Disney Plus raised its prices in late 2022 and again in 2024

Yes, Disney Plus prices have gone up more than once. The most recent increase happened in October 2024, when Disney raised the monthly cost of its ad-free plan and introduced a new pricing tier. Before that, prices went up in December 2022. The exact amount you pay depends on which plan you choose and when you subscribed.

Disney does not announce price changes far in advance. Most subscribers find out when they see the new charge on their credit card or when they log in and see a notification. If you are on a yearly plan, the increase typically takes effect when your subscription renews, not when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Disney Plus raised prices in December 2022 and again in October 2024, with the ad-free plan costing more each time.
  • The 2024 increase added a new mid-tier plan with ads at a lower price point, while the ad-free plan moved to a higher monthly cost.
  • Annual plans renew on your subscription anniversary, so the price increase takes effect then, not on the date Disney announces it.
  • You can check your current plan and price by opening the Disney Plus app, going to your account settings, and selecting "Subscription."

What the 2024 price increase included

In October 2024, Disney Plus restructured its pricing into three tiers instead of two. The Basic with Ads plan stayed at $7.99 per month. A new Standard with Ads plan launched at $7.99 per month as well, but with higher video quality and the ability to watch on two screens at once instead of one. The Premium plan (the ad-free option) went up to $13.99 per month for new subscribers, up from $11.99.

Existing subscribers on the Premium plan were notified that their price would increase to $13.99 when their next billing date arrived. If you were on a yearly Premium plan, you paid the old price until your renewal date, then the new price kicked in. Disney also raised the annual Premium price to $139.99 per year, up from $119.99.

The December 2022 price increase

Before the 2024 changes, Disney raised prices in December 2022. At that time, the ad-free plan went from $10.99 to $11.99 per month. Disney also introduced ads as an option for the first time, offering a cheaper tier at $7.99 per month for subscribers willing to watch advertisements.

That increase affected existing subscribers too. If you were paying $10.99 per month, your bill went up to $11.99 on your next billing cycle. Annual subscribers saw their yearly cost rise from $109.99 to $119.99.

How to find out what you are currently paying

Open the Disney Plus app on any device and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Select "Account" and then "Subscription." You will see your current plan name, the monthly or annual price, and the date your next billing cycle begins. This is the most reliable way to check, because plan names and prices vary depending on when you subscribed and which country you are in.

If you see a notification in the app saying your plan price is changing, it will also tell you the new amount and the date the change takes effect. Read that notification carefully, because it usually gives you a window to downgrade to a cheaper plan if you want to avoid the increase.

What happens when your price goes up

Disney sends an email notification before the increase takes effect, though the email sometimes arrives only a few days before the charge. The new price appears on your next billing date. If you are on a monthly plan, that happens 30 days after your last charge. If you are on an annual plan, it happens on the anniversary of when you first subscribed or renewed.

You have the option to downgrade to a cheaper plan before the increase takes effect. For example, if your Premium plan price is going up and you want to save money, you can switch to the Standard with Ads plan at any time. The downgrade takes effect when ready, and you are not charged for the unused portion of your current plan.

Why Disney raises prices

Disney, like other streaming services, raises prices to cover the cost of producing new shows and movies, licensing content from other studios, and paying for the technology that streams video to millions of people at once. The company also faces pressure from investors to increase revenue. When a service has millions of subscribers, even a $1 or $2 increase per month adds up to hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue.

Disney is not required to announce price increases in advance, and it does not always do so. The company typically notifies existing subscribers a few days to a week before the new price takes effect. New subscribers see the current price when they sign up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my price go up if I just signed up?

Not when ready. You pay the price that was in effect when you subscribed. Price increases take effect on your next billing date after Disney announces the change. If you signed up after October 2024, you are already on the new pricing structure.

Can I avoid the price increase by switching plans?

Yes. If you downgrade to a cheaper plan before your price increase takes effect, you lock in the lower price. For example, switching from Premium to Standard with Ads saves you money each month. The downgrade happens right away, and you can upgrade again later if you want.

What if I do not want to pay the new price?

You can cancel your subscription at any time without penalty. Disney does not charge a cancellation fee. You lose access to the service at the end of your current billing period. If you paid for a year upfront, you do not get a refund for the unused months.

Are there any discounts or promotions to avoid the price increase?

Disney occasionally offers discounts for annual plans or bundles with Hulu and ESPN Plus, but these deals change frequently and are not always available. Check the Disney Plus website or app to see current offers. Some credit card companies also offer promotional rates for new subscribers, though these do not explore to existing accounts.

How often does Disney raise prices?

There is no set schedule. Disney raised prices in December 2022 and October 2024, but that does not mean increases happen every year or on a predictable timeline. The company raises prices when it decides revenue needs to increase, which could be months or years apart.