Disney Plus now costs $11.99 per month in Australia

With the launch of Disney Plus Star, a new home for more mature TV shows and movies on the platform, Disney has jacked up the price of Plus to $11.99 per month (up from the $8.99 monthly fee).

Disney has offered a six-month grace period for existing subscribers, who will continue to pay $8.99 per month for the first six months of Disney Plus Star before moving up to the $11.99 per month fee from the 23rd of August 2020.

The month-to-month Disney Plus plan costs $11.99 per month, and the annual pass costs $119.99 (working out at $9.99 per month).  So you can still save a few bucks per month if you’re willing to commit to a full year.

Why did the Disney Plus price increase in Australia?

As mentioned above, the Disney Plus price increase came into effect when Disney launched Star. It’s a streaming destination within the Disney Plus app that houses more content from the wider Disney-owned umbrella. Stuff from Fox, Hulu and the like.

While it would have been nice if Disney gave you the option to upgrade, there’s no denying that the huge injection of content adds a lot of value to the service.

On the TV show front, Star added 155 new series to the service, including Bob’s Burgers, The X-Files and Black-ish, just to name a few. You can find the entire list of TV shows launching on Disney Plus Star here.

Significantly, Disney Plus Star also unlocked an additional 447 movies for subscribers. This is where the real value is. Some of Fox’s Marvel fare, like Deadpool 1 and 2,  thrilling sci-fi classics like Alien, and festive action blockbusters like Die Hard now call Disney Plus home. You can find the entire list of movies on Disney Plus Star here.

What does the price jump mean for me?

If you’re already a subscriber, you’ve got until the 23rd of February to trial out Disney Plus Star before the monthly price goes up. You’re free to cancel before that time if you decide that there’s not enough to warrant the upcoming price increase.

If you’re not already a subscriber and you were thinking of signing up, you will now pay $11.99 per month, or $119.99 per year.

Did the Disney Plus price go up for everyone?

Yes. The price went up subscribers from the 23rd of February, existing subscribers on a monthly plan from the 23rd of August, and annual subscribers from whatever date their year’s subscription is up. Before it was officially announced, rumours pointed towards a bundle plan similar to the Hulu and Disney Plus package available in the U.S., but every Australian got the upgrade, whether they wre interested in Star’s more mature content or not.

Outside of a few originals with broader appeal, most of the content on Disney Plus is aimed at children so it will be interesting to see how many Australians stomach the price jump now that it has kicked in.

If the price hike has you re-evaluating your subscriptions, check out our guide to the best streaming services available in Australia.