How to Stream On Disney Plus (aka Disney+)

This article explains how to sign up for Disney+ and start streaming shows or movies with it. It also explains the service's content and covers the differences between it and Netflix.

How to Sign Up For Disney+

You can sign up for Disney+ through the website or the app. Here's how to sign up through the website:

1. Navigate to disneyplus.com, and select Sign up for Disney+ only below the large blue button. When you arrive on the site, the design may have changed, so look for whichever link or button directs you to sign up for or try Disney+.

   

   Choose Get All Three... if you want to bundle Disney+ with Hulu and ESPN+. There is no free trial for the bundle, so you will be charged immediately.

2. Enter your email address, and press Agree & Continue.

   

3. Choose a password, and press Continue.

   

4. Choose a subscription type, enter your credit card information, and press Agree & Subscribe.

   

   You need to enter billing information to receive the free Disney+ trial, but you won't be charged immediately. You will be charged if you don't cancel before the end of the trial period.

5. Click start streaming Disney+ to get started.

   

Verifying Your Disney+ Account

When you first sign up for Disney+, you may be greeted by a blank screen and an error message. If that happens to you, it means you need to verify your Disney+ account before you can start streaming.

Here's how to verify your Disney+ account:

1. If Disney+ displays a blank screen, select the account icon in the upper right corner.

   If you haven't set up any profiles, the icon will look like Mickey Mouse.

   

2. Press Account.

   

3. Choose Verify Account.

   

4. Check your email for a verification code from Disney+. Once it arrives, enter it on the Disney+ verification page, and press Continue.

   

5. You are now ready to start streaming.

What Content Can You Watch on Disney+?

Disney+ is the streaming home to movies and TV shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. It also has content from National Geographic. While R-rated films and some original material, like Marvel's Runaways, will still appear on Hulu, the majority of the content from those five sources will be exclusively available on Disney+.

If you enjoy watching the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe or Star Wars movies on Netflix, you may want to consider switching to Disney+. The last Disney movie to appear on Netflix was Ant-Man and the Wasp. Disney+ will be the exclusive streaming home to all future Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Lucasfilm movies.

In addition to movies, Disney+ also has a lot of original content. The service has original Star Wars series like The Mandalorian, original series set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, original National Geographic documentaries, and more.

All of the content on Disney+ is available on-demand, and there is no pay-per-view mechanism. That means your subscription provides you with access to the entire streaming library, and there is no option to pay extra to rent movies.

Is Disney+ Connected to ESPN+ or Hulu?

Disney owns ESPN (and ESPN+) and Hulu, but they are each separate services that you can sign up for separately. Fans of all three services also have the option of signing up for a bundle of Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu for a low monthly fee.

How to Watch Disney+

The primary way to watch Disney+ is through the Disney+ website, which includes a streaming video player that works in most modern browsers.

Disney+ looks a lot like other streaming services, like Netflix and Hulu. The streaming library has a few categories, including movies, series, and originals, and there is also a search function that you can use to locate specific titles.

The service also includes a watchlist that works like the watchlists included with services like Hulu and Netflix. Users can save movies, television shows, and originals to watch at a later date.

How Many Shows Can You Watch at Once On Disney+?

Streaming services place a limit on how many streams you can watch at once using a single account. Even if a service allows you to create multiple profiles, that doesn't mean you'll be able to use all of the profiles at the same time.

Disney+ allows you to stream to four devices simultaneously. That means you can watch The Mandalorian on your smart TV while your kids all watch cartoons and movies on some combination of three smartphones, tablets, game consoles, or other compatible streaming devices.

If you try to stream to more than four devices at once, you'll see Error Code 75. To clear this code, stop streaming on one of your devices.

How to Use the Disney+ Watchlist

1. Navigate to disneyplus.com, or open the Disney+ app, and select a show or movie you want to save for later.

   

2. On the series or movie landing page, press the + symbol.

   This is a good way to keep track of original shows like The Mandalorian that have new episodes released on a weekly basis.

   

3. To watch the show or movie later, choose WATCHLIST.

   

4. With the watchlist open, select the show or movie you want to watch.

   

Can You Watch Disney+ On Mobile Devices and Televisions?

In addition to watching on your computer, you can download an app to stream Disney+ on a variety of other devices.

The Disney+ app is compatible with smartphones, tablets, and some streaming devices, including Roku. It's also compatible with some smart televisions, and there is a version that works with PS4.

Here's where you can get the Disney+ app:

• Android: Disney+ on Google Play
• iOS: Disney+ on the App Store
• Roku: Disney+ on the Roku Channel Store
• Xbox One: Disney+ on the Windows Store
• PlayStation 4: Disney+ on the PlayStation Store
• Fire TV: Disney+ on the Amazon app store
• Other smart TVs: Download through your smart TV interface

One benefit of the Disney+ app is that it allows you to stream without being tied to your computer, but it also has some additional functionality. For example, the streaming device, smart TV, and game console versions all allow you to stream directly to your television.

The tablet version of the app also allows you to download shows and movies straight to your device so that you can watch them later without an internet connection.

Disney Plus allows you to share your account with up to four devices as well as throw small watch parties using GroupWatch.

If you've tried it and decided you don't like it, here's how to cancel Disney+.

What Is Disney+?

Disney+ is Disney plus Pixar plus Marvel plus Star Wars plus National Geographic, which basically just means that it's a streaming service built to house all of Disney's media properties. It's essentially Disney's answer to Netflix, is very similar to Netflix in terms of functionality and content, and it serves as the official streaming home to all of the Disney properties that used to be available through Netflix.

The Disney+ service is subscription-based, and allows subscribers to stream on-demand movies and shows through a website on computers and laptops, or an app on phones, tablets, and streaming devices. There is no connection between Disney+ and the Disney Channel, so you don't need a cable subscription to access this service. Disney also owns ESPN and Hulu and offers an option to bundle all three services together for one monthly fee.

While the Disney+ streaming library is smaller, it's also more focused. If you're a fan of Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars, then Disney+ is the only place you'll find those titles.

Disney+ also differs from services like Netflix in that they hew closer to the old television-style content release strategy. Instead of releasing entire seasons at once like Netflix, Disney+ follows a weekly release schedule for their original programming. Viewers who have grown used to binge-watching on Netflix may find this return to weekly episodic releases a little frustrating.

You can use a virtual assistant to navigate Disney Plus, including Google Assistant.