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Disney Plus: Is it time to ditch Netflix subscription?

 

After contemplating for a while and missing out on the Disney Plus 3-year pre-paid deal, I finally gave in and signed up for Disney Plus subscription. Yea!!!

Unfortunately, digital subscriptions for entertainment contents are now new normal and are not too far from making a typical household overwhelmed with subscriptions. Amazon Prime, Netflix, Sling, Disney Plus, and Apple TV Plus, Hulu, NFL Redzone, ESPN Plus, and the list goes on and on. One thing is certain that not everyone will be able to afford all of the subscriptions. Therefore, customers will be forced to make choices at one point. I am one of those customers. For me, it all comes down to Amazon Prime, Netflix, Disney Plus, Sling TV, and Apple TV Plus.

Now my Amazon Prime Video subscription is not for my entertainment needs but rather just an added perk that I get with my Amazon Prime membership that I value and use for my online shopping. Amazon is very serious about providing value-added benefits that are not just gimmicks when it comes to Amazon Prime Video. I enjoy it equally if not more than my Netflix subscription. That makes Amazon Prime a keeper for me. Sling TV, on the other hand, is the regular TV subscription that I use for international TV channels. Although I am highly debating the need and considering other available alternatives, it is still a keeper for my current needs either as Sling TV or in the form of it’s direct alternatives. I currently have no intention to pay for Apple TV Plus, although I have it free for one year as part of my Apple TV 4k purchase.

So it all brings me down to the topic of my post, Netflix vs Disney Plus. It is a highly debated topic in the last few months, and both sides may have polarizing arguments. On top of that, Wall-street thinks Netflix may be just fine or might do better (considering the Netflix stock is pumping !). However, Netflix vs Disney Plus is a very real challenge in my situation. I believe if the Netflix vs Disney Plus is not a challenge in typical household right now, very soon, it will be. I am not ready to have both of these subscriptions. So here are my thoughts:

 

Netflix vs Disney Plus:

  • Netflix has the best selection of documentaries. But it is not enough for us to subscribe if we don’t find interesting movies to watch.
  • Netflix movie selection is making me look for alternatives. Considering that Amazon Prime Video is doing a decent job getting movies that we like, Netflix is even more difficult choice for us.
  • Exclusive/ Original content. There are too many articles out there talking about exclusive or original content for Amazon Prime vs Netflix vs Disney Plus vs Apple TV Plus vs Hulu. I will not go into detail, but for a family with school-age kids, no one in the world can beat Disney Plus subscription. Period.
  • Disney Plus subscription has everything that we all in my family- kids and adults alike loves to watch- Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geography. All of the content produced by these studios are of next level. Seriously, there is no competition right now, and it would probably take a decade to bring original content to Disney level for anyone else.
  • 4k: Disney subscription includes a very good number of 4k titles. Are you kidding me? Wow- I am going to watch most of these movies again- super excited. Simply by having the ability to watch many Disney movies in 4k proves Disney Plus subscription a no brainer. Refer to the table below for a list of 4k titles included in Disney Plus.
  • Price tag: Disney Plus is affordable compared to Netflix. Disney Plus subscription costs $6.99 per month compared to $12.99 per month for Netflix HD plan or $15.99 for Netflix 4k plan. For the cost of the Netflix HD plan, I can get Disney Plus + Hulu + ESPN Plus if I want. However, my needs are satisfied by Disney Plus alone for much less.

 

So, with all of the above, I am seriously considering to ditch Netflix in favor of Disney Plus. I will probably use Disney Plus for some time to see if I come back to Netflix often. If not, it will be time to take a break from the Netflix subscription. Sure we can always come back should our needs or test changes in the future. Having competitive services trying to earn your hard-earned money after all also gives some advantages to customers. What do you all think?

 

Table 1: List of 4k movies included in Disney Plus subscription

Title Release year
Captain Marvel 2019
Dumbo (2019) 2019
A Wrinkle in Time 2018
Ant-Man and the Wasp 2018
Auntie Edna 2018
Avengers: Infinity War 2018
Bao 2018
Black Panther 2018
Christopher Robin 2018
Free Solo 2018
Incredibles 2 2018
Mary Poppins Returns 2018
Ralph Breaks the Internet 2018
Solo: A Star Wars Story 2018
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms 2018
Beauty and the Beast (2017) 2017
Cars 3 2017
Coco 2017
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 2017
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure 2017
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales 2017
Star Wars: The Last Jedi 2017
Thor: Ragnarok 2017
Captain America: Civil War 2016
Doctor Strange 2016
Finding Dory 2016
Moana 2016
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 2016
The Jungle Book (2016) 2016
Zootopia 2016
Ant-Man 2015
Avengers: Age of Ultron 2015
Inside Out 2015
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 2015
The Good Dinosaur 2015
Big Hero 6 2014
Captain America: The Winter Soldier 2014
Guardians of the Galaxy 2014
Maleficent 2014
Frozen 2013
Iron Man 3 2013
Thor: The Dark World 2013
Brave 2012
The Avengers 2012
Wreck-It Ralph 2012
Captain America: The First Avenger 2011
Cars 2 2011
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides 2011
Thor 2011
Iron Man 2 2010
Monsters University 2010
Tangled 2010
Toy Story 3 2010
The Princess and the Frog 2009
Up 2009
Iron Man 2008
WALL-E 2008
National Treasure: Book of Secrets 2007
Ratatouille 2007
Cars 2006
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause 2006
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith 2005
National Treasure 2004
The Incredibles 2004
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement 2004
Finding Nemo 2003
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl 2003
Star Wars: Attack of the Clones 2002
The Santa Clause 2 2002
Monsters, Inc. 2001
The Princess Diaries 2001
Remember the Titans 2000
10 Things I Hate About You 1999
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace 1999
Toy Story 2 1999
A Bug’s Life 1998
Toy Story 1995
The Lion King: The Walt Disney Signature Collection 1994
The Santa Clause 1994
Hocus Pocus 1993
Aladdin (1992) 1992
The Muppet Christmas Carol 1992
Beauty and the Beast (1991) 1991
The Little Mermaid 1989
Who Framed Roger Rabbit 1988
The Black Cauldron 1985
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi 1983
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back 1980
Star Wars: A New Hope 1977
The Bears and I 1974
The Sword in the Stone 1963