Disney Plus Review 2020: Stream Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and More

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Is Disney+ good?
Current deals
Disney+ vs. the competition
Plans and pricing
Shows and movies
Specs and features
Final take: Is Disney+ worth it?
FAQ
Most Popular Disney Channel Original Movie in Your State

What is Disney Plus?

Disney Plus, styled as Disney+, is a formidable on-demand streaming rival to Netflix and HBO Max. Along with Disney favorites, it features shows and movies from Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic.

If you’re looking for The Mandalorian, Marvel’s Loki, or the stage-filmed Hamilton, Disney+ is the only place to get them. There are also new originals arriving on Disney+ on a more regular basis than in its first year after launch.

Is Disney Plus good?

Despite the app bugs at launch, Disney+ has a smooth interface and a decent amount of fresh new content. But is Disney+ worth it for a few new shows? Well, if you want a place to stream your kid’s favorite Disney movies and binge on Star Wars, Marvel, and new movies like Luca, there’s no better place.

Disney Plus plans on not streaming its movies anywhere else—and that includes Netflix. So unless you’re planning on buying the Blu-ray for every Disney movie your kid wants (or superhero movie you’ve got to have), Disney+ will be your only option.

• Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic all in one place
• Offline download availability for all shows and movies
• 4K Ultra HD video quality

• No rated-R movies (but that can be a pro if you fancy family-friendly material)
• Small lineup of originals shows (so far)

Disney Plus deals and promotions

If you want to save in the long run, you can take the plunge for Disney+’s $79.99 per year deal. You’ll save $13.89 annually.

Or you can up your streaming game with a special Disney bundle that includes Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu for only $13.99 per month. This bundle deal will save you $4.98 per month on the cost of the three services separately. We say that makes the Disney+ price even more worth it.

Verizon customers (new and existing) can get Disney+ free for the first year with the company’s Unlimited phone plan or new 5G Home Internet plan. So you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy getting your Disney+ cost down to a sweet, succulent zero. But be aware: after that first year, your Disney+ cost returns to $7.99 a month like usual.

Disney Plus vs. the competition

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

If you’ve tried out other streaming services, you’ll have an easy time figuring out Disney+. But Disney+ shines in some family-friendly ways the competition doesn’t.

You can make up to seven user profiles, where your family members can customize their watchlist and get shows recommended for their interests.

And right from the get-go, your family can stream four shows at once. You have to pay $17.99 per month to get that from Netflix. And to get that many with Hulu, you have to pay $54.98 per month for its live TV streaming service and unlimited streams. Yikes.

And in addition to four streams, Disney+ encourages you to download as many shows as you want on up to 10 devices. Netflix lets you download 100, but only on up to four devices (with the $15.99 per month service).

But Disney+ isn’t available on previous generation gaming consoles. Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video—as long-time favorites—still support many of these outdated models.

But if that’s a concern for you, keep in mind that a Roku costs just $26.99. A simple streaming device upgrade will open the wide world of Disney+ to you and your kiddos.

Disney Plus price and plans

Different prices, same access

How much is Disney+? Check it out: Disney+ cost may not be as high as you think.

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

So how much does Disney+ cost? As you can see, there are three ways to slice it. The monthly Disney+ price is $7.99, but you can pay $79.99 for an entire year ahead of time, which saves you $13.89 total.

Or you can get Disney+ with Hulu and ESPN+ for $13.99 per month. That’s a savings of $4.98 each month.

Keep in mind the bundle plan only includes Hulu’s basic on-demand service. You won’t be able to upgrade to the no-ads or live-TV services. So the bundle deal is a nice package if you want just a taste of Hulu, but it won’t get you the full experience.

Disney Plus shows and movies

You might be wondering—what is on Disney+, exactly? Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about Disney+ plans restricting what’s available to you (everyone who signs up gets all the same access to this huge, enormous library). But even with that worry eliminated, it doesn’t hurt to see the entire smorgasbord of Disney properties set out before you. Check out all of what’s on Disney+ below.

Disney+ pried open the Disney Vault, releasing tons of classic films. You’ll also find Disney Channel, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, and National Geographic favorites.

But Disney+ isn’t a full archive. You won’t find any R-rated content here, and the problematic Song of the South is still tucked away. And this writer still hopes for the cult-favorite Aladdin animated TV series to join the lineup.

What is on Disney+ isn’t restricted to the classic Disney products of yore. In addition to the opened vault, Disney+ brings with it original shows and original series you can’t get anywhere else. It’s not just Disney IPs, either—Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic all have their contributions.

Unlike the Netflix style of putting up a whole series at once, Disney+ takes a page from traditional TV release schedules. New episodes from its original series come out about once a week.

And this writer admits that High School Musical: The Musical: The Series showed more self-awareness than expected, but I could endure only seven minutes and 30 seconds. (But I’m probably not the target audience, so take that with a grain of salt.) The Mandalorian, on the other hand—wow. If you’re a Star Wars fan, that show alone makes Disney+ worth it.

