However, you can easily solve this issue by using a VPN. It works by hiding your true location and making it seem like you’re browsing the web somewhere else. This allows you to access your required Disney+ library from anywhere. Out of the 50+ VPNs my team and I tested, my top choice for Disney+ is ExpressVPN. It has vast compatibility so you can access tons of Disney+ shows on basically any streaming device. And it offers fast connection speeds suitable for 4K streaming. It also comes with a solid 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try ExpressVPN risk-free. Try ExpressVPN Today
Why You Need a VPN to Watch Disney+
Due to licensing agreements, Disney+ uses geo-blocking. It enforces geo-restrictions by identifying your location based on your IP address and then only shows you content that’s licensed there. This is also the reason why its regional services like Hotstar and Star are not accessible in many places. If you try to watch Disney+ from somewhere it’s unavailable, you will simply be blocked out and get this error message: A VPN can bypass these restrictions by hiding your actual IP and giving you a new one. You only need to select your required region with the VPN app, and it will appear like you are using the internet there. For example, you can connect to a VPN server in the US from Bulgaria or Vietnam to access the US library of Disney+. Start Watching Disney+ Today
Best VPNs to Watch Disney+ From Anywhere in 2023
1. ExpressVPN — The Fastest VPN We Tested for Quick Access to Disney+ and Smooth Streams
Not only is ExpressVPN super reliable at accessing dozens of Disney+ regional catalogs, but its speeds are the fastest among all the VPNs I tested. VPNs can reduce your connection speeds by 10-20%, but it only dropped mine by 4%, which wasn’t even noticeable while streaming. While I was testing ExpressVPN, I watched Disney movies in 4K without buffering on both my Windows laptop and Mac. On top Windows and macOS, it also has native apps for popular devices like FireStick, iPhone, and Android. The app works essentially the same on each of these devices. I found it convenient that you can add shortcuts to ExpressVPN’s homescreen. I added Disney+ and it took 2 clicks to connect and load the Disney+ library I wanted. You can set ExpressVPN up easily on devices that don’t support VPN apps, like most smart TVs and gaming consoles. MediaStreamer provides you with a short code enter into your streaming device’s network settings that changes your location. This allows access to Disney+ US. It took me about 5 minutes to set up on my PS5 and I could access shows that weren’t normally available to me. It’s also one of the easiest VPNs to set up and use on a router. Setting it up on your home router means you can use the complete VPN on every device connected to your network. This is a great option if you watch Disney+ with a Chromecast, for example. Most VPNs require you to change servers manually in your router, which can be pretty time consuming. But ExpressVPN has an app for routers that lets you use it as easily as you would on your laptop. The only downside of ExpressVPN is that its pricing plans are slightly more expensive than other VPNs. The cheapest plan costs $6.67/month. While it is pricier, you can save some money because it usually runs promotions. For example, I got 3 months for free when I signed up for its annual plan. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which lets you test ExpressVPN with Disney+ risk-free. To test out the refund process, I contacted its support team through the 24/7 live chat and canceled my subscription after 28 days. After answering a couple of questions about my experience, the representative immediately approved my request. I was fully refunded after 3 business days. Watch Disney+ With ExpressVPN
2. CyberGhost — Easily Unblock Disney+ From Anywhere With Optimized Streaming Servers
CyberGhost’s streaming-optimized servers make accessing Disney+ easy. All 3 servers (in the US, Italy, and India) worked with Disney+ instantly. While it also offers regular servers in 90 locations, these aren’t as reliable as the Disney+ optimized ones. But I was able to access a few other catalogs, like Canada and Germany with them. CyberGhost also comes with easy setups for smart TVs and gaming consoles — similar to ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer. But unlike ExpressVPN, it offers codes for 5 locations, including the US, Japan, and the UK, so you can access multiple Disney+ libraries using it. You can set it up on your router as well, but it requires manual configuration. It also has speeds more than fast enough for streaming in 4K. I only had an 11% speed drop with CyberGhost’s US Disney+ server and watched WandaVision in Ultra HD. I experienced no pixelated picture or annoying loading screens, even when I was using the VPN with Disney+ on 3 devices at once. Unfortunately, CyberGhost’s short-term plan is quite expensive and comes with a shorter money-back guarantee (14 days). However, its long-term plans are reasonably priced, starting at $2.11/month, and come with an extended money-back guarantee. The extended money-back guarantee lets you try CyberGhost risk-free for 45 days. If you’re not satisfied, you can get a refund within that frame. To check if it’s trustworthy, I canceled my subscription through its 24/7 live chat feature. The representative approved my request after asking for some general feedback, and I got my money back in 3 days. Watch Disney+ With CyberGhost
3. Private Internet Access — Large Server Network For Easily Bypassing Disney+ Geoblocks On Your Device
With 29,650 servers, Private Internet Access offers tons of options for finding the best connection for Disney+. If you ever face an issue with one server, there are plenty more to choose from. And if you can’t be bothered looking for a working server, you can always just stick to one of the 8 streaming servers available. I tested PIA’s streaming servers in the US, UK, Japan, and Italy and all of them gave me access to the corresponding Disney+ library. Unfortunately, there’s no streaming server based in India for Hotstar, but I did manage to access it using the regular India location. The only issue I had with PIA is that its app isn’t the most user-friendly since it has a lot of customization options. But you don’t have to change anything since it can easily unblock Disney+ with its default settings. However, If you’re a more experienced VPN user, you can tweak the settings per your requirements. It offers multiple long-term and short-term plans to meet your needs. They all come with the same features, but the annual plans are considerably cheaper. You can get PIA for $2.03/month with its most economical subscription plan. You can also try PIA completely risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee. I decided to try this policy by contacting its customer support via the 24/7 live chat and canceled my subscription. The representative approved my request after asking me a couple of customer-satisfaction questions. I got my money back after 4 days. Watch Disney+ With PIA
