When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.
“Pinocchio” is now streaming exclusively on Disney Plus.
Disney+
Disney Plus will increase its price and offer an ad-supported plan starting December 8.
Thankfully, even with this price hike coming, there are several tips and tricks you can use to save on a subscription.
Bundles and annual plans can all reduce membership costs, and Verizon members can even get six months for free.
Disney Plus is home to a vast library of content for viewers of all ages. It’s one of our top streaming recommendations, especially for fans of blockbuster franchises like Marvel and “Star Wars.” With the service’s upcoming price hike, however, newcomers may be skeptical of subscribing.
Right now, Disney Plus still costs $8 a month for ad-free viewing. But, starting December 8, ad-free streaming will increase to $11 a month, while a new ad-supported plan will cost $8 a month
Luckily, there are a few ways to save money on a Disney Plus subscription, even with this price change looming. An annual subscription and various bundles can ensure you get the best value out of the service. Keep scrolling to learn more about our tips for saving on Disney Plus.
1. Commit to an annual plan to save $16 a year
If you’re ready to start your Disney Plus journey, consider joining via an annual plan rather than a monthly one. Right now, the ad-free service costs $8 a month, which comes out to $96 for 12 months. However, if you pay for an annual plan up front, you only have to shell out $80.
This ends up saving you $16 a year. Even better, if you sign up for an ad-free annual plan before December 8, you’ll get locked into the cheaper $80 rate for your first year.
If you sign up after December 8, however, the annual ad-free plan price will increase to $110 while the monthly price will increase to $11. The new annual plan price will end up saving you $22 a year versus paying the new monthly price, but we highly recommend snagging the $80 rate while you can.
2. Save with the Hulu and ESPN+ bundle
For avid streaming viewers, the Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus bundle is a great way to save. For only $14 a month, subscribers get access to base plans of all three services — an $11 savings compared to paying for each individually.
Keep in mind, however, that bundle prices will change and branch out into different tiers after the Disney Plus price hike on December 8, but even after all the price adjustments, the new bundle options will still be cheaper than combining separate subscriptions. You can find a complete rundown of all the upcoming prices in our guide to the Disney Plus bundle.
3. Get 6 months of Disney Plus for free with a Verizon Unlimited plan
Verizon Unlimited customers can get six months of Disney Plus for free, even if you’re already an existing subscriber. After your free period is up, your plan will auto-renew for whatever the current monthly rate is.
All you need to do for this promotion is activate the freebie by November 30 and be a member of one of the following Verizon plans:
5G Do More5G StartWelcome UnlimitedOne Unlimited for iPhone Verizon Plan UnlimitedBeyond UnlimitedAbove Unlimited
4. Get the Disney Bundle free with select Verizon 5G plans
Even better, members of Verizon’s 5G Get More or 5G Play More plans can get the Disney Bundle with ad-supported Hulu and ad-free ESPN+ included with their servic at no extra charge. Typically, that plan would cost $14 a month on its own.
The perk is available through November 30, by which time customers must activate their plan in order to qualify for the freebie. If you cancel your eligible Verizon plan at any time you will lose the offer.
5. Share a family account
As with any streaming service, one of the best ways to cut costs is by sharing an account with members of your household. Disney Plus allows for up to seven profiles on one login with up to four screens watching simultaneously at a time.
6. Look out for limited-time deals
Though they’re rare, Disney Plus does offer discounts for special occasions, like Black Friday or its own Disney Plus Day. In the past we’ve seen worthwhile promotions like one month for $2, or six months free with an Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.
There’s no guarantee when or if these promotions will pop up again, but if you’re on the fence about a subscription, waiting until a deal holiday like Prime Day or Black Friday is a good idea to see if a new discount launches.