What Disney+ is and who runs it

Disney+ is a streaming service owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company. You pay a monthly or annual fee to watch movies, TV shows, and original content produced by Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and other studios Disney owns. The service streams over the internet to devices like phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and streaming boxes.

Disney+ is a commercial subscription service, not a government benefit or assistance program. You must have a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or other accepted payment) to maintain an active subscription. If you stop paying, your access stops.

Key Takeaways

  • Disney+ costs either a monthly fee or an annual fee, with prices varying by plan and region; the standard plan and ad-supported plan have different price points.
  • You need an internet connection, a compatible device, and a valid payment method to set up and maintain a Disney+ account.
  • Disney+ allows you to create multiple user profiles on one account, so different household members can have separate watch histories and recommendations.
  • The service includes content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and other Disney-owned studios, plus original shows and films made for Disney+.
  • You can cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings; you will retain access until the end of your current billing period.

Pricing plans and what each one includes

Disney+ offers two main subscription tiers. The ad-supported plan costs less per month but includes advertisements during shows and movies. The standard plan costs more per month and has no ads. Both plans let you stream on up to four devices at the same time (though only one stream per profile at a time on the ad-supported plan). Both also let you download content to watch offline on mobile devices.

You can also pay for a full year upfront instead of month-to-month, which usually costs less overall than paying monthly. Prices vary by country and change periodically, so check the Disney+ website for current rates in your region.

Disney+ sometimes offers promotional pricing for new subscribers, such as a discounted first month or a free trial period. These offers change and are not always available. You will see what offer applies to you when you create an account.

How to set up an account

Go to the Disney+ website or open the Disney+ app on your device. Select "Sign Up" or "Subscribe." You will need to provide an email address and create a password. Enter your payment information (credit card, debit card, or other accepted method). Choose your plan — ad-supported or standard, and monthly or annual billing. Confirm your payment method and billing address.

Once your account is active, you can immediately start watching. You can create up to seven user profiles on one account, each with its own watch history, recommendations, and parental controls. This is useful if multiple people in your household use the same subscription.

What devices work with Disney+

Disney+ works on most modern devices with internet access. This includes smartphones and tablets (iPhone, iPad, Android), computers (Windows, Mac), smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, and others), streaming devices (Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast), and gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox). You can stream on up to four devices at the same time on a standard plan.

To use Disney+ on a device, download the app from that device's app store, or visit disneyplus.com in a web browser. Sign in with your email and password. Your account will recognize the device and remember your preferences.

Canceling your subscription

You can cancel your Disney+ subscription at any time through your account settings on the Disney+ website or app. Go to your account menu, select "Subscription," and choose "Cancel Subscription." You will be asked to confirm. Your access will continue until the end of your current billing period — if you paid for a month, you can watch until that month ends; if you paid for a year, you can watch until that year ends.

Disney+ will not refund money for unused time if you cancel mid-billing period. If you cancel and later want to resubscribe, you can create a new account or reactivate your old account using the same email address.

Content available on Disney+

Disney+ includes movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and other studios owned by The Walt Disney Company. This includes classic Disney films, recent theatrical releases, Marvel superhero series and films, Star Wars movies and shows, nature documentaries from National Geographic, and original content created specifically for Disney+.

The full catalog varies by country. New content is added regularly, and some content is removed periodically. You can browse the catalog on the Disney+ website or app to see what is currently available in your region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Disney+ password with family members outside my household?

Disney's terms of service state that your account is for personal use by you and people in your household. Sharing passwords with people outside your home violates the terms. Disney has implemented technology to detect and restrict password sharing across different locations. If you want multiple people to watch, each person can create their own account or you can add them as a profile on your household account.

What happens if I don't pay my bill?

If your payment method fails or is declined, Disney+ will attempt to charge it again. If payment continues to fail, your account will be suspended and you will lose access to the service. You can reactivate by updating your payment method and paying any outstanding balance. Disney+ does not charge late fees, but your access remains blocked until the payment is made.

Can I watch Disney+ on multiple devices at the same time?

On the standard plan, you can stream on up to four devices simultaneously. On the ad-supported plan, only one stream per profile is allowed at a time, though you can have multiple profiles on one account. If you exceed the limit, you will see an error message asking you to stop playback on another device.

Is there a free trial for Disney+?

Disney+ occasionally offers free trial periods to new subscribers, but these promotions change and are not always available. When you visit the sign-up page, you will see whether a trial is currently offered in your region. Any trial period will be clearly stated before you enter your payment information.

What internet speed do I need for Disney+?

Disney+ recommends at least 5.5 Mbps for HD streaming and 25 Mbps for 4K streaming. If your internet is slower, you can still watch, but the video quality will be lower. You can adjust video quality in your account settings to use less data if needed.