The new Disney+ app created for Apple Vision Pro is the perfect demonstration of the intersection of technology and creativity. The beautifully crafted environments leverage new technology to transport viewers into the worlds of our films, enhancing the user experience by bringing them closer to our stories. The 3D film library celebrates the amazing craft of Disney filmmaking to its fullest potential, allowing audiences to experience them again having only ever seen them in theaters.

We believe the launch of the Apple Vision Pro is a momentous cultural marker in the history of emerging technology and entertainment. The device provides a new platform for creators to tell stories on, and we wanted to be on the forefront of that.

At Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference in 2023, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that we would be a launch partner on Apple Vision Pro, promising that Disney+ would be available day one of the device, with the goal to “…bring our fans closer to the characters and stories they love while immersing them more deeply in all that Disney has to offer.”

Storytelling has always been a pillar of culture, and we believe technological advancements have proven to be an ever-evolving element of culture as well. Disney has been at the forefront of technological advancements for more than 100 years. From the multiplane camera to the countless innovations crafted throughout the company, Disney has kept its aim constantly focused on the future. As a company that sits uniquely at the intersection of creativity and innovation, we’re proud to have created an experience that serves as an impressive showcase of a revolutionary cultural moment – a true milestone for both technology and storytelling.

“At Disney+, we’ve always taken great pride in leading the way with the magic that comes from blending tech and creativity, which is why it was so important to us to be on Apple Vision Pro at launch, and partner with Apple to pioneer this next wave of streaming innovation,” says Alisa Bowen, president of Disney+.

Disney+ is an app enjoyed by millions of users worldwide. Our goal was to adapt the application for the Apple Vision Pro in a way that would function as a seamless transition for new users, while taking advantage of the spatial computing elements to further extend Disney+ content.

Disney+ on Apple Vision Pro extends the long-standing history of groundbreaking innovation and collaboration between Disney and Apple. With this project, the world’s greatest storytelling company joined the most innovative technology company to continue delivering real life magic for fans around the world.

Imagine watching a drive-in movie of Star Wars: The Force Awakens from an X-34 landspeeder during a binary sunset or enjoying Avengers: Endgame in the Avengers Tower overlooking a sparkling midtown Manhattan skyline (not to mention, an imposing nearby Hulkbuster).

The goal was to leverage the immersive, high-fidelity elements of the Apple Vision Pro by releasing two ambitious new features to the Disney+ app: placing users in fully immersive environments modeled after iconic Disney locations and streamable 3D films, viewable for the first time ever in this format from home.

Disney+ Environments will bring audiences even closer to the story by transforming their space around them, allowing them to stream content from iconic environments with vivid details.

With 3D movies, Disney’s storytelling will also leap off the screen like never before with remarkable depth and clarity for an unprecedented in-home 3D experience on Disney+ with Apple Vision Pro.

We delivered on our creative idea by crafting something truly magical.

Available only on Apple Vision Pro, Disney+ subscribers are able to stream the entire catalog – including thousands of TV shows and films, plus access to Hulu content for eligible Disney Bundle subscribers – from iconic environments with vivid details, including: the Disney+ Theater, inspired by the historic El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood; the Scare Floor from Pixar’s Monsters Inc.; Marvel’s Avengers Tower overlooking downtown Manhattan; and the cockpit of Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder, on the planet Tatooine from the Star Wars galaxy. Each environment includes animations and sounds that make the space feel alive, and Easter eggs from films and franchises that will surprise and delight fans. When they press play and the movie begins, the environments transform from day to night to set the perfect mood for content watching.

Disney+ Environments were developed using the Universal Scene Description (USD) format. Originally developed by Pixar and open sourced in 2016, USD allows developers to work simultaneously and collaboratively across creation tools and development pipelines to compose complex 3D experiences, at scale, across many applications, and in real time.

Viewers are able to watch over 40 different Disney films in stunning 3D such as blockbusters Avatar: The Way of Water, Black Panther, Inside Out, and 2019’s The Lion King. Using Dolby Vision and Multiview High Efficiency Video Coding (MV-HEVC), 3D movies on Disney+ deliver exceptional UHD resolution in HDR, unfiltered and independent for each eye, and at a high frame rate for several titles – ensuring that the filmmakers’ creative intent is fully preserved and reflected.

Disney+ on Apple Vision Pro is the result of innovation and collaboration between multiple technology teams at the Company, including Disney Studio Technology, Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology, ILM Immersive, and Skywalker Sound.