Disney+ Premium now includes ads, even though you're paying for it
Disney+ changed its pricing structure in late 2022 and again in 2024. The service now offers three tiers: a basic plan with ads at the lowest price, a standard plan with ads at a mid-range price, and a premium plan without ads at the highest price. If you are seeing ads on a plan you thought was ad-free, one of three things has happened: you are on a plan that includes ads, your plan was automatically downgraded, or there is a technical issue with your account.
The most common reason is that you signed up for or are currently on one of Disney+'s ad-supported tiers. Disney+ displays ads on both the basic and standard plans. Only the premium tier (the most expensive option) removes ads entirely. Check your account settings to see which plan you are actually subscribed to right now—it may not be the one you thought you chose.
Key Takeaways
- Disney+ offers three tiers: basic with ads, standard with ads, and premium without ads; only premium removes all advertising.
- If you see ads, you are on either the basic or standard plan, even if you believed you were paying for ad-free viewing.
- Your plan may have been automatically downgraded if you stopped paying or if Disney+ changed your subscription without your action.
- You can check which plan you are on by opening your account settings and looking at your current subscription tier.
- Switching to the premium plan will remove ads, but it costs more per month than the other tiers.
How to check which Disney+ plan you are on
Open the Disney+ app or website and sign in to your account. On most devices, look for a profile icon or menu in the top right corner. Select "Account" or "Settings." You should see a section labeled "Subscription" or "Membership" that shows your current plan name and price. This is the definitive answer to which tier you are paying for.
If the plan listed is "Basic" or "Standard," that plan includes ads by design. Disney+ will show advertisements during content on these tiers. If it says "Premium," you should not be seeing ads—which means you may have a technical issue that needs troubleshooting.
Why Disney+ added ads to premium pricing tiers
Disney+ introduced ad-supported plans to lower the entry price for new subscribers and to increase revenue from existing ones. The basic plan costs less than the ad-free premium plan, which makes it attractive to budget-conscious viewers. The standard plan sits in the middle: cheaper than premium but more expensive than basic, with ads included on both.
This three-tier model is now standard across most streaming services. Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video all offer ad-supported options at lower prices. Disney+ follows the same pattern: you pay less if you accept ads, or you pay more to remove them entirely.
What happens if your plan was automatically changed
Disney+ has automatically downgraded some accounts from ad-free to ad-supported plans in certain situations. This typically happens when a payment method fails or when a promotional offer expires. If your payment was declined, Disney+ may have moved you to a cheaper tier to keep your account active rather than canceling it outright.
Check your email for any messages from Disney+ about account changes or billing issues. If you see a notification that your plan changed, you can log into your account and switch back to premium if you want to pay the higher price. You are not locked into the new tier—the change is reversible, but you have to initiate it yourself.
If you are on premium and still seeing ads
If your account settings clearly show you are on the premium plan but ads are still appearing, you may have a technical problem. Try signing out completely and signing back in. Close the app entirely and reopen it. If you are using a web browser, clear your browser cache and cookies, then log back in.
If ads persist after these steps, contact Disney+ support directly through the app or website. Explain that you are on the premium plan and are still seeing advertisements. Disney+ support can check your account on their end and either fix the technical issue or confirm that your plan is actually different from what your account settings show. This is a rare situation, but it does happen occasionally.
The cost difference between tiers
Pricing varies by region and changes periodically, so the exact dollar amounts depend on where you live and when you check. In the United States, the basic plan with ads is the cheapest option, the standard plan with ads costs more, and the premium plan without ads costs the most. The price gap between standard and premium is usually significant enough that many viewers choose to keep the ads rather than upgrade.
Disney+ occasionally runs promotions that reduce the price of premium for a limited time, or bundle it with other Disney services like Hulu or ESPN+. If you are considering upgrading, check whether any current offers might lower the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove ads without paying for premium?
No. Only the premium tier removes ads. The basic and standard plans include advertisements as part of their design. If you want an ad-free experience, you must upgrade to premium and pay the higher monthly price.
Will upgrading to premium remove ads when ready?
Yes. Once you upgrade to premium, ads should stop appearing on new content you watch. If you are in the middle of watching something, you may see ads that were already loaded, but future content will be ad-free. If ads continue after upgrading, sign out and back in to refresh your account.
What if I downgrade from premium to a cheaper plan?
Ads will return when ready on the basic or standard plans. Your account will start showing advertisements on all content. You can upgrade back to premium at any time, and ads will disappear again.
Does Disney+ show the same ads to everyone on ad-supported plans?
No. Disney+ targets ads based on information it has about your account and viewing habits, similar to how other streaming services work. You may see different ads than another viewer on the same plan, but you will see ads either way.
Can I share my premium account with family members?
Disney+ has restrictions on account sharing. The premium plan allows viewing on multiple devices, but Disney+ monitors for sharing outside your household and may restrict access. Check your account settings for the current sharing policy, as Disney+ has changed these rules multiple times.