Streaming content has come a favorite pastime for numerous, and nothing beats watching your favorite Disney classics or Marvel blockbusters with musketeers — indeed if you are long hauls piecemeal. At one point, Disney made that easier with a erected- in point called GroupWatch. But recently, many users have been asking: “Is Disney Plus GroupWatch gone?“
If you’re wondering how to do a watch party on Disney Plus in 2025, this article is for you. We’ll explore what happened to GroupWatch, why it disappeared, and the best current methods to host a Disney Plus watch party with friends and family. Whether you prefer to watch online or offline, we’ve got you covered.
Part 1: Disney Plus GroupWatch Gone?
Yes, you read that right—Disney Plus GroupWatch is gone, or at least significantly limited. The once-popular feature allowed users to sync their playback with up to six friends and watch content simultaneously. GroupWatch was easy to use and integrated directly into the Disney+ app.
But as of early 2025, many users noticed the option suddenly disappeared from their menus. Some can no longer find the “GroupWatch” icon on their favorite titles, and others are reporting error messages or functionality that simply doesn’t work anymore.
Part 2: Why Did Disney Plus Remove GroupWatch?
So, why did Disney Plus remove GroupWatch? While Disney hasn’t issued a comprehensive public statement, there are a few likely reasons:
- Low Usage: GroupWatch may not have been used widely enough to justify its maintenance costs.
- Technical Challenges: Keeping video perfectly synced for multiple users across devices and networks is complicated, and performance issues may have led to its discontinuation.
- Strategic Focus: Disney may be redirecting resources toward more in-demand features or exclusive content offerings.
Regardless of the reason, this leaves many users wondering: “How to start a watch party on Disney Plus now that GroupWatch is no longer available?”
Part 3: Best Current Methods to Watch Disney Plus with Friends
Luckily, there are still multiple ways to enjoy a Disney Plus watch party in 2025. Here are the top three methods that let you recreate the magic of shared viewing—even if GroupWatch is no longer an option.
Method 1: Downloading Content with CleverGet for Offline Viewing Parties
If you’re planning a watch party in person, or simply want to avoid streaming interruptions, downloading Disney+ content ahead of time is a great solution. One of the best tools for this is the best Disney Plus downloader — CleverGet Disney Plus Downloader.
CleverGet allows you to download movies on Disney Plus in high definition, so you can watch them with friends without buffering, ads, or internet connectivity issues.
Key Features:
- Save videos to 720P MP4/MKV File.
- Watch offline anytime, anywhere.
- Bypass device limitations for downloads (not all Disney+ content is downloadable via the native app).
- Easily organize local watch parties with downloaded files.
Want to learn how to download movies on Disney Plus? This option gives you the inflexibility to enjoy content with musketeers, whether you are hosting a sleepover or planning a road trip binge session.
Method 2: Teleparty (Formerly Netflix Party) for Disney Plus
While originally built for Netflix, Teleparty now supports Disney Plus too. This free browser extension allows multiple users to watch the same show in sync, with a shared group chat to keep the conversation going.
How It Works:
- Everyone installs the Teleparty Chrome extension.
- The host opens Disney Plus in Chrome, selects a movie/show, and starts a party.
- A shareable link is sent to invite friends.
- Everyone joins, hits play, and the fun begins—completely in sync.
Pros:
- Free and simple to use.
- Works across different locations.
- Group chat makes the experience social and fun.
Cons:
- Browser-only; no mobile or smart TV support.
- Occasional syncing issues depending on internet speed.
If you’re looking for how to start a watch party on Disney Plus, this is the closest alternative to GroupWatch available in 2025.
Method 3: Use Screen Sharing Apps (Zoom / Discord)
When all else fails, go back to basics. Screen sharing apps like Zoom or Discord let you broadcast your screen and sound to others in real-time. This is a low-tech but surprisingly effective way to host a watch party on Disney Plus.
How to Do It:
- Start a Zoom meeting or Discord voice/video chat.
- Share your screen and select the window playing Disney Plus.
- Make sure to optimize for video and share system audio.
Tips:
- Mute your mic or use push-to-talk to avoid background noise.
- Use external chat or emojis to interact without interrupting the stream.
While it may not offer perfect synchronization or HD quality for everyone, this method works across devices and is ideal for informal movie nights.
Part 4: How to Host a Watch Party with Downloaded Disney+ Content
Want to take things a step further? Here’s how to do a watch party on Disney Plus using downloaded content via CleverGet:
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Use the best Disney Plus downloader to save your desired Disney+ movie or series to your computer.
- Transfer the video to a shared drive or external device if friends are joining locally.
- If remote, use a screen-sharing tool like Zoom to stream your video to the group.
- For in-person events, connect your laptop to a TV or projector for a full cinema experience.
By using downloaded files, you don’t have to worry about internet issues, Disney Plus streaming restrictions, or region locks. Everyone gets a seamless, ad-free experience.
Conclusion
The removal of Disney Plus GroupWatch has definitely left a void for fans of virtual watch parties. But don’t worry—there are still plenty of ways to watch Disney Plus with friends in 2025.
Whether you opt for:
- Offline downloads using the best Disney Plus downloader,
- A browser-based solution like Teleparty, or
- A simple screen-share on Zoom or Discord,
…you can still share laughs, gasps, and Disney magic with your favorite people.
So if you’ve been asking, “How to start a watch party on Disney Plus?”—now you know. Just pick the method that works best for your situation and press play!
