The cost of a comparable Disney+ subscription has doubled since the service launched, and it’s not going to get any cheaper. That’s why you need to use these tips to get more for your money on Disney+.
1 Drinking for a month
There’s no limit to how much you can watch on Disney+, meaning you can sign up for a month or two, watch everything you want to see, and then cancel your Disney+ subscription. You can always resubscribe once enough new shows and movies have been added to make it worth your while.
On the other hand, if you know you’ll be watching Disney+ regularly every month, consider getting an annual subscription and getting 12 months for the price of 10. Or, if you also use ESPN+ and/or Hulu, get one of the packages that bundle both and save money.
2 Check out the special features
It’s obvious that you should watch everything there is to stream to get your money’s worth. But did you know that Disney+ offers special features like DVDs? Many movies and shows include deleted scenes, commentaries, outtakes, and other fun bonuses.
To access it, navigate to a show or movie and go to the Extras tab.
3 Create profiles and share your account
Including your own profile, you can have up to seven profiles on your Disney+ account. Each profile is separate and has its own watchlist, recommendations, parental controls, etc.
This is a great way to share your account with others and split the cost, but keep in mind that standard accounts only support two simultaneous streams, and premium accounts support four, so you don’t want too many people watching at once.
If you share passwords outside your household, take advantage of this while you can. Disney plans to completely crack down on password sharing starting in September 2024.
4 Stay up to date with new content
Disney+ regularly adds new and exclusive content, but it’s easy to miss this when you’re watching your hundredth stream of Frozen for the children.
To make sure you’re enjoying everything Disney+ has to offer, launch the app or website every few days and check the home screen. Recently added movies and shows will appear in the carousel at the top.
Also, use the On Disney+ website. Here you can switch between “Latest Releases” and “Coming Soon.” If you like something, add it to your Disney+ watchlist.
5 Download for offline viewing
While there’s a lot to watch on Disney+, you may not always have the internet connection you need – for example, when traveling or if your internet provider is unreliable. Conveniently, you can download Disney+ movies and shows to watch offline, meaning you can get the most out of your subscription wherever you are.
To use this feature, you must have the Premium tier. It only supports mobile devices (so you can’t download to your computer or Smart TV). Just select “Download” for the item you want. To manage, tap the “Persistent Download” button in the bottom menu.
6 Learn a language
One of the best ways to learn a language is to immerse yourself in it. If you don’t want to move to another country, you can complement traditional language learning tools (like Duolingo) by watching movies and series.
This may sound strange, but hear me out. You can customize the subtitles on Disney+ and change the audio to another language. Try watching something in your native language but with foreign subtitles, or vice versa.
This is an easy way to familiarize yourself with common phrases or pick up the accent (assuming the dubbing is good).
7 Host a virtual movie night
Want to watch the latest Marvel movie with your friends? Or enjoy your favorite Disney animated classic with your partner from afar? Don’t wait until you’re in the same room together—that could take months. Host a virtual movie party instead.
If you have a Premium subscription and an Apple device, you can start a SharePlay session over FaceTime. Otherwise, use a third-party service like Teleparty.
In many ways, Disney+ is stagnant, which makes the service’s price hikes seem even more cheeky. While the advice here will help you get more for your money, ultimately the House of Mouse needs to make other improvements, like adding more classic films and relying less on brands like Star Wars.