4. NordVPN — Easy-To-Use Apps Great for Watching Disney+ On Any Device
NordVPN has native apps for the most popular devices and operating systems. What I liked most about it is the apps are almost the same no matter which device you use. This makes it really easy to use to watch Disney+ across devices — you don’t have to learn how NordVPN works every time you install it on another streaming device. It also comes with a smart DNS feature, so you can tweak your smart TV or console’s network settings to access Disney+ directly on them. While it has router compatibility, there’s no native app, so setting it up across your entire network is a bit complicated. While it doesn’t have streaming-specific servers like CyberGhost or PIA, NordVPN is reliable at accessing Disney+ in a ton of regions. Instead of choosing a few servers to maintain for streaming, it maintains all of them with a feature it calls SmartPlay. It has 5,563 servers in 60 countries, so that’s a lot of options. NordVPN’s pricing plans are split between Standard, Plus, and Complete. However, its Standard plan has all the features necessary to access Disney+ from anywhere and it’s the cheapest. All plans are also backed by a money-back guarantee, so if you try it out and aren’t impressed you can get a full refund within 30 days. Watch Disney+ With NordVPN
5. Surfshark — Unlimited Device Connections Great for Large Households of Disney Fans
Surfshark is one of the most affordable VPNs in this list and it doesn’t limit how many devices you can connect. Most VPNs limit your connections to 5-10 — If you have a large family, everyone can use Surfshark to access Disney+ (or whatever streaming platform) on their personal devices without any limitations. It has very fast speeds, and I never faced buffering testing Surfshark with Disney+. Similar to NordVPN, it doesn’t offer specialized streaming servers, but I found the 6 I tested reliable in accessing Disney+. The UK, US, Japan, and Germany locations all worked great. The thing with Surfshark is that it sometimes takes a long time for a server to connect. When you compare connection times to ExpressVPN (which never takes more than 1 second), waiting 30 seconds to establish a connection can get kind of annoying. It comes with monthly and annual subscription plans, but the long-term ones offer better value, as is the norm with VPN subscriptions. But with long-term options for as low as $2.30/month, Surfshark is a really good price for everything it offers. Watch Disney+ With Surfshark
How to Watch Disney+ on Any Device With a VPN
Below are detailed step-by-step guides that will help you install a VPN on any device so you can use it to stream Disney+. For popular devices, it’s easy – just download and install the native VPN app for your chosen device. But for devices that don’t support VPN apps, like smart TVs, Chromecast, Roku, or Apple TV, you’ll need to use a VPN’s Smart DNS service, share the VPN connection from your PC, or install the VPN on your router. For the guides below, I used ExpressVPN – the best VPN for Disney+ I tested. Not only can it reliably stream in the highest quality, but it’s compatible with a ton of different devices and operating systems. You can use it on just about anything.
Windows and Mac
Because nearly all VPNs offer a native app for Windows and Mac, it’s really simple to set up — the process is mostly automated for you. You can start watching Disney+ in just a few minutes. Start streaming Disney+. Once you’re connected to your desired server, Disney+ should no longer be blocked. You will be able to sign in and start watching content. Watch Disney+ With ExpressVPN
Watch Disney+ on Smart TVs, Apple TVs, and Gaming Consoles With a VPN
These devices commonly don’t support VPN apps, which makes setting them up for Disney+ slightly more complex. There are a few different ways you can go about this, each with their pros and cons. By far the simplest method is using a VPN’s Smart DNS service. This allows you to fool Disney+ into thinking you’re in a country where it is available, much like a regular VPN does. However, the main difference is that your IP address is not hidden and your connection is unencrypted. A Smart DNS only masks your DNS queries — which is enough to bypass Disney+ geo-restrictions. However, not all VPNs offer a Smart DNS service, and they are usually far more limited in what they can access. Many Smart DNS services only reliably allow access to a few streaming platforms in a single country. Also, as your connection is unencrypted and your real IP address is visible, you can easily be tracked or monitored while online. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to setting up Smart DNS with Disney+:
Watch Disney+ on Any Device by Installing a VPN Onto Your Router
By installing your VPN onto your router, you’ll have access to Disney+ on every streaming device in your home, without the need for various VPN apps or a Smart DNS service. Also, a VPN installed on your router works smoothly with devices that commonly do not support native VPN apps, and unlike a Smart DNS service, you’ll have access to your VPN’s full server network on every device. However, installing a VPN on a router can be a rather technical process. It can involve a lot of fiddling about in router settings to get it to work. In addition, it can be more difficult to change servers when you need to, as many VPNs offer no apps for routers. This means you’d need to manually enter new server details into your router settings every time you wanted to switch servers. If this is the method you’d like to go for, we highly recommend ExpressVPN — it offers one of the easiest router setups and it even comes with a dedicated VPN router app. This allows you to easily control your VPN without manually editing settings. The following guide covers how to set up ExpressVPN on a router. If you’d like to use an alternative VPN, we recommend following their own router setup guides. This is because the process of router installation can vary significantly depending on your chosen VPN and router. Try ExpressVPN for Routers
Where is Disney+ available?
