Do you have the ad-free version of Disney+? Expect to pay more each month. Here are the details from Disney’s Aug. 9 press release:
- The ad-free (aka Premium) version of Disney+ will increase to $13.99 per month (up from $10.99 per month).
- The Disney+ / Hulu bundles are going up in cost, too: The ad-free “Trio Premium” plan (Disney + Hulu + ESPN) will increase to $24.99 (up from $19.99). And the ad-supported “Trio Basic” plan (Disney + Hulu + ESPN) will increase to $14.99 (up from $12.99).
- There will be a new ad-free bundle added: The ad-free Duo Premium plan (Hulu + Disney) will cost $19.99 per month.
This is the second price increase we’ve seen from Disney+ in about a year (last December, it raised the price of the ad-free version from $7.99 to $10.99). The news comes amid various streamers recalibrating their offerings to stay afloat (see also: Netflix coming down hard on password sharing).
The good news? The ad-supported version of Disney+ is remaining at $7.99 per month. And the Duo Basic ad-supported bundle (which includes Disney + and Hulu) will remain at $9.99 per month.
How to Avoid the Disney+ Price Hike
The changes go into effect Oct. 12. So, if you’re thinking of subscribing, you can “lock in” the current price NOW by opting for an annual plan. Yes, you’ll need to pay $109.99 up front … but you’re essentially snagging a lower rate for an entire year, compared to the new monthly cost of $13.99 (and even compared to the current $10.99 per month rate).
Once Oct. 12 has arrived (or when it’s time to renew next year), you can still get a slight price break by opting for the annual plan. According to Disney’s press release, you’ll pay $139.99 per year for the annual ad-free Disney+ plan, vs. the $168 you’d pay over the course of a year via the monthly plan.
Disney+ Vs. Other Streaming Services
For parents, Disney+ may be non-negotiable. And, even with its price hikes, its pricing remains competitive with other services. But if you’re shopping around, or thinking of recalibrating your streaming subscriptions, here’s a quick run-down of what’s out there (for monthly subscriptions).
| Service | Monthly Cost |
| Disney+ | Lowest price: $7.99/month (with ads) Highest price after Oct. 12: $13.99 (no ads) |
| Disney + with Hulu bundle | Lowest price: $9.99 (with ads) Highest price: $19.99 (no ads) |
| Netflix | Lowest price: $6.99 (with ads) Middle rice: $15.99 (no ads, 2 slots) Highest price: $19.99 (no ads, 4 slots) |
| Max | Lowest price: $9.99 (with ads) Middle price: $15.99 (no ads, 2 slots) Highest price: $19.99 (no ads, 4 slots) |
| Paramount+ | Lowest price: $5.99 (with ads) Highest price: $11.99 (with Showtime and limited ads) |
| Peacock | Lowest price: $5.99 (with ads) Highest price: $11.99 (no ads) |
The post Disney+ Price is Going Up Again in October appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
