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Everything you need to know about Disney Plus



Disney Plus, the latest major entry in the overcrowded streaming landscape, is coming in with a bang on Nov. 12. Disney’s new streaming service boasts over 600 titles from Disney’s massive back catalogue, and there’s something for every Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, or The Simpsons fan: Beloved Disney animated classics, new Marvel and Star Wars properties, and something called The Ugly Dachshund (which is, apparently, a movie about a great dane who thinks he’s a dachshund and I will be watching it immediately.)


HOW MUCH DOES DISNEY PLUS COST?

Unlike its big competitors Netflix and Hulu, Disney Plus only offers one tier of membership. It costs $6.99/month, or $69.99/year and includes a 7-day free trial.


IS THAT THREE-YEAR BUNDLE STILL AVAILABLE?

Before Disney Plus launched, Disney offered a pre-order deal to members of its official fan club, D23. Fans could pre-pay for three years of the service at just over half price. While that deal is no longer available, it’s possible that Disney will roll out promotions for D23 members in the future.


DOES HULU OFFER A DISNEY PLUS BUNDLE?

Yes, now that Disney owns the majority of Hulu, the company has full control of three streaming services: Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus. All three streaming services are bundled together for $12.99/month. Those who have already subscribed to Hulu, Disney Plus or ESPN Plus, can still sign up for the bundle; A credit equal to the monthly price of that service will be applied to each bill. (The only exceptions are if you subscribed through Spotify or another promotional offer.)


WHAT ABOUT THAT VERIZON DISNEY PLUS OFFER?

Some Verizon customers can sign up for a free year of Disney Plus, though who exactly is eligible gets a bit confusing. Basically current Verizon wireless unlimited subscribers and new Verizon home internet subscribers can take advantage of this offer starting on the Disney Plus launch date of Nov. 12. The free year has to be redeemed before June 1, 2020. If you’re still confused, check Verizon’s website to see if you’re eligible.


Current Verizon customers who pre-ordered Disney Plus can still take advantage of the free year. That pre-paid subscription will just carry over to the next year.


WHICH DEVICES SUPPORT DISNEY PLUS?

In addition to streaming on browsers at DisneyPlus.com, Disney has confirmed that a Disney Plus app will be available on Apple, Android, and Google devices, as well as PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles. (Unfortunately, Hulu is still the only streaming app available on Nintendo Switch.)


Finally, despite some friction around advertising, Amazon and Disney seem to have reached an agreement in the 11th hour. Less than a week before Disney Plus was set to launch, our colleagues at the Verge confirmed that Amazon Fire TV will support Disney Plus.


Here are all of the devices that will support Disney Plus:


  • Amazon Fire TV and Fire tablets

  • Android devices and Android-based Sony Smart TVs

  • Apple TV

  • Google Chromecast and Chromebooks

  • iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV

  • LG devices

  • PlayStation 4

  • Roku

  • Samsung devices

  • Xbox One



IS DISNEY PLUS AVAILABLE IN 4K?

Unlike Netflix, which only includes 4K streaming in its most expensive tier, Disney Plus will include 4K, UHD, and HDR streaming at no additional charge. However, you shouldn’t expect to watch all of your old Disney favorites in high definition. When Disney Plus trials rolled out in the Netherlands, there was a dedicated 4K and HDR section with a small selection of recently released Disney movies (plus, incredibly, The Princess Diaries.) Still, we can reasonably assume that most original Disney Plus programming and new Disney releases will be available in 4K, which is a nice free perk.


WHAT ELSE COMES WITH DISNEY PLUS?

To compete in a cutthroat streaming landscape, Disney Plus is offering a lot of perks in the hopes that customers will sign up for yet another subscription. In addition to 4K streaming, the company is throwing in unlimited downloads to up to 10 devices and up to four simultaneous streams. Like 4K streaming, those are features that most streaming services charge extra for.


Time will tell whether or not those perks — not to mention a positively massive library of content — will be enough to win the streaming wars.