I always enjoy reading all of your posts, and this one is no exception.
Like I said, we have had awesome trips, but as you mentioned, hubby and I are starting to notice certain areas of concern as well. Rising food costs with buffet surcharges during peak seasons and rising meal costs (40.00 for a character dinner!), lack of cleanliness and ride malfunctions are now a normal part of our vacations as well. Rides are constantly breaking down in the summer when you go, and that is starting to get old.
Hubby and I have talked extensively about this over the past week, and we have realized that these areas are making us feel more down about DVC too. In the 6.5 years since becoming members, costs have greatly risen for food and tickets, and other areas have changed too. This is frustrating for us as well...
We aren't burned out on Disney, but with the huge costs associated with owing DVC and going to Disney, we are probably feeling more regret as we are questioning the value. If we were spending a few thousand dollars on staying at moderate hotels, would we feel the same? We've invested so much into DVC at this point, and because we'd lose a great deal to sell, we are committed to travelling there for 45 more years...and part of our regret at the huge costs, is also tied to how much we enjoy the parks. We bought DVC because we love the parks! It honestly makes no sense to us to own DVC, if we weren't going to the parks. If the parks weren't important, we would just stay off-site, or, have purchased a much cheaper condo away from Disney, like some of our family and friends have done..
You have brought up some of the same concerns that we have. Going forward, we are committed to slashing our food budget, so this will help in the food area, and, we have decided to spend a bit more time at the resort for our daily midday break. Hubby and I realized that we have been trying to cram so much in, because we have spent so much money on DVC. That has not been the best strategy, as our associated costs have risen for food, recreation, etc. We did the add-ons @ AKV for staying in 1 bedrooms for the kitchen, laundry and more space, so now, we are actually going to fully utilize those items, and we think this will help us in not feeling so much regret at having spent so much on DVC. If we could turn back time, we would not have added-on, and just gone every other year, but what is done is done, so for us, we have to make changes where we can, as we don't want to get burned out, nor, stop enjoying Disney altogether.
Such an interesting thread! My posts were not meant to scare anyone or change people's minds, but just offer a different perspective on how DVC has worked for us.
Tiger
Over probably nine trips. (Well no park passes for four years - maybe three years ago we did a Pand P night or something.). So not every DVCer spends a lot of excess money. We eat in a lot and really by choice - I love eating out but enjoy room time too. 
And the number of happy family/friends we've brought with us. It cures me. I think of DVC as my cottage. 
We purchased 210 points direct from Disney last year at 93$ per point. Yep, we financed it for 10 years. We know our finances and both have very good jobs. We do not have children. Many people here state they would not finance a luxury...but for us this is our motor boat, mid life Corvette, Rolex, etc. That is why I do not understand some of the financing arguments. My Corvette would loose value driving off the lot. DVC will give us 40 more years of use after we pay off the 10 year mortgage and every car has upkeep and requires gas and insurance as well as a tag--so there I have my MFs.
