Farewell to Disney Movie Insiders: What’s Next for Disney Fans

Big changes are on the horizon for Disney enthusiasts! After 18 magical years, the beloved Disney Movie Insiders program is closing its doors. If you’re a fan who’s been earning points and collecting rewards, here’s what you need to know about this bittersweet transition and what’s next.

A Nostalgic Look Back at Disney Movie Insiders

Launched in 2006 as Disney Movie Rewards, the Disney Movie Insiders program has been a cherished part of the Disney experience for nearly two decades. This program allowed members to earn points by submitting movie ticket stubs from Disney films, including those from Marvel Studios, Star Wars, and Pixar. Members could also accumulate points from “magic codes” found in home video, DVD, Blu-Ray, and CD purchases.

With these points, Disney fans could redeem a treasure trove of rewards—from DVDs and games to collectible posters and exclusive merchandise. The Disney Movie Insiders store featured items like the Mickey Holiday Felt Wreath Printable Activity, Disney+ Gift Cards, and Disney Studios Lithographs, providing fans with unique and memorable keepsakes. Best of all, the program was free to join, making it a delightful way for Disney lovers to enjoy additional perks.

The End of an Era

In a recent announcement, Disney revealed that the Disney Movie Insiders program will officially close on December 4, 2024. The notice on the Disney Movie Insiders website reads:

“As a valued Member, we would like to inform you that Disney Movie Insiders will be sunset as of December 4th, 2024. Our members’ passion for content across The Walt Disney Studios has always been at the heart of our program. We are incredibly grateful for your participation in the program and enthusiasm over the years. Over the coming weeks, we encourage you to redeem your points for rewards from our collection. Points can continue to be used on a variety of offerings, including posters, movies, Disney Gift Cards, sweepstakes, and more. We greatly appreciate your loyalty, support, and understanding.”

Members will no longer be able to earn points after September 6, and all points must be redeemed by December 3, 2024. The store has already begun showing several items as “out of stock,” indicating that no new rewards will be added before the program’s closure.

What’s Next for Disney Movie Insiders?

As this rewards program takes its final bow, Disney is introducing a new way for fans to stay connected through its streaming service. The replacement for the Movie Insiders program will be the Disney+ Perks program, set to launch in 2025. However, it requires a Disney+ subscription to access these new benefits.

According to Disney’s announcement:

“Want to stay connected with exciting perks just for being a Disney+ subscriber? Disney+ is your ultimate streaming destination for Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more. This fall, enjoy exclusive, limited-time subscriber benefits. Plus, in 2025, we’re launching the Disney+ Perks program, offering continuous, exciting benefits exclusively for our subscribers. Stay tuned to Disney+ for the latest updates. Not a subscriber yet? Don’t miss out—grab a 3-month trial in the Rewards section today!”

A Transition to Streaming

This shift to a Disney+ subscription-based program aligns with Disney’s ongoing strategy to drive its streaming services. As Disney+ continues to grow and its subscription fees have increased, the transition from Movie Insiders to Disney+ Perks seems to be part of a broader effort to consolidate offerings and enhance the value of Disney’s streaming platform.

Critics have noted that this move could be seen as part of a trend where Disney is shifting away from free perks and toward subscription-based models. With other Disney apps and services like DisneyNOW, Freeform, FXNOW, ABC, and National Geographic also transitioning to Disney+, fans may feel the pressure to subscribe to maintain access to their favorite Disney content.

Are you a Disney Movie Insiders member? How do you feel about the program’s end and the transition to Disney+ Perks? Share your thoughts and experiences with Disney Fanatic below!