Attention, Disney+ fans in the UK: If you were one of the savvy subscribers who took advantage of the limited-time offer earlier this year, you should brace yourself for a price increase.
The discounted rate of £1.99/month for the ad-supported tier, which was introduced to “soften the blow” of the recent price increase, will soon expire.
This means that the regular price of £4.99/month will soon kick in for those who signed up using the promotional rate – and it’s time to consider whether you want to keep the subscription at the full price, cancel, or opt for the discounted annual option (see more details below).
Disney+ has become a household name in the UK since its launch in 2020, offering a vast library of content from Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, National Geographic, and Star (the more adult-oriented category).
In November 2023, Disney+ introduced a new tiered pricing structure in the UK, adding an ad-supported option to its existing plan.
This change was met with confusion and frustration from a portion of the subscriber base, many of whom were caught off guard by the price increases detailed in their renewal emails.
Following the pricing restructure, Disney+ UK now offers three subscription tiers:
Standard With Ads: At £4.99 per month, this is the most budget-friendly option, offering Full HD 1080p video quality with advertisements.
Standard: Priced at £7.99 per month or £79.90 annually, this plan offers ad-free viewing with Full HD 1080p video quality and download capabilities.
Premium: The highest tier (which is identical to what used to be the single Disney+ tier in the UK), now at £10.99/month or £109.90 annually, provides up to 4K UHD & HDR video quality, four concurrent streams, and download capability, all without adverts.
Goodbye, Disney+ Discount
While the new ad-supported tier offered a more affordable entry point, some subscribers were caught off guard by the price increases for the ad-free options.
To soften the blow and entice new and returning customers, Disney+ ran a limited-time offer from February 29 to March 14, 2024.
During this period, eligible subscribers could sign up for the Standard With Ads plan at a discounted rate of £1.99/month for the first three months.
This offer provided a £9 saving compared to the regular price over the promotional period.
However, all good things must come to an end. Those who took advantage of the offer will soon see their monthly subscription fee rise to the standard £4.99.
The exact date of the price increase depends on when you signed up. For example:
- If you subscribed on February 29, your promotional period ends on May 29, and the regular price will apply from May 30.
- If you signed up on the last day of the offer, March 14, your discounted rate will continue until June 14, after which the £4.99 monthly fee will take effect.
As the promotional period comes to a close, subscribers should review their options and decide whether to continue with the ad-supported tier at the regular price or consider upgrading to the ad-free plans.
The easiest way to save on a Disney+ subscription is to switch from a monthly subscription to an annual one.
The Standard tier costs £7.99/month – and £79.99 if you pay for a full year in advance (which comes down to £6.6 per month).
The Premium tier costs £10.99 if you pay monthly – and £109.90 if you pay for a full year (so £9.15 per month).
So, you’re getting 12 months for the price of 10 – which is a good deal if you’re sure you’re going to want Disney+ for a full year.
Otherwise, you’re losing the flexibility of signing up only for specific months and then cancelling.