Watching movies and TV shows with friends and family is always more fun, even when you can’t physically be together. Disney+ offers a few great options to stream content together online with friends and family remotely. As a Disney+ subscriber and streaming enthusiast, I’ll walk you through the best methods so you can have virtual watch parties.
Table of Contents
Use GroupWatch (No Longer Available)
Disney+ previously offered a native “GroupWatch” feature that allowed up to 7 people to remotely stream any Disney+ content in perfect sync, while chatting with each other. It made virtual movie nights extremely simple. Unfortunately, Disney discontinued GroupWatch in September 2023 much to users’ disappointment.
Apple users can utilize SharePlay to sync Disney+ playback with up to 32 people on a FaceTime call. Everyone on the call can play, pause, and react to the content in real time.
To use SharePlay:
- Start a FaceTime call and tap the SharePlay icon
- Open the Disney+ app and select “Join SharePlay”
- Choose a show or movie to watch
- All participants will see the video in sync
The main catch is that SharePlay only works on Apple devices running iOS 15.1 or later, or macOS Monterey or later. So it’s not a universal option.
Use Watch Party Browser Extensions
Third-party browser extensions like Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party) allow you to remotely watch Disney+ with friends by synchronizing video playback and adding group chat.
To use Teleparty:
- Install the Teleparty Chrome extension
- Click the TP icon and create a shareable link
- Send the link to friends and have them join the “party”
- Select any Disney+ title to watch together
Teleparty works across platforms with any browser that supports Chrome extensions. So it’s an easy way to watch Disney+ remotely with both Apple and non-Apple users.
Sync Playback Manually
If advanced syncing options don’t work for your situation, you can always coordinate pressing play at the exact same time over a voice/video call on your platform of choice.
Sure, it might not stay perfectly in sync, but you’ll generally be watching the same scenes together. And you can chat about the show or movie like you would if you were in the same room.
Platforms like Discord make it easy to combine voice, video, and text chat all in one place while streaming Disney+ in your browser or TV app.
Use Offline Viewing
For movies and downloaded episodes, you can watch them offline completely in sync. Have everyone download the title to their devices through the Disney+ app in advance.
Then pick a time to press play while you’re voice chatting. Since the content is pre-loaded, it eliminates internet lag and buffering issues.
Screen Mirroring
If you have the ability to screen mirror your device to a TV or monitor while on a call, you can stream Disney+ that way. Services like Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, and Roku streaming make this possible.
One person streams on their device then mirrors and becomes the “host”. Everyone else watches the mirrored feed while able to communicate via a call or chat.
Local Watch Parties
While remote digital watch parties are convenient, they still can’t beat actual in-person watch parties when possible. If your friends are local, take advantage!
Syncing up food, snacks, and your favorite Disney+ shows to watch together doesn’t require any fancy technology. And you get to enjoy each other’s real-time reactions.
Summary
Despite GroupWatch going away, there are still plenty of great options to stream Disney+ remotely with friends and family. From browser extensions to screen mirroring to old fashioned in-person gatherings, you have choices.
No more FOMO when your friends are binging the latest Disney+ original without you. Use one of these methods to easily sync up your next digital movie night or TV series binge session!
