How to watch Disney Plus anywhere with a VPN

If you’ve ever experienced the frustration of being unable to access Disney Plus while traveling abroad, there is no need to worry anymore. We’re about to reveal how a Disney Plus VPN (Virtual Private Network) can be your ultimate tool to unlock the full potential of Disney+ from anywhere in the world, just as if you were back home.

Disney Plus is region-locked, only accessible from specific countries. Even if you possess an account, venturing outside those designated countries will trigger a location error message:

Something went wrong. Please try again. If the problem persists, visit the Disney+ Help Center (Error Code 83).

A VPN cleverly switches your IP address, fooling Disney Plus into believing you’re located in that very region. In this comprehensive post, we will divulge the exact steps to set up a VPN with Disney Plus, enabling you to relish your cherished content without limitations.

Not all VPNs will work with Disney+, as the platform employs detection measures to block VPN traffic. That said, many top providers find ways to bypass these restrictions. We’ll explain more about these below, but these are our top picks.

Best VPNs for Disney Plus:

1. NordVPN: Our top recommendation for watching Disney+ abroad. Has a huge server network, great unblocking abilities, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for streaming.
2. Surfshark: Our low-cost pick. Boasts a ton of security features and decent speeds, and bypasses geo-restrictions with ease.
3. ExpressVPN: Extremely fast, with a large number of location choices. Strong on security and privacy.
4. CyberGhost: A secure, speedy service that will help you enjoy Disney+ from anywhere.
5. IPVanish: This provider is fast and reliable and unblocks several popular platforms.
6. PrivateVPN: Although it’s smaller than most of its rivals, PrivateVPN delivers on speed, security, and unblocking abilities.
7. PureVPN: Choice of servers in the US that work to stream Disney+ and other popular streaming platforms. Allows 10 simultaneous connections. 
8. ProtonVPN: Reliable VPN with lots of advanced features, including port forwarding. Servers in 85+ countries, including the US.

How to watch Disney+ online abroad with a VPN

Although a VPN sounds complex, most are straightforward to set up. Here are the steps:

How to watch Disney Plus with a VPN:

1. Decide on a suitable VPN provider, choose a subscription, and submit payment. We recommend NordVPN.
2. Download the relevant app for your device from the VPN provider’s website or the appropriate app store.
3. Install and run the app and enter your login credentials.
4. Select a server in the same region as the Disney+ catalog you want to unblock. For example, for the US library, choose an American VPN server.
5. Sign up for Disney+ if you haven’t already. Note that you will need a form of payment that matches your selected region (more details below).
6. Log in to Disney+ and you should be able to stream content as normal.

With some VPNs, any server in a given region will work.  For others, only select servers will unblock Disney+, so you may need to contact customer support to find out which one to use.

Best VPNs for changing Disney Plus regions – Our hands-on review

We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Disney+.

Criteria for the best Disney+ VPNs

As well as finding VPNs that work to unblock Disney+, we look at a full range of criteria when recommending the best providers. Here are the main factors we consider:

• Works reliably with Disney+
• Has excellent speeds and reliable connections
• Provides strong security, including 256-bit encryption
• Doesn’t log personal information
• Apps for plenty of devices
• Offers solid customer support
• Provides value for money, including a money-back guarantee

Best VPNs for Disney Plus

Here is our list of the best VPNs for Disney+:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2024 Works with disney +Tested Apr 2024

NordVPN is a great pick for watching Disney+ as well as other popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. With more than 5,500 servers in 59 countries, you’re sure to find server locations to suit your needs. NordVPN doesn’t keep any logs of user activity or connection data.

This provider ensures your data remains secure with a range of features, including military-grade encryption, perfect forward secrecy, a kill switch (in all apps except Android), and protection against leaks. Other non-standard features include automatic wifi protection and the option of double VPN. Obfuscated servers can help you use a VPN connection in regions where VPN traffic is blocked, including China.

Apps are available for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV, and NordVPN is manually configurable with select routers. This provider imposes a six-connection limit.

NordVPN speed test data

BEST DISNEY+ VPN:NordVPN is the best choice for Disney+. It has an expansive network, excellent unlocking abilities, and lots of security features. This provider offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our detailed review of NordVPN.

---

2. Surfshark

Works with disney +Tested Apr 2024

Surfshark has been gaining a great reputation in the VPN industry. With around 3,200 servers in over 60 countries. It works well with Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more, and even works in China.

This provider ranks well on the security front too. It uses military-grade encryption in conjunction with perfect forward secrecy. There’s a kill switch in all apps and protection against leaks. Additional features include automatic wifi protection and split tunneling. Surfshark doesn’t keep any logs.

Apps are available for Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. Surfshark can be configured with select routers. A huge bonus of this VPN is the fact it has no connection limit so you can use it on as many devices as you like.

Surfshark speed test data

BEST BUDGET OPTION:Surfshark is inexpensive, has a ton of security features, and doesn’t impose a connection limit. It includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark.

---

3. ExpressVPN

Works with disney +Tested Apr 2024

ExpressVPN easily unblocks a range of streaming platforms, including Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. It pegs incredible speeds and has a large network of more than 3,000 servers in 94 countries. ExpressVPN even works reliably in China with no special configuration required. Live chat is available 24/7 in case you run into issues.

This VPN provider values your privacy and won’t log any identifying data. Security features include 256-bit encryption (which is considered uncrackable) with perfect forward secrecy, protection against leaks, and split tunneling. There’s also a network lock built into the desktop apps. This is ExpressVPN’s version of a kill switch, a feature that disconnects you from the internet in case your VPN connection drops to prevent data leaks.

Intuitive apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV. The VPN can be configured to compatible routers and even comes with custom, easy-to-use firmware. Router setup is handy if you want to cover all your devices at once, including your smart TV. ExpressVPN lets you connect up to five devices at a time with a router counting as one.

ExpressVPN speed test data

GREAT FOR STREAMING:ExpressVPN is fast and reliable, making it a strong choice for unblocking Disney+. It pegs amazing speeds and bypasses geo-restrictions with ease. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

---

4. CyberGhost

Works with disney +Tested Apr 2024

CyberGhost is another solid choice for streaming Disney+. It has an intuitive interface with servers clearly labeled for the task they’re suited for, such as streaming Disney+, Netflix US, and other popular sites. CyberGhost has been quickly expanding its server network and now has one of the largest in the industry with around 6,000 servers in 89 countries.

This is another no-logs provider that has your back when it comes to security. All apps come with a built-in kill switch and leak protection. Encryption is 256-bit AES with perfect forward secrecy.

Download apps for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV. CyberGhost is compatible with select routers. You can have up to seven simultaneous connections.

CyberGhost speed test data

BEGINNER-FRIENDLY:CyberGhost has easy-to-use apps and will have you watching your favorite Disney movies in no time. A 45-day money-back guarantee is included.

Learn more in our in-depth CyberGhost review.

---

5. IPVanish

Works with disney +Tested Apr 2024

IPVanish has great speeds and reliable connections. It doesn’t work with as many sites as some of its rivals, but Disney+ works as does Netflix. IPVanish currently operates around 1,300 servers in over 60 countries.

Security and privacy are at the forefront for this provider. You get 256-bit encryption, leak protection, a kill switch in the desktop apps, and perfect forward secrecy. IPVanish never keeps any logs.

Desktop clients are available for Windows and MacOS, and there are mobile apps for iOS and Android. There’s an app for Amazon Fire TV in case that’s how you’re planning to watch Disney+. IPVanish works with Linux and select routers via manual configuration. This provider allows you to connect all of your devices at a time.

IPVanish speed test data

NO-LOGS PROVIDER:IPVanish is fast, secure, and private, making it suitable for streaming Disney+ and other platforms. A 30-day money-back guarantee is extended to subscribers.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

---

6. PrivateVPN

Works with disney +Tested Apr 2024

PrivateVPN has a small network compared to most of its competitors with just 150 servers in 60 countries. It doesn’t disappoint on service, with great speeds, strong security, and the ability to access multiple sites. You can watch Disney+ along with other favorites such as Netflix and Hulu. PrivateVPN works well in China.

This service won’t log your information and offers similar security features to its larger peers. You get 256-bit encryption, perfect forward secrecy, leak protection, and a kill switch in the Windows app.

Native apps are available for iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, MacOS, and Windows, and there’s support for Linux and select routers. PrivateVPN allows up to six simultaneous connections.

PrivateVPN speed test data

PRIVATE AND SECURE:PrivateVPN is a solid performer with great speeds and unblocking abilities, and private, secure connections. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our PrivateVPN review.

---

7. PureVPN

PureVPN is a good choice when you’re on vacation or using a restricted work network, and want to use your you can use PureVPN to stream your Disney+ account. The VPN is super fast thanks to its WireGuard protocol and offers robust enough security to stream your Disney account without being tracked. You can also connect to servers in 65 different countries, perfect for accessing the Disney+ catalog in many different regions

The VPN is perfect for American viewers traveling abroad because it works to watch Hulu, Netflix US, HBO Max, Peaock, Paramount Plus, Sling TV, and tons of other popular streaming platforms. Speeds are impressive, considering the low cost of a subscription. In our most recent tests, it came out as the third fastest VPN on the market. This makes it perfect for playing games, torrenting, and streaming your Disney account.

PureVPN offers port forwarding for torrenting, however, it bumps up the cost of a subscription so bear that in mind. The basic plan, however, will be suitable for the vast majority of users at just $1.96 per month.

The apps come with AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak prevention, ensuring your online activities remain secure and private regardless of where you connect. This makes it perfect for gaming privacy at home, at work, or on public wifi – and to prevent both ISP snooping and government surveillance.

The live chat support is pretty lackluster because the agents disappear between messages. However, this is perhaps to be expected considering the incredibly low cost of subscriptions. You can try it using the 31-day money-back guarantee.

PureVPN speed test data

LOW-COST DISNEY+ ACCESS:PureVPN has a choice of servers in the US that work to stream Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and Netflix US. Strong encryption means you can safely stream Disney+ at work or in school. International servers network in 65+ countries. Very cheap option. Easy to use on all devices. Has a 31-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

---

8. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a highly advanced VPN that costs a few bucks more than our other recommendations. It offers a large suite of privacy and security features that are best suited to advanced users. This includes 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, a fully audited no-logs policy, obfuscation, multi-hop connections, and Tor over VPN. Those who want to seed torrents will also enjoy its split tunneling and port forwarding.

Servers are available in 85 countries, and they work staggeringly well to access streaming services in the US, the UK, Europe, Japan, Canada, and many other locations. This includes the ability to stream Disney Plus without any error messages. It also works with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and many other popular platforms.

The VPN is based in Switzerland, a country with strong privacy laws. This ensures the VPN can live up to its reputation as a rock-steady privacy service with a no-logging policy. The VPN has completed a full third-party audit of its service which verified the reliability of its policies and infrastructure.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux and you can install them on up to 10 devices. This makes it ideal for families who want to prevent ISP and government snooping, as well as to secure their connection against hackers on public wifi.

ProtonVPN comes with a slightly higher price tag, so we would recommend checking that you will need and use its advanced feature set. However, if you simply want a fast and reliable VPN that connects lightning-fast to the server you choose – this VPN is truly exceptional. You can try it using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

ProtonVPN speed test data

ADVANCED VPN:ProtonVPN is an advanced VPN that is packed with features. It comes with port forwarding, making it great for seeding torrents. Servers are available in over 85+ countries, including the US, to watch Disney+ on vacation or at work. 30-day money-back guarantee to try it risk-free.

Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.

---

Our methodology for finding Disney+ VPNs

With so many VPNs on the market, all promising different features and benefits, choosing the right fit for your requirements can be a headache. Fortunately, we run all the providers we recommend through a series of checks detailed below:

1. Unblocking ability: We search for VPNs that can access Disney Plus from all regions, no matter where you might be.​ We also provide extra points for VPNs that work with other streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.
2. Servers: Wherever you travel in the world, you should be able to take your VPN with you. That’s why we only recommend providers that have worldwide coverage, including high-speed servers in all continents.
3. Connection times: The most frustrating thing about streaming is that you often get buffering and laggy playback which ruins your viewing experience. We look for VPNs with fast connection speeds to ensure uninterrupted video streams free of slowdowns or interruptions.
4. Security: If you want to keep your viewing habits from the prying eyes of internet service providers or government agencies, you need a VPN with military-grade encryption and security features. We look for providers with AES 256-bit encryption and no traffic logs, so you can rest assured that your data is always protected.
5. Devices: Many of us like to use multiple devices and platforms, so we look for VPNs compatible with Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, and a range of other operating systems. We also look for VPNs that support a high number of simultaneous device connections. 
6. Support: We check the level of support offered by providers to ensure you can contact them if something goes wrong or if you have any questions about your subscription before making a purchase.
7. Price: Finally, we look for VPNs that offer the best value for money. Often this means comparing pricing plans and ensuring you can get the subscription that suits your budget and needs perfectly.​ By using the links on Comparitech, you are getting the best prices through our exclusive links. 

Read our full-featured test guide for more details about our methodology.

Disney Plus Stats 2023

• Disney+ has 157.8 million subscribers globally as of June 2023.
• Disney+ is available in 59 countries.
• The platform experienced a drop of 4 million subscribers in the first three months of 2023.
• The global average monthly revenue per paid subscriber for Disney+ is $4.44.
  Disney+ generated $7.4 billion in revenue in 2022.
• The platform had a 15% market share in streaming services in 2022.
• The target for Disney+ is to reach 215 million to 245 million subscribers by 2024.

