Disney Plus has two subscription tiers: one with ads and one without
Disney Plus offers two ways to watch. The Disney Plus Basic with ads plan shows commercials during shows and movies. The Disney Plus Premium plan removes all ads. If you want no commercials, you need to switch to Premium — there is no other way to stop ads on the Basic tier.
The difference between the two is the ads themselves. Basic with ads interrupts your viewing with commercial breaks, similar to cable television. Premium removes those breaks entirely. Both plans stream in the same video quality and include the same content library.
Switching tiers is straightforward and takes a few minutes through your account settings. Your watch history and saved shows move with you if you upgrade.
Key Takeaways
- Disney Plus Basic with ads cannot be changed to remove commercials — you must upgrade to the Premium plan to watch without interruptions.
- Premium costs more per month than Basic with ads, and you can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time.
- The upgrade takes effect when ready, and you will not see ads on new content you watch after the change goes through.
- If you share your account with family members on different devices, only the Premium account holder gets ad-free viewing on their profile.
How to upgrade from Basic with ads to Premium
Log into your Disney Plus account on any web browser or the mobile app. Go to your account settings — this is usually found in a menu icon or your profile picture in the top right corner. Select "Subscription" or "Plan Details."
You will see your current plan listed. Next to it, look for an option to "Change Plan" or "Upgrade." Click that button. Disney Plus will show you the Premium option and the price difference. Confirm the upgrade, and it takes effect when ready.
You will be charged the new rate on your next billing date. If you are mid-cycle through your current billing period, Disney Plus prorates the difference — you pay only for the remaining days at the higher rate.
What the Premium plan costs
Disney Plus Premium pricing varies depending on whether you pay monthly or annually. Monthly Premium costs more per month than an annual subscription, but you can cancel or change plans at any time with a monthly payment. Annual Premium requires one upfront payment but spreads the cost lower per month.
Prices also differ by region and change periodically. Check your account settings or the Disney Plus website to see the exact current price for your location and payment method.
Some people bundle Disney Plus Premium with Hulu and ESPN Plus at a combined rate, which can cost less than paying for each service separately. That bundle option appears in your plan selection screen if it is available in your area.
Ads still appear on the Premium plan in limited cases
Disney Plus Premium removes ads from shows and movies, but ads may still appear before you start watching — a brief advertisement plays when you first open the app or load a title. This is not the same as mid-show commercial breaks. Once the opening ad finishes, your content plays without interruption.
Some content licensed from other studios may have restrictions that prevent Disney Plus from removing ads even on Premium. This is rare, but it can happen. If you notice ads during a specific title on Premium, that title likely has a licensing restriction.
How to downgrade back to Basic with ads if you change your mind
You can switch back to Basic with ads at any time. Go to your account settings, select your subscription plan, and choose "Change Plan." Select the Basic with ads option and confirm. The downgrade takes effect on your next billing date, not when ready.
If you downgrade mid-cycle, you will receive a credit toward your next bill for the unused portion of your Premium subscription. Disney Plus does not refund the difference in cash — the credit stays in your account.
Family members and shared accounts
If you share your Disney Plus account with family members, only the person who pays for Premium gets the ad-free experience on their profile. Other profiles on the same account will still see ads if they are using Basic with ads.
Disney Plus allows multiple profiles on one account, and each profile can have its own watch history and recommendations. However, the subscription tier applies to the entire account, not individual profiles. If someone in your household wants ad-free viewing on their own profile, they would need their own Premium subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove ads without paying for Premium?
No. Disney Plus does not offer a way to disable ads on the Basic with ads plan. Premium is the only plan without commercials. There are no free trials, ad blockers that work on Disney Plus, or other workarounds to remove ads while staying on Basic.
Will my watch history and saved shows transfer if I upgrade?
Yes. Your watch history, saved shows, and all profile settings stay with your account when you upgrade to Premium. You will not lose anything, and your recommendations will continue from where you left off.
How long does it take for the upgrade to take effect?
The upgrade takes effect when ready. You will stop seeing ads as soon as you confirm the plan change, even if you are in the middle of watching something. Refresh the app or reload the page to make sure the change registers.
What happens to my billing if I upgrade mid-month?
Disney Plus prorates the cost. You pay the difference between your current plan and Premium for the remaining days in your billing cycle. On your next billing date, you will be charged the full Premium rate for the next month or year, depending on your payment option.
Can I use an ad blocker to remove Disney Plus ads?
Ad blockers do not work reliably on Disney Plus and may cause playback errors or prevent the app from loading at all. Disney Plus detects ad-blocking software and can block access to your account. Premium is the intended and supported way to remove ads.