Credit: DisneyDisney+ has been taking heat for months, and at this point, it’s not even surprising. Between cancellations, content disappearing, and the platform constantly changing direction, many subscribers have started questioning why they’re still paying every month.
And once people start asking that question, it’s hard to get them to stop.
Disney built Disney+ to be the future, but lately, it’s felt more like a service that keeps testing how much frustration fans will tolerate before walking away.
But now, Disney+ has finally made a move that feels like a genuine attempt to win people back. And while it’s not exactly what fans expected, it’s clearly meant to stop the bleeding and make subscriptions feel “worth it” again.
Disney+ Was Designed to Be Disney’s Biggest Power Move
When Disney+ launched, it wasn’t just another streaming app. Disney treated it like a full-on takeover plan for modern entertainment. It became home to Disney classics, Pixar films, Marvel projects, and Star Wars content, all in one place.
And for a while, it worked perfectly.
Disney+ exploded in popularity because families loved the library, longtime Disney fans loved the nostalgia, and franchise fans loved the exclusives. It felt like Disney had cracked the code, especially since the service initially felt affordable compared to cable and other streaming platforms.
Disney+ didn’t just become popular. It became essential for Disney fans.
Disney+ Didn’t Just Grow, It Became a Habit
What made Disney+ so powerful wasn’t only the content. It was the routine. Families started putting it on daily. Kids had their favorite shows on repeat. Adults rewatched old movies like comfort food.
Then Marvel and Star Wars took over the conversation.
Suddenly, Disney+ wasn’t just a streaming library. It became the place where major franchise storylines continued. If you skipped Disney+, you missed key plot points. That kind of exclusivity kept people subscribed even when they weren’t watching constantly.
But the longer the service existed, the more Disney started shifting from “building trust” to “pushing limits.” And that’s where the trouble began.
The Move That Put Fans On Edge
One of the most significant turning points came when Disney started moving toward fully merging Hulu into its streaming ecosystem. Hulu always felt like Disney’s “other” platform, with more adult content and a different tone.
At first, bundling sounded convenient. But many subscribers didn’t like what it represented.
The more Disney absorbed Hulu, the more it felt like Disney was cornering the market. And when one company controls too much of the streaming world, consumers start expecting the worst.
Less competition usually means fewer options, fewer deals, and higher prices. So even if the Hulu merger made business sense, it made Disney feel even more untouchable, and fans don’t love that.
Prices Keep Climbing Until People Snap
If there’s one thing Disney+ subscribers complain about the most, it’s the price hikes. Disney+ isn’t the budget-friendly streaming option anymore, and it hasn’t been for a while.
The service keeps getting more expensive, and for many households, it’s starting to feel ridiculous. People don’t mind paying for quality, but Disney+ has also cut content, canceled projects, and removed titles without warning.
That combination feels like a slap in the face.
Subscribers are basically being asked to pay more while receiving less. And in today’s economy, most people just can’t justify it. When bills pile up, streaming services are the easiest thing to cancel, especially when the value doesn’t feel obvious.
Disney+ Just Dropped a Surprise Wave of Changes
Instead of trying to fix everything with one blockbuster announcement, Disney+ seems to be taking a different approach: making the subscription feel useful beyond entertainment.
In other words, Disney is now leaning heavily into subscriber perks.
This shift feels intentional, like Disney knows people are canceling but doesn’t want to admit the platform itself has lost momentum. So rather than cutting prices, Disney is trying to add benefits that make subscribers feel like they’re getting a “bundle deal” experience.
And the newest perk is one that actually stands out.
Subscribers Can Now Save Big
The newest perk is perfect for people who love to grab athletic wear, shoes, or anything in between from Adidas.
Because just by being a Disney+ subscriber, you can save 30% across adidas.com and the Adidas app through April 23, 2026.
That’s a serious amount of savings, mainly because Adidas is known for being high-quality and, therefore, higher priced than other brands.
And this isn’t some tiny coupon that knocks $5 off a pair of socks. A 30% discount is the kind that makes people stop scrolling and actually place an order.
It also signals something important: Disney+ isn’t just throwing out random perks. They’re going after deals that feel valuable.
Disney+ Is Throwing Perks at Subscribers Like Never Before
The Adidas discount isn’t the only benefit Disney+ has rolled out. Disney has been stacking perks like they’re trying to build a rewards program overnight.
Subscribers have access to a free 3-month Kroger Boost membership and 6 months of DashPass for food delivery. Disney also included a complimentary D23 Gold membership, which feels like a direct attempt to pull Disney fans deeper into the company’s ecosystem.
Other perks include three months of CLEAR+, a 15% discount on Funko.com, and another 15% off Loungefly.com.
Disney even offers monthly mystery capsules with a digital pin, free Wonder Man comics on Marvel Unlimited, and special Walt Disney World ticket offers.
Benefits and Even Movie Premiere Access
Disney+ has also added a 3-month free trial of Spotify Premium, which feels like a perk that could appeal to almost anyone, even if they aren’t a hardcore Disney fan.
But the perks don’t stop at discounts and subscriptions.
Disney is also offering significant sweepstakes-style incentives, including a chance to win a trip to the Disneyland Resort 70th celebration. That’s the kind of prize that gets people talking online, and Disney knows it.
They’ve even teased opportunities like attending the world premiere of Disney and Pixar’s Hoppers (2026), which feels designed to make subscribers feel like VIPs instead of just customers.
Disney wants Disney+ to feel exclusive again.
Fans Want One Real Fix
Let’s be honest: these perks scream desperation. Disney knows subscribers are canceling, and instead of lowering prices, they’re trying to distract people with value-added benefits.
And some of these perks are genuinely good.
But at the end of the day, fans keep saying the same thing: lower the cost. People don’t want a mystery pin capsule if they can’t justify paying the monthly fee.
What’s interesting is that Disney didn’t report subscriber numbers at the last earnings call, and that feels telling. Add in a change in leadership with Josh D’Amaro becoming CEO, and it’s possible Disney+ could see bigger shifts.
A price drop may still happen if Disney finally accepts reality.
Disney+ Is Trying to Win Back Trust, Not Just Subscribers
Disney+ clearly understands it has a problem, and these perks show the company is trying to rebuild goodwill fast. For subscribers, it’s hard not to notice the sudden shift in strategy.
Disney+ isn’t acting like a confident service anymore. It’s acting like a service fighting to stay essential.
The perks might keep people subscribed for now, especially if they’re already shopping at Adidas or ordering DoorDash regularly. But in the long term, Disney still has to answer the bigger question: why should people keep paying for this platform?
Because discounts help, but pricing and content will always matter more.
And Disney+ still has a lot to prove.