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Disney+ is about to get more expensive this week

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Disney+ is about to get more expensive this week

As a gamer with a heart full of nostalgia for Disney classics and a wallet constantly under siege by subscription fees, this latest move by Disney+ leaves me feeling like a mouse caught in a never-ending trap. I remember when I first signed up, it was a magical experience, a beacon of hope amidst the streaming wilderness. But now, it feels like I’m being reeled in inch by inch, each time the price increases, chipping away at my monthly entertainment budget.

Once more, we find ourselves on “Groundhog Day” – this time, it’s Disney that’s repeating a familiar tune. An email from Disney this week has alerted me to an upcoming price hike for their streaming service, Disney+.

I currently have the Legacy Disney Package that offers an ad-free Disney+, as well as Hulu and ESPN+ with ads, all for $18.99. However, this bundle will increase to $21.99 starting October 17th, which represents a significant price rise of almost 16%.

That’s not the only change though. Disney is raising its prices across the board for all its different Disney+ bundles. All of the price changes go into effect on October 17, 2024. Here is the updated pricing:

  • Disney+ Basic (With Ads): $7.99 to $9.99 monthly
  • Disney+ Premium (No Ads) $13.99 to $15.99 monthly or $139.99 to $159.99 annually
  • Extra Member (for family plans not in the same household): $6.99 to $9.99 monthly

In addition to the individual plans, the Disney Bundle plans are also increasing in price.

Starting next month, the combined subscription for Disney+ (with advertisements) and Hulu (also with advertisements), known as the Disney Bundle Duo Classic, will increase from $9.99 to $10.99 per month. Meanwhile, the Disney Bundle Duo Premium, which offers an ad-free experience on both platforms, will continue at its current price of $19.99 a month.

Starting next month, the cost for the basic Disney Bundle Trio (which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ with advertisements) will rise from $14.99 to $16.99. Meanwhile, the premium version of this plan, featuring ad-free Disney+ and Hulu along with ads on ESPN+ due to its live sports content, will increase from $24.99 to $26.99 per month.

Ultimately, you have the option of the Max Bundle packages that combine Disney+, Hulu, and Max into a single deal. The prices for these bundles remain constant. This means that if you choose to watch with advertisements, it’ll be $16.99 per month, while opting for an ad-free experience will cost $29.99 per month.

In the first quarter of 2024, Disney achieved its first-ever profit in their direct-to-consumer business through Disney+, amounting to $47 million. This milestone was a significant goal for CEO Bob Iger, who has been with the company since his return.

As a customer, I can’t help but ponder when things might tip over. To be honest, when I saw my monthly fee rising to $21.99, I began exploring alternative choices. For the moment, I’m sticking with it, but we’re edging towards the point where I may have to cancel.

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2024-10-14 16:27

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