So I've made a bit of a sad decision yesterday and that was to sell my dvc after this next trip.
I've actually been thinking about it for a while but wanted to wait until I tested out the whole magic band/fp+ thing before deciding.
Basically I'm just not loving the new changes. I don't like the magic bands, then yesterday it was announced that Disney is testing out a Fp+ only availability for one of it's headliners. In my experience Disney rarely only "test" something. Usually it's simply a prelude to what they plan to do. So for the next couple of days if you are at the world and don't have a fp+ for TSM you aren't riding it. AT ALL!!
I keep thinking of some poor smuck who saved up all year and is taking his kid to the world only to find out he can't ride a major ride because he didn't have reservations.
I think this is the direction management is taking the parks, all the major rides will get rid of the standby lines and require you to reserve your spot if you want any chance of riding at all. I could totally be wrong and I hope that I am. I simply don't vacation regularly anywhere where my day is planned out in blocks of time.
Now don't get me wrong, we'll definitely go, we've got a trip with the whole family planned next August but I'll just wait for the discounts to go.
I really thought when I brought my dvc that I would be enjoying it for the next 50 years so it is bittersweet.
I fully understand your decision to let go of your DVC, and it is a bit sad. However, I re-read a few times what you posted, and it sounds more like your vacation needs and habits have morphed a bit over the years, and that facet along with the often head-shaking decisions Disney management brings to the table, DVC just isn't a good fit anymore. Makes complete sense.
I've had similar thoughts regarding Disney as they continue to modernize, though in this case I don't necessarily mean that as a compliment. Sometimes, new is fine (the FP+ actually fits our park touring model just fine), but just as often, old is good, too. Disney built its rabid fan base on nostalgia, but within the past several years, they've abandoned that strategy. They appear to be doing well at getting bodies into hotels, parks, and restaurants, only the appeal is to a newer generation. For example, I'm sure in 20 years those who are kids now and will have kids of their own will reminisce about the early, fun days of the new Frozen ride in Epcot (formerly Maelstrom). They'll tell stories of blinging out MagicBands and how antiquated they were (I'm sure something else will come along in the interim). They'll brag about how characters' signatures used to be easy and free (future guests will have to pay to get "special" sightings and signatures--you heard it here first) just by just going to a station in a park. . .much like we used to recall them walking freely around the various parks. And perhaps they'll even relate how there used to be these things called "standby lines." (Hey, does this new FP+ only strategy seem a bit like the old E-ticket days?) What bothers me most is the homogenization of so many pieces of the Disney experience, from staged character signings, to dining, to souvenirs. The unique twists that used to be
de rigeur for Disney now owe more to the company's stockholders than imagineering.
How does all this impact me? It takes away a little bit of
my magic, but I'd be naive if I didn't think that for millions of others, the changes are creating their own memories and magic. I just don't have to like it. I don't like Maelstrom closing. I don't like so much planning. Heck, I'm still sad that the gondolas at DL ever went away. While change is inevitable, my continuing to return to the World is not. I haven't reached that point yet, and as a corollary, my DVC ownership still works for
luv and me. I just don't know if it will always be that way, so I'm sympathetic to your feelings.
Still, Disney continues to get it right the majority of the time, and I'm drawn there for reasons--as Andrew put it--beyond the rides and venues themselves. A little bit of my soul has been captured by Disney since so much of my wonderful life with
luv revolves around how we met through the Mouse. I will always have tender thoughts for Disney, and I'll continue to visit in the foreseeable future (despite my veiled threats to
luv about what I'd do to some of the corporate suits if we met in a dark alley). But. There may very well come a day when DVC, as an extension of my Disney fondness, may not fit the bill for us, either.
Andrew: As you may be aware,
luv and I got married at the Lodge in July of 2013. While I didn't propose to her there, it holds very romantic and dear places in both our hearts. I love that Mickey topiary, too, though I recall it in the years before the three-nights-in-a-row hard freezes (2009?) when he had a tail. That severe cold made him lose it. I keep hoping they'll try to grow one back, but no luck so far.
WHOA! SAY IT AIN't SO! SAY It AIN'T SO! 
In the late 1990s, we became DVC members and we also bought some other, less expensive, resale timeshares. But DVC was my favorite. A few years in, finances required that we sell most of them and I did not want to sell our DVC. 
To me, it represented our future opportunity to return to WDW and DVC HHI. Finally, when we were down to just 2 favored timeshares, as a strictly financial decision, we sold our DVC contract. 
The whole wonderful week, we felt so blessed and aware that DVC membership is just one of several ways to enjoy Disney resort vacations and WDW. Disney fun would definitely still be in our future. 
But it was the right choice for us. I wish you peace, if it's what makes the most sense for you. 
Thanks for sharing your decision.
eliza You can count on the Groupies to support your decision. We're here for you 
