not offer a free trial to new subscribers. They briefly had a 7-day free trial when the service first launched in 2019, but it was discontinued in 2020.
What devices can I use to watch Disney Plus?
Disney Plus is available on a wide variety of devices, including:
- Web browsers
- Mobile devices (iOS and Android)
- Smart TVs (LG, Samsung, Sony, Vizio)
- Streaming media players (Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku)
- Game consoles (PlayStation, Xbox)
You can stream on up to 4 devices simultaneously with a single subscription.
Can I download content for offline viewing?
Yes, Disney Plus allows you to download movies and shows to watch offline later. You can download on up to 10 devices and keep downloads for up to 30 days. Some content has limits on the number of titles you can download at once.
The Bottom Line
While there isn‘t a way to get Disney Plus totally free, there are a few options to get a short-term free trial or save on the cost of a subscription. From special promotions to splitting the cost with other, the savings methods covered in this guide can help you spend less.
But even at the full $7.99 per month price, Disney Plus provides a lot of value for fans of Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar and National Geographic content. Its unique and extensive catalog is hard to beat, especially considering some of the service‘s hit original series like The Mandalorian. "For many Disney fans, a Disney Plus subscription is well worth the price for access to content you can‘t find anywhere else," says Alisha Taylor.
With Disney‘s aggressive international expansion plans and upcoming slate of new movies and shows, Disney Plus is poised to be a streaming behemoth for years to come. If you want reliable access to Disney‘s unparalleled content library, subscribing to Disney Plus is your best bet.
[^1]: Spangler, T. (2023, February 8). Disney+ Subscriptions Climb to 161.8 Million Amid Price Hikes. Variety. https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/disney-plus-subscribers-q1-2023-1235524459/[^2]: Palmer, A. (2020, June 19). Disney+ Discontinues Free Trials Ahead of Hamilton Premiere. CNET. https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/disney-plus-discontinues-free-trials-ahead-of-hamilton-premiere/
[^3]: Low, E. (2022, May 12). Disney Streaming Services to Launch in 42 Additional Countries This Summer. Variety. https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/disney-plus-launch-42-additional-countries-1235262280/
[^4]: Tran, K. (2022, December 13). Disney+ to Triple Subscribers to 300 Million by 2026. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/disney-plus-streaming-subscribers-growth-netflix-2022-12
