Hulu Disney Subscription Perks: What You Get

Hulu and Disney+ are now sold together in a bundle, and the perks you get depend entirely on which tier you pick. This article explains exactly what each Hulu + Disney+ bundle includes, how the ad-supported and ad-free plans differ, and how to choose the right one for your household.

Background: Why Hulu and Disney+ Are Bundled

Disney acquired Hulu in 2019 and now operates both streaming services under one company. The bundle was introduced in 2020 as a way to offer more content at a lower combined price than buying each service separately. The two services remain separate apps with separate libraries, but you manage both with one account and one bill.

The Three Bundle Tiers

As of 2024, Disney offers three Hulu + Disney+ bundles. Each includes Disney+ and Hulu, and the top tier also includes ESPN+. The key differences are ads and whether you can download shows.

• Disney Bundle Trio Basic – Disney+ (with ads), Hulu (with ads), and ESPN+ (with ads). This is the cheapest option.
• Disney Bundle Trio Premium – Disney+ (no ads), Hulu (no ads), and ESPN+ (with ads). You get ad-free viewing on Disney+ and Hulu, but ESPN+ still shows ads.
• Disney Bundle Duo Basic – Disney+ (with ads) and Hulu (with ads) only, no ESPN+. This was introduced in 2023 for people who don’t want sports.

Note that there is no Duo Premium tier. If you want ad-free on both, you must get the Trio Premium.

What Each Service Includes

Understanding what you get from each app helps you see the value of the bundle.

Hulu

• Streaming library with current-season TV shows from ABC, Fox, NBC, and others, usually within days of airing.
• Original series like The Handmaid’s Tale, Only Murders in the Building, and Fargo.
• Movies from studios like Searchlight and 20th Century.
• In the US, you can also add live TV as a separate upgrade (not part of the bundle).

Disney+

• Full catalog of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic content.
• Original series like The Mandalorian, Loki, and Bluey.
• New theatrical releases arrive on Disney+ after their exclusive theatrical window.

ESPN+ (Trio only)

• Live sports, including NHL, MLB, soccer, and college sports.
• Original shows like 30 for 30 documentaries.
• Not the same as the ESPN cable channel – it’s a separate streaming service.

How the Bundle Works

You sign up once on Disney’s website, and you get one login that works for all included services. You download the Hulu app and the Disney+ app separately, but you use the same email and password. If you have the Trio, you also download the ESPN+ app.

Billing is combined – you get one monthly charge on your credit card or through your Apple/Google account if you subscribed via an app store. You can cancel anytime online, and you lose access to all services in the bundle at once.

How to Choose the Right Tier

Your choice depends on how much you hate ads and whether you watch sports.

• If you don’t mind ads and don’t need ESPN+, get the Duo Basic.
• If you want ad-free on Disney+ and Hulu but don’t care about ESPN+, you actually have to buy the Trio Premium (there’s no Duo Premium).
• If you watch any live sports, the Trio Basic gives you ESPN+ for a small extra cost.
• If you watch a lot of movies and shows on both services, the ad-free tier is worth it because ads interrupt the experience.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that the bundle gives you Hulu + Live TV. It does not. The bundle only includes the on-demand Hulu library. To get live channels, you must add Hulu + Live TV as an extra, which costs more.

Another issue is that the bundle price can change. Disney has raised prices several times. Always check the current price on the official Disney+ website before subscribing.

If you already have a standalone Hulu or Disney+ subscription, you can switch to the bundle. You’ll need to cancel the old one and sign up for the bundle, or use the “switch to bundle” option in your account settings. Your watch history and profiles generally carry over if you use the same email.

Costs and Value

Pricing varies by country and changes over time. In the US, the Duo Basic was around $9.99/month at launch, and the Trio Basic around $14.99/month. The Trio Premium was around $24.99/month. These are not guarantees – they are examples to show the relative cost. The bundle always costs less than buying the services separately, which is the main perk.

If you already pay for one service, adding the bundle is usually cheaper than paying for the second service alone. For example, if you pay $7.99 for Hulu (with ads) and $7.99 for Disney+ (with ads), you’d pay $15.98 separately, but the Duo Basic bundle is often around $9.99 – saving you about $6 per month.

Alternatives to the Bundle

If you don’t want both services, you can subscribe to Hulu alone or Disney+ alone. That’s cheaper if you only use one. Other streaming bundles exist, like Netflix and Max, but they are separate companies. The Hulu + Disney+ bundle is unique because both are owned by Disney.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my bundle with family?

Yes, but there are limits. The standard plan allows up to six profiles per account and two simultaneous streams. You can share your password with family, but Disney has started cracking down on password sharing outside your household in some regions. The rules vary by plan and country.

Does the bundle include 4K and HDR?

Yes, on both Hulu and Disney+, 4K and HDR content is available on supported devices. However, the ad-supported tiers may not offer 4K on all content – on Disney+, 4K is available on ad-free plans only. Hulu’s 4K availability is limited to select titles, regardless of plan.

Can I watch live sports with the bundle?

Only if you have the Trio bundle, which includes ESPN+. ESPN+ has live NHL, MLB, soccer, and college sports, but it does not include ESPN, ESPN2, or other cable channels. For those, you need Hulu + Live TV, which is a separate add-on.

Can I cancel just one service in the bundle?

No. The bundle is all-or-nothing. You cannot keep Hulu and cancel Disney+ while keeping the bundle discount. You’d have to cancel the entire bundle and subscribe to Hulu separately at the regular price.

Is there a free trial for the bundle?

Disney occasionally offers promotions, but as of 2024, there is no standard free trial for the bundle. You can sign up and cancel within the first month for a full refund if you’re not satisfied, but that’s not a free trial.

Does the bundle include the Disney+ and Hulu apps on all devices?

Yes, the bundle works on any device that supports Hulu and Disney+ independently. That includes smart TVs, streaming sticks, game consoles, phones, and tablets. You just log in with your bundle credentials.

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