Your Ad-Free Disney+ Plan Will Cost More on Oct. 12

Streaming platforms have become a popular service that many Americans use. But the prices for these services have continued to rise in more recent years. As some streaming apps become more costly, users must decide if the expense is worthwhile. If you pay for an ad-free Disney+ plan, you should know you'll soon pay more for your subscription. You'll want to understand how this price change could impact your wallet.

The Disney+ ad-free plan will increase 27% on Oct. 12

The streaming platform Disney+ launched in late 2019. Many families, especially those with young children, subscribe to the popular platform. Disney+ Basic, which is ad-supported, costs $7.99 monthly. The commercial-free plan, Disney+ Premium, costs $10.99 monthly or $109.99 yearly. But that's about to change this fall.

On Aug. 9, The Walt Disney Company announced price increases for some Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ plans. Starting on Oct. 12, Disney Premium subscribers will pay $13.99 monthly or $139.99 yearly. That's an increase of more than 27% -- so it's likely that this significant price change will impact the checking accounts of many subscribers. These changes apply to U.S. subscribers.

The Walt Disney Company also outlined new pricing for some of its bundled streaming plans. Here's a breakdown of the price increases you can expect in October:

• Trio Basic, which features ad-supported Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ content, will increase in price from $12.99 to $14.99 monthly.
• Trio Premium, which features ad-free Disney+ content, ad-free Hulu content, and ESPN+ (with ads), will rise in price from $19.99 to $24.99.

But it's not all bad news. It's worth mentioning that a new ad-free bundle will be available to users on Sept. 6. The brand-new Duo Premium, which will feature ad-free Disney+ and Hulu content, will cost $19.99 monthly.

Since the ad-free Hulu plan is also increasing in price on Oct. 12, (from $14.99 to $17.99 monthly), those who want access to commercial-free Disney+ and Hulu content can save money by subscribing to this new bundle. Once the upcoming price changes start, this plan could save you $11.99 per month -- which is significant!

How to manage subscription price changes

If you subscribe to any of the plans highlighted above, you may feel disappointed about the upcoming higher price tag. You should assess your budget to determine if you can continue paying for service without changing plans. If you need help monitoring your spending, budgeting apps can be an excellent resource to help you better manage your money.

Be sure to always keep your finances top of mind when making spending decisions. It's never a good idea to go into credit card debt if you can avoid it by adjusting your spending habits. Here are some ways you may be able to save money on streaming platform expenses:

1. Switch to an ad-supported plan: If the new prices are too much, but you don't mind ads, you can save a significant amount of money by switching to the ad-supported Disney+ Basic, which will continue to cost $7.99 monthly.
2. Bundle your services: If you're paying for multiple streaming apps separately, you may be overpaying. Bundling your plans could save you some cash. The new Duo Premium plan could be a more affordable solution if you prefer ad-free content.
3. Pause your service: It may be worthwhile to take a break. You can pause or stop your service anytime and restart when you're ready to pay for it again. Doing this could make it easier for you to focus on important personal finance goals.

No matter what you decide, ensure you take action or prepare your budget accordingly before Oct. 12 so you're not surprised by a higher charge on an upcoming credit card statement.