Glad some may have other options that can make them happy - if you like Universal, then that provides a direct comparison to Disney and you may find the value or the complexity just works out better for you there.
For me, Universal holds zero appeal - there's literally not one ride, theme, or IP that I like or follow - so as Disney keeps making these greedy paywall moves for more and more things, it won't drive me to Universal - it might just eventually drive me away from Disney. Which is sad, because I've been a complete Disney fan and follower since I visited WDW in its opening month with my family, and have never gone a single year since without visiting a Disney park, usually 4-5 times a year. I've had APs since they became available, and
DVC since 1996.
I never considered any of the incremental changes, price increases, and loss of perks to be a line in the sand for visiting, but cumulatively over the years, and now the massive changes since the pandemic and the last few years in pricing and converting once-free perks or benefits to pay-wall, it is wearing on me. I still go to Disney often, but find my trips have changed - I certainly go on a lot fewer rides since I don't buy any extra LL stuff - it's standby only for me, and if the line is too long, I'll skip it. Some dinner reservations are very difficult to get lately that I used to get regularly (I never liked the advanced dining reservation system being 60 days out - I just like my vacations to be much more relaxed and spontaneous). I used to always pop over to other resorts for dinners and valet since valet was free for DVCers - now, I still do that if I'm staying at a resort with valet parking that I've already paid for, but when I'm there staying at OKW or Saratoga, it's not worth paying $40 to park at one resort for dinner, so I avoid it. Now simple things like the DVC lounge will be harder to get into unless I want to pay another $100. Sometimes it may not impact me in a slower season, but there are times it very likely will.
I'm still looking more down the road - for now, I'll keep going as I always have, 4-5 times a year, and see how these things impact my trip enjoyment. I may end up just being the frog in the pot as the water starts to boil and accept it, but as I come up on the Boardwalk DVC end date, it might impact whether I decide to re-up and buy again. I'd hope Disney sees the light at some point and starts to take down some of these greedy paywall moves, or restores some perks...maybe lifelong fans who visit their parks every year for 53 years, spend thousands a year on DVC dues, APs, and high-end restaurants and alcohol purchases are not who Disney wants there anymore - they may bet that there are enough one-time families who will save up to spend one big splurge and never return to keep their revenues going, or buy into every pay-to-play extra and perk for their one trip. I hope not - I imagine I've spent more at Disney in my lifetime than 60% of the people who visit any of their parks, and would be happy to continue doing so. As long as I feel like I get enough enjoyment out of it for what I pay...I can still do that by avoiding most of these superfluous add-ons that used to be free, but each perk removed or line extended because I won't pay an extra nickel or dime for the privilege makes my enjoyment go down a point or two - eventually that line may get crossed if they continue down this path.
