We bought DVC @ Riviera in March-ish of 2021 and used it for the 1st time last week. Some thoughts from a rookie DVC member:
We did a split stay 6 days Studio Preferred and 2 days in 1BR standard. There's a HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE difference between the two rooms between the laundry/eating and just overall space. It's not worth the points to me at all but the boss feels differently. I cannot justify 10 days vs 5 days point wise for extra space.
It does feel 'nice' to hear CM say 'Welcome Home'. Not sure if that's just for DVC or for everyone? The purple ding during entering the parks made me feel a bit 'special' in a weird way. The magic was still there but I just felt the cheapness everywhere. I could see parts of the park that were not taken care of as well as before but it's not something I am too concerned with.9
I AM concerned with waking up at 7AM to book
Genie+ and being hooked to my phone 24X7. You MUST use a power brick just to keep your phone charged to make sure you get the next LL or check wait times. There were times where I would make the kids wait for lunch just because we needed to get on a ride to get another LL. I am still unclear how exactly this new system (even IF it was free) makes life better for anyone? Sure, those who just roll into the park w/o any planning now have a shot at booking some LL but I noticed people lost all over the place on how to use the app, the rules, etc.
Food -- Some of the food is MUCH better but $8 for 1C of pasta for kids is just horrible. I have 2 small girls 4 and 7 and the kids portion was rarely enough. I get that Disney is expensive and the 'shortage' but they are clearly taking advantage.
CM - MOST have been fantastic as they always have. Service has always been amazing but I encountered several rude/clueless ones from telling me Disney 'holds your magic bands at a local post office till a few weeks before your trip for safe keeping' to CM giving 99% LL priority over standby (Cinderella 20 min was nearly 90 min until I had 'words').
It was still a good experience but it no longer feels above and beyond other vacations....