Great post, and I could not agree more. We also joined in 2003, after 3 trips to WDW we decided it was a place we enjoy visiting. I have friends who to this day cant believe we go almost every year, but we love it.
We have had many great vacations, and different experiences. We have done Sea World, and are saving Universal until our daughter is a little older, plus it will be nice to have a whole theme park to experience for the first time. We did Sea World last year and loved it, not sure we will go back this year, but we will go back.
First of all - we have such a great time every year. And, although people dont believe us, we do relax. We enjoy a day or two at the pool, and we dont go rushing through the parks, we just enjoy it. I cant stress that enough, Disney is relaxing for us.
We have sent my parents on an anniversary vacation, we have had friends and family come down with us and stay, along with our own vacations, DVC has been fantastic.
I am planning on a golf vacation one of these years with a few friends. Possibly a spring training trip as well - love baseball!!!
My only concern is that up to this point (we have been going to WDW since 1998 - pre daughter), we have been able to visit WDW during non-peak times of the year. Our daughter is getting to that age where taking her out of school may not be an option for us, we are thinking this could be the last year. I am not sure what we will do for an alternative, as flights are not cheap enough to do long weekend trips these days - I would consider two shorter trips, but not until/if prices change.
That is my only concern, but I am sure we will figure something out. I can only speak for my family, but DVC has been a most worth while investment/purchase, and I have no regrets!