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The Complete New Zealand Guide to Disney+

Since late 2019, New Zealanders can watch unlimited Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar and National Geographic movies, TV and documentaries with Disney+. We review the pros, costs and explain what you need to know

Updated 24 June 2020
​Disney+ launched in New Zealand in late 2019 and has proven popular with thousands of New Zealand families. In this guide we look at what it offers, what it costs, pros and cons, key things to know and frequently asked questions about the family-orientated service.

What is Disney+?

Disney+ is an on-demand streaming service that launched in New Zealand in late 2019. It offers advert-free content and hundreds of movies and TV shows from five major studios:
  • Disney
  • Pixar
  • Marvel
  • Star Wars
  • National Geographic

Six months after launching, Disney+ has over 50 million subscribers which exceeded all predictions and indicates families in New Zealand and around the world enjoy the service. Disney+ launched in New Zealand on 19 November 2019 after launching in the USA a week before.

How much does Disney+ cost?

It costs NZ$9.99 per month, or NZ$99.99 per year if paid upfront (which works out to be NZ$8.33 per month).

Bonus: Disney+ encourages ‘try before you buy’, meaning all new subscribers receive a free 7-day trial before their debit or credit card is charged. If you don’t want to continue, you can cancel your subscription in the account settings before the 7 day period ends and you won’t be charged.

What’s included in the price?

  • Content: Disney+ is rich with movies, TV series and documentaries - you’ll get access to over 800 movies and 200 TV shows from five major studios - Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic.
  • Four-person accounts: There are no household or internet network restrictions. Instead, Disney+ allows up to four people, whether living together or spread around New Zealand, to use the service with the same account.

What movies and series are available?

Disney+ has the Disney animated classics such as the original Lion King, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast, as well as Pixar content (i.e. Toy Story) and Star Wars movies, among others. Popular options include:
  • The Mandalorian
  • The Simpsons
  • Diary of a Future President
  • The World According to Jeff Goldblum
  • Encore!
  • Toy Story: Forky Asks a Question
  • Star Wars: The Clone Wars
  • High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

​What do you need to be able to stream Disney+?

To watch and down content, you’ll need:
  1. Fibre or broadband, which a speed of at least 3 Mbps
  2. Sufficient data – an unlimited data plan is always best if streaming, but otherwise, 30 GB/month is a good starting point for average use.
  3. An internet-enabled device; Disney+ supports smartphones, tablets and laptops, Smart TVs and game consoles (PlayStation, X-Box, etc.).

Evaluating Disney+ - Pros and Cons

What we like:
  • Disney+ lets you watch live from up to four devices at once (watching the same content)
  • Unlimited downloads on up to ten devices
  • Four different devices can stream at once
  • Fast, reliable streaming

What we don’t like:
  • Most original series have been screened before on other networks, although Disney+ is uploading exclusive Disney+ TV shows in 2020 and beyond
  • Not all Disney content is available; some series are absent from Disney, 21st Century Fox, and Marvel, among others.
  • The parental controls are basic.

Conclusion:Is Disney+ good value for money?
  • Like any streaming service, how valuable it is always depends on how much you and your family watch. If you don’t log in for a month and favour other streaming services, arguably it’s not good value for money.
  • However, at $9.99 per month, it offers an extensive library of big-budget, blockbuster and renowned titles that appeal to children and adults alike.

Disney+ Frequently Asked Questions

​Can I pay for Disney+ monthly?

Yes – Disney+ is NZ$9.99 per month. If you pay upfront for 12 months, it is NZ$99.99.

How does Disney+ compare to Netflix or Amazon Prime Video?

The table below indicates that Disney+ offers the least choice of content while being slightly more expensive than Amazon Prime Video. However, potential subscribers must keep in mind that the Disney+ content is exclusive to the service and has a certain appeal to children that can’t be rivalled by any other streaming service.
Service & Cost
TV Shows
Movies
Monthly Cost
Maximum Concurrent Devices
Netflix
1,922
4,122
NZ$21.99 (Premium)
4 (TV or Movies)
Amazon Prime Video
1,446
12,515 
US$5.99 (~NZ$9.00)
2 (TV or Movies)
Disney+
201
842
NZ$9.99
4 (TV or Movies)
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