Another Disney price increase could be right around the corner, but this time it isn't happening at a theme park.
Disney+ and Hulu subscription prices are reportedly set to rise, with some customers potentially paying as much as 13% more for their streaming plans.
The changes could push Disney's premium streaming options beyond $20 per month and continue a trend that has gradually made Disney+ considerably more expensive than it was during its earlier years.
The good news for subscribers who use both Disney+ and Hulu is that one bundle could become a much better deal compared to paying for either service individually.
Still, there's no getting around the biggest part of this update: streaming Disney content may soon cost more.
Disney+ Could Cross the $20 Mark
Disney+ Premium is reportedly getting one of the largest increases.
The plan currently costs $18.99 per month and allows subscribers to watch without advertisements. Under the reported new pricing, that subscription would increase by $2.50 to $21.49.
That's a 13% jump.
For customers paying monthly, the increase means another $30 over 12 months if they maintain their subscription for an entire year.
Crossing $20 per month also gives the increase a little more significance.
Disney+ initially attracted plenty of attention with its relatively low subscription price and enormous catalog. Disney already owned some of the biggest entertainment franchises in the world, making the service an appealing addition for families and Disney fans.
Over the years, however, Disney+ has steadily evolved.
Different tiers and bundles have given customers more choices, while price increases have changed how much subscribers need to spend to watch without advertisements.
This reported increase would continue that trend.
Hulu Premium Could Also Cost $21.49
Disney reportedly isn't limiting the increase to Disney+.
Hulu Premium is also expected to increase by 13%, bringing its monthly price to $21.49.
That would leave Disney+ Premium and Hulu Premium carrying identical monthly prices.
But there's an unusual wrinkle in the new pricing.
Disney's ad-free Disney+ and Hulu Bundle Premium is reportedly increasing by $2 to $21.99 per month.
That means someone could potentially subscribe to both services for only 50 cents more than the cost of either individual premium plan.
For anyone who regularly watches content on both platforms, that difference could be difficult to ignore.
Instead of paying $21.49 for Disney+ alone, the reported pricing would allow a subscriber to spend $21.99 and get Hulu as well.
That may encourage customers to reconsider individual subscriptions and move toward Disney's bundled offerings.
Ad-Supported Plans Could Change as Well
Subscribers using less expensive plans shouldn't necessarily assume their prices will remain untouched.
Other Disney bundles and subscriptions with advertisements are reportedly likely to see similar increases.
Exactly how those changes shake out will be worth watching.
Not every subscriber wants to pay more than $20 per month to remove advertisements, particularly when they are already paying for several other streaming platforms.
If Disney keeps a meaningful price gap between its ad-supported and premium options, the cheaper tiers could become increasingly attractive.
On the other hand, customers who strongly prefer watching without advertisements may find themselves paying significantly more.
Either way, the days of Disney+ being an inexpensive subscription that people barely notice on their monthly bills are becoming harder to remember.
Disney+ Is Getting Closer to Netflix
Disney's reported premium price would also bring Disney+ closer to Netflix's higher-priced subscription.
Netflix's ad-free 4K option costs $26.99 per month. Disney+ Premium would remain below that at $21.49, but the difference between the two services continues to shrink.
That could matter as consumers decide how many streaming platforms they actually need.
One service might not seem particularly expensive by itself. The problem comes when households begin adding together Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, and other subscriptions.
Suddenly, streaming can become a substantial monthly expense.
That could lead more people to rotate subscriptions.
A customer might keep Disney+ while watching a particular series, cancel it for a few months, and then return when something else catches their attention.
Streaming gives viewers that flexibility, and continued price increases could make people more willing to use it.
Disney Subscribers May Want to Check Their Plans
The reported increases haven't changed the fundamental appeal of Disney+ or Hulu. Both services still give subscribers access to large entertainment libraries.
The question is how much people are willing to pay for them.
If the reported pricing takes effect, Disney+ Premium would cost $21.49 per month. Hulu Premium would also reach $21.49, while the Disney+ and Hulu Bundle Premium would rise to $21.99.
For people who already use both services, the bundle could make the most financial sense compared to paying for one premium service individually.
For everyone else, another price increase could prompt a closer look at the monthly streaming budget.
Disney+ crossing the $20 mark is another reminder of how dramatically the streaming business has changed.
What started as a relatively inexpensive way to watch Disney entertainment has gradually become a much larger monthly commitment.
And with prices reportedly climbing by as much as 13%, Disney+ and Hulu subscribers could soon have another streaming bill increase to consider.
