You've probably seen the ads. Verizon touts a "Disney Bundle included" with their high-end 5G plans like it’s a free gift from the streaming gods. But then you log in. You realize you’re stuck watching the same Geico commercial three times during a single episode of The Bear because the default plan is the ad-supported version. It’s annoying. Honestly, it’s enough to make you want to cancel the whole thing. The good news? You can actually get the Verizon Disney Bundle Hulu no ads version, but Verizon doesn't exactly make the "how-to" part obvious on their landing pages.
Most people think they are locked into the "Basic" tier forever just because it’s a perk. That’s a myth.
The Confusion Around the "Free" Perk
Verizon’s relationship with Disney is complicated. Over the last few years, they’ve shifted from giving away a year of Disney+ to offering the "Disney Bundle" as a recurring monthly "Perk" for $10 on their newer myPlan structures (Unlimited Welcome, Plus, and Ultimate). If you’re on an older legacy plan like Get More Unlimited, it might still be baked into your bill.
The problem is the default. Verizon provides the Disney Bundle Trio Basic. This includes Disney+ (With Ads), Hulu (With Ads), and ESPN+ (With Ads). If you’re a purist who hates interruptions, this feels less like a perk and more like a chore.
Here is the kicker: Disney changed their billing logic recently. They want people on the ad tier because the Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) is actually higher when you factor in those 30-second spots for laundry detergent. Because of this, the bridge to the no-ads tier is intentionally narrow.
Why the Verizon Disney Bundle Hulu No Ads Upgrade is Tricky
If you try to change your plan inside the Verizon MyVerizon app, you’ll likely hit a wall. Usually, the app only lets you toggle the $10 perk on or off. It doesn't give you a slider for "Premium" vs "Basic."
To get the Verizon Disney Bundle Hulu no ads experience, you have to understand who owns the "billing relationship." When you activate the perk, Verizon tells Disney, "Hey, we're paying for this person." Disney then creates a credit on your account. To get rid of ads, you basically have to pay the difference between the $18.99 (Basic) and the $24.99 (Premium) price points.
But there is a massive catch.
If you had a pre-existing Hulu account before you linked it to Verizon, you’re in a much better spot. If you started fresh through the Verizon link, you might be stuck in "Ad Land" unless you follow a very specific set of steps involving the Hulu account management dashboard rather than the Verizon one.
👉 See also: Getting an Apple Watch Charger at the Apple Store: What Actually Happens if You Walk In Today
Breaking Down the Math
Is it worth it? Let’s look at the numbers without a boring table.
If you bought the Disney Bundle Trio Premium (No Ads) directly from Disney, you’d be shelling out nearly $25 every single month. By using the Verizon perk, you’re essentially getting a $18.99 credit for just $10 (or for "free" if you’re on an old Get More plan).
Even if you pay the $6 upcharge to Hulu to strip away the ads, you’re still only "out of pocket" about $16 total for a $25 service. That’s a win. You’re saving $9 a month. That’s a burrito. Or half a movie ticket. Over a year, that’s over $100 saved just by knowing how to bridge the gap between the two companies.
The Step-by-Step Maneuver
First, you have to activate the Disney Bundle through your Verizon account. Do not skip this. If you don't activate it, Disney doesn't know you're a Verizon customer.
Once activated, go to Hulu.com on a desktop browser. Do not use the app. The app is useless for billing changes. Log in with the email you linked to the Verizon perk.
Look for the "Subscription" section. This is where the magic (or the frustration) happens. If your account is eligible for an upgrade, you will see an "Add-ons" or "Manage Plan" option. You’ll select the "No Ads" version of Hulu.
Hulu will then say something like, "Your plan is managed by Verizon, but you can add this for an additional $6/month." They will ask for a credit card. You pay Hulu the $6 directly. Verizon continues to pay the base cost.
🔗 Read more: Converting Degrees to Radians: The Simple Logic Most People Miss
What If the Option Isn't There?
This is where it gets spicy. Some users report that the "Manage Plan" button is grayed out. This usually happens if you’re in the middle of a billing cycle or if you have a "billing hold" because you tried to switch plans too quickly.
If you can't see the upgrade option, you might have to do the "Cancel and Resubscribe" dance. You cancel the Disney perk on Verizon. You wait for the cycle to end. Then, you subscribe to Hulu No Ads directly through Hulu first. Then you re-link the Verizon perk. Usually, the system recognizes the existing No-Ads account and applies a credit, leaving you to just pay the remaining balance. It's a headache. But for people who can't stand seeing a pharmaceutical ad in the middle of a tense drama, it’s the only way.
Surprising Details Most People Miss
One thing people forget is ESPN+. Even if you upgrade to the Verizon Disney Bundle Hulu no ads tier, ESPN+ still has ads. Why? Because live sports. You can't escape ads on a live UFC fight or a baseball game. Don't call support complaining that you still see ads on ESPN+; that’s just how the service works.
Another weird quirk: if you have multiple lines on Verizon, only one "Perk" is needed. Some people accidentally add the $10 Disney Bundle perk to three different lines on the same family plan. Don't do that. It’s a waste of $20. One perk covers the whole family because you get multiple streams on the Disney and Hulu apps anyway.
The "Legacy" Trap
If you are on the old "Play More" or "Get More" plans, be very careful. Verizon really wants you to move to the new "myPlan" (Welcome/Plus/Ultimate). They might tell you that to get the "new" Disney Bundle with no ads, you have to switch your whole cellular plan.
Stop.
In many cases, the old plans actually have a "No Ads" version of the bundle if you signed up during a specific window in 2022. Check your original agreement. If you switch to the new myPlan, you are strictly moving to an "Ad-Supported" model by default, and you will definitely have to pay extra to get back to where you were. Sometimes the "upgrade" is actually a downgrade in disguise.
Actionable Next Steps for Clean Streaming
If you're tired of the "Limited Commercials" lie, follow this exact sequence today.
- Audit your Verizon bill. See if you are paying $10 for the Disney Perk or if it’s "included" in a legacy plan.
- Open Hulu on a laptop. Navigate to your account settings. If you see the option to "Switch to No Ads" for $6, take it immediately.
- Verify the credit. Ensure your Hulu billing page shows the "Credit from Disney" or "Billed through Verizon" line item. You should only be charged the difference.
- Check Disney+ separately. Sometimes, upgrading Hulu doesn't automatically strip ads from Disney+. You may need to go into the Disney+ account settings to ensure the "Premium" status carried over.
- Set a calendar reminder. Disney and Verizon change their terms frequently. Every six months, check your bill to make sure they haven't "reset" you back to the ad-supported tier during a system update.
Don't let the interface win. You're already paying for the service through your phone bill; you might as well spend the price of a coffee to actually enjoy the shows without being sold a car every ten minutes.