Disney Plus Is Getting Another Price Hike: What It Means for Subscribers

If you are a Disney+ subscriber, brace yourself: your monthly bill is about to go up again. Disney has just announced a new round of price increases for its streaming plans, effective October 21, 2025. This is not the first time Disney has raised its prices several times since its service launched. But this new hike has stirred fresh complaints from users who feel streaming is already expensive enough.

In this post, I’ll break down what’s changing, why Disney is doing this, how it affects different users, and whether it’s still worth keeping your subscription.

What Exactly Is Changing?

Disney has revealed that both its ad-supported and ad-free plans will see price increases. Here’s the breakdown:

• The Disney+ plan with ads will go up by $2 per month, changing from $9.99 to $11.99.

• The Disney+ Premium (no ads) tier will increase by $3 per month, going from $15.99 to $18.99 per month.

• The annual subscription for the premium plan is also rising: it will cost $189.99 per year, up by $30.

• Bundles that include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN (with or without ads) will see increases, too.

• Even standalone Hulu plans (especially the ones with ads) are going up.

So, whether you use the basic plan, want no ads, or subscribe via bundles, changes are everywhere.

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Why Is Disney Raising Prices Again?

This isn’t random. Disney’s streaming business has been pushing toward profitability, and rising costs, content budgets, licensing fees, and competition all push the company to adjust pricing.

Disney+ launched in 2019 at $6.99/month, and since then, the prices have climbed several times in late 2022, October 2023, October 2024, and now October 2025.

A recent controversy around the show Jimmy Kimmel Live! also plays a role in public perception. Disney temporarily pulled the show from ABC after comments by Kimmel that stirred anger. Many accused Disney of censorship, and some users threatened to cancel subscriptions. Disney later restored the show. The timing of the price hike so soon after that controversy has drawn criticism.

Analysts suggest that Disney may have expedited Kimmel’s return to reduce cancellations ahead of the price change.

Who Gets Hit the Most?

The impact will differ depending on which plan you currently use:

1. Basic, ad-supported users
   If you use the cheapest plan, you’ll see a $2 increase. Some may feel this is manageable; others may find it steep, especially given the competition.

2. Premium, no-ads users
   You’ll pay $3 more per month, plus a big jump in annual cost. For heavy watchers who want uninterrupted viewing, this is a significant increase.

3. Bundle subscribers
   If you have Disney+ + Hulu + ESPN or similar combos, your total cost will also rise. The exact increase depends on whether your bundle has ads or not.

4. People paying via third-party billing
   Depending on how you’re billed (through app stores, partners, etc.), the changes may reflect differently. Disney notes that pricing can vary when using third-party billing.

What’s the Reaction from Customers?

As expected, many users are unhappy. On forums and sites like Reddit, people say things like: “I didn’t cancel yet, but now I will” and “Their content isn’t w, worth $20 a month.”

There’s frustration that streaming costs keep rising while the services feel less fresh or more repetitive. Some feel Disney is pushing for more revenue from the same user base without enough new compelling content to justify the increases.

On the flip side, a few users accept these hikes as part of the streaming, pe many major services (Apple TV+, Netflix, etc.) have raised prices recently. So, some see it as inevitable.

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Is Disney+ Still Worth It?

Let’s weigh the pros and cons after the hike:

Pros

• Strong content library: Disney owns Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, National Geographic, classic Disney films, and more. For fans of those, there’s value.

• Original shows: Disney continues to push new series exclusive to the platform.

• Bundles: If you use Hulu and ESPN along with Disney+, bundles can offer some savings compared to paying separately.

Cons After the Price Hike

• Higher cost: The jump means more burden on users who subscribe to multiple streaming platforms.

• Price sensitivity: Some users may drop the service if they feel the content or value isn’t enough to justify the extra money.

• Competitive alternatives: Other platforms (Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, etc.) may offer better deals or content that appeals more to you.

Tips to Decide What to Do

Here are some suggestions for subs:

• Review your usage: If you rarely watch Disney originals or Marvel/Star Wars content, consider switching to a cheaper plan or canceling.

• Use bundles wisely: If you already use ESPN or Hulu, bundling might soften the blow.

• Watch for streaming sales: Sometimes Disney or partners offer promotions or discounts.

• Cancel if needed but rejoin later: Some people leave when prices rise and return when bundles or offers become attractive again.

Final Thoughts

Yes, Disney is hiking prices ag, effective October 21, 2025, and the increases are widespread across plans and bundles. While the reasons are understandable (rising costs, content investments, profitability), the timing and frequency frustrate many subscribers.

Still, Disney+ remains a strong platform for fans of its franchises, and some users will accept paying more to keep access. Others, especially casual viewers, may re-evaluate whether the cost matches the benefit.

If you’re a subscriber, now is a good time to re-check your plan, see how much you use Disney+, and decide whether it still justifies the cost or whether you’d be better off with something else or a lower tier.