Firstly, this is a legitimate business directly from the Walt Disney company. It's designed as a way for families and collectors to build their Disney (and growing list of other properties) titles while saving money. For my review, I'm going to go through some of the negative points that have been used in other reviews and discuss them a bit.
When you sign up, you receive 4 or 5 movies for $1, and with that, you're entering into an agreement to purchase 5 movies at full price over a 2 year period (an extremely reasonable setup). If you read what you're told when you sign up, you will also know that they offer a monthly featured title, which includes a film (or a couple) with a collectible lithograph that you agree to purchase unless you manually decline it monthly. It's not a scam; that's how the business runs.
You may be able to get some movies cheaper elsewhere, but the site shows you how much money you saved. The amount saved is always worth the price.
It's remarkable the number of people who get so upset they'll jump on here and leave a one-star review for their own negligence. You agree to the terms and conditions upon signup and, if you keep those introductory movies, you're agreeing to fulfil that commitment. It's a very straightforward process with no hidden fine print whatsoever. You do not have to purchase all (or any) of the featured title movies. You need only buy 5 movies at the regular price.
Now, I'll talk about my own experience. I've been a member off and on for quite some time now. I get my 4-5 movies, I buy my 5, and then I usually cancel the membership. You call the customer service (who are always friendly) and tell them you'd like to cancel. They look you up in the system to make sure you fulfilled your requirements, and you're out just like that. Sometimes they'll offer you additional perks to stay; other times they don't. But nobody has ever held me against my will to stay in the club.
The movies I purchased always arrived without issue. I've never received the wrong title, although it's inevitable with the amount of orders they process in the run of a day. The only issue I've ever had with them was a major delay in shipping Guardians of the Galaxy quite a while back but, a quick chat with their wonderful Facebook customer service representative let me know that the demand for the product exceeded expectations and it was on back-order.
When it comes to the Disney Movie Club, generally everything has a simple explanation behind it. A lot of the anger toward it is due to simple user error or negligence.
This is a fantastic website that allows you to collect Disney movies cheaper than anywhere else. The extra perk is, should you choose to stay on after you reach your commitment, your offer of 50% off each additional title goes up to 60% with additional special member-only sales that you can't get anywhere else.
I highly recommend this site, but I also recommend taking the time to read what you're giving your credit card to and signing up for before you join. Because once you're in, you have no right to complain about what you agreed to.
BE CAUTIOUS as I am. I'll post the agreement here if you want to get 5 movies with 1.99:
As a Disney Movie Club member, all you need to do is buy 5 movies at regular Club prices in the next 24 months. Regular Club prices start at just $34.95 per DVD and $34.95 per Blu-ray for members who joined under a Blu-ray enrollment offer. Shipping and processing is $4.95 for the first title in each shipment, $6.95 for a box set, and $2.95 for each additional title on the same order (plus GST/HST).
By agreeing to purchase at least 5 regular-priced movies in the next 24 months, you qualify to receive 5 Disney movies of your choice from the list of titles currently available from the Disney Movie Club for $1.00 total. Shipping and processing is free. Please allow 2-4 weeks to receive your first shipment.
YOU MAY ALSO TAKE A 6TH MOVIE NOW AT THE SPECIAL PRICE OF JUST $14.95, PLUS YOU PAY NO ADDITIONAL SHIPPING AND PROCESSING CHARGE. This Bonus Movie will even count towards your purchase commitment, so you'll only need to purchase 4 more movies in the next 24 months instead of 5.
PLUS YOU CAN SAVE EVEN MORE by selecting a 7TH MOVIE NOW FOR the special price of JUST $9.95 AND STILL PAY NO ADDITIONAL SHIPPING AND PROCESSING CHARGE.
About every 4 weeks (up to 13 times a year) you will receive a mailing indicating the "Featured Title." Plus you may also receive up to 2 more seasonal Featured Title mailings a year. That's up to 15 buying opportunities a year! You can choose to receive the Featured Title, an alternate, or no movie at all. If you do not inform us of your choice within 10 days or by the date specified on the card (either by returning the card, visiting the website, or by calling the 800 number on the card), the Featured Title will be automatically shipped to you.
When you join the Disney Movie Club, you may provide us with your credit card information (website accepts credit card orders only). You will be charged only for the movies that you order (including Featured Title shipments) plus shipping and processing. We will not charge your credit card until the date of shipment. Sorry, we do not accept debit cards or check cards at this time.
You agree to fulfill your purchase commitment within 24 months of sign-up. If you are unable to meet your commitment within your commitment period, your credit card may be charged for the value of the 5 reduced-priced titles you have received. This amount is dependent upon your initial sign up offer and the format of your introductory movies.
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed! If you are not completely satisfied with your introductory titles, simply return them within 10 days of receipt along with written notice informing us that you want to cancel your membership. We will refund any money you might have sent, including shipping and processing costs, as part of our no-risk guarantee.
This offer is limited to customers residing in Canada (excluding the Province of Quebec) and may be withdrawn at any time. Disney Movie Club cannot ship to CFPO or FMO. Limit: one membership per household. Must be 18 years of age or older to join. Applicable GST/HST will be added to each order*.
This offer may not be combined with any other promotional offer, including coupons and rebates.
All applications to join the Disney Movie Club are subject to review. We reserve the right to request additional information, to reject any application, or to cancel any membership. We reserve the right to alter or end this offer at any time.
All titles are subject to availability. As of January 7,2014, regular Club prices start at $19.95 per DVD and $29.95 per Blu-ray."