Out With Disney Movie Rewards, In With Disney+ Perks: What You Need to Know

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

One look at my review archives and you know I’m a Disney fan. So when Disney pulled the plug on Disney Movie Rewards and announced Disney+ Perks as its replacement, I dug into every detail. Here’s what changed and what Disney+ Perks means for you.

The Program That Started It All

Disney Movie Rewards launched in 2006 and gave Disney fans something genuinely exciting: a free, easy way to earn points on purchases they were already making. Bought a Blu-ray? Points. Picked up a DVD? Points. Saw a Disney movie at the theater? Points. Members redeemed those points for DVDs, collectibles, exclusive merchandise, Disney experiences, sweepstakes entries, and even travel opportunities. For 18 years, it rewarded the fans who showed up every single time and that group includes me.

Disney rebranded the program as Disney Movie Insiders in 2019, but the core idea stayed the same. Then, on December 4, 2024, it ended for good. The last day to earn points was September 6, 2024, and the last day to redeem them was December 3, 2024. Just like that, 18 years of loyalty perks disappeared.

Disney fans had feelings about it. Loud ones.

What I Wish I Had Done Differently

I had years to go all-in on Disney Movie Rewards. I didn’t. And trust me, I know it. While it existed, I left points on the table. Now that it’s gone, I feel every bit of that missed opportunity.

Don’t make my mistake. If a loyalty program is free, you sign up for it. Every single time.

So What Comes Next? Enter Disney+ Perks

Here’s where things get interesting for Disney fans. Disney isn’t walking away from loyalty rewards altogether. Instead, they’re relaunching the concept under a brand new program: Disney+ Perks.

Disney+ Perks shifts the model away from physical media purchases and toward streaming. Disney swapped Blu-rays and DVDs for streaming subscriptions, but the goal stays the same: reward the fans who show up every time. If you already subscribe to Disney+, this program targets you directly.

Disney officially announced that Disney Plus Perks would launch in 2025, and the program promises continuous, ongoing benefits exclusively for Disney+ subscribers. Disney actually offered a limited preview of Disney Plus Perks during the 2023–2024 holiday season, giving subscribers a taste of what the full program could look like. Based on early signals, members can expect exclusive subscriber benefits that roll out on a regular basis though Disney has kept the full details close to the chest while the program ramps up.

Why Disney+ Perks Makes Sense Right Now

Think about how most Disney fans actually watch movies today. Streaming dominates. Physical media sales have dropped dramatically across the industry, and Disney+ has become the home for Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic content all under one roof. Tying a loyalty program to a Disney+ subscription simply reflects where fans spend their time now.

Disney+ Perks also has a built-in advantage that Disney Movie Rewards never had – a massive, existing subscriber base. Every Disney+ subscriber becomes a potential Disney Plus Perks member automatically, which means the program starts with reach that the old rewards program spent years building.

What Should Disney Fans Do Right Now?

If you don’t already subscribe to Disney+, now makes sense as a time to consider it. Disney Plus Perks will be exclusive to subscribers, so a subscription becomes your ticket into the new loyalty ecosystem. Keep an eye on Disney+ announcements, because details about Disney+ Perks continue to roll out as the program builds toward its full launch.

And if you skipped Disney Movie Rewards while it existed, take this as your reminder: always sign up for the free loyalty programs. Always.

Disney still wants to reward its most loyal fans; the model just looks a little different now. Stay subscribed, stay tuned, and don’t leave points on the table this time.