Disney Plus added ads to make the service cheaper for some subscribers
Disney Plus introduced an ad-supported tier in December 2022 because the company wanted to offer a lower monthly price while keeping the ad-free version available at a higher cost. The basic tier with ads costs less than the premium tier without them. If you are seeing ads on Disney Plus, you are on the cheaper plan — and you can switch to the ad-free version if you want to pay more per month.
The ads appear before, during, and sometimes after shows and movies. They are typically 15 to 30 seconds long and cannot be skipped. Disney sells these ad slots to other companies, which is how they offset the lower subscription price.
Key Takeaways
- Disney Plus offers two tiers: a cheaper plan with ads and a more expensive plan without ads.
- Ads on the basic tier play before, during, and after content and typically last 15 to 30 seconds each.
- You can switch from the ad-supported tier to the ad-free tier through your account settings at any time.
- The ad-free tier costs more per month but removes all advertisements from your viewing experience.
- Some content on the ad-supported tier may have fewer ads or different ad patterns than other shows.
The two Disney Plus subscription tiers and what each costs
Disney Plus offers two subscription options. The Basic with Ads tier is the lower-priced option and includes advertisements during content. The Premium tier costs more and has no ads at all.
Monthly pricing varies depending on whether you pay month-to-month or commit to an annual plan, and pricing can change over time. Both tiers give you access to the same library of shows and movies — the only difference is whether ads play during your viewing. You can stream on one device at a time on the Basic with Ads plan, while the Premium plan allows multiple simultaneous streams depending on your specific subscription.
How to switch from the ad-supported tier to ad-free
If you want to remove ads, you can upgrade your account directly through Disney Plus. Open the Disney Plus app or website, go to your account settings, and look for the subscription or plan section. You will see your current tier and the option to change it. Select the Premium tier and follow the prompts to confirm the upgrade.
Your billing will change when ready or at your next renewal date, depending on when you make the switch. If you upgrade mid-month, Disney Plus will typically prorate the difference so you only pay for the remaining days at the new rate. You can downgrade back to the ad-supported tier at any time using the same process, though your new rate will take effect at your next billing cycle.
Why Disney Plus decided to add ads in the first place
Streaming services like Disney Plus spend enormous amounts of money on content production and licensing. When Disney Plus launched in 2019, the company charged one price for all subscribers and absorbed the costs through other Disney revenue streams. As competition from other streaming services grew and subscriber growth slowed, Disney needed another way to bring in money.
Adding an ad-supported tier allowed Disney to offer a cheaper entry point for price-sensitive viewers while still earning revenue from advertisers. This model is similar to what other streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video have done. The company kept the ad-free Premium tier available for viewers who prefer not to see advertisements and are willing to pay more.
What types of ads you will see on the basic tier
Ads on Disney Plus Basic with Ads are typically for other Disney products, services, and entertainment — Disney movies, other Disney Plus shows, Disney theme parks, and occasionally third-party brands. The ads are the same length and frequency across the service, though some content may have slightly different ad loads depending on licensing agreements for that particular show or movie.
You cannot skip ads on the basic tier, and they will play even if you are rewatching content you have already seen. The ads are targeted based on general information like your region and the type of content you are watching, but not based on your personal browsing history the way some other platforms do.
Whether you can use a VPN or ad blocker to remove ads
Disney Plus terms of service prohibit using VPNs, proxy services, or ad blockers to circumvent ads on the basic tier. If Disney Plus detects that you are using these tools, your account may be suspended or terminated. Ad blockers in particular are unreliable on streaming apps because the ads are delivered as part of the video stream itself, not as separate web elements that a blocker can filter out.
The most straightforward way to watch without ads is to upgrade to the Premium tier. If cost is a concern, you can also wait for promotional offers — Disney Plus occasionally runs discounts on annual Premium subscriptions, particularly during holiday periods.
How to contact Disney Plus if ads are not working properly
If you are experiencing technical problems with ads — such as ads freezing, repeating, or playing at the wrong time — you can report the issue through the Disney Plus help center. Open the app or website, go to Help, and select the option to contact support. Describe the specific problem you are seeing, including what device you are using and when the problem occurs.
Disney Plus support can troubleshoot playback issues and may ask you to clear your app cache, restart your device, or reinstall the app. If the problem persists after troubleshooting, support can escalate the issue to the technical team. Response times vary, but Disney Plus typically responds to support requests within a few business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip ads on Disney Plus Basic with Ads?
No. Ads on the basic tier cannot be skipped and typically last 15 to 30 seconds. The only way to watch without ads is to upgrade to the Premium tier.
Do I lose my watch history if I switch tiers?
No. Your watch history, saved shows, and watchlist remain the same when you switch between tiers. Only your ad experience changes.
Will the price of the ad-supported tier go up in the future?
Disney has raised prices on both tiers in the past and may do so again. Price changes typically explore to new subscribers first, with existing subscribers grandfathered in at their current rate for a period of time.
Is there a way to get Disney Plus Premium for free?
Disney Plus Premium is not free, but it is sometimes bundled with other Disney services like Hulu or ESPN Plus at a discounted combined price. Some credit card companies and mobile carriers also offer promotional periods of free or discounted Disney Plus access.
Do all shows and movies have the same number of ads?
Most content has a consistent ad load, but some licensed content may have different ad patterns due to licensing agreements with the original studios. Movies typically have fewer ad breaks than series.