The two ways to remove ads from Disney Plus

Disney Plus offers two subscription tiers: one with ads and one without. If you currently have the ad-supported plan and want to stop seeing commercials, you can upgrade to the ad-free plan. If you want to keep your current plan, there is no way to remove ads—Disney does not offer an ad blocker option or a separate purchase to disable them on the cheaper tier.

The ad-free plan costs more per month than the ad-supported plan. The exact price depends on whether you pay monthly or commit to an annual subscription, and prices vary by country. In the United States, the ad-free monthly plan typically costs more than the ad-supported version, and the annual plan offers a discount if you pay upfront.

Switching plans takes a few minutes and happens when ready—you do not have to wait for a billing cycle to end. You can also switch back to the ad-supported plan at any time if you want to lower your cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Disney Plus has two plans: one with ads and one without, and you cannot remove ads from the cheaper plan using a blocker or workaround.
  • Upgrading to the ad-free plan removes all commercials and takes effect right away, even if you are in the middle of a show.
  • The ad-free plan costs more per month, but annual subscriptions offer a lower per-month rate if you pay the full year upfront.
  • You can downgrade back to the ad-supported plan whenever you want, and your billing will adjust on your next renewal date.

How to upgrade to the ad-free plan on your account

Log into your Disney Plus account on any web browser or open the Disney Plus app on your phone, tablet, or streaming device. Look for your profile icon or account menu—this is usually in the top right corner on a computer or in the bottom right on a phone app. Select "Account" or "Settings" from the menu.

Find the section labeled "Subscription" or "Plan Details." You will see your current plan listed, along with the option to change it. Click or tap "Change Plan" or "Upgrade Plan." Disney Plus will show you the ad-free option and the price difference. Review the new cost and confirm the upgrade. The change takes effect when ready, and you will stop seeing ads the next time you start watching.

If you are on an annual plan and upgrade mid-year, Disney will charge you a prorated amount for the remaining months at the higher rate. Your next full renewal will be at the new plan's annual price.

What happens to your shows and watchlist when you upgrade

Your watchlist, viewing history, and saved shows stay exactly the same. Upgrading the plan does not reset your account or delete anything you have saved. If you were in the middle of watching a show, you can pick up right where you left off, and the next episode will play without ads.

Downloaded episodes on phones or tablets will also remain on your device. You do not need to re-read anything after upgrading.

Downgrading back to the ad-supported plan

If you upgrade to ad-free and later decide you want to lower your cost, you can switch back to the ad-supported plan using the same account menu. Go to "Account," find "Subscription," and select "Change Plan." Choose the ad-supported option and confirm. The downgrade takes effect on your next billing date, not when ready—you will continue to have ad-free viewing until your renewal date arrives.

Your shows and watchlist remain unchanged when you downgrade. The only difference is that ads will return once your billing cycle renews.

Why Disney Plus does not allow ad blockers on the cheaper plan

Disney Plus detects and blocks most ad-blocking software on the ad-supported plan. This is intentional—the company designed the cheaper tier to be supported by advertising revenue, so blocking ads would undermine that business model. If you try to use an ad blocker on the ad-supported plan, Disney Plus will either not play the video or will ask you to disable the blocker before continuing.

The only reliable way to avoid ads is to upgrade to the ad-free plan. Attempting to use workarounds or third-party tools to bypass ads violates Disney Plus's terms of service and can result in account suspension.

Comparing the cost of both plans

The ad-supported plan is the cheapest way to watch Disney Plus, but you will see ads before and during shows. The ad-free plan costs more but removes all commercials. Which plan makes sense depends on how much you watch and how much you value uninterrupted viewing.

If you watch Disney Plus for several hours a week, the ad-free plan might feel worth the extra cost because you avoid ads on every show. If you watch occasionally, the ad-supported plan keeps your monthly cost low. Some people use the ad-supported plan for a few months and then upgrade during a month when they plan to binge-watch a new series.

Both plans include access to the same content—the only difference is the presence of ads and the price you pay. There are no exclusive shows or movies on the ad-free plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a VPN to hide ads on the ad-supported plan?

No. Disney Plus detects ad blockers and VPNs that attempt to bypass ads and will block playback. Using a VPN to avoid ads violates the service's terms of service and can lead to account suspension. The only supported way to remove ads is to upgrade to the ad-free plan.

Do I have to pay the full year upfront to get the annual discount?

Yes. The annual plan requires you to pay for the entire year at once. If you prefer to pay month-to-month, you can do that on the monthly plan, but the per-month cost will be higher. You can switch between monthly and annual plans whenever you want.

What happens to my account if I downgrade to the ad-supported plan?

Your watchlist, history, and saved shows stay the same. Ads will return on your next billing date, not when ready. If you are in the middle of watching a show, you will finish watching it ad-free, and ads will appear when your subscription renews.

Can I upgrade just for one month and then downgrade?

Yes. You can upgrade to ad-free for a single month and then downgrade back to ad-supported on your next renewal date. There is no penalty for switching plans, and you can do this as many times as you want.

Do family members on a shared account see ads if I upgrade?

No. When you upgrade your account to ad-free, all profiles on that account—including family members—will watch without ads. Everyone sharing the account benefits from the upgrade.