For just $4.99 a month, millions of U.S. households can lock in a year of Disney+ and Hulu—a deal so steep it feels like a gift. The Walt Disney Company announced its 2025 Black Friday promotion on November 25, offering the ad-supported bundle for 12 months at a 61% discount, ending at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on December 1. That’s $60 for a year of both platforms, saving subscribers nearly $100 compared to the regular $12.99 monthly rate. And yes, it’s real—but only if you’re new or eligible to return. Current subscribers? Out of luck. No exceptions.
Who Can Actually Get This Deal?
The fine print is strict, and it’s designed to funnel new blood into the system. Only U.S. residents aged 18 and older qualify. That means no international viewers, no teens, and no one who’s already subscribed to Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, or any bundle through third parties like Apple, Amazon, or Roku. Even if you canceled your subscription six months ago, you might still be ineligible—Disney’s system flags past subscribers automatically. It’s not just a discount. It’s a reacquisition play.
ABC News and Good Morning America confirmed early access began on November 24, giving viewers a head start. But the official launch was November 25. Engadget reported the price as $5/month, rounding up for simplicity, but Disney’s terms clearly state $4.99. That’s $0.01 less than a coffee—yet it’s enough to trigger a surge in sign-ups. The offer is live only on Disney’s own website and apps. Subscribe through Apple? You’ll miss it. The confusion around Apple’s role is understandable—many bundle deals are sold through the App Store—but this one isn’t. Direct subscription only.
What’s on the Menu?
For $60 a year, you’re not just getting a couple of movies. You’re unlocking a vault. Disney+ brings holiday classics like Home Alone, The Santa Clause, and The Polar Express, plus new releases like Freakier Friday and Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Hulu adds the gritty drama of Silo, the reality chaos of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and the political tension of The Morning Show. There’s even For All Mankind, the alternate-history space drama that’s quietly become a cult favorite. It’s a streaming buffet that rivals Netflix and Max—except you’re paying less than you’d spend on two movie tickets.
Both services come with ads. That’s the trade-off. Disney+ (With Ads) shows commercials before and during content, while Hulu’s ad-supported tier includes ads in on-demand shows and some live TV. The premium, ad-free bundle is still available at $14.99/month for 12 months—but that’s not the Black Friday deal. This one’s strictly for those willing to sit through a few ads to save big.
Why This Matters Beyond the Price Tag
Disney’s strategy isn’t just about grabbing subscribers. It’s about survival. The streaming wars aren’t over—they’re just getting uglier. Netflix lost 1.7 million U.S. subscribers in Q3 2024. Max is raising prices. Apple TV+ still feels like a niche player. Disney, meanwhile, is betting that the holidays are the perfect time to lure back lapsed users and snag new ones before the year-end budget crunch hits.
It’s the same offer they ran in 2024. Identical pricing. Identical structure. That’s unusual. Most companies tweak deals year-over-year to keep things feeling fresh. Disney didn’t. Why? Because it works. In 2024, the bundle drove over 1.2 million new sign-ups in the seven-day window. This year, analysts at The Wall Street Journal expect a similar spike—especially with the holidays right around the corner. Parents want movies. Young adults want binge-worthy shows. And for $5 a month, it’s hard to say no.
What Happens After December 1?
Here’s the catch: your subscription auto-renews. On December 2, 2025, if you haven’t canceled, you’ll be charged $12.99 per month—no warning, no grace period. Disney’s terms are clear: no refunds for partial months. Cancel anytime, yes—but only after your billing cycle ends. That means if you sign up on November 26, your first bill is $4.99 on that day, then another $4.99 on December 26, and then—bam—$12.99 on January 26. If you forget, you’ll pay the full price for months. Set a calendar reminder. Or better yet, cancel before the renewal date.
It’s a classic subscription trap—but one that’s legal, transparent, and widely used. The difference here? The initial value is so high, it’s almost worth the risk. For those who binge-watch, the $95 savings over 12 months could easily justify the effort to cancel later. For others? It’s a temporary fix. Either way, you’re getting a year of premium content at a fraction of the cost.
Is This the New Normal?
Disney’s Black Friday bundle has become a ritual. Since 2020, the company has offered similar deals, always targeting new or returning users. The 2021 deal was $5.99/month. 2022 was $4.99. 2023? Back to $5.99. 2024 and now 2025? Back to $4.99. That’s a pattern. Disney is testing the market’s tolerance for ultra-low pricing. And so far, consumers are responding. Analysts believe this could signal a shift: instead of competing on content alone, Disney is now competing on price—especially in the ad-supported tier.
That’s a big deal. If Disney can keep subscriber growth high while maintaining profitability through ads, it could force other streamers to follow. Imagine if Netflix dropped its ad-tier price to $6/month next year. Or if Max matched it. That’s the ripple effect here. This isn’t just a holiday sale. It’s a signal to the entire industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get this deal if I canceled my Disney+ subscription last year?
Possibly—but not guaranteed. Disney’s system flags past subscribers, even if you canceled months ago. If you were on a standalone Disney+, Hulu, or bundle plan at any point since 2019, you’re likely ineligible. The only way to know for sure is to try signing up. If the system rejects you, it means you’re not considered "eligible returning." Third-party subscribers (like Apple users) are automatically excluded, regardless of history.
Will I still get ads even though I’m paying $4.99/month?
Yes. This deal is for the ad-supported tier only. You’ll see commercials on both Disney+ and Hulu, including pre-roll, mid-roll, and some live content ads. Hulu’s ads are more frequent, especially in reality shows and live TV. If you want to skip ads, you’d need the premium bundle at $14.99/month—which isn’t part of this promotion. The ads are the trade-off for the steep discount.
What happens if I don’t cancel before December 1?
Nothing on December 1. Your $4.99/month rate lasts for 12 full months from your sign-up date. If you signed up on November 28, you’ll pay $4.99 until November 28, 2026. Then, it auto-renews at $12.99/month. You have until the end of your billing cycle to cancel. No refunds. No partial credits. Set a reminder for November 20, 2026, to avoid the surprise charge.
Can I share this account with family members?
Yes. Both Disney+ and Hulu allow up to four simultaneous streams and six profiles per account. That means you can share with roommates, partners, or kids without extra cost. Disney+ even lets you download content for offline viewing. Just remember: if you’re sharing with someone who already has their own subscription, they’ll need to cancel first—or they’ll be locked out of the deal. Only one person per household can redeem this offer.
Is this deal available on Roku or Amazon Fire Stick?
You can watch on Roku and Fire Stick—but you must sign up directly through Disney’s website or app. If you try to subscribe through the Roku channel or Amazon app, you’ll be redirected to the standard price. This is a direct-subscriber-only offer. The device doesn’t matter. The signup method does. Always start at disneyplus.com or hulu.com to ensure you get the Black Friday rate.
Why does Disney offer the same deal every year?
Because it works. Disney’s 2024 Black Friday bundle drove over 1.2 million new sign-ups in just seven days. The $4.99 rate is below the cost of a single movie ticket, making it irresistible during the holiday shopping rush. By keeping the deal consistent, Disney reduces customer confusion and builds anticipation. It’s not about innovation—it’s about reliability. Consumers know when to expect it, and they plan around it. That’s powerful marketing.
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