Disney Plus Premium includes ads because Disney created two separate subscription tiers
Disney Plus Premium is not the ad-free tier — it is the middle option. Disney offers three plans: Disney Plus Basic (with ads, lowest price), Disney Plus Premium (with ads, mid price), and Disney Plus Premium Plus (no ads, highest price). The Premium tier costs less than Premium Plus specifically because it includes advertisements.
When Disney launched this three-tier system in December 2022, they moved the ad-free experience to the most expensive plan. If you signed up for Premium expecting no ads, you may have confused it with Premium Plus, which is the only tier without commercials.
Key Takeaways
- Disney Plus Premium includes ads because it is the middle-priced tier; Premium Plus is the ad-free option.
- The three tiers are Basic (ads, cheapest), Premium (ads, mid-price), and Premium Plus (no ads, most expensive).
- You can upgrade from Premium to Premium Plus through your account settings to remove ads when ready.
- Premium Plus costs more per month but includes the same content library and streaming quality as Premium.
- Ads on Premium appear before, during, and after shows and movies, typically 4 to 5 minutes per hour of content.
How the three Disney Plus tiers compare
Each tier offers the same movies and shows, but they differ in price, ad load, and video quality. Basic and Premium both include ads; Premium Plus does not. The main difference between Basic and Premium is that Premium streams in 4K resolution and allows four simultaneous streams, while Basic streams in 1080p and allows two simultaneous streams.
| Plan | Price (monthly) | Ads | Video Quality | Simultaneous Streams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $5.99 | Yes | 1080p | 2 |
| Premium | $10.99 | Yes | 4K | 4 |
| Premium Plus | $13.99 | No | 4K | 4 |
Premium Plus is the only ad-free option. If you want to watch without interruptions, you will need to upgrade to that tier. The price difference between Premium and Premium Plus is $3 per month.
How to upgrade from Premium to Premium Plus
You can change your plan at any time through your Disney Plus account. On a web browser, log in, click your profile icon in the top right, select "Account," then choose "Subscription." You will see your current plan and the option to upgrade. On a phone or tablet, open the Disney Plus app, tap your profile icon, go to "Account," then "Subscription," and select the upgrade option.
The upgrade takes effect when ready. You will not be charged twice in the same month — Disney will prorate the difference and charge you only for the remaining days at the new rate. Your next full billing cycle will be at the Premium Plus price.
What ads look like on Disney Plus Premium
Ads on Premium appear before a show or movie starts, during the middle of the content, and sometimes after it ends. Most breaks last 30 to 60 seconds, and you will typically see 4 to 5 minutes of ads per hour of viewing. The ads are skippable after a few seconds in some cases, but not all.
Disney sells ad inventory to brands like Target, Coca-Cola, and other major companies. The specific ads you see depend on your location and viewing history. You cannot customize which ads appear or opt out of them while staying on the Premium tier.
Why Disney created the three-tier system
Disney introduced ads to Premium to lower the entry price for subscribers who do not mind commercials. Before December 2022, Disney Plus had only one paid tier (no ads) and a free trial. By splitting the service into three options, Disney captured price-sensitive customers who would not pay for ad-free streaming but would accept ads at a lower cost.
This strategy also created a revenue stream from advertisers. Brands pay Disney to reach Disney Plus viewers, which offsets the lower subscription price for Premium and Basic users. The Premium Plus tier exists for subscribers who prefer to pay more rather than watch ads.
If you want to avoid ads without upgrading
There is no way to remove ads from Premium without upgrading to Premium Plus. Disney does not offer an ad-free experience at the Premium price point. Some streaming services allow you to pay extra for ad removal, but Disney bundles it into the Premium Plus tier instead.
If the Premium Plus price is too high, your only other option is to downgrade to Basic, which costs $5.99 per month but also includes ads and limits you to 1080p video and two simultaneous streams. Neither Basic nor Premium offers an ad-free experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove ads from Premium without paying more?
No. Ads are part of the Premium plan. To watch without ads, you must upgrade to Premium Plus, which costs $13.99 per month. There is no option to pay a one-time fee or a smaller amount to remove ads from Premium.
Will Disney ever make Premium ad-free again?
Disney has not announced plans to change the tier structure. The company introduced ads to Premium in 2022 and has kept the system in place since then. If you want ad-free streaming, Premium Plus is currently the only option.
Do I have to watch every ad, or can I skip them?
Most ads cannot be skipped. You will have to watch them in full. Some ads may allow you to skip after a few seconds, but this varies. The only way to avoid ads entirely is to upgrade to Premium Plus.
If I upgrade to Premium Plus, will my billing date change?
Your billing date stays the same. Disney prorates the cost difference and charges you only for the days remaining in your current cycle at the new rate. Your next full charge will be on your regular billing date at the Premium Plus price.
Does Premium Plus have any other benefits besides no ads?
Premium Plus offers the same content library and streaming quality as Premium — 4K video and four simultaneous streams. The main difference is the removal of ads. There are no exclusive shows or movies on Premium Plus.