The Walt Disney Company has formally unveiled its single sign-on platform “MyDisney,” which will allow customers of its websites, streaming services, stores and theme parks to use one username and password across more than 300 Disney-owned products.
For months, Disney has pushed an earlier version of MyDisney to its streaming customers, encouraging subscribers of Hulu, Disney Plus and ESPN Plus to update their account information in order to utilize a single set of authentication credentials.
The end result is one username and password that allows customers to log in to any or all of Disney’s streaming services.
Last week, Disney expanded the product rebranded as MyDisney to its other digital services, including its online Disney store, admission and trip planning tools associated with Disney-owned theme parks, Disney Cruise Lines and TV Everywhere apps that power over-the-top services for ABC, ESPN, FX and National Geographic.
The MyDisney portal looks the same, no matter where customers are signing in, a move that is intended to represent uniformity and instill confidence in customers.
“Disney is using a simple logo to signify the MyDisney login experience for a consistent and connected look and feel,” a spokesperson for the company told customers in a note about the MyDisney service last week. “So, when you reach the login screen and see the MyDisney logo, you’ll know to use the same single email and password. You’ll also see a reference to MyDisney any time you visit the Help Center or contact customer service representatives.”
Disney said customers who use different email addresses and passwords across services will be able to update their credentials to take advantage of the benefits of MyDisney.
“The launch of MyDisney is more than just a new feature — it’s a new era for the Walt Disney Company where convenience meets magic,” Ajay Arora, the Senior Vice President of Commerce, Growth and Identity, said in a statement. “By allowing our guests to use one login for everything from Disney Plus to Disneyland, we’re not just simplifying the technical side of things; we’re enriching the Disney magic that families know and love.”
The MyDisney authentication platform isn’t just about making things easier for customers — it is also part of Disney’s growing strategy to curb password-sharing among paying customers and freeloaders, particularly those who share credentials for Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Plus.
By tying usernames and passwords to other services like Disney parks and the online Disney Store, the company believes customers are less-likely to share passwords with people beyond their immediate home.
Apple has taken a similar measure, tying authentication of its Apple TV Plus streaming service to the same Apple ID that customers use to log in and pay for Apple services like Apple Music, iCloud, Apple Fitness and some premium third-party apps sold through the Apple App Store.
