With the latest technology allowing families to view movies on multiple devices anywhere, anytime,  several options have popped up for families to legally get movies onto tablets, phones, and other video devices. Many movie studios have chosen an attempt to consolidate and streamline the process with the "digital locker" program called Ultraviolet. Disney, of course, has to be different. Disney has developed what they call the  KeyChest service, or Disney Movies Anywhere.

What is Disney KeyChest? 

Disney KeyChest is a “digital locker” that is only support by the Walt Disney Company today and specifically, only those movies released directly by Walt Disney and not by other companies Disney owns like Touchstone.  KeyChest’s digital locker is currently only accessible through Disney’s Movies Anywhere service (www.disneymoviesanywhere.com).  

How Does KeyChest Work? 

Families have two options to get movies into the KeyChest locker and thereby make them available through Disney Movies Anywhere.  First, if your family has purchased a Disney Blu-ray movie and that copy includes a Digital Copy in the package, the Digital Copy code can be used to place a movie into your KeyChest.  Second, if you purchase a supported Disney movie through Apple’s iTunes service, the movie will be placed into KeyChest and then accessible on the Disney Movies Anywhere website or through the Disney Movies Anywhere app. 

How Do I Get Started? 

Getting started with Disney Movies Anywhere is a little easier than the Ultraviolet service, as only one film studio is involved.

First, you need to create a Disney Rewards account if you do not already have one.  Second, you need to link your iTunes account to your Disney Rewards Account.  When you link these accounts, you should be using a PC or Mac that currently has iTunes installed.  Once your iTunes account is linked to your Disney Movies Anywhere account, any Disney movies you have previously purchased through iTunes will automatically appear in your Disney Movies Anywhere account. 

How Do I Get KeyChest Movies on My Devices? 

Disney Movies Anywhere can be accessed through the latest versions of Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari. A Disney Movies Anywhere app is also available only for Apple devices running iOS 7 or later. iOS 7 is only available for the iPhone 4 and 5 models, iPad (3rd and 4th generations), iPad Air, iPad Mini, and the 5th generation iPod Touch. 

What Are the Problems and Challenges with KeyChest? 

There are a few key issues families should be aware of when getting started. Namely: 

1. Disney Movies Anywhere is currently limited to only a small set of devices for offline viewing. 
2. The service is limited to just movies from Disney and does not include any other studio or even Disney’s own Touchstone set of movies. 
3. Disney will only let you add movies you purchased that included a Digital Copy in the package. Any other Disney movie you own cannot be added to your KeyChest. 
4. Many of Disney’s recent movies do not offer a Digital Copy at all – especially the Blu-ray packages with two films. 
5. Even if your Disney movie included a Digital Copy, if it was one of the earlier Blu-ray releases, those codes will not work. 
6. The first phase of Marvel movies (i.e. anything prior to Avengers) cannot be added to your KeyChest using the codes that came with those movies. 

Should You Consider KeyChest? 

The service is free, so your only cost is the time and hassle to set up the account and add qualifying movies. If you have a number of Disney Blu-rays that incude a Digital Copy, then it's probably worth it so you and your kids can access those movies on digital devices. In the future, most Disney Blu-rays will include KeyChest support.

If you have the newer Apple devices that can run iOS 7, Disney Movies Anywhere is easily integrated and accessible. The program will especially be easy to use for future Disney movie purchase.

However, if most of your Disney movies lack a Digital Copy or if you prefer non-Apple devices, you would have to spend a significant amount of money to get the right versions of the movies and/or upgrade your devices. Either way, you will probably have to use Ultraviolet as well.