And I wouldn't bet much on the "average" DVC owner. We own (almost) no pins and come home with few souvieniers (I have a couple we've been given as promos and such). In fact, the souvienier budget is WAY DOWN from our hotel stays. We go to Disney more often than we did, every other year rather than every three to five. But we spend a lot less on those every other year trips at Disney.
It would be nice if there was a pass discount other than APs, but I didn't buy DVC for the pass discount. It would be nice if DDE was offered to be cost effective for DVC members who don't by APs (and it is for some, it won't be for us this trip), but I'm not crying over it. I'm still staying in a one bedroom room at the Boardwalk this fall for $150 a night - much nicer than a value resort and I'm not putting my kids in the same bedroom with us. I couldn't take advantage of the September deal anyway, and while $35 a day dining is nice, the room tax I don't pay on a Deluxe room more than covers the difference between paying for my own meals and the MYW plan.
In my opinion, Disney has gotten themselves into a bit of a scrape with the popularity of the MYW plan at its price. They can't seat everyone who pays for the plan (and those of us who still eat in the restaurants without the plan). There is little lost revenue because every seat in every restaurant is pretty darn filled now. And there are more upset customers and people who prepaid meals (and then didn't make reservations or decided to skip reservations they had and "eat later) then can't get a table. I'd lay good odds that the plan will be more expensive next year, until it becomes more like the old dining plans, where they really aren't a great deal for most people.
It would be nice if there was a pass discount other than APs, but I didn't buy DVC for the pass discount. It would be nice if DDE was offered to be cost effective for DVC members who don't by APs (and it is for some, it won't be for us this trip), but I'm not crying over it. I'm still staying in a one bedroom room at the Boardwalk this fall for $150 a night - much nicer than a value resort and I'm not putting my kids in the same bedroom with us. I couldn't take advantage of the September deal anyway, and while $35 a day dining is nice, the room tax I don't pay on a Deluxe room more than covers the difference between paying for my own meals and the MYW plan.
In my opinion, Disney has gotten themselves into a bit of a scrape with the popularity of the MYW plan at its price. They can't seat everyone who pays for the plan (and those of us who still eat in the restaurants without the plan). There is little lost revenue because every seat in every restaurant is pretty darn filled now. And there are more upset customers and people who prepaid meals (and then didn't make reservations or decided to skip reservations they had and "eat later) then can't get a table. I'd lay good odds that the plan will be more expensive next year, until it becomes more like the old dining plans, where they really aren't a great deal for most people.