Disney, Hulu Price Increase: How Seniors Can Still Get Both Cheap Or Free

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man
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Disney, Hulu Price Increase

Jiminy Cricket! Disney did it again!

Yes, Disney Plus and Hulu yesterday raised prices. Again. New subscribers pay the higher rates immediately. And if you already subscribe, the rate hike will be reflected in your next bill.

This is the fourth U.S. price hike in four years. The ad-free plans took the biggest hit. Disney is clearly trying to push you into a bundle, as we told you months ago. The company wants more viewers (and money) for both services

But as always, TV For Seniors has your back. You do not have to pay the full new price. There are still cheap – and and in some cases free – ways to keep watching.

The New Disney/Hulu Prices

Ad-free (Premium) plans

• Disney Plus Premium (no ads): $21.49 a month (was $18.99)

• Hulu Premium (no ads): $21.49 a month (was $18.99)

• Disney Plus and Hulu Premium bundle (no ads): $21.99 a month (was $19.99)

Plans with ads

• Disney Plus with ads: $12.49 a month (was $11.99)

• Hulu with ads: $12.49 a month (was $11.99)

• Disney Plus and Hulu bundle with ads: $12.99 a month (unchanged)

That last line is the one that’s particularly interesting.

Disney left the ad-supported bundle at $12.99. Standalone Disney Plus or Hulu with ads is now $12.49 each. So both services together cost only 50 cents more than one service alone. (See, they want bundle subscribers.)

If you still pay for Disney Plus and Hulu separately, you are overpaying. So, give in, folks. Switch to the bundle.

The Cheapest Official Way to Get Disney and Hulu: The $12.99 Bundle

For most seniors, the best deal Disney itself offers is still: Disney Plus and Hulu with ads: $12.99 a month

You get both libraries. You sit through commercials, the same way you did with regular TV for decades. That is a fair trade for a lot of people.

The ad-free bundle at $21.99 is only 50 cents more than one standalone Premium plan. If you hate ads and want both services, take the bundle. Do not buy two separate $21.49 plans.

Ways to get Disney and Hulu Cheaper Or Free

1. Check your phone and/or pay TV service plan first. This is where many people leave money on the table.

• T-Mobile: Experience Beyond and Go5G Next plans include Hulu with ads at no extra charge. Some of those plans also include Netflix with ads. Log into the T-Life app or T-Mobile account and redeem it. If you already pay Hulu directly, cancel that bill first, then activate the T-Mobile perk.

• Verizon: Many Unlimited plans let you add Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN (with ads) as a perk. On some older “Play More/Get More” plans it was included. On current myPlan lines it is often about $10–$12 a month for all three — still less than buying them à la carte. Check the My Verizon app under plan perks.

Do not pay Disney and your carrier for the same thing.

Likewise, some TV providers such as DIRECTV and Spectrum TV include free ads-included Disney Plus and Hulu with select plans.

2. Kroger Boost shoppers

If you already shop at Kroger (or a sister store), the annual Boost membership (about $99 a year) includes your choice of one ad-supported service; store), Disney+, Hulu, or ESPN+.

Note that is not both Disney Plus and Hulu. It is one of the three. If you only need one, and you use grocery delivery or fuel points anyway, it can make the membership pay for itself.

3. Military and veterans

Disney still gives a real discount for the military through The Exchange (ShopMyExchange.com), but not through disneyplus.com.

• Disney+: 25% off the annual Premium (no ads) plan

•  Hulu: 25% off the monthly with-ads plan

You must verify through an Exchange account. The discount does not apply to most bundles. Active duty, veterans, and eligible family members can use it.

4. College students in the house

If a grandchild or adult child is enrolled in a U.S. college, the official student deal is the Disney+ and Hulu bundle with ads for about $6.49 a month, verified through SheerID at Hulu.com/student.

That is the lowest widely available price for both services.

5. There is no official senior discount

Hulu and Disney Plus do not advertise an over-55 rate or even an over-65 rate. Ignore emails that claim otherwise.

Some Medicare Advantage plans include a small monthly entertainment credit ($5–$20). If you have a MA plan, call the plan and ask whether it can be applied to Hulu or Disney Plus. That is plan-by-plan, not a Disney policy.

6. Wait for Black Friday

Hulu’s best public sale is usually in late November: the with-ads plan has often dropped to $1–$2 a month for the first year. That is not available today. If you can live without Hulu until then, it is worth remembering. Also, the Disney Plus/Hulu bundle was available for just $4.99 a month for a full year last holiday season. Unless you need Disney and Hulu ASAP, it’s worth waiting a few months to cash in on some discounts.

What Would The TV Answer Man Do?

If I were paying two separate bills today, I would:

1. Cancel the standalone plans at the end of the current billing period.

2. Sign up for the $12.99 Disney+/Hulu with-ads bundle, unless a phone perk already covers one or both.

3. Check my pay TV service, T-Mobile or Verizon first so I am not double-paying.

4. Skip ad-free unless commercials really bother me. At $21.49 each, standalone Premium is a poor value next to the $21.99 bundle.

5. Wait until the holiday promotions. Those are easily the best deals on the bundle and the two services sold separately.

Disney wants you in a bundle. For once, that is also the smart move for your wallet. But note that wireless and pay TV plans, and other benefit programs, can change so check before subscribing.

Have a question? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com

The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.