Disney+ might soon do a lot more than just stream movies and shows

Since Disney+ first launched in 2019, the app has changed quite a bit. It’s folded in content from Hulu and ESPN, released more than 100 original series, added live TV channels, introduced an ad-supported tier, and started cracking down on password sharing. And, of course, the biggest change many subscribers have noticed is the impact on their wallets. When Disney+ debuted in 2019, it cost just $7 a month or $70 a year for ad-free streaming. Fast-forward to 2026, and that price has increased dramatically, with ad-free “Disney+ Premium” now costing $19/month or $190/year.

So, with all those changes in mind and the higher price tag, one of the biggest questions surrounding Disney+ right now is what’s next for the service, especially now that Disney has a new CEO. Josh D’Amaro officially took over from Bob Iger in March, and it already sounds like he has a very different vision for where Disney+ could go.

Disney+ could become a ‘super app’

Disney wants the app to go beyond streaming

According to a recent Bloomberg report, Disney executives are considering transforming Disney+ into a “super app” by integrating it with other Disney services and apps, including the Disneyland Resort app and the Disney Cruise Line Navigator. The goal would be to make Disney+ an all-in-one hub for everything Disney, whether you’re streaming shows, planning a cruise, or visiting Disneyland or Disney World.

…my main question is: who exactly is asking for that?

During Disney’s last earnings call on May 8, D’Amaro didn’t say exactly what’s changing with Disney+, but he certainly hinted at it, calling his vision for Disney+ a “place where everything comes together” (via Variety).

“Disney+ becomes the primary relationship between Disney and its fans, the place where everything comes together,” D’Amaro said, “[the parks are] essentially the physical centerpiece of the company. And similarly, we’re building Disney+ to serve as the immersive, interactive digital centerpiece of the company. And in the long term, what you’ll see is those pieces of the company become increasingly connected.”

Based on D’Amaro’s comments — especially the part about making Disney+ “the digital centerpiece of the company” — it certainly sounds like Disney wants to merge Disney+ with its parks and cruise apps, and maybe even the Disney Store, turning it into the ultimate all-in-one Disney app where you can buy park tickets, book other Disney experiences, and stream movies and shows all in the same place.

But my main question is: who exactly is asking for that?

I have concerns

Disney+ could soon be trying to do too much

I have a lot of concerns about Disney+ potentially becoming a “super app.” If this does happen, it feels like it could turn Disney+ — which is honestly a pretty solid streaming app as it is — into an unnecessary bloated mess. When I open Disney+, I’m there to stream something on my TV, not browse cruise packages or buy tickets to Disney parks. And the last thing I want is ads for theme parks or cruises replacing recommendations for shows and movies.

That said, according to Bloomberg, Disney’s plans to turn Disney+ into a “super app” are still at an “early stage,” so it could be a while before anything actually happens. And maybe, along the way, Disney will realize it’s trying to cram too much into one place.

What I’d personally love to see on Disney+ is more free, ad-supported content, similar to what Pluto TV offers. Disney has a massive content vault, and it would be great to see at least some of it available to stream for free. But that’s just my hope, and right now it seems Disney is much more focused on building a super app instead.