The standard ad-free tier – which all users are currently on – will be increasing from US$7.99 per month and $79.99 per year to $10.99 per month and $109.99 per year for both new and existing subscribers. The change will take place for current account holders when the next billing cycle happens after 8 December 2022. The new ad-supported tier will cost $7.99 per month and $79.99 per year. The UK and other countries won’t be getting the price increase right now, but it is expected to arrive at some point next year. With the cost of living creeping up, this price increase won’t be a joy for many. However, never fear – you still have some time to dodge it. We’ve rounded up all the options you can try to keep costs down.
Buy an annual subscription
The first thing you can do is buy or renew your account with an annual subscription before 8 December. An annual subscription costs $79.99. If you’re a new subscriber, you can sign up for this on the Disney+ website. If you need to renew, take the following steps before 8 December 2022:
Open the Disney+ website in your browserClick on the profile icon on the right hand side and tap ‘Account’ on the drop-down menuFollow the steps to manage your account and change your subscription – this will be different depending on how you pay for Disney+
If, however, you’re mid-way through your annual subscription, this may be a pain. Fortunately, there is another thing you can do.
Buy a 12-month Disney+ gift subscription
Another way to save money ahead of the Disney+ price hike is to buy a 12-month gift subscription for yourself. Gift subscriptions can be activated at any time. Therefore, you could lock in for an annual subscription first, and then activate this when your 12 months are up to keep the lower prices for longer. There’s currently no expiration date on gift subscriptions, so we don’t see why this shouldn’t be possible. Here’s what you’ll need to do before 8 December 2022 if you’re in the US:
Head to the Disney+ gift subscription pageEnter the recipient’s name and email address – make sure it’s an address not registered with the site already as it only applies to new customersPurchase the 12-month subscription for $79.99Once the gift card arrives in your inbox, don’t activate it until you wish toWhen you want to use the gift card, sign up for a brand-new Disney+ account using the gift card as your payment option
Bundle in Disney+ with a broadband contract
Another way to keep costs down with your streaming subscription is to bundle in Disney+ with a broadband contract. The longest Disney+ offer we’ve seen so far is for six months of of the service with one of Verizon’s unlimited data plans in the US. You can read more about this deal in our article on how to get a discount on Disney+.
Cancel your subscription altogether
If none of these options are suitable for you, then you can cancel your account with Disney+ altogether. You can always re-join further down the line if a show/movie you’re desperate to watch becomes available on the platform. Here’s what you need to do to cancel a subscription:
Open the Disney+ website in your browserClick on the profile icon on the right hand side and tap ‘Account’ on the drop-down menuFollow the steps to manage your account and cancel your subscription
You can find more granular instructions – including how to cancel from a phone or TV – in our guide to cancelling Disney+. Hannah Cowton is a Senior Staff Writer at Tech Advisor and Macworld, working across entertainment, consumer technology and lifestyle. Her interests and specialities lie in streaming services, film and television reviews and rumours, gaming, wearables and smart home products. She’s also the creator of The London Geek, a geek culture and lifestyle blog.
