Not a perk in my book. If I have to pay rack rate for a room I can get on points and have to buy tickets I don't need because I have an AP, it isn't saving me a thing.
Amen to that! I wnated to try the
DDP once, because I've read so much about it, so when my DD13 and I decided to go to WDW on Spring Break this year, we bought a package that included the Dining Plan. We were out of points for the year, so this was a "pay for it all" deal. I paid rack room rates for a week at the Wilderness Lodge, had 2 one day tickets for us, and got the Dining Paln.
I didn't use the ticket for either of us, because I have an AP and DD13 had the last days of a 10 day hopper. We got "free" perks from the package - additional "free" time to rent a WaterMouse boat, "free" rounds of mini golf, and "free" meal vouchers at Planet Hollywood. I didn't ask for any of those, nor did I use any of them, but I am sure that I paid for them in that package!!!
This isn't the discussion for the merits of the DDP (I was glad to finally use it, if only to see that it doesn't work for our family!!) but I will be mighty glad to get to WDW this summer and stay on points, without the DDP. I have the DDE with my AP, and that works much better for our family.
I don't think DVC members are owed anything other than a great stay in a wonderful villa!!