Original and on-demand shows

• Loki
• Star Wars: The Bad Batch
• The Mysterious Benedict Society
• WandaVision
• The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
• The Mandalorian
• The Right Stuff
• High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
• Diary of a Future President
• The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers

• Big Shot
• Muppets Now
• Forky Asks a Question
• Marvel’s Hero Project
• The World According to Jeff Goldblum
• Marvel Studios: Assembled
• Marvel Studios: Legends
• The Imagineering Story
• Monsters at Work
• The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse

Original and on-demand movies

• Luca
• Cruella
• Raya and the Last Dragon
• Soul
• Hamilton
• Clouds
• Mulan
• Moana
• Coco
• Onward

• Frozen
• The Greatest Showman
• Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
• The Sandlot
• The Jungle Book
• Beauty and the Beast
• Hidden Figures
• Pirates of the Caribbean movies
• Marvel movies
• Star Wars movies

Disney Plus specs and features

Disney+ flew out of the gate with some of the most family-conscious features we’ve ever seen.

But no matter the size of your household—even if you’re single with a cat, like this writer—the 4K Ultra HD specs will look phantasmagorical. (Thanks for the five-dollar word, Jeff Goldblum.)

Personal profiles

How many profiles does Disney+ let you customize?

With Disney+, up to seven of your family members can have their own profile. They can build their own watchlist and get personalized recommendations on what to watch next.

And with the toggle of a button, you can make profiles kid-friendly. Kids Profiles have access only to TV-7FV, G, and some PG shows and videos. These limits will help you keep “big kid” shows out of your younglings’ grasps until they’re ready for them.

Multiple streams

How many devices can stream Disney+ at the same time?

Go ahead—set one kiddo in front of the TV and let the teen twins stream shows on their phones, while you kick back with Free Solo on your tablet. It’s straight-up generous how many devices can stream Disney+ from one account, especially compared to rival streaming services like Netflix.

If you need Disney+ on more than four devices at once, though, keep in mind Disney+ doesn’t offer any stream upgrades. But the easy workaround for that is to download titles ahead of time. It’s generous about that, too. We think most people will be satisfied with how many screens on Disney+ can entertain your family’s varied tastes.

Offline viewing

Does Disney+ let you download shows?

You can stuff up to 10 devices full of as many Disney+ shows and movies as you want.

Really—you can download unlimited shows for the whole family. As long as you have a device ready for everyone, you can avoid every fight for movie-choosing supremacy. Road trips just became quieter than ever. Praise be.

Compatible streaming devices

Is your device compatible with Disney+?

Disney+ runs on most recent-generation streaming devices. There were a few stumbles with apps not working first thing on Disney+’s launch day. But most of those seem sorted out by now.

Keep in mind that Disney+ has a lot of 4K Ultra HD content. You can watch those shows on lower resolution devices, but they’ll look best on a nice new 4K TV.

Video quality

This writer loves how Disney+ looks on their 4K TV and iPhone XR. It’s not quite as magical on their company-issued monitor, which maxes out at Full HD resolution (1080p).

All the new Disney+ originals are ready to play in 4K Ultra HD and HDR. It’s breathtaking to see the alien landscapes of The Mandalorian in such high resolution.

On top of that, Disney remastered its older titles for Disney+. We’re not telling you to toss your old Disney VHS and DVDs, but they’ll be collecting a lot of dust with all the visually superior content on Disney+.

If you’re watching on a TV or mobile device, you can check the highest available quality in each title’s Details section. This feature isn’t available on the browser version of Disney+, though.

And keep in mind that Disney+ will adjust the quality of your stream based on the strength of your internet connection. If you’re going to be out and about, you’ll get a better picture by downloading your shows ahead of time rather than relying on a spotty 4G LTE connection.

One shooty robot playing on Disney+, as viewed from a Full HD computer monitor.

The Disney+ interface makes it one of the most intuitive streaming services to navigate. It serves up studios, a personalized recommendation list, and a wide variety of collections like Feel-Good Sports Movies, Best Friends, and Fun Mysteries.

And if you don’t see the show you want on the front page, you can quickly search and find it. Or click on the title card for any show and go to the Suggested column for related things to watch.

Basically, you’ll always have something family-friendly to watch from now until the end of time. So start stocking that watchlist already.

The Disney+ home screen as seen on a computer browser.

Final take: Is Disney Plus worth it?

Disney+ is a wish your heart made while you were fast asleep. There’s so much here for you and your family (or you and your cat) to enjoy from the Disney, Star Wars, and Marvel universes. Your new subscription will be the best $7.99 you’ve spent on entertainment this month.

Discover the magic of Disney+

Disney Plus FAQ

How to get Disney Plus?

Disney+ is available for $7.99 per month or $79.99 a year, depending on which plan you pick. Since it’s a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu, it’s simple to sign up for and start watching.

