I think financing
DVC is still a good deal. Obviously not as good as paying cash, but for us, we would try and put $150-$200 a month away for a family vacation. At the end of the year we could afford a one week vacation.
Financing DVC is the same for us!! However, we now can go for 10 days in the summer or two smaller vacations in Sept-Dec.
It also makes us take a family vacation. My DH has a crazy work schedule and if we didn't have points to "nail us down" to a vacation we would probably never go. Many times we would spend the money we saved for a vacation for something we "needed". ( a computer, lawnmower...

) If I took out equity from my home and paid cash, I would have less incentive to pay it off early. I hate taking equity out unless I am putting right back into my home with improvements!
My DH and I love knowing we have a 48 years of quality family vacations paid for. (we financed for a year then paid it off) I hate paying interest. For me financing made me want to pay it off as soon as possible. Bonus: The points help us stay focused on making a family vacation a priority!
I guess I am trying to say...even if you have to finance DVC it is still a good deal for many other reasons!
Am I the only one?