Disney+ is available in many countries and regions, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Continental Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia. The content in all of the countries where Disney+ is available differs, which means that your country’s library won’t have some titles you can see in others. Disney+ Star is also available in some European countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain, but it’s not available in the US. Disney+ also operates in India and Indonesia under the name of Disney+ Hotstar, popularly known as Hotstar. These versions of Disney+ feature completely different libraries, offering a mix of local and international content. If you need access to your Disney+ (or Disney+ Star) account, a VPN can bypass the geoblocks and allow you access. For example, if you need access to your US Disney+ library in Bulgaria, then connect to a server in the US.
How can I change my Disney+ location?
The easiest way to change your Disney+ location is with a VPN that can reliably bypass the platform’s geoblocks. To do so, you’ll just need to download and install the VPN app onto your device and connect to a server of your choice. Just make sure that Disney+ is available in that location. Then, log in to your account and start streaming as you normally would.
How can I sign up for Disney+ without a credit card?
You can pay for Disney+ with PayPal, but you’ll need to use a PayPal account that was registered in the country where you signed up for Disney+. Alternatively, you can use gift cards. However, if you’re watching Disney+ from abroad, you’ll need a VPN with servers within a country where Disney+ is available. This is to unblock Disney+ and so that you can buy usable gift cards from the same region. An example of how you can do this follows below:
Create a new iTunes account (for iOS users) or a Google Play account (for Android users) and select the US as your region. Add funds to your account and connect your VPN to a US server. Buy an iTunes or Google Play gift card with enough dollars to pay for the Disney+ subscription. Open the Disney+ app and sign up using your purchased gift card and start watching your favorite content.
Can I watch Disney+ for free?
Is it illegal to use a VPN for Disney+?
No, it is not illegal to access Disney+ with a VPN. There are no specific laws against accessing geo-restricted content with a VPN. However, you do need to be wary of your country’s stance on VPNs. Some censorship-heavy countries, such as China and Russia, implement restrictions or bans on VPNs. We do not condone the breaking of the law, so please ensure you check your local laws before using a VPN.
What should I do if I still get the Disney+ streaming error with a VPN?
If you are still getting the Disney+ streaming error or a black screen even with your VPN connected, you can try the following steps:
Choose a quality VPN — Some VPNs struggle to unblock Disney+, due to blacklisting or a failure to properly mask your true location. By choosing one of our top VPNs for Disney+, you’ll consistently be able to unblock Disney+ without issue. Update your VPN app — Out-of-date VPN apps may work incorrectly and fail to unblock Disney+. Update your VPN app to the latest version and give it another go. Connect to a different server — Disney+ may have blacklisted your current VPN IP address. As long as you are using a quality VPN, there will be plenty of working alternatives. Disconnect and reconnect your VPN to get a new IP and try again. Clearing your cookies and caches — Try reconnecting your VPN after clearing your cookies and cache, as they might contain trackers leaking your actual location. Disable GPS location data — It’s possible that Disney+ is able to see your true location via your device’s GPS data. Turn off any kind of location services on your device and try again. Try a different browser — Some VPNs may be unable to prevent leaks of your true location with certain browsers. If you’re using a PC browser to access Disney+, try a different one. If this still fails to work, try accessing Disney+ through the app. Enable the SSL/TLS protocol and port 2080 — If possible, set your VPN to use the SSL/TLS protocol and port 2080 in the settings. Contact support if you’re struggling with this. Be aware that not all VPNs allow you to manually configure ports or use the SSL/TLS protocol. Contact customer support — If you’re still having trouble, contact the support team for your VPN. They will be able to better help you narrow down your specific issue.
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Enjoy More Disney+ on Any Device With a VPN
Disney+ isn’t available everywhere. Plus, the content differs in each region it is available. The easiest way to access Disney+ from anywhere is to use a VPN proven to bypass its geoblocks. The VPN I recommend for Disney+ is ExpressVPN. It reliably unblocks the streaming platform from anywhere and has fast speeds that will let you watch Disney+ in UHD. Best of all, you can try all of ExpressVPN’s features risk-free since it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. It’s possible to claim a full refund if it doesn’t work out for you.
To summarize, the best VPNs for watching Disney+ are…
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