Just curious, I know we're not the first or only ones to skip WDW parks for various reasons; high ticket cost, less bang for the buck, etc., but we burned through a ton of trips since buying in 2019 and taking advantage of those "free" bonus direct points and cheap Covid airfare and now vacation very differently We've really leaned into staying DVC but are now going offsite to do other things, including Universal, Wild Florida, soon Sea World, Discovery Cove, and Epic.
I'm wondering if Disney has thought through in their calculations that DVC die-hard fans may be losing a built-in audience/customer who uses their points now as a crash pad to go other places off site, or do you think they don't care and it's not enough folks to move the needle? I'm a HUGE DVC fan and love staying at different resorts, but the expense and hassle of LLs/virtual queues, and shortened hours with after-hours events/parties has worn the polish off a bit for me.
My DVC has been a crash pad lots of times in the last 25 years. I always have some sort of ticket and usually it has been an annual pass or 10 day no expiry way back when. I've had trips where I walked into Epcot in the morning to grab something at Sunshine Seasons and that was it, then headed out for the day or even for a night away. Yes, left my stuff in the room and paid for a hotel near Tampa, because that's what I felt like doing.
Our last 2 trips have been at CFW and we've done exactly 2 park days out of 12... but we drive every trip, so getting around is easy for us.
This trip is going to be one of my longer ones and I always drive. Won't stay on Disney the whole time, but mostly as we will be at an offsite hotel for another week so it is more convenient to do Disney stuff while at Disney. Plus I ran down my points total too much this past use year.
I wouldn't think Disney is overly concerned about DVC members potentially using their points and enjoying attractions outside of Disney. Because otherwise, you'd be staying somewhere else entirely and at least this way you are more likely to buy food, etc. onsite.
Disney tries to keep a handle on every penny you spend so they can get most of them.
If you are just using as a base you could just look at SSR or OKW, cheap points, near I4 and parking near to your room
Booking at 11 months I'm going to book where I want to stay and bought, but I've stayed SSR and enjoy it. BWV was by far a cheaper option for me when I bought than SSR was when it was built. It now has cheaper dues, and if I needed more points I'd do it.
As long as people buy into DVC and therefore cover the cost of building the DVC villas (by paying to buy the points) and cover the cost of maintaining, refurbishing, and operating the resorts (by paying dues), I don’t think Disney cares very much about what those owners do when they’re staying in the DVC resorts. (And as long as Disney can rent unbooked DVC villas for cash, I’m not sure that they care very much whether DVC owners even stay in the resorts or not, as long as they pay their dues.)
I think Disney does care but if a member chooses not to give Disney access to their wallet for anything beyond the room, there's not much they can do. When I traveled with my family in the early days, it was Disney everything - ADR's, souvenirs, parks. But with family only occasionally along, I am free to follow my own diet. That can be a trip to Publix for some stuff, or a trip to Flying Fish for dinner last minute (they always find me a seat at the bar) or maybe I'll walk over to Swan/Dolphin/Reserve and get some dinner. Reserve has a bar where I can get a decent burger and fries and a glass of milk, lol, especially when I'm eating late.
My trip last Easter brought me back to those times. Disney got me to spend a lot for me - multiple rooms, dining reservations every day, tickets and 'stuff' for the grands and my pet sitters.
I'll have to do one more of those blowout trips - DS, wife and 2 grands want to go when the last grand is their idea of 'old enough'. I'll be happy I have DVC to offset the cost. DS has been numerous times up til about 21. DDil has done DL but not WDW. This is at my invitation so it's all covered. After that, it's on them other than rooms.