How to get Disney+:

1.  Go to the Disney+’s website on your computer’s browser or download the Disney+ app on your favorite streaming device.
2.  Follow the instructions on the website or app and set up your account.
3.  Select whatever Disney+ plan you’d like, enter your credit card information, and finish checkout.
4.  Start watching.

Will Netflix still get Disney movies?

Netflix may host a few holdovers after Disney+ debuts, but it won’t get any new Disney or Marvel movies. Captain Marvel is available exclusively on Disney+.

Does Disney+ have Disney Channel Original Movies?

Yes, Disney+ has Disney Channel Original Movies. You can get everything from the 1990s classic Halloweentown to the 2010s Kim Possible movie.

Is Disney+ 4K?

Yes, Disney+ offers 4K streaming for originals and old favorites. You’ll need 4K-supporting devices to enjoy the full quality of this high resolution, so it might be time to buy a new 4K TV and an Apple TV 4K.

Does Disney+ include Hulu?

No, Disney+ is a separate service from Hulu. But when you sign up for Disney+ (check out “How to Get Disney Plus” above), you can opt for a deal that comes with Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for just $13.99 per month.

Most Popular Disney Channel Original Movie in Your State

By Trevor Wheelright

Disney+ surpassed its four-year goal of reaching 60–90 million subscribers in only nine months, gaining a reported 100 million subscribers so far—and the streaming service isn’t even live worldwide yet.^{1, 2} While new hits like Onward, Beyonce’s Black Is King, and Hamilton attract viewers to Disney+, nostalgic fans can use the service to find their favorite Disney Channel Original Movies.

Using Google Trends data, we broke down searches across America to find each state’s most-searched Disney Channel Original Movie (we’ll call them “favorites”).^{3, 4}

We decided to include films up until 2010 to nail that nostalgia factor and bring back all those warm, fuzzy memories of growing up with movies like Brink!, Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century, and Smart House.

Do you remember these forgotten favorites?

This list might help bring back a few memories. Who remembers the basketball-playing twins in Double Teamed? West Virginia does. Basketball fans might also remember Full-Court Miracle. Or you might like the girl-powered gusto of Gotta Kick It Up!

Or did you see each of the sequels for Halloweentown, The Cheetah Girls, or Johnny Tsunami? Zenon: The Zequel was the follow-up favorite in three states: Arkansas, Iowa, and Missouri.

We were also surprised at how many older favorites were getting revisited with their own Disney Channel Original Movies. Some were Disney Channel TV shows, like The Famous Jett Jackson, which came back with Jett Jackson: The Movie (a favorite for Illinois and Michigan).

And Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars isn’t a reboot of the Nickelodeon movie you might remember, but instead it’s a modernized version based on the novel (a favorite in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia).

What’s your state’s connection to its favorite Disney Channel Original Movie?

• The Luck of the Irish is Montana’s favorite, and it turns out that Butte, Montana has the largest Irish population per capita.⁵ (You learn something new every day!)
• The first Disney Channel Original Movie original movie Under Wraps made it onto the list as Maine’s favorite. And there’s a bit of an urban legend in Maine around using mummies to help make paper (experts say that’s too much “dead weight” to make economic sense).⁶
• Utah continues to be the source for enduring High School Musical support. Last year, East High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, where they filmed the movie, had its students perform the musical.⁷

What do you think about your state’s favorite? Any interesting connections?

While you’re staying inside and social distancing during the pandemic, you might enjoy some of our old favorites on Disney+. So, call up your friends, set up a simultaneous stream party, and revisit some classic Disney Channel Original Movies.

What do you think of your state’s favorites? Let us know in the comments below.

Methodology

To find each state’s favorite Disney Channel Original Movie, we cross-referenced a complete list of Disney Channel Original Movies of Disney Channel Original Movies (with release dates up until 2010) against state-specific search data from Google Trends.

Sources

1. Julian Boorstin, CNBC, “Q2 Was a Tipping Point in Streaming Wars. Here’s How the Media Giants Stack Up,” August 7, 2020. Accessed August 7, 2020.
2. Lauren Feiner, Sarah Whitten, CNBC, “Disney Shares Pop after It Reveals 100 Million Streaming Subscribers and Plans to Launch a New Streaming Service,” August 5, 2020. Accessed August 7, 2020.
3. List Challenges, “Complete List of Disney Channel Original Movies,” Accessed August 3, 2020.
4. Google, “Google Trends,” Accessed August 3, 2020.
5. Matt Villano, AFAR, “The Most Irish City in the United States Isn’t What You Think It Is,” March 16, 2017. Accessed August 7, 2020.
6. Julia Bayly, Bangor Daily News, “Unwrapping the Connection between Egyptian Mummies and Maine Papermaking,” October 26, 2012. Accessed August 7, 2020.
7. Scott D. Pierce, Salt Lake Tribune, “High School Musical’ Returns as East High School and Salt Lake City Finally Get to Play Themselves,” November 19, 2019. Accessed August 7, 2020.