Disney+ Review: A Streaming Treasure Chest of Family Favorites

Streaming Smarter says: If you have children, Disney+ is a must-have streamer. It’s home to 17 of the 25 biggest box office hits of all time. You’ll get Pixar, The Muppets, Star Wars, Avatar, The Simpsons, Marvel, and Disney animated classics. Unlike many competitors, Disney+ refuses to loan out their biggest hits, so there’s a ton of exclusive value. I’ve subscribed since Day 1 and I’ll keep it until my kids outgrow the library.

$9.99/mo.

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What Does Disney+ Cost?

You can subscribe to Disney+ alone, but smart streamers will bundle it for greater savings. If you get Hulu + Live TV as your live TV provider, you’ll get Disney+ free!

Can You Watch Disney+ for Free?

Disney+ and its bundles do not have a free trial, but you can get 3 days of Hulu + Live TV free and that automatically includes free access to Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu on-demand.

$82.99/mo.

Get 3 days free

Are There Any Deals or Discounts for Disney+?

Disney+ rarely offers discounts. If I were signing up for the first time, I’d choose a bundle to help save money. Any bundle saves between $9-22/month over the individual service costs.

Another option is to choose the standalone Disney+ Premium annual plan – pay $159.99 for the year and you’ll save $31 (16%). That’s like getting 2 months free.

What Movies Does Disney+ Have?

Disney+ has the best lineup of blockbuster movie franchises. You’ll see all the Star Wars movies and the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. Superhero fans will also enjoy the Deadpool and X-Men films. Disney+ is also home to the Avatar, Indiana Jones, and Pirates of the Caribbean franchises.

Kids and animation fans can access the iconic films of Pixar and Disney. You can see “Toy Story,” “WALL-E,” “The Lion King,” “Inside Out,” “Finding Nemo,” “Moana,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Peter Pan,” “The Jungle Book,” and much more.

The live music recordings are great. Disney+ is the only place to watch “Hamilton,” “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” “Queen Rock Montreal,” “Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium,” and “Encanto at the Holywood Bowl.”

There are lots of other family-friendly films like the Muppet movies, “Home Alone,” “Hocus Pocus,” “The Rocketeer,” “Sister Act,” “Swiss Family Robinson,” “The Santa Clause,” and “The Chronicles of Narnia.”

I really love their documentary library. Standout titles include “Jim Henson: Idea Man,” “Free Solo,” “Music by John Williams,” “Empire of Dreams,” and “Waking Sleeping Beauty.”

What TV Shows Does Disney+ Have?

Disney+ offers spinoffs of its movie franchises like Star Wars (“The Mandalorian,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” “Skeleton Crew,” and “Andor”) and Marvel (“Ms. Marvel,” “WandaVision,” and “Moon Knight”). It had some success with “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” but it has struggled to create franchises that stand alone.

Kids will get a kick out of “Bluey,” “Win or Lose,” “Doc McStuffins,” “Mickey Mouse Funhouse,” “Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir,” “Spidey and His Amazing Friends,” “X-Men ’97,” “DuckTales,” “The Muppet Show,” and more. It’s not the most educational content, but it’s a good lineup for children.

What Kids Content Does Disney+ Have?

Most of Disney+ is perfect for children. See the highlights above. Just be sure to use the parental controls so your kids don’t stumble into “Deadpool.”

What Sports Does Disney+ Have?

Disney+ doesn’t offer sports, but you will get some ESPN+ content for free. It’s mostly documentaries and talk shows (minus the highlights).

If you’re interested in sports, sign up for the Disney Bundle with ESPN+ ($16.99 with ads or $26.99 without ads). ESPN+ is a great choice for sports fans, especially if you like the NHL.

Does Disney+ Have Originals?

Yes, Disney+ offers several original series and movies. Unfortunately, most of them get canceled after the first season. Some original series include “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,” “Star Wars: The Bad Batch,” “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man,” “The Beatles: Get Back,” “Star Wars: Visions,” “Echo,” and “The Book of Boba Fett.”

Can You Download Disney+ Content?

If you have an ad-free plan, you can download movies and TV shows.

What Devices Work with Disney+?

Can You Add Disney+ as a Prime Video Channel?

No. Disney+ is not a Prime Video Channel. It works best as a standalone experience.

What is the Extra Member Feature and How Much Does It Cost?

If you want a friend or family member outside your home to use your subscription, you can add an extra member to your Disney+ account. The amount you pay depends on your Disney+ package.

Is Disney+ Worth It?

If you have kids at home, Disney+ is absolutely worth it. You’ll get a great library of the best entertainment ever created. It’s good for preschoolers, teenagers, and everyone in-between.

For adults, your opinion of Disney+ depends on how much you like to watch Disney’s entertainment. I love Marvel and Star Wars, but I’ve seen most of those movies multiple times and the Disney+ spinoff series have been lackluster.

In any case, Disney+ makes the most sense as part of a bundle. Choose the bundle with ESPN+ if you love sports or choose a Max bundle if you want more movies. If you need live TV, just choose Hulu + Live TV and you’ll get Disney+ for free. Even if you don’t watch it frequently, you’re bound to stumble on something interesting whenever you open the app.

$9.99/mo.

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Tracy Mills

Tracy Mills is Streaming Smarter’s Deal Editor. She cut the cord in 2020 and splits her streaming day between PBS Kids (for her daughter), Disney+ (for her son), and Hulu (for herself). Her favorite shows are “White Lotus,” “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” “Severance,” and “The Traitors.”