This Unmissable Disney+ Deal Is Also Kind of a Trap

Tony Maglio
·3 min read

You witches excited for “Agatha All Along”? Does Disney+ have a (temporary) deal for you!

Starting today, Thursday, September 12 and open through September 27, new and returning (note: not existing) customers can subscribe to Disney+ Basic — the tier with TV commercials — for $1.99 per month for three months. Over the course of three months, the savings adds up to about $18 compared to the regular price.

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It’s a great deal that is also a bit of a trap (a parent trap, if you will, consider who in the household pays for the streamer vs. who generally uses it). As previously announced, Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ are raising their rates on October 17. Those on the promotion will see a particularly steep hike on Day 91, should they not cancel the service after their third month expires.

Current subscribers, don’t try something sneaky. Here’s the fine-print definition on what qualifies as a lapsed subscriber: “Those who have subscribed to Disney+ in the past, canceled, and are not within their last billing period following that cancellation are eligible to sign up for the limited-time offer,” as a Disney+ spokesperson emailed to IndieWire.

Whether it’s a trick or a treat — let’s be real, it’s a little bit of both — the promotion comes in time for new Marvel series “Agatha All Along” (September 18), the Disney+ premiere of “Inside Out 2” (undated, but soon), and the return of “Wizards of Waverly Place” (October 30).

Disney basically did the same thing this time last year. Some details are different, including this year’s new limited-time Disney+ perks. Starting today, Disney+ subscribers (new and old) get:

  • Entry into a Disney Cruise Line sweepstakes for a chance to visit Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point

  • An exclusive bundle of over 35 free Marvel Digital Comics

  • Free in-game emojis for Disney Emoji Blitz

  • 15 percent off of Disney-inspired products at Funko and Loungefly

  • An exclusive in-game cosmetic for the main character’s companion, Nix, in the all-new “Star Wars Outlaws” game

  • Early access to “Agatha All Along” merchandise at DisneyStore.com (beginning September 18)

  • Tickets to “D23 Tune-in To Terror: A Hollywood Halloween” presented by Disney+, a subscriber-only event in Los Angeles (on sale beginning September 12 at 10 a.m. PT)

But let’s be real, you’re here for the savings. Enjoy the cheap price while it lasts, because exactly 20 days after the the signup period ends (but not the promotion itself, which again lasts for three months from date of signup), Disney+ with ads will increase from $7.99/month to $9.99/month. Ad-free Disney+ will also go up by $2/month to $15.99. Current subscribers will feel the effects about two months ahead of the newcomers.

Also on October 17, Hulu with ads goes to $9.99/month and ad-free Hulu is raised to $18.99. ESPN+ will become a dollar pricier at $11.99/month. The trio bundle (Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+) becomes $16.99 per month with ads or $26.99 without. The duo (no ESPN+) will be $1 more at $9.99 with ads, but will remain status quo at $19.99/month.

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