Disney owns a lot. Blockbuster franchises, legacy networks, and about half the characters you grew up with. So even though Disney+ was one of the newer players in the streaming space, it didn’t exactly launch empty-handed.
Think about it: Disney movies have always been the go-to for family nights. Add in Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, and a lineup of hit shows from networks like FX and ABC, and suddenly, one subscription gets you decades of fandom across genres, ages, and algorithms. People naturally flocked to it.
But lately, Disney+ has started to follow the same path as Hulu (which Disney already owns), Netflix, Prime Video, and the rest. They are quietly rolling out ads, restructuring plans, and nudging users toward bundles and upgrades. What was once a simple streaming option now feels… complicated.
So if you’re wondering why you’re seeing ads on something you thought was premium, or what Disney+ includes these days, we’re breaking it all down.
Does Disney+ Have Ads?
Yes. Disney+ has ads if you’re on the Standard with Ads plan.
In 2022, Disney+ added a lower-priced tier in the US that includes ads before and during most content. And that tier has gotten several price revisions since then. But if you’re paying $10.99/month, you’re likely on the ad-supported version.
If you want the ad-free experience, you’ll need to upgrade to Disney+ Premium for a higher price. That tier removes ads from all on-demand content.
So, not everyone on Disney+ sees ads. But if you’re on the base plan or signed up as part of an ad-supported bundle, you’re probably seeing them by default.
When did Disney+ start showing ads?
Disney+ started showing ads on December 8, 2022, when it launched the Standard with Ads plan in the US.
This was the first time Disney added an ad-supported option to its leading service. It came with a significant price change. The original ad-free plan was rebranded as Premium, with the new ad tier now available at a lower price point.
Since then, the ad-supported version has rolled out to more countries and is the default for many users who sign up through bundles or partner promotions. If you didn’t choose Premium yourself, chances are you’re on the ad plan by default.
What Disney+ Plans Have Ads? – Pricing Breakdown
Disney+ doesn’t have a standalone “Standard with Ads” plan like some other services. Instead, it’s bundled into various packages, many of which do have ads by default.
Plans With Ads
Disney+, Hulu Basic Bundle
- $10.99/month
- Ads on both platforms
- No downloads
Disney+, Hulu & Max (With Ads)
- $16.99/month
- Ads on all three platforms
- No downloads
Disney+, Hulu & ESPN+ Basic Bundle
- $16.99/month
- Live sports (which always have ads), plus ads on Hulu and Disney+
- Still no downloads
Plans That Are “Mostly” Ad-Free
Disney+, Hulu Premium Bundle
- $19.99/month
- No ads on on-demand content
- Downloads available
Disney+, Hulu & Max (No Ads)
$29.99/month
- Ad-free on all three services (on-demand content only)
- Live content still has ads
- And you can download stuff
Disney+, Hulu & ESPN+ Premium Bundle
- $26.99/month
- No ads on Disney+ and Hulu
- ESPN+ still has ads on live content (always)
- Downloads are available
However, it’s important to know that all plans will have a certain amount of ads when it comes to live TV and linear content. Even the most expensive tier can’t really save you from that.
So while you can remove ads from most on-demand movies and series, there’s no plan that’s 100% ad-free.
Are Disney+ Ads Safe for Children?
Yes. Disney+ ads are family-friendly, and Disney takes extra precautions to protect younger viewers.
If your child is watching from a kids’ profile, they won’t see ads at all. Disney has confirmed that ad-supported plans do not serve ads on kids’ profiles for content rated TV-Y or TV-Y7. This includes most Disney Junior shows, animated movies, and preschool programming.
For general content outside of kids’ profiles, Disney has strict ad policies. You won’t see ads for alcohol, politics, or anything that doesn’t meet their brand safety standards. Ads are short (15-30 seconds) and for a general audience. So, things like movie trailers, streaming service promos, and family-friendly products.
So if you’re worried about what your kid might see between episodes, the platform is designed to minimize that risk. And if you set up a proper kids’ profile, ads shouldn’t show up at all.
Disney+ vs Hulu: Which Has More Ads?
Both Disney+ and Hulu offer ad-supported plans, but Hulu has significantly more ads and more frequently.
On Hulu (With Ads), you’ll get 8-10 minutes of ads per hour. That’s pre-roll and multiple mid-roll breaks even in shorter episodes. Hulu’s ad model is more like traditional TV. It’s built in, frequent, and sometimes feels excessive if you’re bingeing.
On Disney+, the ad-supported tier gets you 4 minutes of ads per hour, and it’s a much lighter experience overall. Ads are limited and better timed, and Disney imposes restrictions on the types of content that can include ads. For example, kids’ profiles don’t get ads at all, and certain family-friendly titles are ad-free by default.
So if you’re comparing the two just based on ad load, Hulu is the more aggressive of the two. Disney+ ads feel less intrusive.
Can Ad Blockers Remove Disney+ Ads?
Not really. Ad Blockers do not work on Disney+.
Ads on Disney+ and Hulu are built into the stream and cannot be removed. The ads are served through the same domain as the content. And almost all ad blockers work at a domain level to take care of the ads. So if the ad domains cannot be separated from the actual content, that affects the content when you try to block it.
On browser, some user have tried a few solutions like uBlock Origin, AdGuard, and Total Adblock. However, they cannot always block these ads reliably. And even if they can, Disney+ patches those vulnerabilities very quick. Moreover, it is impossible to block ads on these platforms on TV, mobile apps, Fire Sticks, or game consoles.
So, the bottom line is that you cannot block ads on Disney+ with ad blockers. Instead the best solution is to opt for a premium “no ads” plan or bundle.
Is Disney Plus With Ads Available in My Country?
As of 2025, the Disney+ ad-supported plan is only available in select countries, and it’s rolling out gradually.
It launched first in the United States in December 2022, and has since expanded to a few other regions including Canada, the UK, Australia, and parts of Europe. But it’s not available everywhere, and in many countries, Disney+ still only offers the ad-free Premium tier.
If you don’t see pricing tiers when you sign up, or if there’s no cheaper ad-supported option listed, that likely means it’s not available in your country yet.
Also, be aware that even in regions where the ad plan exists, some local regulations (like GDPR in the EU) may limit how ads are shown or what ads are shown.
If you’re outside a supported region and want to access the U.S. version of Disney+ with ads, or more realistically switch to a region without ads and cheaper plans, try VPNs like Surfshark or NordVPN, though billing and content access can get tricky.
Is Disney+ With Ads Worth It?
If you want to save a few bucks and don’t mind the occasional commercial, then yes. Disney+ with ads is worth it.
At $10.99/month you get full access to the Disney+ content library: Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, Disney classics, National Geographic, and more. And compared to Hulu or Peacock, the ad load is relatively light with around 4 minutes of commercials per hour, with no ads at all on kids’ profiles or preschool content.
It’s a good deal if:
- You don’t binge for hours at a time
- You’re watching with family
- You don’t care about offline downloads
But if you’re easily annoyed by ads or watch a lot of long-form content (like Marvel shows or Star Wars episodes), you might find the ads distracting. And if you’re coming from the original ad-free version of Disney+, it can feel like a downgrade.
So yes, it’s a budget option, but only if you’re okay with the trade-off. If you want the no-interruptions experience Disney+ used to promise? You’ll have to pay more.
Final Thoughts
Disney entered the streaming industry much later than the competition. However, it didn’t take them long to start serving ads. It’s because that’s where the entire industry is headed.
In most cases, the ad-supported tiers are there to upsell the premium plans. That said, these days the ad supported plans are quite cheap and if you don’t mind the occasional interruptions, might even be worth it.