Since I don't read the DVC boards, I didn't realise something until just yesterday. Some of you may be quicker on the update and have already figured this out, but here goes:
The Disney Dining plan (DDP) *can* be added to DVC reservations for owners or their renters. This became significant for me when I realised that renting points and paying for the Dining plan at a DVC property, could be CHEAPER than just getting one or two rooms, without dining, at a regular resort. DDP can be added without tickets, so it's more flexible, too.
I believe the dining add on for DVC reservations is effective April 1st.
For me, this is sort of like getting the 'free dining' package again....so I thought I'd share.
(This is good news for me because my next hypothetical future trip to WDW includes travelling with a friend, not my spouse, so more space/privacy would work well -- but I wasn't keen on paying cash for all those meals. We'd stay DVC _+ dining for four nights, then elsewhere for 2 nights and paying cash for meals as required on the last day(s). The DDP credits are good 'til midnight on your checkout date, so we could go to dinner, buy up our last snacks/counter meals, and stick the leftovers in the fridge at our new resort for the next day. Neat.)
The Disney Dining plan (DDP) *can* be added to DVC reservations for owners or their renters. This became significant for me when I realised that renting points and paying for the Dining plan at a DVC property, could be CHEAPER than just getting one or two rooms, without dining, at a regular resort. DDP can be added without tickets, so it's more flexible, too.
I believe the dining add on for DVC reservations is effective April 1st.
For me, this is sort of like getting the 'free dining' package again....so I thought I'd share.
(This is good news for me because my next hypothetical future trip to WDW includes travelling with a friend, not my spouse, so more space/privacy would work well -- but I wasn't keen on paying cash for all those meals. We'd stay DVC _+ dining for four nights, then elsewhere for 2 nights and paying cash for meals as required on the last day(s). The DDP credits are good 'til midnight on your checkout date, so we could go to dinner, buy up our last snacks/counter meals, and stick the leftovers in the fridge at our new resort for the next day. Neat.)
If someone is set on having the dining plan, than I suppose the true comparison is 
about someone passing on her $12 per point rental. At $10 pp that many still rent at, you can save big at DVC Resorts with the dining plan. Your thinking is right on here, thus the reason $10 rentals are too low. I'd give it to family before renting at $10. 
