Disney Plus Premium with ads is a lower-cost tier that includes advertising
Disney Plus offers two subscription tiers, and the cheaper one includes commercials. If you signed up for Disney Plus Premium, you chose the plan with ads built in—it costs less per month than the ad-free option. The ads play before, during, and after shows and movies, similar to traditional television.
Disney introduced this ad-supported tier in December 2022 to offer a lower price point. If you want to remove ads entirely, you would need to switch to the standard Disney Plus plan, which costs more per month but has no advertising.
Key Takeaways
- Disney Plus Premium is the ad-supported tier and costs less than the standard plan without ads.
- Ads appear before, during, and after content and cannot be skipped on the Premium tier.
- You can switch to the standard ad-free plan at any time, though the monthly cost will increase.
- The number and length of ads varies by title, but most shows have 4 to 5 minutes of ads per hour.
- Switching plans takes effect when ready and you will not be refunded for the remainder of your current billing cycle.
How many ads you will see on Disney Plus Premium
The amount of advertising varies depending on what you watch. Most shows and movies have roughly 4 to 5 minutes of ads per hour of content, which is similar to cable television. Some titles may have fewer ads, while others have more, and Disney does not publish a fixed schedule for how many ads appear in each program.
Ads cannot be skipped on the Premium tier—you must watch them in full. This is different from some other streaming services where you can fast-forward through advertisements. The ads are typically 15 to 30 seconds long, and they play at natural breaks in the show or movie.
The difference between Disney Plus Premium and the standard plan
Disney Plus offers two paid tiers. Disney Plus Premium includes ads and costs less per month. The standard Disney Plus plan has no ads and costs more. Both plans let you watch the same content library, use the same number of screens at once, and read episodes to watch offline.
The main trade-off is price versus advertising. If you want to watch without interruption, the standard plan removes all ads. If you are willing to watch commercials, the Premium tier saves you money each month. There is also a Disney Bundle option that combines Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus at a discounted rate, and you can choose whether each service includes ads.
How to switch from Premium to the ad-free plan
You can change your plan directly through your Disney Plus account settings. On the web, log in, go to your account menu, select "Subscription," and choose the standard Disney Plus plan. On the Disney Plus app for phones or tablets, tap your profile icon, go to "Account," then "Subscription," and select the upgrade option.
The change takes effect when ready, and you will have access to the ad-free experience right away. However, Disney will not refund the portion of your current billing cycle that you have already paid. If you are mid-cycle when you upgrade, you will pay the difference between the two plans for the remainder of that month, then the new full price starts on your next billing date.
Why Disney added an ad-supported tier
Streaming services use advertising to lower the cost for subscribers who do not mind watching ads. This lets Disney offer a cheaper option while still earning money from the service. The ad-supported tier also brings in revenue from advertisers who pay to show their commercials to Disney Plus viewers.
Many streaming platforms now offer both ad-free and ad-supported plans. Disney Plus Premium is designed to compete with lower-cost options from other services while giving subscribers a choice about whether they want to pay less and see ads or pay more for an uninterrupted experience.
What happens if you share your Disney Plus account
Disney Plus allows you to create multiple profiles under one account, and each profile can have its own watch history and recommendations. However, Disney has restrictions on sharing accounts across different households. If you are sharing your login with people outside your home, Disney may require you to add them as paid users or stop sharing.
The Premium tier with ads does not change these sharing rules. Whether you use Premium or the standard plan, the account-sharing policy remains the same. If Disney detects sharing across households, they may ask you to verify your home location or add extra members to your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip ads on Disney Plus Premium?
No, ads on the Premium tier cannot be skipped. You must watch each ad in full before the content resumes. This is a core difference between Premium and the standard ad-free plan.
Will Disney Plus Premium ever have no ads?
No. The Premium tier is specifically designed as the ad-supported option. If you want to remove ads, you need to switch to the standard Disney Plus plan, which costs more per month.
Do all shows and movies have the same number of ads?
No, the number of ads varies by title. Most content has around 4 to 5 minutes of ads per hour, but some shows or movies may have fewer or more. Disney does not publish a detailed breakdown for each title.
If I upgrade to the ad-free plan, when does it start?
The upgrade takes effect when ready. You will lose ads as soon as you switch, but you will be charged a prorated amount for the remainder of your current billing cycle, then the full standard plan price on your next renewal date.
Is Disney Plus Premium cheaper than the standard plan?
Yes, Disney Plus Premium costs less per month because it includes ads. The exact price difference depends on your region and current promotions, but the ad-supported tier is always the lower-cost option.