Review: Disney releases Disney Plus (Disney+)
Disney officially released a new streaming service, known as Disney+, on Nov. 12. For $6.99 a month, or $69.99 a year, Disney fans can access any Disney movie or TV show available on the platform. Many Lee students who grew up with traditional Disney movies are excited about having access to their favorite classics with the touch of a button.
Michael Dermott, a sophomore business management major, took advantage of the Verizon and Disney+ offer, which allows Verizon customers to receive Disney+ free for a year.
“I enjoy Disney+ because it is a good change from what we currently have,” Dermott said. “It has all the shows and movies that I grew up watching. I’m excited to see what they have and what more they are going to offer.”
Many are comparing Disney+ to popular streaming sites such as Hulu or Netflix. What makes Disney+ unique is the ability to stream and set up multiple profiles at one base price. This is different than Netflix, which has tiered memberships, with multiple streams at one time costing the consumer more money.
TechRadar, a popular website known for reviewing the latest technology, references the content value of Disney+ on release day. Although there were many options available on Nov. 12, Disney did not release every single movie and TV show in their repertoire.
“There isn’t as much content as we’d like on launch day, but what’s there is enough to fill a few weeks worth of movie nights,” TechRadar states. “What we like most is that, for a single monthly fee, you watch on four simultaneous screens and save up to seven profiles on the service, making it a great plan for families looking to stretch their entertainment budgets.”
Disney+ is definitely the most budget-friendly out of all the streaming platforms. When considering Hulu as a competitor, Hulu does have a student deal, but a regular subscription price starts at $5.99 per month; however, this only includes basic access. Disney+ has opened all access to any member for one fee, which is unlike its competitors and may be the deciding factor for many consumers.
CNN Business author Frank Pallotta reviews Disney+ in terms of its selection of movies and TV shows. Disney+ specifically designed this interface with the indecisive consumers in mind.
“When you use Disney+’s search option, the service will offer ‘Disney Collections,’ curated libraries that sort programming into different categories,” Pallotta writes. “The amount of content may be overwhelming, but the service’s search functionality and curation really helps cut through the clutter.”
All in all, Disney+ is a new streaming service that is a worthy rival for the likes of other popular streaming platforms. It is geared towards many different target markets, from college students on a budget to consumers who simply enjoy family-friendly movie nights.
