Disney Plus has two subscription tiers, and only the cheaper one includes ads
Disney Plus offers two ways to watch: a ad-supported plan that costs less per month, and an ad-free plan that costs more. If you pay for the ad-free plan, you see no advertisements at all. If you pay for the ad-supported plan, you will see ads before, during, and after your shows and movies.
The number of ads you see on the ad-supported plan is not fixed. Disney does not publish an exact count, and the number varies depending on what you are watching and when you watch it. Most viewers report seeing 4 to 8 ads per hour of content, though some report seeing fewer during certain shows or more during peak viewing times.
Each ad break typically lasts 30 to 60 seconds. You cannot skip ads on Disney Plus — you must watch them in full before the show resumes. This is different from some other streaming services where you can skip ads after a few seconds.
Key Takeaways
- The ad-free Disney Plus plan shows zero advertisements, while the ad-supported plan shows ads before, during, and after content.
- Disney does not publish the exact number of ads per hour, but most users see between 4 and 8 ads during each hour of viewing.
- Ads on the ad-supported plan cannot be skipped and typically last 30 to 60 seconds each.
- The number of ads may vary by show, time of day, and what is currently airing on Disney Plus.
- Ads on Disney Plus are usually for Disney products, other streaming services, or major brands, not random third-party advertisers.
What kinds of ads appear on the ad-supported plan
Disney Plus primarily shows ads for its own content — trailers for upcoming Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars releases, as well as promotions for other Disney services like Hulu and ESPN Plus. You will also see ads for major consumer brands, but Disney has stated that it avoids advertising alcohol, gambling, or political content on the platform.
The ads are targeted based on your region and account settings, so a viewer in Canada may see different ads than a viewer in the United States. Disney also does not allow personalized ad targeting based on your viewing history, which means the ads are not chosen because of what shows you have watched.
How the two plans compare
| Feature | Ad-Supported Plan | Ad-Free Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | Lower price | Higher price |
| Ads shown | 4 to 8 per hour | None |
| Video quality | Up to 1080p | Up to 4K |
| Downloads allowed | No | Yes |
| Simultaneous streams | 2 devices | 4 devices |
The ad-supported plan also limits video quality to 1080p, while the ad-free plan allows 4K streaming on compatible devices. The ad-supported plan also does not allow you to read shows to watch offline, and it limits you to streaming on 2 devices at the same time instead of 4.
Whether ads play during all content
Ads appear before most movies and TV shows start, and they may appear during episodes of longer shows. However, Disney Plus does not insert ads in the middle of movies — all ads for a movie play before it begins. For TV episodes, which are typically 20 to 60 minutes long, ads may appear at natural breaks in the story.
Some content, particularly children's programming, may have fewer ads or different ad breaks than adult-oriented shows. Disney has not published exact rules about which shows get ads at which points, so the placement can vary.
How to switch between plans
If you are currently on the ad-supported plan and want to remove ads, you can upgrade to the ad-free plan through your account settings. Log into your Disney Plus account, go to your profile, select Account, and then choose Subscription. From there you can change your plan. The change usually takes effect when ready, though you may need to refresh the app or log out and back in to see the change.
If you are on the ad-free plan and want to switch to the ad-supported plan to lower your monthly cost, you can downgrade the same way. Keep in mind that downgrading means you will start seeing ads on your next viewing session, and you will lose access to 4K streaming and offline downloads.
Ad frequency during live events and premieres
When Disney Plus streams live events or premiere nights for major releases, ad frequency may increase compared to regular on-demand content. During these events, ads may appear more frequently to match the viewing experience of traditional television broadcasts. Disney does not announce these changes in advance, so you may notice more ads during a live premiere than you would during a regular episode of the same show.
Seasonal content and holiday specials may also have different ad patterns than year-round programming, though this varies by title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip ads on Disney Plus?
No. Ads on the ad-supported plan cannot be skipped. You must watch each ad in full before the content resumes. This applies to all ads, whether they appear before the show starts or during an episode.
Do I see ads if I use a VPN or change my location?
Disney Plus shows ads based on your account region, not your current location. If your account is set to the United States, you will see ads for the US market even if you are traveling elsewhere. Changing your location settings may change which ads appear, but it will not remove ads from the ad-supported plan.
Are there more ads during certain times of day?
Disney does not publish information about whether ad frequency changes by time of day. Some users report seeing more ads during peak evening hours, but this has not been confirmed by Disney. The number of ads can vary from day to day regardless of when you watch.
What happens to ads if I pause a show?
Pausing a show does not trigger additional ads. Ads only appear at the scheduled breaks before the content starts or during natural episode breaks. Pausing and resuming does not change when ads appear.
Does Disney Plus show the same ads to every viewer?
No. Ads are targeted by region, and Disney may show different ads to different viewers based on their account location and other factors. You may see ads for products or services that are not relevant to you, and another viewer may see completely different ads for the same show.