What changed with Disney+ payments
Disney+ raised its subscription prices and changed how it handles ad-supported tiers in late 2022 and again in 2024. If you have an active account, you may see a higher charge on your next billing date, or Disney+ may ask you to choose between a more expensive ad-free plan or a cheaper plan with ads. The exact change depends on which plan you currently have and when your billing cycle renews.
Disney+ sends email notices before the price increase takes effect, usually 30 days in advance. The notice includes your new price, the date it starts, and instructions for what to do if you want to downgrade to a cheaper tier or cancel instead. You do not have to do anything to accept the increase — if you take no action, your payment method will be charged the new amount on your next billing date.
If you signed up through a third-party service like Apple, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video Channels, the price change may appear differently on your bill, but the timing and amount are the same.
Key Takeaways
- Disney+ sends email notice at least 30 days before a price increase, with the new amount and your options to change plans or cancel.
- Your payment method will be charged the new price automatically on your next billing date unless you downgrade or cancel first.
- If you subscribed through Apple, Google Play, or Amazon, you can change or cancel your plan through that service instead of Disney+ directly.
- Downgrading to an ad-supported plan is usually cheaper than staying on an ad-free plan, but you will see advertisements during playback.
How to change your plan before the price increase
Log into your Disney+ account on a web browser or the mobile app. Go to your account settings, usually found in the menu or under your profile icon. Select "Subscription" or "Billing" — the exact label depends on your device. You will see your current plan and a button to change it.
Disney+ typically offers three tiers: a basic plan with ads (lowest price), a standard plan without ads (middle price), and a premium plan with 4K resolution and multiple simultaneous streams (highest price). Choose the plan you want and confirm the change. The new plan takes effect immediately, and your next charge will reflect the new price.
If you subscribed through Apple, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video Channels, you must change or cancel through that service, not through Disney+ directly. Open the app or website where you signed up, find your subscription settings, and make the change there. Disney+ cannot process the change on your behalf.
What happens if you do nothing
If you receive a price increase notice and do not change your plan or cancel, your payment method will be charged the new amount on your next billing date. The charge will appear on your credit card, debit card, or other payment method you have on file. Your service will continue without interruption.
You can still change your plan or cancel after the increase takes effect. Log into your account at any time and downgrade to a cheaper tier or cancel your subscription. If you cancel, you will lose access to Disney+ at the end of your current billing period, not immediately.
Canceling your subscription
To cancel, go to your account settings and select "Subscription" or "Billing." Look for a "Cancel Subscription" or "End Membership" button. Disney+ will ask you to confirm and may offer you a discount to stay. You can decline the offer and proceed with cancellation.
After you cancel, you keep access to Disney+ until the end of your current billing period. For example, if your billing date is the 15th of each month and you cancel on the 1st, you can watch until the 15th. After that date, your account is closed and you cannot log in.
If you subscribed through a third-party service, cancel through that service instead. Open Apple, Google Play, or Amazon, find your Disney+ subscription, and select cancel there. The same end-of-billing-period rule applies.
Payment method and billing date questions
Your billing date is the day each month (or year, if you pay annually) when Disney+ charges your payment method. Disney+ shows your billing date in your account settings under "Subscription" or "Billing." If you want to change the date, contact Disney+ support — you cannot change it yourself through the app or website.
If your payment method is declined when Disney+ tries to charge you, the service will pause. Disney+ will send you an email asking you to update your payment information. You have a grace period (usually a few days) to add a new card or fix the existing one. If you do not update it, your account will be canceled.
To update your payment method, go to your account settings and select "Payment Method" or "Billing Information." Remove the old card and add a new one. The change takes effect immediately and applies to your next charge.
Understanding ad-supported versus ad-free plans
The ad-supported plan costs less but shows advertisements during movies and shows. Ads typically run 4 to 5 minutes per hour of content, similar to traditional television. You cannot skip ads, and they appear at the beginning, middle, and end of titles. Some newer movies and shows may not be available on the ad-supported plan.
The ad-free plans cost more but have no advertisements. You can pause, rewind, and fast-forward through content without interruption. The standard plan allows two simultaneous streams on different devices; the premium plan allows four streams and 4K resolution on compatible devices.
If you downgrade from an ad-free plan to an ad-supported plan to save money, your account switches immediately. You will see ads the next time you play something. If you later upgrade back to an ad-free plan, ads disappear right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Disney+ charge me twice if I change my plan mid-billing cycle?
No. If you change plans before your billing date, Disney+ charges you the new plan price on your next billing date. You do not pay twice or receive a prorated credit. The change takes effect immediately, but the new price applies to your next full billing cycle.
Can I pause my Disney+ subscription instead of canceling?
Disney+ does not offer a pause feature. You can cancel your subscription and rejoin later, but there is no official way to temporarily suspend your account. If you cancel, you can resubscribe at any time and your watchlist and preferences will be saved if you use the same email address.
What if I signed up through a bundle with Hulu or ESPN+?
If you subscribed to a Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ together), price increases apply to the bundle as a whole. You can change or cancel the bundle through your account settings, but you cannot remove just one service. Contact Disney+ support if you want to separate the services or downgrade only one of them.
Do I get a refund if I cancel mid-billing cycle?
No. Disney+ does not refund unused portions of your subscription. If you cancel on the 5th of the month but your billing date is the 20th, you keep access until the 20th but receive no refund for the remaining days. You only pay for the full billing cycle you are currently in.
How do I know if my price increase notice is real?
Log into your Disney+ account directly through the app or website — do not click a link in an email. Go to your account settings and check your subscription details. If a price increase is pending, it will show there with the new amount and effective date. Legitimate notices always appear in your account settings before they appear in email.