Dancing with the Stars is not included in a standard Disney Plus subscription
Dancing with the Stars moved to Disney Plus in 2023, but it is not part of your regular Disney Plus membership. You need Disney Plus with an add-on subscription called Disney Plus Premium, or you can watch through a separate streaming service called Hulu (which Disney also owns). The show airs new episodes during its fall and spring seasons, and older seasons are available to stream on demand.
If you already pay for Disney Plus, adding the premium tier costs extra per month. If you do not have Disney Plus at all, you can watch through Hulu with ads, or through Hulu without ads, both of which are cheaper than adding the premium tier to Disney Plus.
Key Takeaways
- Dancing with the Stars requires either Disney Plus Premium (an add-on to your current subscription) or a separate Hulu subscription.
- New episodes air during fall and spring seasons; past seasons are available to stream anytime on both platforms.
- Hulu with ads is the least expensive way to watch if you do not already subscribe to Disney Plus.
- Disney Plus Premium costs more than a standard Disney Plus subscription but includes other content not on the base tier.
What Disney Plus Premium includes
Disney Plus Premium is a paid add-on tier that costs more than a standard Disney Plus subscription. It includes Dancing with the Stars, plus other content that is not available on the base Disney Plus plan. The exact price and what else is included can change, so check the Disney Plus app or website for current details.
If you already have Disney Plus, you can upgrade to Premium directly in your account settings. You will keep all your existing Disney Plus content and add the premium tier on top of it.
Watching through Hulu instead
Hulu is a separate streaming service owned by Disney. Dancing with the Stars streams on Hulu the same day new episodes air, and all past seasons are available to watch on demand. You can watch Hulu with ads (the cheaper option) or without ads (more expensive).
If you do not have any Disney streaming service yet, Hulu alone is often cheaper than Disney Plus Premium. You can also bundle Hulu with Disney Plus and ESPN Plus at different price points, though you would be paying for services you might not use.
When new episodes air
Dancing with the Stars has two seasons per year: one in the fall (usually starting in September) and one in the spring (usually starting in March). New episodes air on Monday nights during these seasons. When the show is not airing new episodes, you can still watch past seasons on both Disney Plus Premium and Hulu.
If you want to know the exact premiere date for the next season, check the Disney Plus app, Hulu, or the official Dancing with the Stars social media accounts, as dates shift slightly from year to year.
Comparing your options
| Option | Cost (varies by region) | Ads? | Other content included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disney Plus Premium add-on | Extra per month on top of Disney Plus | No | Premium Disney Plus content plus Dancing with the Stars |
| Hulu with ads | Lower monthly cost | Yes | Thousands of TV shows and movies |
| Hulu without ads | Higher monthly cost | No | Thousands of TV shows and movies |
| Disney Plus + Hulu bundle | Varies by tier | Depends on tier | Both services combined |
The cheapest way to watch Dancing with the Stars is Hulu with ads, if you do not already have Disney Plus. If you already subscribe to Disney Plus and do not want ads, Disney Plus Premium is the simplest upgrade. If you want to watch other shows on Hulu anyway, a bundle might make sense.
Technical requirements and devices
Both Disney Plus Premium and Hulu work on most devices: smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, streaming boxes (like Roku or Apple TV), gaming consoles, and web browsers. You log in with your account and stream the show the same way you would any other content on those platforms.
Make sure your device has a recent version of the app installed, and that your internet connection is stable. If you have trouble streaming, try restarting the app or your device, or check your internet speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Dancing with the Stars with a regular Disney Plus subscription?
No. The show is only on Disney Plus Premium (an add-on tier) or on Hulu. A standard Disney Plus subscription does not include it.
Are past seasons of Dancing with the Stars available to watch?
Yes. All past seasons are available on demand through both Disney Plus Premium and Hulu. You can watch them anytime, not just during the airing season.
Can I watch Dancing with the Stars live as it airs?
Yes. New episodes air live on Monday nights during the fall and spring seasons on both Disney Plus Premium and Hulu. You can also watch them on demand after they air.
Is there a free way to watch Dancing with the Stars?
No. The show requires either a Disney Plus Premium subscription or a Hulu subscription. Neither service offers a free tier that includes Dancing with the Stars.
What if I only want to watch Dancing with the Stars and nothing else?
Disney Plus Premium and Hulu both include other content beyond the show, so you would be paying for a subscription service rather than just the one program. There is no option to purchase individual episodes or seasons.