In a move that underscores Disney’s commitment to integrating its flagship streaming platform into every facet of the guest experience, Walt Disney World Resort has begun rolling out built-in Disney+ access on in-room TVs. With approximately 36,000 hotel rooms across the property, this initiative is a massive undertaking that enhances the digital offerings available to guests.
Streaming Made Simple for Hotel Guests
Previously, Disney+ was available in hotel rooms only through device casting, requiring guests to connect their personal devices to the TV. Now, the Disney+ app is integrated directly into the in-room TV system, providing a seamless experience for subscribers.
Here’s what guests need to know:
- Subscription Required: Disney+ is not included with your stay. Guests must log in with their own Disney+ subscription credentials to access the service.
- Automatic Logout: For security, accounts are automatically logged out at the end of a guest’s stay. Guests also have the option to log out manually before leaving.
- Gradual Rollout: While the feature is being introduced across all resort hotels, availability may vary depending on the property.
This addition allows guests to enjoy Disney+ content during downtime, adding another layer of convenience and entertainment to their stay.
Enhancing Disney+ Features: Recent Updates
The integration at Walt Disney World comes as Disney+ continues to expand its features and offerings. This year, the service launched Hulu on Disney+, live channels, and ESPN on Disney+, offering subscribers access to live content such as sports and news alongside its extensive library of movies and TV shows.
To ensure family-friendly streaming, Disney+ introduced new parental controls to address concerns about live content’s lack of traditional ratings. Subscribers can now disable titles without ratings, including live sports and news, on a per-profile basis. This setting is turned on by default, but it can be adjusted in the “Parental Controls” section of the profile settings. The adjustment ensures that younger viewers or those uninterested in live content are not exposed to ads or programming that may include adult themes.
Disney’s Strategy in Streaming and Pricing
As Disney+ integrates more deeply into the guest experience at Walt Disney World, it reflects the company’s broader focus on the streaming service as a pillar of its business. However, the platform has undergone significant changes, including pricing adjustments. In December of last year, Disney introduced an ad-supported tier, Disney+ Basic, priced at $7.99 per month, while raising the cost of the standard ad-free tier to $11.99.
During a recent earnings call, Disney CEO Bob Iger inadvertently revealed that 37% of U.S. Disney+ subscribers and 30% of global subscribers are on the ad-supported tier. While the disclosure was unintentional, it highlights the growing importance of ad-supported streaming in Disney’s strategy.
What This Means for Disney Guests
With built-in Disney+ access now available in many resort hotel rooms, Disney is making it easier for guests to stay connected to their favorite shows and movies during their vacation. This seamless integration of Disney’s streaming platform into the hotel experience reflects the company’s effort to enhance guest convenience and align its parks and digital offerings.
As the rollout continues, Disney+ in-room streaming is poised to become a staple of the Walt Disney World resort experience. With 36,000 rooms to outfit, this is one of the largest rollouts of its kind in the hospitality industry, showing Disney’s dedication to innovation and guest satisfaction. For visitors, it’s another way to bring a little extra Disney magic to their stay.
Do you think that this was the right thing for Disney to do to their hotels?
How is this a new fee? You are either a subscriber already paying, or you are not and not paying for it. There is no fee.