Just got the email about DVA ending as well. I believe you can now pay dues on the DVC website with gift cards, without calling. I think I did it in January with a combination of the DVA account and gift cards.
I'm on the monthly payment plan but opted to pay off my dues part way through the year with gift cards. I didn't bother combining them. I logged into my DVC account and typed the numbers in one at a time. I only had 12 gift cards so it didn't take too long.