You can get Disney Plus without Hulu — they are separate subscriptions

Disney Plus and Hulu are two different streaming services with different content libraries. You can pay for Disney Plus alone and never buy Hulu, just as you can buy Hulu without Disney Plus. Disney owns both, but they do not force you to bundle them together.

That said, Disney does offer a bundle that includes both Disney Plus and Hulu (with or without ads), plus ESPN+. The bundle costs less per month than buying all three separately, so many people choose it for the savings. But the choice is yours — you are never required to take Hulu if you only want Disney Plus.

Key Takeaways

  • Disney Plus and Hulu are sold as separate subscriptions, and you can buy either one without the other.
  • Disney offers a bundle that combines Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN+ at a lower total price than buying them individually.
  • The bundle comes in two versions: one with ads on Hulu and one without ads on any service.
  • If you only want Disney Plus content, buying the service alone is cheaper than any bundle.

What is included in each subscription level

Disney Plus by itself gives you access to Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and some other content. The service costs the same whether you watch on one device or share the account across a household — though Disney has rules about how many people can stream at once and from where.

Hulu is a separate library focused on TV shows, movies, and original series. It has current-season episodes of many broadcast and cable shows, older seasons of popular series, and films that are not on Disney Plus. Hulu also comes in two versions: one with ads and one without.

ESPN+ is a sports streaming service with live games, original shows, and replays. It is not bundled with Disney Plus on its own — you only get it as part of the three-service bundle.

How much the bundle saves you compared to buying separately

The exact prices change over time and vary by region, so check Disney's website for current rates in your area. What matters is the math: add up what Disney Plus costs alone, what Hulu costs at your chosen ad level, and what ESPN+ costs. Then compare that total to the bundle price. The bundle is almost always cheaper.

For example, if Disney Plus costs $7.99 per month, Hulu with ads costs $7.99, and ESPN+ costs $6.99, buying all three separately would be $22.97. A bundle that includes all three might cost $14.99 with ads on Hulu, or $24.99 without ads. If you want all three services, the bundle saves you money. If you only want Disney Plus, buying it alone is the cheapest option.

The savings grow if you commit to a longer plan — many services offer discounts for annual payment instead of month-to-month.

When the bundle makes sense for your household

The bundle is worth considering if more than one person in your home watches different services. If you watch Disney Plus, someone else watches Hulu for TV shows, and a third person follows sports on ESPN+, the bundle is almost certainly cheaper than three separate subscriptions.

The bundle also makes sense if you think you will use all three services over time, even if you do not use them equally. Hulu in particular has a huge library of older TV shows and films, so many people discover they watch it more than they expected once they have it.

The bundle does not make sense if you only care about Disney Plus content and have no interest in Hulu or sports. In that case, buy Disney Plus alone and save the money.

How to change your subscription if you already have one

If you currently have Disney Plus alone and want to add Hulu, you do not need to cancel and start over. Log into your Disney account, go to your subscription settings, and look for the option to upgrade or change your plan. Disney will usually credit any remaining balance from your current subscription toward the new plan.

If you have a bundle and want to drop down to Disney Plus only, the same process applies — change your plan in your account settings. You will lose access to Hulu and ESPN+ when ready, but you will not be charged for them going forward.

The exact steps depend on whether you signed up through Disney's website, an app, or a third-party platform like Apple or Amazon. If you signed up through Apple or Amazon, you may need to manage your subscription through that platform instead of through Disney directly. Check your account settings to see where your subscription is managed.

Ad-supported versus ad-free options in the bundle

The bundle comes in two versions. One includes ads on Hulu (but not on Disney Plus or ESPN+). The other removes ads from all three services. The ad-free version costs more per month.

If you choose the ad-supported bundle, you will see commercials during Hulu content but not while watching Disney Plus or ESPN+. Some people find this acceptable because the savings are significant. Others prefer to pay more for ad-free viewing across all services.

This choice applies only to the bundle. If you buy Hulu separately, you can also choose between ad-supported and ad-free versions independently of Disney Plus.

What happens to your Disney Plus account if you cancel

If you cancel Disney Plus (whether you are on the service alone or as part of a bundle), you lose access to all Disney Plus content when ready. Your account and any saved preferences are usually held for a period of time, so if you resubscribe later, you may be able to restore your watchlist and viewing history. But Disney does not may provide this, so do not count on it.

If you cancel a bundle, you lose access to all three services at once. If you want to keep Hulu or ESPN+ but drop Disney Plus, you need to change your plan instead of canceling — that way you switch to a different subscription tier rather than ending your account entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a free trial of Disney Plus without committing to Hulu?

Disney occasionally offers free trials of Disney Plus, and the terms of those trials vary. Some trials are for Disney Plus alone, and some are for the bundle. Check the current offer on Disney's website to see what is available right now and what you are signing up for.

If I share my Disney Plus password with family, do they see my Hulu content too?

If you have a bundle, your account includes both Disney Plus and Hulu. Anyone who logs into your account with your password will see both services. Disney's rules about account sharing explore to the entire account, not to individual services within it.

Can I use Disney Plus on my TV if I buy the bundle?

Yes. The bundle includes the full Disney Plus service, so you can watch on any device that supports Disney Plus — TV, phone, tablet, or computer. The bundle does not limit which devices you can use or how many screens you can watch at once.

What if I only want ESPN+ and not Disney Plus or Hulu?

You can buy ESPN+ as a standalone subscription without Disney Plus or Hulu. It is also available as part of the three-service bundle. Check Disney's website to see the current price for ESPN+ alone.

Do I have to pay for the bundle every month, or can I cancel anytime?

Most Disney subscriptions, including the bundle, are month-to-month and can be canceled anytime. Some promotional offers or annual plans may have different terms, so check what you signed up for in your account settings.