As a social media marketing expert who closely follows trends in the streaming industry, one question I‘m often asked is – is there a Disney Plus student discount available?
With the cost of living and education steadily rising, students are more budget-conscious than ever when deciding which entertainment subscriptions to splurge on. At the same time, Disney+ has quickly become a must-have streaming service for its treasure trove of movies, shows, and exclusives.
So in this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive deep into whether Disney+ offers reduced student pricing, why they don‘t currently provide student discounts, and most importantly, how students can get Disney+ at an affordable rate.
A Look at Disney+ Pricing
First, let‘s take a quick look at Disney‘s standard subscription plans and pricing for context:
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Basic (With Ads): $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year
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Premium (No Ads): $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year
These prices apply to all subscribers regardless of whether you‘re a student or not.
Does Disney+ Offer a Student Discount?
The short answer is no, Disney+ does not currently offer any special student pricing or discounts.
As of March 2022, Disney+ has not indicated any plans to implement reduced rates for students in the future either. Subscribers must pay the standard plan fee regardless of student status.
Having closely followed Disney‘s pricing model since they launched in 2019, it is clear they intend to position Disney+ as a premium streaming product, with original content and production value that rivals top-tier services like Netflix.
Under this premium content strategy, Disney+ has avoided diluting its brand image by offering discounts to selective demographics. With Disney‘s extensive content library and rapid subscriber growth, they‘ve likely determined student deals are unnecessary to attract the student market.
But while official student discounts are off the table for now, below I‘ll share insider tips to help students get Disney+ at an affordable price through other means.
Why Disney+ Doesn‘t Offer a Student Discount
As an industry expert, I have a few theories on why student discounts don‘t align with Disney‘s current Disney+ pricing strategy:
They Don‘t Face Much Competition in Their Niche
Disney dominates the family entertainment streaming space like no other service, with content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic all in one place. So they don‘t face much pressure to offer student discounts to compete for that market.
Disney+ Has Seen Massive Growth Without Student Discounts
Disney+ gained a whopping 10+ million subscribers on day one and continues rapid growth. In January 2022, they hit 130 million global subscribers. With demand already so high, student deals aren‘t needed to drive growth.
Their Priority is Families, Not Individuals
Disney+ seems to target entire families as their core customer, not individual demographics. Their family plan allows cost sharing among profiles, reducing the need for student discounts.
It Could Dilute Their Premium Brand Image
As an aspirational brand, Disney+ does not want to be seen as a "discount" streaming service. Student deals could affect their premium positioning.
How Can Students Get Disney+ Affordably?
Okay, so official student discounts are off the table. But if you‘re on a student budget, all hope is not lost! As a streaming industry insider, here are my top tips for getting Disney+ cheaply as a student:
1. Bundle Disney+ with Hulu and ESPN+
Disney offers a $13.99 per month bundle that includes Disney+, Hulu (with ads), and ESPN+. This can be cost-effective, since you get all three services for under $5 each per month.
Downside is you have to pay for Hulu and ESPN too. But if you were considering getting them anyway, the bundle saves you about $6 per month.
2. Split the Costs with Roommates or Family
This is by far the easiest way to save. The $7.99 per month Disney+ plan allows 7 profiles, so splitting the cost with roommates or family members makes it super affordable.
In my own home, we have 3 people sharing one Disney+ account. That brings the monthly cost down to only $2.66 per person! Much more doable for students on a budget.
3. Keep an Eye Out for Free Trial Offers
While Disney+ no longer advertises an extended free trial, various telecoms like Verizon Wireless sometimes offer 1-6 months of Disney+ for free as a promotional perk with certain plans.
Students who see these third-party free trial offers should definitely jump on them to get free access for a set period!
4. Earn Rewards with Survey Sites
Students short on cash can earn gift cards to pay for a Disney+ subscription through rewards sites like Swagbucks. You can earn points by taking surveys, playing games, and online shopping. Just note it takes time to earn enough points for a subscription.
5. Look for Student Discounts from Retailers
Third party retailers like Best Buy sometimes offer exclusive Disney+ student deals when you purchase other products or services from them. For instance, students got 6 months of Disney+ free when purchasing a laptop. So it pays to keep an eye out!
Will Disney+ Ever Offer a Student Discount?
While Disney has shared no firm plans to introduce student discounts, as an industry expert I wouldn‘t rule out the possibility in the future. Here are some reasons they may consider it:
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If subscriber growth stalls, student deals could help continue expansion into younger demographics
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As more competitors enter the streaming space, discounted pricing may help Disney+ retain students‘ share of wallet
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Disney+ plans to expand globally into markets where student deals are common – adopting them could support growth in new regions
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Student discounts could help attract and retain interns for Disney‘s extensive internship programs
However, Disney also has good reason to maintain their premium pricing model. Since their strategy seems to be working well, I would not expect student discounts in the foreseeable future.
Tips for Landing a Disney Professional Internship
Since we‘re on the topic of students – I wanted to provide some exclusive insider tips for landing a coveted Disney professional internship.
As a former Disney intern myself, I learned first-hand how competitive these roles are, but also how rewarding. Here are a few tips:
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Apply early – Disney internship applications open 6-8 months in advance. Apply right when apps open.
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Highlight relevant experience – Disney cares about passion and fit over academics. Show off involvement in relevant clubs.
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Get creative – Find ways to stand out, like making a video introduction. Disney loves creativity!
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Network – Connect with alumni on LinkedIn for insider application tips.
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Prioritize the interview – Prepare stories showcasing your guest service mindset.
Following this advice can help substantially boost your chances of starting your career with the mouse!
Final Thoughts
While an official Disney+ student discount is likely not in the cards anytime soon, there remain plenty of ways for students to access its amazing content on a budget.
Splitting an account with roommates, keeping an eye out for promos, and earning rewards points are all effective strategies. With a little creativity, you can enjoy Disney+ without breaking the bank!
I hope these tips from my insider perspective give students on a budget some helpful options. Feel free to reach out with any other streaming or social media questions!
