Disney Unlocking 'The Vault': Announces Launch of Disney Plus Streaming Service
Disney is set to double down on its investment in the streaming market, announcing that it will launch a new streaming platform, Disney Plus in November. It will be home to all sorts of classic and new Disney content. This effectively marks the end of the "Disney Vault," where popular Disney films would only be available on DVD or similar for a limited period of time before going "back in the vault" for months or years (thus influencing its own supply and demand cycle).
The new streaming service will likely be great for Disney fans and parents, featuring content aimed at a younger audience, along with Pixar, Marvel, National Geographic and Star Wars movies and shows. At launch, Disney expects thousands of TV episodes and hundreds of movies to be available on Day One, with the library set to grow from there.
The new streaming platform will have a starting price of only $6.99 per month, about half the cost of a Netflix subscription. You can save a few dollars by going all-in on a year's subscription for $70. This family-friendly steaming service will make for an easy-peasy family travel break during a layover or similar, assuming you've got tablets and Wi-Fi available.
However, for all of those fans who have been bingeing on Disney content on Netflix, whether at home or on the road (more and more hotels allow you to watch your own steaming accounts on hotel TVs), this is not such great news. Disney has chosen not to renew its agreement with Netflix and will move all its content to the new service. Most all Disney content will be removed from Netflix by the end of 2019.
While the $7 per month price tag is one of the cheaper monthly fees for a streaming service, don't expect that price to stay around forever. As Disney adds content to the service, we predict that price will increase, just as the costs of Hulu and Netflix went up over time. And naturally, regardless of the exact price, adding yet another monthly subscription to a budget comes with its own obvious set of drawbacks.
As for Hulu, in which Disney now owns a majority stake after its recent purchase of 21st Century Fox, content on that service will be aimed at a more adult audience. Hulu will retain most of the Fox content it currently offers, while the new Disney Plus service will integrate some Fox content on the new platform as well, such as offering all 30 seasons of "The Simpsons."
If you're a sports fan with ESPN Plus — which Disney also owns — you may soon be able to bundle Hulu, ESPN and the new Disney Plus for a reduced monthly subscription price for two or all three of the services.
While $7 per month doesn't seem like much, when you start paying for multiple streaming services, it adds up. So check out our guide for which credit cards offer the best benefits or rewards when it comes to paying those monthly subscriptions (some actually offer annual credits toward such services).
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees