DisneyNow – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

DisneyNow

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2019

45%

WISE Score

4.3

Google Play

The clunky, ad-filled cousin of Disney+ that requires a cable login and has 'security' walls made of wet cardboard.

DisneyNow

app

Teen, 2019

45%

WISE Score

4.3

Google Play

The clunky, ad-filled cousin of Disney+ that requires a cable login and has 'security' walls made of wet cardboard.

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Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

DisneyNow feels like a relic from a transitionary era of TV. It’s the app Disney keeps on life support for people who haven't cut the cord yet.

The biggest issue isn't the content—it's the safety. When parents are reporting that kids are using the app as a backdoor to get to regular YouTube, the 'Disney' brand safety seal is officially broken.

Unless you are specifically looking for a way to watch the live Disney Channel feed without a DVR, just stick to Disney+. It’s cleaner, safer, and won't try to sell your kid a plastic lightsaber every eight minutes.

Age Fit

Best for kids aged 5 to 10 who specifically want Disney Channel content, but honestly, if you have Disney+, there is almost no reason to use this. It's too ad-heavy for toddlers and too glitchy for older kids.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The content itself—Mickey Mouse Funhouse, Bluey, and Raven's Home—is generally solid Disney fare. However, the app experience is cluttered with loud commercials and 'tween' drama that can feel a bit frantic compared to more curated platforms.

Imaginative

It's a consumption funnel. While there are some basic 'tap and play' games, it's mostly designed to keep eyes on episodes rather than sparking any real creative output or deep curiosity.

Safe

Significant safety gaps. Parents report that the 'parental controls' are easily bypassed by young children and, more alarmingly, kids have found ways to access the open web and uncensored YouTube through links hidden in the app's legal or support sections.

Enriching

This is pure entertainment. Aside from the occasional Disney Junior show that teaches sharing or basic counting, most of the library is high-energy slapstick or sitcom-style social maneuvering.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

It’s technically 'free' if you’re still paying for a traditional cable or satellite subscription.
Gives kids access to a few casual mini-games themed around their favorite shows.
Offers live streams of Disney Channel, Disney XD, and Disney Junior for that old-school 'what’s on right now' vibe.

⚠

What to Watch For

Commercials are frequent and can't be skipped, often pushing toys or other Disney products.
The 'Kid-Proof' settings are a joke; a smart 6-year-old can click through the settings and open up the full library in seconds.
Technical glitches are common, and the app often feels like it's being phased out in favor of Disney+.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think they show so many toy commercials during your favorite show?"
"If you could pick one Disney character to be your real-life friend, who would it be and why?"
"Do you like picking a specific show to watch, or do you prefer the live channel where you don't know what's coming next?"

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