Can I use a free VPN with Disney+?

While shopping around for a VPN, you’ll no doubt come across a vast number of free options. These can seem attractive, but there are several reasons you should avoid them. First, free VPNs probably won’t work to bypass Disney+’s geo-restriction measures. These providers simply don’t have the resources needed to tackle a giant like Disney, so you’ll likely still end up being faced with an error and unable to view the content you want.

Even if a free VPN can unblock Disney+, you’ll need to be prepared for a poor overall experience. The business models of free VPNs mean you’ll likely be bombarded with ads served by the VPN itself or third-party advertisers. Plus, these services typically have lots of users clamoring to use a small number of servers, leading to wait times to connect and low-quality, buffering video.

If you’re at all concerned about online privacy and security, free VPNs are a no-no. These providers often track user activity and sell profiles to third parties. While reputable paid providers secure your information with the toughest encryption protocols, free providers typically use weak encryption or none at all. Some VPN apps have even been found to carry malware, and one was involved in stealing users’ bandwidth to use in a botnet.

Where is Disney+ available?

Disney+ was initially released in six countries, but as of January 2024, it is available in over 60 locations, including:

Austria, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Palestine Territories, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, U.K., United States, Vatican City and Yemen.

Note: This is not all of the available locations. Check the Disney website for the comprehensive list.

How do the Disney+ geo-restrictions work?

Due to broadcasting restrictions, Disney+ is currently only available in the above regions. This means that even if you have an account, you won’t be able to access the service from everywhere. For example, say you usually live in the US and set up an account there, but you’re currently in India, you won’t be able to use your account. You either won’t be able to log in at all, or you’ll be greeted with a streaming error.

Thankfully, all you need to do in this case is to follow the steps above to use a VPN to unblock the service.

But what if you don’t have an account yet? If you try to sign up from outside a served region, you’ll see a Keep Me Updated button. Clicking that prompts you to enter your email address but does not enable you to sign up for the service.

To bypass this issue, you need to connect to a VPN. Simply connect to a server in a region where Disney+ is available and you’ll be able to sign up. Note, however, that you’ll need to have a payment method associated with that region, or be able to bypass this restriction (see the next section).

If you’re in a region that Disney+ serves, then you can sign up and view content with ease. The one problem you might run into is that not all content is available everywhere. Due to broadcasting laws and restrictions in various countries, the content libraries may be different depending on where you’re located.

Notably, the US version of Disney+ carries quite a few titles that others don’t. While there don’t appear to be any standout titles omitted from other libraries, there are some Mickey classics such as Hawaiian Holiday and Boat Builders that are only available in the US.

Thankfully, you can access your desired title using a VPN. For example, if you’re in Canada, you can access US-only titles by connecting to a US VPN server.

How can I sign up for Disney Plus from abroad?

Disney+ restricts who can sign up for the service by only accepting payment methods from the regions it’s available in. This means that even if you use a VPN to access the site and can initiate the signup process, Disney will block you from subscribing if you don’t have appropriate billing information.

That said, some users claim to have been successful with workarounds:

Set up a Disney+ account with an Apple ID

This works on iPad, iPhone, and Apple TV, but once you have an account, you should be able to access it on any compatible device using a VPN.

1. Sign out of your Apple account.
2. Go to the App Store and select Create New Apple ID.
3. Set the region to the United States and create an account. Don’t add a method of payment.
4. Buy an iTunes gift card loaded with enough US dollars to pay for your Disney+ subscription. The current price is $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year.
5. Redeem the gift card in the App Store.
6. Connect to a US VPN server.
7. Download and install the Disney+ app.
8. Start the Disney+ subscription process. When you get to the payment page, use your iTunes gift card to pay.

Sign up for Disney+ with a Google Play Store account

Using this method, you should be able to set up a Disney+ account on any Android account. Again, once you’ve set up an account, it should be accessible from any device.

1. Connect to a US VPN server.
2. Create a new Google Play Store account, but don’t log in.
3. Buy a Google Play gift card loaded with enough US dollars to pay for Disney+.
4. Redeem the code in the Google Play Store. You’ll be asked to enter a US ZIP code, but any one will do.
5. Go to Settings > Accounts > Add Account > Google, and add your new account.
6. Sign in to the Google Play Store with this account.
7. Download and install the Disney+ app and sign up, using your Google balance to pay.

Bear in mind that as more people use these methods, Disney+ may decide to impose tighter restrictions on how one can sign up for the service.

Disney+ Abroad FAQs