Disney+ price increases happen regularly, and the most recent one took effect in December 2024
Disney+ raised its prices in December 2024. The ad-supported plan went from $7.99 to $7.99 per month (no change), the standard plan without ads jumped from $10.99 to $13.99 per month, and the premium plan climbed from $19.99 to $22.99 per month. These are the prices for new subscribers and existing customers who do not lock in a rate before the increase takes effect.
If you subscribed before the price change, you may have a grace period to keep your old rate—Disney typically gives existing customers 30 days notice and a window to downgrade before the new price applies. Check your account settings or the email Disney sent you to see your specific date.
Disney has raised prices multiple times since the service launched in 2019. Understanding when and why these increases happen can help you decide whether to stay, switch plans, or explore other options.
Key Takeaways
- Disney+ raised prices in December 2024, with the standard ad-free plan moving from $10.99 to $13.99 per month.
- Existing subscribers usually get 30 days' notice and a chance to downgrade or cancel before the new price takes effect.
- The ad-supported plan stayed at $7.99 per month, making it the cheapest way to keep your subscription active.
- Disney has raised prices roughly every 12 to 18 months since 2019, so future increases are likely.
- You can lock in your current rate by downgrading or canceling before the increase date, though you will lose access until you resubscribe at the new price.
When Disney+ raised prices in the past
Disney+ started at $7.99 per month in November 2019. The first price increase came in December 2020, when the standard plan jumped to $10.99. An ad-supported tier launched in December 2022 at $7.99 per month, and the premium plan (with 4K video and offline downloads) debuted at $19.99 that same month.
In October 2023, Disney raised the ad-free standard plan to $13.99 and the premium plan to $19.99—though the premium price stayed the same, the standard plan had already climbed. The December 2024 increase pushed premium to $22.99.
The pattern shows Disney raises prices roughly every 12 to 18 months. Each increase targets one or two tiers while leaving the ad-supported plan unchanged, which suggests Disney wants to push viewers toward the cheaper ad-supported option or toward bundling with Hulu and ESPN+.
How to check your current price and renewal date
Open the Disney+ app or website and go to your account settings. Look for "Subscription" or "Billing" (the exact label depends on your device). You will see your current plan name, your monthly or annual price, and your next billing date.
If a price increase is coming, Disney sends an email to the address on your account 30 days before the new rate takes effect. The email includes your new price, your renewal date, and a link to change your plan or cancel. If you do not see an email, check your spam folder or log into your account directly to see if a notice appears there.
Annual subscribers are usually notified when their renewal date approaches, not when ready. If you pay yearly, you will see the new price only when your subscription renews, not before.
Your options when a price increase hits
You have four choices: pay the new price, downgrade to the ad-supported plan, bundle Disney+ with Hulu and ESPN+ (which may cost less than the standalone plan), or cancel.
The ad-supported plan at $7.99 per month gives you access to the same content as the standard plan, but you will see ads before and during shows and movies. The trade-off is worth it if you are willing to watch commercials and do not need 4K video or offline downloads.
Disney also offers a bundle: Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ together. Pricing varies depending on whether you choose ad-supported or ad-free versions of each service, but the bundle often costs less than subscribing to all three separately. Check the bundle page on Disney+ to see current pricing in your region.
If you cancel, you can always resubscribe later at whatever the price is at that time. Some people cancel temporarily to avoid a price increase, then rejoin a few months later—though there is no may provide the price will drop.
Why Disney raises prices
Streaming services raise prices to cover the cost of content (shows, movies, and sports rights), server infrastructure, and customer support. Disney also uses price increases to push subscribers toward ad-supported plans, which generate revenue from advertisers in addition to subscription fees.
Disney+ has spent heavily on original content—Marvel series, Star Wars shows, Pixar films—and on licensing deals to keep popular movies and shows on the platform. These costs rise every year, and price increases help offset them.
The company also faces pressure from investors to show profit. Streaming services operated at a loss for years while building their subscriber base. Now that Disney+ has millions of subscribers, the company is raising prices to improve margins and demonstrate that streaming can be profitable.
How price increases compare to other streaming services
Netflix, Hulu, and Max (formerly HBO Max) have all raised prices multiple times in recent years. Netflix's standard plan is now $15.49 per month (ad-free), Hulu's standard plan is $14.99 per month (ad-free), and Max's standard plan is $15.99 per month (ad-free). Disney+ at $13.99 for the standard ad-free plan is slightly cheaper than these competitors, though all services offer cheaper ad-supported tiers.
If you subscribe to multiple services, the total cost adds up quickly. Many households now spend $50 to $100 per month on streaming alone. This is one reason bundles like Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+) and Max with HBO have become popular—they reduce the per-service cost.
Locking in your current rate before a price increase
You cannot freeze your price indefinitely, but you can delay a price increase by downgrading to a cheaper plan before the increase takes effect. If you downgrade from the standard plan to the ad-supported plan, you keep the $7.99 rate even after the price increase. However, you will lose access to ad-free viewing and 4K video.
Another strategy is to buy an annual subscription just before a price increase is announced. Annual plans are usually cheaper per month than monthly plans, and you lock in that rate for 12 months. Once your annual subscription expires, you will pay the new price if you renew.
If you cancel before the increase date, you will not be charged the new price—but you will also lose access to Disney+ when ready. You can resubscribe later at the new rate, or wait to see if Disney offers a promotional discount to win you back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my price increase if I already have a subscription?
Yes, unless you downgrade or cancel before the increase date. Disney notifies existing subscribers 30 days in advance and gives them a window to change their plan. Check your email and account settings for the exact date your new price takes effect.
Can I keep my old price if I do not cancel?
No. Once the increase date arrives, your next billing cycle will charge the new price. The only way to avoid it is to downgrade to a cheaper plan (like the ad-supported tier) or cancel before the increase date.
Is the ad-supported plan worth it to avoid the price increase?
That depends on how much you mind ads. You get the same shows and movies, but you will see commercials before and during content. If you watch a lot of Disney+, the ads add up. If you watch occasionally, the $7.99 price and ad interruptions might be acceptable.
Does the Disney Bundle cost less than Disney+ alone?
It depends on which plans you choose. The bundle with ads (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ all with ads) is usually cheaper than the standard Disney+ plan alone. The bundle with no ads costs more. Compare the current prices on Disney's website to see if bundling saves you money.
What happens to my account if I cancel before the price increase?
Your access stops when ready, but your account information is saved. You can resubscribe anytime at the current price. Disney sometimes offers discounts to returning subscribers, though there is no may provide.