Overview
Disney+ earns the lowest score in our streaming category at 35/100. The service is complicated by Disney's massive corporate structure - your data is shared across theme parks, cruise lines, merchandise, and other Disney properties. The bundle options (Hulu, ESPN+) add layers of terms complexity, and Disney has shown willingness to retroactively edit content without disclosure.
While the content library is attractive, the terms heavily favor Disney with broad rights to change service features, pricing, and even the content itself after you've watched it.
Key Gotchas
-
🔴 Massive Disney Ecosystem Data Sharing
Your Disney+ viewing data is shared across The Walt Disney Company's entire portfolio: theme parks, cruise lines, ESPN, Hulu, merchandise, and more. This creates one of the most extensive data profiles of any streaming service, tied to your real-world activities at Disney properties.
Disney Privacy Policy - Data Sharing Within The Walt Disney Family of Companies -
🔴 Retroactive Content Editing
Disney has edited content after release without notification - removing scenes, changing dialogue, or altering content you've already watched. No disclosure is required, and the original versions may become permanently unavailable.
Section 6: Disney+ Content -
⚠️ Bundle Terms Complexity
Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ bundles involve multiple separate terms of service. Canceling one affects the others, pricing changes are complicated, and understanding what you're actually agreeing to requires reading multiple lengthy documents.
Bundle Subscriber Agreement -
⚠️ Complicated Cancellation for Bundles
If you have a bundle subscription, canceling isn't straightforward. You may need to cancel through multiple interfaces, and the process varies depending on how you originally subscribed.
Section 5: Cancellation -
⚠️ Auto-Renewal Price Changes
Price increases take effect automatically on your next billing cycle. Disney sends email notice but doesn't require explicit consent - continuing to use the service constitutes acceptance.
Section 4: Billing
Positive Aspects
-
✅ Extensive Content Library
Access to Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and National Geographic content in one place. Most content is exclusive to Disney+.
-
✅ Multiple Profiles
Support for up to 7 profiles with individual watchlists and recommendations. Kids profiles have content restrictions.
-
✅ 4K/HDR at Base Price
Unlike Netflix, 4K streaming is included in the standard subscription without premium tier requirement.
Score Breakdown
Category Scores
The Bottom Line
Disney+ has the worst terms in the streaming category. The combination of extensive data sharing across Disney's empire, willingness to edit content retroactively, and complicated bundle terms makes this a problematic service from a consumer rights perspective.
If you subscribe for the content, be aware that your viewing habits feed into a much larger profile Disney maintains about you, and the content you watch today may be different tomorrow.