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 |